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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

Monday

Johnnyswim: Tiny Desk Concert

Johnnyswim performs at a Tiny Desk Concert in April 2014. Jim Tuttle/NPR hide caption

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Jim Tuttle/NPR

Tiny Desk

Johnnyswim: Tiny Desk Concert

Impossibly telegenic and charming, husband and wife Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano have the booming voices of great street buskers, but also the polished sparkle of natural-born stage performers.

Johnnyswim: Tiny Desk Concert

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Sunday

Friday

Monday

First Listen: Pixies, 'Indie Cindy'

The Pixies new album, Indie Cindy, comes out April 29. Jay Blakesberg/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jay Blakesberg/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Pixies, 'Indie Cindy'

As assembled here, the songs on Indie Cindy form a worthwhile, frequently terrific document of a band forever in transition, even in middle age. It's music born out of chaos, same as it ever was.

Pixies, 'Indie Cindy'

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

Thursday

Sunday

First Listen: 'Farewell Transmission: The Music Of Jason Molina'

Farewell Transmission: The Music of Jason Molina comes out April 22. Steve Gullick/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Steve Gullick/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: 'Farewell Transmission: The Music Of Jason Molina'

The singer-songwriter was widely beloved by musicians; anyone who's ever tried to channel the blues would know how pure his were. Here, some of the artists he inspired tackle 27 of his songs.

'Farewell Transmission: The Music Of Jason Molina'

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.
First Listen: Death, 'Death III'

Death will release the archival collection Death III on April 22. Tammy Hackney/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Tammy Hackney/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Death, 'Death III'

The Detroit band spent a chunk of the '70s making vital music that went mostly unheard for decades. Death III helps paint a picture of a group that deserves its new-found place in rock history.

Death, 'Death III'

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

Thursday

Sunday

First Listen: The Both, 'The Both'

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo of The Both, whose self-titled debut album comes out April 15. Christian Lantry/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Christian Lantry/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: The Both, 'The Both'

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo find ways to share the spotlight on their charming debut as a duo. Each singer sounds freshened and energized — never diminished — by the collaboration.

The Both, 'The Both'

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

Thursday

Thursday