50 Song Memoir is Stephin Merritt's latest album as the driving force behind The Magnetic Fields. Marcelo Krasilcic/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Clockwise from upper left: Joan Shelley, alt-J, Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields, Girlpool, Elliott Smith Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Like all albums by The Magnetic Fields since the group's landmark 69 Love Songs, the new 50 Song Memoir hinges on a concept. This time it's the life of songwriter Stephin Merritt (center, looking at the camera), with one song for each year of his life. Marcelo Krasilcic/Courtesy of Nonesuch Records hide caption

The Magnetic Fields' new album, 50 Song Memoir, comes out March 10. Marcelo Krasilcic/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Magnetic Fields frontman and lyricist Stephin Merritt Marcelo Krasilcic hide caption