New Music Friday: The top 7 albums out on Nov. 19

Adele's long-awaited 30 tops NPR Music's picks for the best albums out on Nov. 19. Simon Emmett/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Simon Emmett/Courtesy of the artist

Adele's long-awaited 30 is here and it's the best album she's made. Written and recorded in the wake of her divorce from her longtime partner Simon Konecki, 30 finds Adele revealing her most personal and vulnerable moments in vivid detail — struggles with doubt and grief and loneliness, drinking too much and her uphill climb toward healing. We open this week's show with several standout moments from the album, talk about the ways Adele takes chances and why her voice has never sounded better.

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We've also got new ones this week from Snoop Dogg, the jazz artist Makaya McCraven, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' first new record together in 14 years and more. WBEZ and Vocalo radio host and DJ Ayana Contreras joins critic Christina Lee, WXPN's John Morrison and NPR Music's Ann Powers, along with host Robin Hilton, as they share their picks for the best albums out on Nov. 19.

Featured Albums:

1. Adele — 30
   Featured track: "Oh My God"
2. Snoop Dogg — Algorithm
   Featured tracks: "Big Subwoofer" and "Anxiety"
3. Makaya McCraven — Deciphering the Message
   Featured track: "Black Rhythm Happening"
4. Ben LaMar Gay — Open Arms to Open Us
   Featured track: "Aunt Lola and the Quail"
5. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss — Raise the Roof
   Featured track: "Go Your Way"
6. Apollo Brown & Stalley — Blacklight
   Featured track: "Breathe"
7. Coldcut — @0
   Featured track: "Star Ray" (performed by Julianna Barwick)

Other notable releases for Nov. 19: Brian Wilson — At My Piano; Elbow — Flying Dream 1; Khemmis — Deceiver; Sting — The Bridge.