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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

Friday

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best records out March 28

Lucy Dacus. Perfume Genius. Destroyer. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Colorado Public Radio's Alisha Sweeney of Indie 102.3 to guide you through a huge release day.

New Music Friday: The best records out March 28

Listen · 40:13
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Tuesday

Saying 'goodbye' to SXSW Music

Deftones performing at SXSW in 2016 Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Adam Kissick for NPR

All Songs Considered

Saying 'goodbye' to SXSW Music

We look at how and why SXSW, once the world's largest music festival, is being scaled back to a shell of itself, what was so special about it, and what the shift means for artists and the industry.

Saying 'goodbye' to SXSW Music

Listen · 37:55
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Friday

Mirror, mirror on the wall, is 'Snow White' the dopiest Disney remake of all?

Rachel Zegler in Snow White. Disney hide caption

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Disney

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Mirror, mirror on the wall, is 'Snow White' the dopiest Disney remake of all?

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney's first fully animated feature film back in 1937. Now, it's getting a hi-tech "reimagining" complete with new songs, seven CGI-rendered dwarfs, and live-action leads. Rachel Zegler stars as Snow White, while Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen with a magic mirror and terrible intentions.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, is 'Snow White' the dopiest Disney remake of all?

Listen · 24:16
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All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 21

Japanese Breakfast. My Morning Jacket. Greentea Peng. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Izzi Bavis from Baltimore public radio station WTMD to run through their favorite albums out today.

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 21

Listen · 40:53
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Tuesday

Lady Gaga’s Mayhem, which enters the chart at the top spot after a long windup that’s included three top 40 singles.

Lady Gaga's Mayhem, which enters the chart at the top spot after a long windup that's included three top 40 singles. John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images hide caption

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John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

Music

Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' shakes up the charts at No. 1

As expected, Lady Gaga's Mayhem storms to a No. 1 debut, becoming her seventh album to top the chart.

Lady Gaga’s ‘Mayhem’ shakes up the charts at No. 1

Listen · 1:45
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Monday

In 'Opus,' Ayo Edebiri tackles the cult of pop stardom

Ayo Edebiri in Opus. A24 hide caption

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A24

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'Opus,' Ayo Edebiri tackles the cult of pop stardom

In the new movie Opus, Ayo Edebiri plays a journalist who attends a press event at the compound of a reclusive pop star (John Malkovich) who'd been in hiding for decades. And then, things get weird and questions arise.

In 'Opus,' Ayo Edebiri tackles the cult of pop stardom

Listen · 17:48
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Friday

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 14

Charley Crockett. Twin Shadow. Throwing Muses. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by Matt Reilly of Austin public radio station KUTX to discuss the best new releases we heard this week.

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 14

Listen · 37:13
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Wednesday

Thai rapper and singer Lisa, from South Korean group Blackpink, performs during the New Year's Eve celebrations in Bangkok on December 31, 2024. (Photo by Chanakarn Laosarakham / AFP) (Photo by CHANAKARN LAOSARAKHAM/AFP via Getty Images)

This week, only one album debuts in the top 50: Alter Ego by LISA of the K-pop group BLACKPINK. Chanakarn Laosarakham/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Chanakarn Laosarakham/AFP via Getty Images

Music

LISA is BLACKPINK's latest member to crack the top 10

This week on the charts, only one new album debuts in the top 50: Alter Ego by LISA of the K-pop group BLACKPINK and the latest season of White Lotus.

LISA is BLACKPINK’s latest member to crack the top 10

Listen · 2:30
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Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' is a dense and intense pop explosion

Lady Gaga's new album Mayhem is out now. Frank Lebon hide caption

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Frank Lebon

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' is a dense and intense pop explosion

Lady Gaga has kept busy as a singer and actor, but it's been five years since she's released a full-blown pop album. Now, she's back with Mayhem, which has already produced three hits — including the chart-topping Bruno Mars duet "Die With A Smile." It's got bangers, it's got ballads, it's Lady Gaga through and through.

Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' is a dense and intense pop explosion

Listen · 21:56
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Monday

We debate the best live TV moments in pop culture
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Pop Culture Happy Hour

We debate the best live TV moments in pop culture

Live television is all about high risk, high reward. Whether it's musical performances, awards ceremonies, sports events, or comedy shows, there's an electric charge to watching something as it's happening. Today, we're debating the greatest moments of live television in pop culture - including a viral news blooper, John Travolta's "Adele Dazeem" flub at the Oscars, Kanye stating "George Bush doesn't care about Black people", and The Beatles making their debut on The Ed Sullivan Show.

We debate the best live TV moments in pop culture

Listen · 20:30
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Sunday

Friday

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 7

Lady Gaga. Jason Isbell. Newcomer Annie DiRusso. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Celia Gregory from Nashville public radio station WNXP to discuss these records and much more.

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 7

Listen · 45:31
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