NPR Music's Daoud Tyler-Ameen and Ann Powers survey the new albums out August 9, ranging from Ravyn Lenae's focused R&B to King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's scuzzed-up glam-rock and an elegant solo piano album recorded by Japanese pop star and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto just months before his death in 2023. Plus: A stirring album made by 39-year-old American bassist esperanza spalding and 81-year-old Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento leads to a discussion of collaborations across generations. Daoud and Ann listen back on Rick Rubin's work shepherding Johnny Cash's late-career American Recordings albums and consider Olivia Rodrigo sharing a stage with Billy Joel, whose music she references in her own, and inviting '90s alt-rock icons The Breeders to open shows on her Guts tour.
What are the rules for these kinds of collaborations? What makes them work, and who benefits more — the elder or younger artist? Featured Albums: • Ravyn Lenae, Bird's Eye • Beabadoobee, This Is How Tomorrow Moves • King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Flight b741 • Latto, Sugar Honey Iced Tea • Ryuichi Sakamoto, Opus • Oso Oso, Life Till Bones • Thee Marloes, Perak • Milton Nascimento & esperanza spalding, Milton + esperanza Other notable albums out August 9: • Logic, Ultra 85 • Big Sean, Better Me Than You • Amos Lee, Transmissions • J Balvin, Rayo • Quivers, Oyster Cuts • Polo G, Hood Poet • Spice, Mirror 25 • Asake, Lungu Boy • F***** Up, Another Day • Google Earth, Street View • Mavi, shadowbox • Peter Cat Recording Co., Beta Links: • Sidney Madden's interview with Latto from season 2 of Louder Than A Riot • Ann Powers reviews Zach Bryan's Springsteen-mythologizing album The Great American Bar Scene • Watch a Tiny Desk (Home) concert by Milton Nascimento and esperanza spalding recorded in Nascimento's living room in Rio de Janeiro.
