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

Friday April 28, 2017

After Last Week's False Start, The Unreleased Prince Music Starts Rolling Out

Prince's classic 1984 album Purple Rain is about to get two deluxe reissues. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

After Last Week's False Start, The Unreleased Prince Music Starts Rolling Out

April 28, 2017 • Hear "Electric Intercourse," the first previously unreleased song to trickle out from a forthcoming deluxe reissue of Prince's 1984 classic Purple Rain.

Rufus Wainwright Sings Stevie Wonder, Because Why Not?

Rufus Wainwright has just released a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" to support a charity called The Art Of Elysium. Barry J. Holmes/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Barry J. Holmes/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Rufus Wainwright Sings Stevie Wonder, Because Why Not?

April 28, 2017 • Wainwright has just released a cover of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" to support a charity called The Art Of Elysium.

Thursday April 27, 2017

After A Delay, Foster The People Is Back In Business

Foster The People will return with its third, as-yet-untitled album this summer. In the meantime, the L.A. band has just released three new songs. Neil Krug/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Neil Krug/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

After A Delay, Foster The People Is Back In Business

April 27, 2017 • Foster The People will return with its third, as-yet-untitled album this summer. In the meantime, the L.A. band has just released three new songs.

Joan Shelley's new self-titled album comes out May 5 Ebru Yildiz hide caption

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Ebru Yildiz

Review

First Listen

Review: Joan Shelley, 'Joan Shelley'

April 27, 2017 • On her fourth solo album, the Kentucky singer-songwriter's music once again functions as a headache remedy, nerve tonic and comfort food rolled into one.

First Listen: Will Oldham Pays Tribute To Merle Haggard

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's new album, Best Troubador, comes out May 5. Jessica Fey/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jessica Fey/Courtesy of the artist

Review

First Listen

First Listen: Will Oldham Pays Tribute To Merle Haggard

April 27, 2017 • Will Oldham and his band pay tribute to Merle Haggard by reaching across the country legend's discography to paint a vivid, chronology-busting, album-length portrait.

Wednesday April 26, 2017

In 'Your Moon,' Rosie Carney Sings With Weary Grace

Rosie Carney. Kim Benson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Kim Benson/Courtesy of the artist

Review

All Songs Considered

In 'Your Moon,' Rosie Carney Sings With Weary Grace

April 26, 2017 • The Irish singer-songwriter's latest song strikes a sure-footed balance between airy tenderness and coolly jazzy melancholy.

Tuesday April 25, 2017

A Song So Delicate And Lovely, It Might Just Blow Away

Novo Amor's new EP, Bathing Beach, comes out May 26. Rhodri Brooks/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Rhodri Brooks/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs TV

A Song So Delicate And Lovely, It Might Just Blow Away

April 25, 2017 • Novo Amor's "Carry You" highlights the soft, airy, fragile falsetto of singer Ali Lacey.

Monday April 24, 2017

Mac DeMarco's Mom Wants You To Work For Her Son's Fan Club

Mac DeMarco is in search of only the dankest memes. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Mac DeMarco's Mom Wants You To Work For Her Son's Fan Club

April 24, 2017 • "To apply, please send cover letter explaining experience, resume and your dankest Mac meme or Mac-related GIF to..."

Friday April 21, 2017

Why All The Fascination With A New Prince Song?

Prince performs onstage in March 2005. Kevin Winter/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Music

Why All The Fascination With A New Prince Song?

April 21, 2017 • NPR's Steve Inskeep and Stephen Thompson discuss the complex history of "Deliverance," a previously unreleased Prince song from 2006 that came out this week.

Why All The Fascination With A New Prince Song?

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World

Morning News Brief: Paris Attacks, New GOP Health Care Effort, Prince

April 21, 2017 • An attacker killed a police officer in Paris, days ahead of France's presidential election. Also, House Republicans say they are putting the "finishing touches" on a new health care plan.

Morning News Brief: Paris Attacks, New GOP Health Care Effort, Prince

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Music

Judge Stops Release Of Posthumous Prince Record

April 21, 2017 • A new EP featuring six of Prince's previously unreleased songs was scheduled for release Friday. But a lawsuit filed by the late artist's estate may prevent it from ever coming out.

Judge Stops Release Of Posthumous Prince Record

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Wednesday April 19, 2017

Close Talker's new album, Lens, comes out April 21. Dylan McAmmond/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Dylan McAmmond/Courtesy of the artist

Review

First Listen

Review: Close Talker, 'Lens'

April 19, 2017 • The Saskatoon trio's songs purr seductively, with warmly shimmering guitars and an overarching subtlety that's inviting, never distant.

Tuesday April 18, 2017

The Line Between Love (Songs) And Horror Just Got Even Blurrier

A sampling of Butcher Billy's genius. Butcher Billy/via Instagram hide caption

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Butcher Billy/via Instagram

All Songs Considered

The Line Between Love (Songs) And Horror Just Got Even Blurrier

April 18, 2017 • The Police's "Every Breath You Take" was already a pretty creepy song. Now, it and many other love songs have been re-envisioned as the covers of Stephen King-style horror paperbacks.

Sarah Jaffe Announces 'Bad Baby,' Her New Album And Video

Sarah Jaffe's new album, Bad Baby, comes out July 7. Lindsey Byrnes/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Lindsey Byrnes/Courtesy of the artist

Review

All Songs Considered

Sarah Jaffe Announces 'Bad Baby,' Her New Album And Video

April 18, 2017 • The album's title song chugs and pulsates to maximally infectious effect, enhanced by a swirl of synths and smooth guitar lines. Bad Baby comes out July 9.

Monday April 17, 2017

Lana Del Rey Loves Kendrick Lamar, And Other Highlights From Coachella Weekend One

Kendrick Lamar performs on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, Sunday night. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella hide caption

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella

The Record

Lana Del Rey Loves Kendrick Lamar, And Other Highlights From Coachella Weekend One

April 17, 2017 • High-wire acrobatics, major guest performances, a new Lorde song and dozens of stolen cell phones highlight the final night of the festival's first weekend.