West Coast Rapper Vince Staples has never shied from sharing details and stories from his life coming up in and around Long Beach, Calif. But on his latest, self-titled album, he reveals more of what's in his heart and on his mind than ever before, with vivid and intimate songs about childhood dreams, his family, the scars he carries with him and more. On this week's episode, we hear a bit of the album and talk about the ways Staples is reassessing his life.
We've also got a heart-pumping thrill ride from the Brooklyn-based Attacca Quartet, a gorgeous new album from R&B singer Snoh Aalegra, Half Waif and more. Contributor Christina Lee joins NPR Music's Lars Gotrich, Tom Huizenga, Sidney Madden and Alex Ramos, along with host Robin Hilton as they share their picks for the best new albums out on July 9.
Featured Albums:
- Vince Staples — Vince Staples
Featured Song: "Are You With That?" - Attacca Quartet — Real Life
Featured Songs: "Real Life" and "Drifting Circles" - Snoh Aalegra — Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies
Featured Songs: "Tangerine Dream" and "Indecisive" - Half Waif — Mythopoetics
Featured Song: "Horse Racing" - The Goon Sax — Mirror II
Featured Song: "In The Stone" - Les Filles de Illighadad — At Pioneer Works
Featured Song: "Eghaas Malan"
Other notable releases out on July 9: The Alchemist — Rapper's Best Friend 6; Rejjie Snow — Baw Baw Black Sheep; Royal Canoe — Sidelining; The Wallflowers — Exit Wounds.