Best Releases of May 27: All Songs Considered : NPR

Wilco returns to its alt-country roots with an expansive double album titled cruel country. The title, however, refers to the state of America and the hyper-polarized social and political divide that has left much of the country feeling broken beyond repair. We listen to the album on this week’s show and explore Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy’s brilliant lyricism through the record. But first, we open the show with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge’s latest installment. jazz is dead series, this time featuring jazz and pop veteran Jean Carne.

We also have this Alt. latinAccording to Felix Contreras, it’s his album of the year, by X Alfonso, a stunning release by South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini, a debut album by R&B singer UMI and more. Ayana Contreras of WBEZ and Vocalo Radio joins Felix Contreras and WBGO and Jazz night in Americaby Nate Chinen, accompanied by host Robin Hilton, as they share their picks for the best new albums to be released on May 27.

Featured Albums:

1. Jean Carne, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge — JID012
   Featured Songs: “Black Love”, “Visions”
2. Wilco— cruel country
   Featured Songs: “I Am My Mother”, “The Plains”, “A Lifetime to Find”
3. X Alfonso — Ancestros Sinfonicos
   Featured Song: “Yakuma Karere”
4. IMU — Forest in the city
   Featured Song: “What Would You Do?”
5. Nduduzo Makhathini — In the spirit of NTU
   Featured Song: “Mama”, “Emlilweni”

Other notable releases for May 27:

• Brian Jackson— It’s Brian Jackson
• Sparkling eyes – A collection of songs written and recorded from 1995 to 1997, dropping happiness and Fevers and mirrors
• Coheed and Cambria— Vaxis II: A Window to the Awakened Mind
• Dehd — blue skies
• HAAI — Baby we ride
• HOVVDY — Billboard for my feelings
• Isaac Dunbar— Banish the Banshee
• Jonny Greenwood— The power of the dog (physical release)
• Liam Gallagher – Come on you know
• Maria BC — Hyaline
• Miraya— miraya
• Rosie Carney— I want to feel happy
• Sean Paul – Scorcha
• Sofie Birch— Holotropic
• Stars – From Capelton Hill
• Steve Earle and the Dukes — jerry jef