Stephen Thompson

Japanese Breakfast. My Morning Jacket. Greentea Peng. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Izzi Bavis from Baltimore public radio station WTMD to run through their favorite albums out today.Featured albums:• Japanese Breakfast, 'For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)'• Greentea Peng, 'TELL DEM IT'S SUNNY'• Tamino, 'Every Dawn's a Mountain'• My Morning Jacket, 'is'• YHWH Nailgun, '45 Pounds'Read our long list of albums out March 21 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at npr.org/music.

In the new movie Opus, Ayo Edebiri plays a journalist who attends a press event at the compound of a reclusive pop star (John Malkovich) who'd been in hiding for decades. And then, things get weird and questions arise.To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture.

In the new movie Opus, Ayo Edebiri plays a journalist who attends a press event at the compound of a reclusive pop star (John Malkovich) who'd been in hiding for decades. And then, things get weird and questions arise.To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture.

Our favorite new albums of the week

Charley Crockett. Twin Shadow. Throwing Muses. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by Matt Reilly of Austin public radio station KUTX to discuss the best new releases we heard this week.Featured albums:• Charley Crockett, Lonesome Drifter (Stream)• Twin Shadow, Georgie (Stream)• Courting, Lust for Life, Or: 'How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story (Stream)• Étienne de Crécy, WARM UP (Stream)• Throwing Muses, Moonlight Concessions (Stream)Check out the long list of albums out March 14 and stream our New Music Friday playlist on npr.org/music.Credits:Host: Stephen ThompsonGuest: Matt Reilly, KUTXProducer: Simon RentnerEditor: Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedVice President, Music and Visuals: Keith Jenkins

Lady Gaga has kept busy as a singer and actor, but it's been five years since she's released a full-blown pop album. Now, she's back with Mayhem, which has already produced three hits — including the chart-topping Bruno Mars duet "Die With A Smile." It's got bangers, it's got ballads, it's Lady Gaga through and through. To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy.

This week on the charts, only one new album debuts in the top 50: Alter Ego by LISA of the K-pop group BLACKPINK and the latest season of White Lotus.

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Celia Gregory of Nashville public radio station WNXP to discuss the week's new releases.

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Celia Gregory of Nashville public radio station WNXP to discuss the week's new releases.

Lady Gaga. Jason Isbell. Newcomer Annie DiRusso. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Celia Gregory from Nashville public radio station WNXP to discuss these records and much more.Featured albums:• Annie DiRusso, 'Super Pedestrian'• Jason Isbell, 'Foxes in the Snow'• Sasami, 'Blood on the Silver Screen'• Divorce, 'Drive To Goldenhammer'• ASTROPICAL (Bomba Estéreo + Rawayana), 'ASTROPICAL'Read our feature on 'ASTROPICAL' here.Check out our long list of albums out March 7 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at npr.org/music.Credits:• Host: Stephen Thompson• Guest: Celia Gregory, WNXP• Producer: Simon Rentner• Editor: Otis Hart• Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed• Vice President, Music and Visuals: Keith Jenkins