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

Monday June 30, 2014

Vocalist Amelia Meath and electronic musician Nick Sanborn are Sylvan Esso. DL Anderson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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DL Anderson/Courtesy of the artist

Songs We Love

Songs We Love: Sylvan Esso, 'Coffee'

June 30, 2014 • A perfect, obsession-inducing marriage of Amelia Meath's arresting vocals and Nick Sanborn's springily imaginative, hook-intensive electronics.

Friday June 27, 2014

When Should A 'Washed-Up' Band Pack It In?

Only one member of Quiet Riot remains from its early-'80s heyday — and the founding members are all gone. Does it matter? Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

When Should A 'Washed-Up' Band Pack It In?

June 27, 2014 • Quiet Riot tours with no original members. Is there a point where staying together is just silly?

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

Songs We Love

Songs We Love: The Notwist, 'Kong'

June 27, 2014 • The song is about this fantasy that the singer Markus Acher had had about a superhero coming in and saving his house from a flood. And if you listen closely you can pick up little hints of that story.

Songs We Love: The Notwist, 'Kong'

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Sunday June 22, 2014

First Listen: Old Crow Medicine Show, 'Remedy'

Old Crow Medicine Show's new album, Remedy, comes out July 1. Andrea Behrends/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Andrea Behrends/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Old Crow Medicine Show, 'Remedy'

June 22, 2014 • Like a big, friendly sheepdog that just can't help itself, the Virginia roots-rock group's music bounds right up to you and licks your face. This is a band with little use for muted gestures.

Remedy

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

Saturday June 21, 2014

The Good Listener: What Makes A Summer Song?

Summer is a season of simplicity. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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iStockphoto.com

All Songs Considered

The Good Listener: What Makes A Summer Song?

June 21, 2014 • When do we know what the song of summer will be? Have we already heard this year's song? If not, when do we typically start to hear it? Why do the other seasons lack their own song?

Monday June 16, 2014

Song Premiere: Sinead O'Connor, 'Take Me To Church'

Sinead O'Connor. Donal Moloney/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Donal Moloney/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Song Premiere: Sinead O'Connor, 'Take Me To Church'

June 16, 2014 • The uncompromising singer's new song looks back on a lifetime of battles and broken loves, only to find pathways to peace, redemption, forgiveness and wonder.

Sunday June 15, 2014

Phox's self-titled debut comes out June 24. Jade Ehlers/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jade Ehlers/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Phox, 'Phox'

June 15, 2014 • Soft and dreamy, with a pace that rarely rises above a moody midtempo swoon, Phox's self-titled debut has a way of seeping under the skin and dazzling with maximum gentility.

Phox

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

Friday June 13, 2014

When We Call Songs 'Filler,' What Does That Mean?

For fans of Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, filler is in the eye of the beholder. David Black/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David Black/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

When We Call Songs 'Filler,' What Does That Mean?

June 13, 2014 • If we skip certain songs on an album every time, do they automatically qualify as "filler"?

Sunday June 8, 2014

The Antlers' new album, Familiars, comes out June 17. Marc Lemoine/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Marc Lemoine/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: The Antlers, 'Familiars'

June 8, 2014 • Each of Familiars' deliberately paced songs sprawls to between five and eight minutes, and each takes a thoughtful journey in the process. The result mixes subtlety, grandiosity and beauty.

Familiars

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

Friday June 6, 2014

Pharrell Phatigue: What Makes A Hit Song Overplayed?

You can't spell "Pharrell's song is overplayed" without "Happy." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Pharrell Phatigue: What Makes A Hit Song Overplayed?

June 6, 2014 • With enough exposure, today's can't-get-enough pop smash can be tomorrow's invasive irritant.

Sunday June 1, 2014

First Listen: First Aid Kit, 'Stay Gold'

First Aid Kit's new album, Stay Gold, comes out June 10. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: First Aid Kit, 'Stay Gold'

June 1, 2014 • The Swedish sister act got its start playing feather-light folk-pop confections. But Stay Gold is a statement of staying power; a collection of bright, smart, substantial songs that stick around.

Stay Gold

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

Friday May 30, 2014

Recycling Franchises And Judging Books By Their Covers

NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Recycling Franchises And Judging Books By Their Covers

May 30, 2014 • The scheduled return of Sailor Moon inspires the gang to discuss the way franchises keep coming back around for new generations. Then it's on to book and album covers — and what's making us happy.

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