The top albums from New Music Friday for March 20

Every Friday, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf and Lilliput Records co-owner Tanner Musgrove tell you about the new albums you can’t miss on a new episode of On Vinyl. Check out their top picks and a list of this week’s other releases, and listen to their full conversation using the player on this page or on the 88Nine airwaves at 1 p.m. every Friday.

This Friday is for daydreaming as we dip our toes into the first official day of spring, and there are some really great releases to provide a totally dreamy soundtrack.

We start with the newest release from electronic musician and producer Colleen, whose engaging compositions are a breath of fresh air and just the thing to unspool your mind. If twee pop is more your flavor of dreamy, you’ll love the tones of nostalgia, love and heartbreak laced through Rocketship’s 30-year anniversary reissue of A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness.

Do you like your visions to be more propulsive? Then look for Liverpool’s electronic synth-pop pros Ladytron to soundtrack a more dance-y dreamscape. Or you can go full-blown theatrical and snag that vinyl of the Song Sung Blue soundtrack. It’s finally out on sparkly blue wax so you can sing along with those who chronicled Milwaukee’s Neil Diamond tribute band, Lightning & Thunder.

Happy New Music Friday!

Best new albums out March 20

Colleen, Libres antes del final

Colleen is the electronic music project of French producer and musician Cécile Schott. As Colleen, she crafts incredibly beautiful electronic soundscapes that are purely instrumental, but one sometimes forgets this because the arrangements are so playful and engaging. It’s just the thing to listen to when you want a little breath of fresh air.

This newest record translates to “free before the end,” which Colleen says was inspired by her experience of learning to swim as an adult. Her album is out on indie-exclusive “cloud vinyl” today from longtime label Thrill Jockey Records via any local record shop.

Various Artists, Song Sung Blue (soundtrack)

This one should be dear to Milwaukeeans’ hearts. Craig Brewer’s film shares the true story of iconic Milwaukee-based Neil Diamond tribute artists Mike and Claire Sardina (aka Lightning & Thunder), played in the movie by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.

The film came out around the holidays, and now the soundtrack is finally available in vinyl form. We love that this one comes on blue glitter vinyl that feels really on-point. Find the soundtrack’s double LP out today via Mutant Records at your neighborhood record store.

Ladytron, Paradises

If you’re looking for electropop, synth-heavy beats, Ladytron delivers. The Liverpool-based group is always such a fun and dance-y listen — an instant mood-booster. They’ve been around since 1999 but very recently resurfaced on TikTok with a feature of their iconic 2002 single, “Seventeen.”

Their newest songs demonstrate their staying power by remaining true to their sonic roots. You can snag the record on classic black vinyl at your local shop, or for those who like to grab the indie exclusive, a green marbled variant is available via Nettwerk Records.

Rocketship, A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness

Twee pop band Rocketship released one of the greatest records of the 1990s (according to Tanner), and it’s getting a fresh pressing. This album feels super nostalgic, filled with tones of both love and heartbreak. After being out of print for years, it’s back for its 30th anniversary, and Slumberland decided to do an extra special reissue that includes a vinyl version out today on white “swirl” at your fave indie shop.