NPR Music New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 23
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Jan 23, 2026 Join Jessie Scott, a seasoned radio broadcaster from WMOT Roots Radio in Nashville, as she teams up with Stephen Thompson to explore the dynamic new albums released on January 23. They dive into Lucinda Williams' protest-themed 'World's Gone Wrong' and celebrate the Carolina Chocolate Drops' 15th anniversary reissue of 'Genuine Negro Jig.' The duo also spotlights rising star Kashus Culpepper's debut and The Lowest Pair's return, discussing the rich Nashville music scene and a lightning round of notable releases. It's a vibrant mix of new sounds!
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Protest Music With Joyful Touchstones
- Lucinda Williams' World's Gone Wrong is a protest album with topical songs written in the past year.
- The record mixes gnarled guitars and joyful touchstones to confront a broken world without giving up on small pleasures.
Reissue That Reclaims Roots
- The Carolina Chocolate Drops' 15th anniversary reissue highlights Black contributions to roots music.
- Rhiannon Giddens and Tom F. make the record feel both historically essential and artistically vibrant.
Use Local Radio To Discover New Music
- Tune into local stations like WMOT to discover rising Nashville talent and new voices.
- Use station apps or WMOT.org to follow regional scenes expanding beyond expected genres.