Stephen Thompson : NPR

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.

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Stephen Thompson

Thursday February 15, 2018

Field Music Unleashes A Howl Of Synth-Pop Rage In 'Count It Up'

Field Music. Andy Martin/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Andy Martin/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs TV

Field Music Unleashes A Howl Of Synth-Pop Rage In 'Count It Up'

February 15, 2018 • The inventive U.K. band writes about the many ways in which the world can seem like more of a meritocracy than it is.

Mt. Joy's self-titled album is out March 2. Matt Everitt/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Matt Everitt/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Slingshot

Review: Mt. Joy, 'Mt. Joy'

February 15, 2018 • At once amiable and soaring, Mt. Joy's songs unfold like good political speeches: They amble and converse and pulsate fervently until it's time to get the crowd chanting along.

Tuesday February 6, 2018

For Eight Commanding Minutes, Haley Heyndrickx Finds Her Voice

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Alessandra Leimer/Courtesy of the artist

Review

All Songs Considered

For Eight Commanding Minutes, Haley Heyndrickx Finds Her Voice

February 6, 2018 • "Worth It" at first seems to echo from down a hallway, only to pull in closer and closer as it rolls along, its initial tentativeness giving way to something commanding and sublime.

Tuesday January 30, 2018

Laura Veirs Announces New Album, Shares 'Everybody Needs You' Video

Laura Veirs' The Lookout comes out April 13. Jason Quigley/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jason Quigley/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Laura Veirs Announces New Album, Shares 'Everybody Needs You' Video

January 30, 2018 • Veirs' new song billows on a breeze, with a bright and expansive arrangement that echoes, purrs and flutters invitingly. The Lookout comes out April 13.

Monday January 29, 2018

Bruno Mars swept the major categories at the 2018 Grammy Awards. Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

10 Takeaways From The 2018 Grammys

January 29, 2018 • The 2018 Grammy Awards did what the Grammys so often do: They dashed high expectations with safe picks and, in many cases, flat performances. But a few highlights stood out.

10 Takeaways From The 2018 Grammys

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Saturday January 27, 2018

5 Storylines To Watch At This Year's Grammy Awards

Kendrick Lamar performs at the 2016 Grammy Awards. The rapper is nominated in seven categories this year. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NARAS hide caption

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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NARAS

The Record

5 Storylines To Watch At This Year's Grammy Awards

January 27, 2018 • Will Kendrick Lamar be denied? Will protests prevail? Where are the guitars? Which performances will pop? Who will break down barriers?

Thursday January 25, 2018

Tunde Olaniran was one of NPR Music's favorite performers at SXSW 2017. Tim Jagielo/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Tim Jagielo/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Playing SXSW 2018? Send Us Your Songs

January 25, 2018 • For the 11th straight year, NPR Music is heading to Austin in search of discoveries. To prepare, we want to hear music by every artist scheduled to perform at the festival.

Friday January 19, 2018

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'

Rachel Brosnahan stars in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Nicole Rivelli/Amazon hide caption

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Nicole Rivelli/Amazon

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'

January 19, 2018 • The gang takes a look at Amy Sherman-Palladino's award-winning comedy, starring Rachel Brosnahan as a '50s housewife-turned-comedian. And, as always, What's Making Us Happy this week.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'

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Wednesday January 17, 2018

The Decemberists Announce A New Album — And Share The Synth-Driven 'Severed'

The Decemberists' new album, I'll Be Your Girl, comes out March 16. Holly Andres hide caption

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Holly Andres

All Songs Considered

The Decemberists Announce A New Album — And Share The Synth-Driven 'Severed'

January 17, 2018 • I'll Be Your Girl, out March 16, promises to take the band in a new, aggressive, synth-friendly direction, courtesy of new producer John Congleton.

In 'PARAD(w/m)E' Video, Sylvan Esso Leads A Post-Apocalyptic Dance Party

Lindsey Kennedy & Meow Wolf/Courtesy of the artist

Music

In 'PARAD(w/m)E' Video, Sylvan Esso Leads A Post-Apocalyptic Dance Party

January 17, 2018 • As Amelia Meath highlights images of a wrecked planet, producer Nick Sanborn sets her words to an arrangement so playfully springy, it can't help but sound like summer fun.

For His 'Roll On Slow' Video, Glen Hansard's New York All-Nighter Gets Animated

Glen Hansard's new album, Between Two Shores, comes out Jan. 19. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Music

For His 'Roll On Slow' Video, Glen Hansard's New York All-Nighter Gets Animated

January 17, 2018 • Piotr Kabat's gorgeous new animated video captures the Frames and Swell Season singer's notes of alienated longing.

Thursday January 11, 2018

The Go! Team's Semicircle comes out Jan. 19. Annick Wolfers/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Annick Wolfers/Courtesy of the artist

Review

First Listen

Review: The Go! Team, 'Semicircle'

January 11, 2018 • On its fifth album, the English band crafts a rich and playful swirl of Technicolor overdrive, suitable for rowdy keggers, children's birthday parties and just about any celebration in between.

Tuesday January 9, 2018

Hear 'All Nerve,' From The Breeders' First New Album In 10 Years

The Breeders' first album in 10 years, All Nerve, comes out March 2. Marisa Gesualdi/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Marisa Gesualdi/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Hear 'All Nerve,' From The Breeders' First New Album In 10 Years

January 9, 2018 • All Nerve, out March 2, brings together a Breeders lineup that hadn't recorded together since the band's 1993 classic Last Splash.

Friday January 5, 2018

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: In One Year And Out The Other, 2018 Edition

January 5, 2018 • Once again, the gang makes New Year's resolutions, conjures up predictions for 2018 and, with wildly varying results, looks back on last year's guesses and promises.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: In One Year And Out The Other, 2018 Edition

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Sunday December 31, 2017

It's Never Too Early To Celebrate The Music Of 2018

Dessa's new album, Chime, comes out Feb. 23. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Music

It's Never Too Early To Celebrate The Music Of 2018

December 31, 2017 • Hear songs from forthcoming albums by Rhye, Lucy Dacus, Dessa and the globetrotting Texas trio Khruangbin.

It's Never Too Early To Celebrate The Music Of 2018

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Transcript

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