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New Music Friday: The best releases out on June 16

Killer Mike's first new solo album in more than a decade, Michael, is on NPR Music's short list for the best releases out on June 16. Jonathan Mannion/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jonathan Mannion/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best releases out on June 16

The best releases out this week include Killer Mike's first solo album in more than a decade, the majestic return of Iceland's Sigur Rós, the legendary Bettye LaVette, Asake and more.

New Music Friday: The best releases out on June 16

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On a new Sigur Rós album, warmth and light push through the darkness

Members of the Icelandic band Sigur Rós (left to right: Kjartan Sveinsson, Jón Ϸór Birgisson and Georg Hólm) have released ÁTTA, their first album in 10 years. Tim Dunk/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Tim Dunk/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

On a new Sigur Rós album, warmth and light push through the darkness

ÁTTA, the band's first album in 10 years, sports an orchestra of strings, high-flying vocalism and its signature bittersweet melodies.

On a new Sigur Rós album, warmth and light push through the darkness

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Jónsi talks about 'ÁTTA,' the new album by Sigur Rós

Sigur Rós Tim Dunk/courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Jónsi talks about 'ÁTTA,' the new album by Sigur Rós

On this special edition of All Songs Considered, Bob Boilen speaks with Jónsi, from the Icelandic band Sigur Rós, about ÁTTA, that group's first studio album in more than 10 years. Coming out 26 years after they released their first album, ÁTTA is music the group made over years, first in informal reunions in Jónsi's basement before and during the COVID pandemic, and eventually in collaboration with the London Contemporary Orchestra. The unmistakable singer talks about how it felt to have the band playing together again after a decade and reveals some of the meaning behind the first single from the album.

Jónsi talks about 'ÁTTA,' the new album by Sigur Rós

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A Sigur Rós masterpiece turns 20, plus Samia, JFDR, the sounds of Ghana and more

Clockwise from upper left: Sigur Rós, Lydia Ramsey, Okaidja Afroso, JFDR, Samia Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

A Sigur Rós masterpiece turns 20, plus Samia, JFDR, the sounds of Ghana and more

All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen shares gorgeous new music from the Ghana-born artist Okaidja Afroso, a spare reflection from the singer Samia, the 20th anniversary edition of the Sigur Rós album ( ) and more.

A Sigur Rós masterpiece turns 20, plus Samia, JFDR, the sounds of Ghana and more

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Love Stories In Union Square

Valentine's Day in New York: a "love lock" on the Brooklyn Bridge. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Alt.Latino

Love Stories In Union Square

Alt.Latino puts aside its hatred of Valentine's Day to hear New Yorkers' tales of love lost and found.

Love Stories In Union Square

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Music For Healing

Clockwise from upper left: Sufjan Stevens, Oumou Sangare, Sigur Ros, Alejandra Deheza of School For Seven Bells Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Music For Healing

After the attack at a concert hall in Paris, this week's All Songs offers a space for reflection and solitude, and a celebration of the healing power, joy and community that live music can bring.

Music For Healing

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Poll Results: Listeners Pick Their Favorite Albums of 2013

Vampire Weekend's Modern Vampires of the City was the most popular record in our listener poll for the best music of 2013. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Poll Results: Listeners Pick Their Favorite Albums of 2013

See what albums NPR listeners picked in our year-end poll for the best music of 2013.

Poll Results: Listeners Pick Their Favorite Albums of 2013

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A Debt Ceiling Playlist: 5 Songs To Push Your Mind To The Brink

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (left), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (center), and Speaker of the House John Boehner are three key lawmakers in the government shut down and debt ceiling crisis. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption

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Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Deceptive Cadence

A Debt Ceiling Playlist: 5 Songs To Push Your Mind To The Brink

Now that we've avoided a financial cataclysm, here's a suitable playlist for some of the swirling emotions of the past two weeks.

New Music: Sigur Rós, Zola Jesus, Jon Hopkins, Ebony Bones, More

Clockwise from upper left: Jon Hopkins, Ebony Bones, Sigur Ros, Zola Jesus Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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All Songs Considered Newsletter

New Music: Sigur Rós, Zola Jesus, Jon Hopkins, Ebony Bones, More

Bob Boilen welcomes summer with a set of languid songs, including a Guggenheim commission and a 1980s synth-pop classic re-imagined for minimalist piano. Co-host Robin Hilton gets loud.

New Music: Sigur Rós, Zola Jesus, Jon Hopkins, Ebony Bones, More

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New Sigur Rós, New Direction? Watch The Video For 'Brennisteinn'

Lygia Clark's cover art for Sigur Rós' forthcoming album, Kveikur. Lygia Clark/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Sigur Rós, New Direction? Watch The Video For 'Brennisteinn'

"Brennisteinn" (sulfur) is a remarkably aggressive piece of music for musicians who can sound so ethereal: Dreamy elements remain, but they provide an underpinning rather than driving the pulse of the song. A new Sigur Rós album, Kveikur, comes out June 18.

First Listen: Sigur Rós, 'Valtari'
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First Listen

First Listen: Sigur Rós, 'Valtari'

Valtari's collection of gorgeous, moody sound-washes fits right into the band's remarkable catalog. Timeless and utterly distinct, it could have come from Iceland circa 2000 or the prettiest spot on Mars circa 2080.

Hear 'Valtari' In Its Entirety

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Sigur Ros, Norah Jones And Danger Mouse, More

Clockwise from upper left: Danger Mouse and Norah Jones, Patrick Watson, THEESatisfaction, Jonsi of the band Sigur Ros. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Sigur Ros, Norah Jones And Danger Mouse, More

Sigur Ros is back with plans for a new record this year. Hear a sneak preview of the new music, plus a collaboration between Danger Mouse and Norah Jones, and more.

Sigur Ros, Norah Jones And Danger Mouse, More

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