#6 New Albums You Should Listen to Now: Moor Mother, Lil Nas X, and More

Moor Mother: Black Encyclopedia of the Air [Anti-]

Black Encyclopedia of the Air is the latest album from artist, activist, and songwriter Camae Ayewa—aka Moor Mother. The 13-track LP features contributions from Pink Siifu, Brother May, Loji, Yatta, composer Elaine Mitchner, and others. Black Encyclopedia of the Air follows Moor Mother’s 2020 solo record Circuit City, as well as the Billy Woods collaboration Brass. The new album was recorded at Ayewa’s home in March 2020. She worked alongside soundscape artist and producer Olof Melander. Read “Moor Mother on How Her New Album Is a Gateway to Radical Thought” on the Pitch.

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Buy at Rough Trade

Lil Nas X: Montero [Columbia]

After years of anticipation, Lil Nas X has released his debut studio album. Montero has a star-studded tracklist, with appearances from Megan Thee Stallion, Elton John, Miley Cyrus, Doja Cat, and Jack Harlow, who’s on the single “Industry Baby.” The LP also includes “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” and “Sun Goes Down.”

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Injury Reserve: By the Time I Get to Phoenix [self-released]

By the Time I Get to Phoenix is Arizona hip-hop group Injury Reserve’s second studio album and their first since the death of Stepa J. Groggs. Fellow rapper Ritchie With a T and producer Parker Corey had finished much of the album with Groggs before his death. Read “Remembering Injury Reserve’s Stepa J. Groggs With Five Key Verses” on the Pitch.

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Lowertown: The Gaping Mouth EP [Dirty Hit]

Olivia Osby and Avsha Weinberg comprise the Atlanta-based duo Lowertown. The Gaping Mouth EP, the follow-up to last year’s Honeycomb, Bedbug, is Lowertown’s Dirty Hit debut. Osby and Weinberg went to London to record the EP with producer Catherine Marks. Watch the music video for “The Gaping Mouth.”

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Osquinn: Drive-By Lullabies [self-released]

Drive-By Lullabies is the debut full-length from prolific teen rapper, producer, and singer Osquinn. The 14-track project follows a string of self-released material, including the 2020 EPs Bleh and A Night in Virginia. Osquinn is considered a progenitor of hyperpop.

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Alexis Taylor: Silence [Orbistor]

Silence is the sixth solo album from Hot Chip frontman Alexis Taylor, following 2018’s Beautiful Thing. The LP was composed during isolation, and includes recent singles “Dying in Heaven” and “House of the Truth,” the latter of which features Sarah Jones on drums and percussion, Sam Becker on double bass, Kenichi Iwasa on brass, and Jonny Lam on pedal steel guitar.

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