NPR’s New Music Friday: The best albums out May 3

You could call Dua Lipa’s third album, Radical Optimism, the further adventures in the pop music time machine. On the May 3 episode of New Music Friday, NPR Music’s Hazel Cills and WRTI’s Nate Chinen discuss the new album from dance-pop superstar Dua Lipa is called Radical Optimism, just the latest in 2024’s gauntlet of high profile new albums by major artists.

Table of Contents

• Dua Lipa, Radical Optimism
• Jessica Pratt, Here in the Pitch
• Kamasi Washington, Fearless Movement
• Other Notable Albums

Dua Lipa, Radical Optimism

The new songs on Radical Optimism are mostly in the vein of Dua Lipa’s earlier work. A parade of hits from her last album, Future Nostalgia, proved to have incredible staying power. Hazel and Nate say the new album offers hints of surprising artistic developments in her sound.

Jessica Pratt, Here in the Pitch

Details about Jessica Pratt’s new album, Here in the Pitch.

Kamasi Washington, Fearless Movement

Information about Kamasi Washington’s latest release, Fearless Movement.

Other Notable Albums out May 3

• Willow, empathogen
• Mdou Moctar, Funeral for Justice
• Steph Richards, Power Vibe
• Charlotte Day Wilson, Cyan Blue
• Luke Stewart’s Silt Trio, Unknown Rivers
• 4batz, u made me a st4r
• Camera Obscura, Look to the East, Look to the West
• Ibibio Sound Machine, Pull the Rope
• The Lemon Twigs, A Dream Is All We Know
• Sia, Reasonable Woman
• Chris Smither, All About the Bones
• Frank Turner, Undefeated
• Yuja Wang, The Vienna Recital

Stream The Playlist and Read More here.