All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 20

March 20, 2026

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  • The episode of *All Songs Considered*, "New Music Friday: The best albums out March 20," features host Hazel Cills and guest Francesca Harding of KCRW reviewing major new releases, including BTS's first album in over three years following military service. 
  • Alex Isley's new 15-track album, *When The City Sleeps*, is highlighted for its sultry, existential R&B sound and strong songwriting, with standout tracks like "Mike On" and the Sid-featured "PCH." 
  • The discussion praises underscores' album *U* for its energetic, genre-blending sound incorporating dubstep and hyperpop, positioning the artist as a producer speaking directly to the modern listener's desire for experimentation. 

Segments

Introduction and BTS Album
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(00:00:32)
  • Key Takeaway: BTS released their 10th album, ARIRANG, following a hiatus for mandatory military service, featuring high-profile collaborators like Diplo and Flume.
  • Summary: Host Hazel Cills introduces guest Francesca Harding to discuss new releases for March 20th. The first major release discussed is the new BTS album, their first in over three years. The album features production from diverse artists including Diplo, Flume, Mike Will Made It, and Kevin Parker, suggesting a potentially experimental new era for the group.
Alex Isley’s Sultry R&B
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(00:02:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Alex Isley’s When The City Sleeps is a lengthy, dynamic 15-song R&B album characterized by buttery vocals and existential, late-night themes.
  • Summary: Alex Isley’s album When The City Sleeps is praised for its 15 dynamic tracks and sultry, 90s R&B sound. The songwriting is described as both sexy and existential, focusing on late-night thoughts about love and relationships. Standout tracks include “Mike On” and “PCH,” the latter featuring Sid of The Internet.
Underscores’ Genre-Bending Sound
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(00:08:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Underscores’ album U blends dubstep, hyperpop, and club sounds, reflecting an artist who grew up online and is taking risks with production.
  • Summary: The album U by underscores (April Harper Gray) is characterized as glitchy, clubby, and infused with hyperpop and dubstep elements. Gray described the album as being written in liminal spaces like airports and malls, yet the music is full of energy. The production is noted for having mainstream pop potential while retaining an aggressive, experimental edge, drawing comparisons to early 2000s artists like Aaliyah and Britney Spears.
KCRW Programming and Events
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(00:15:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Francesca Harding hosts a cross-genre show on KCRW every Tuesday at 8 p.m. Pacific and promotes the station’s ‘Summer Nights’ IRL audience events.
  • Summary: Francesca Harding hosts a two-hour, cross-genre show on KCRW every Tuesday starting at 8 p.m. Pacific time, aiming to attract a cross-generational listenership. KCRW hosts ‘Summer Nights’ events to connect with the local audience in real life. Harding’s show tagline was previously ‘Music to Make You Feel,’ covering genres from world music to LA indie bands.
Xena’s Ethio-Jazz Fusion
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(00:16:26)
  • Key Takeaway: The London-based duo Xena blends Ethiopian traditional rhythms with R&B, soul, funk, and jazz, influenced by artists like D’Angelo and Parliament Funkadelic.
  • Summary: Xena’s EP Temesgen fuses Ethio-jazz with R&B and funk sensibilities, drawing on influences from D’Angelo and Parliament Funkadelic. The five-song project includes the sexy track “Long Time No Speak” and the spacey, cosmic title track “Xena.” The keyboardist is also a member of the band Coco Room.
Grace Ives’ Cinematic Growth
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(00:21:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Grace Ives’ album Girlfriend marks a growth from her minimalist indie pop roots, incorporating cinematic and dramatic elements like epic choruses and strings.
  • Summary: Grace Ives’ new album Girlfriend takes big swings beyond her usual minimalist, bedroom-pop sound, while retaining intimacy. Tracks like “My Man’s” feature dramatic piano and epic choruses, and songs like “On Fire” unexpectedly incorporate strings, giving the music a cinematic feel. The artist is compared to Ani DeFranco for her honest songwriting and self-awareness.
Suitor’s Raw Post-Punk Energy
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(00:27:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Cleveland band Suitor’s second album, Saw You Out with the Weeds, retains raw energy because it was recorded live, blending post-punk with sludgy, shoegaze edges.
  • Summary: Suitor, a post-punk influenced rock band from Cleveland, Ohio, recorded their second album live to capture raw performance energy. Lead singer Emma Shepherd’s vocals often blend into a wall of sound with the instruments, creating a cohesive, addictive feel. The album features breadth, including the dramatic, almost shoegaze track “Generator,” and was recorded with members of Sweeping Promises.
Lightning Round Picks
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(00:33:35)
  • Key Takeaway: The lightning round highlighted diverse releases including Ali & Sharif Megerbane’s psychedelic funk/Arabic rhythm collaboration, Naomi Scott’s 80s-influenced pop debut, and Immanuel Wilkins Quartet’s live jazz recording.
  • Summary: Francesca Harding championed Tirakat by Ali & Sharif Megerbane, a collaboration blending Indonesian psychedelic funk with Arabic rhythms, released on the Habibi Funk label. Rodney Carmichael praised Samara Sin’s Detour EP for its melodic rap and R&B that refuses to be pinned down to one sound. Ann Powers recommended the Immanuel Wilkins Quartet’s Live at the Village Vanguard, Vol.1, noting its disciplined inner play and transformation of an Alice Coltrane song.
Luke Combs and Show Wrap-up
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(00:38:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Stephen Thompson (via recording) noted Luke Combs’ new 22-song album, The Way I Am, as full of approachable country hits, concluding the episode with thanks to the guest and production team.
  • Summary: Stephen Thompson’s recorded segment highlighted Luke Combs’ new sixth album, The Way I Am, which contains 22 vibrant, approachable country songs, including eight previously released hits. The episode concluded with thanks to guest Francesca Harding and the production staff, noting Stephen Thompson’s return next week with Alisa Ali from WFUV.