Stereolab is back.

Chances are you weren't expecting to get a new album from Stereolab this year. The much beloved avant-pop group hasn't released any new music in 15 years. But they recently lit up the Stereolab fan-world with news that Instant Holograms On Metal Film, the band's 11th full-length, will arrive on May 23. On this week's Contenders, we hear the first single, "Aerial Troubles," a song that touches on a lot of familiar themes for Stereolab, with warnings about out-of-control consumerism, a dying planet and a future that looks increasingly bleak.

We've also got one of the most unpredictable and thrilling rock cuts of the year from a band known as feeble little horse, a relentlessly infectious earworm from the artist Yaeji, the electronic composer Lyra Pramuk and more.

NPR Music editor Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hilton as they update our running list of the year's best songs.

Featured artists and songs:

1. Stereolab: "Aerial Troubles," from Instant Holograms On Metal Film
2. Yaeji & E Wata: "Pondeggi" (single)
3. Snuggle: "Dust" (single)
4. feeble little horse: "This Is Real" (single)
5. Lyra Pramuk: "Rewild," from Hymnal