New Mix: Sufjan Stevens, Phish's Page McConnell, Squirrel Flower, More

Clockwise from upper left: Sufjan Stevens, Jess Locke, Squirrrel Flower, Page McConnell, Mabe Fratti Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Courtesy of the artists

I have some thrilling discoveries on this week's All Songs Considered. The sonic sounds of cellist Mabe Fratti are at the top of my 2021 discoveries so far; do yourself a favor and watch the video below. Jess Locke is a Melbourne-based artist with a song about anxiety, the need for validation and overthinking things. Charlotte Jacobs is an artist from Belgium who reflects on belonging and home. Squirrel Flower has a new album coming, and I play a song that embodies gaslighting and narcissistic behavior.

I also play music from some of my favorite artists from the past, including Damien Jurado, who has been incredibly productive in these COVID times, somewhat inspired by his friend's death, producer Richard Swift. Sufjan Stevens has a mammoth project; Convocations is a five-volume, 49-track song cycle, and I play a track from the first volume, Meditations.

We close this week's show with a new album from Phish keyboardist Page McConnell. Page has released solo albums in the past, but none like this electronic ambient record inspired by a visit to Iceland.

Featured Songs And Artists:

1. Charlotte Jacobs: "Where You Want Me To," from The Shape of Wandering EP

2. Damien Jurado: "Tom," from The Monster Who Hated Pennsylvania

3. Squirrel Flower: "Hurt A Fly," from Planet (i)

4. Jess Locke: "Tell Me I'm Okay," from Don't Ask Yourself Why

5. Mabe Fratti: "Hacia el Vacío," from Será Que Ahora Podremos Entendernos

6. Sufjan Stevens: "Meditation V," from Convocations

7. Page McConnell: "Radio Silence," from Maybe We're The Visitors