Vince Staples. Zoh Amba. Death Cab for Cutie. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Laura Grant from WEXT in New York about their favorite albums out Friday, June 5. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Album No.1 Death Cab for Cutie, 'I Built You a Tower' (ANTI-Records) (08:18) Album No. 2 Vince Staples, 'Cry Baby' (Loma Vista Recordings) (15:43) Album No. 3 Jalen Ngonda, 'Doctrine of Love' (Daptone Records) (20:41) Album No. 4 Zoh Amba, 'Eyes Full' (Matador Records) (27:19) Album No. 5 Laura Misch, 'Lithic' (One Little Independent Records) (32:39) Lightning Round Recommendations • Fightmaster, 'Tolerance' (Many Hats) • Red Clay Strays, 'Grateful' (RCA) • Slippers, 'Slippers 08' (Perennial) • Suzanne Ciani, Metropole Orkest, Simon Dobson, 'CIANI/ORKEST' (AKP Recordings) • Tara Clerkin Trio, 'Somewhere Good' (World of Echo) Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org. Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson Guest: Laura Grant, WEXT Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Dora Levite Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Special thanks to Robin Hilton, Hazel Cills and Lars Gotrich

2026 is the year of Keegan James! His new song and video, "Sea Level" is out on May 9. He's playing the Local 518 Stage at Tulip Fest that day. Then on May 22, catch him at the next Indie Whims, too.