New Music Friday: The best albums out Sept. 25

Leon Bridges. Blondshell. Joy Oladokun. Host Stephen Thompson breaks down the best albums out Friday, Sept. 18 with DJs from around the NPR Music network: Erin Wolf from Radio Milwaukee, Jewly Hight from WPLN in Nashville and Liz Warner from WDET in Detroit. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.

The Starting 5

(00:53) Album No. 1

- Blondshell, 'Violins'

(07:43) Album No. 2

- Julia Jacklin, 'The Gem'

(15:13) Album No. 3

- Joy Oladokun, 'Hope Is A Heavy Thing'

(22:33) Album No. 4

- Leon Bridges, 'Happiness Anytime'

(28:52) Album No. 5

- Protomartyr, 'Hotel Usona'