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Stephen Thompson Stephen Thompson is a host, writer and reviewer for NPR Music and Pop Culture Happy Hour. He appears frequently on All Songs Considered and NPR newsmagazines.
Washington, DC - May 03, 2016: Stephen Thompson CREDIT: Matt Roth
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Stephen Thompson

Thursday

Friday

'House Of Cards' And Pop Culture Punching Bags
NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'House Of Cards' And Pop Culture Punching Bags

A reconstituted panel discusses Netflix's latest season-length offering before taking turns defending the seemingly indefensible. Then, as always, it's on to What's Making Us Happy.

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Monday

First Listen: The Notwist, 'Close To The Glass'

The Notwist's new album, Close to the Glass, comes out Feb. 25. Joerg Koopman/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Joerg Koopman/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: The Notwist, 'Close To The Glass'

The German band's collage-based sound brims over with buzzing, springy, playful urgency. Bathed in electronics, Acher's softly accented vocals land like late-night affirmations from a trusted friend.

The Notwist, 'Close To The Glass'

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Sunday

First Listen: Death Vessel, 'Island Intervals'

Death Vessel's new album, Island Intervals, comes out Feb. 25. Corey Grayhorse/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Corey Grayhorse/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Death Vessel, 'Island Intervals'

Joel Thibodeau's eerily high voice sounds equally suited to basement-bound laments and celestial explorations. Island Intervals finds him splitting the difference.

Death Vessel, 'Island Intervals'

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Friday

Tuesday

First Listen: Phantogram, 'Voices'

Phantogram's new album, Voices, comes out Feb. 18. Doron Gild/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Doron Gild/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Phantogram, 'Voices'

The New York duo plays spiky, dense and danceable pop-rock songs with an electronic pulse. Voices is the sound of a band at ease and assured in its moment, as it seizes every scrap of momentum it's created for itself.

Phantogram, 'Voices'

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Monday

Suzanne Vega: Tiny Desk Concert

Suzanne Vega performs at a Tiny Desk concert in January 2014. Meredith Rizzo/Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption

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Meredith Rizzo/Meredith Rizzo/NPR

Tiny Desk

Suzanne Vega: Tiny Desk Concert

Performing at the NPR Music offices, the inventive folk-music veteran bookends a four-song set with her hits "Luka" and "Tom's Diner." But she also plays two terrific new songs, from album called Tales From the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles, that sound as sharp as anything she's done.

Suzanne Vega: Tiny Desk Concert

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Friday

Thursday

Sunday

Review: Cibo Matto, 'Hotel Valentine'

Cibo Matto's new album, Hotel Valentine, comes out Feb. 14. Sean Lennon/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sean Lennon/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Review: Cibo Matto, 'Hotel Valentine'

Cibo Matto has always been skilled at Trojan-horsing weird art within glossy, goofy songs (often about food), but the new Hotel Valentine isn't so concerned with disguising its intentions.

Cibo Matto, 'Hotel Valentine'

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Friday

Sunday

First Listen: 'Sweetheart 2014'

Sweetheart 2014 comes out Feb. 4. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: 'Sweetheart 2014'

The Sweetheart compilations adhere to a simple concept in which well-liked contemporary artists cover well-liked classic love songs just in time for Valentine's Day. This year's participants include Fiona Apple, Vampire Weekend, Sharon Jones, Ben Harper, Jim James, Beck, Valerie June and more.

Sweetheart 2014

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.
First Listen: Jeremy Messersmith, 'Heart Murmurs'

Jeremy Messersmith's new album, Heart Murmurs, comes out Feb. 4. Kyle Dean Reinford/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Kyle Dean Reinford/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Jeremy Messersmith, 'Heart Murmurs'

With its subtle strings and sly infectiousness, Heart Murmurs is no less than an attempt to craft a new batch of pop standards. Whether Messersmith succeeds depends mostly on how many people are lucky enough to hear him.

Jeremy Messersmith, 'Heart Murmurs'

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Friday