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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

Wednesday

First Listen: The Avett Brothers, 'The Carpenter'

The Avett Brothers' new album, The Carpenter, will be released on Sept. 11. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: The Avett Brothers, 'The Carpenter'

The Carpenter dispenses hook-filled anthems amid introspective looks at mortality and devotion. As always, the Avetts' music aims for something bigger than itself, and damned if it doesn't find it.

Hear 'The Carpenter' In Its Entirety

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Sunday

First Listen: Stars, 'The North'

Stars new album, The North, comes out Sept. 4. Norman Wong/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Norman Wong/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Stars, 'The North'

The band's sixth album rewards exploration with moments that alternately swoon, seethe, swing and paralyze. Any Stars fan should find something to like here, as the group swings from springy pop-rock to gorgeous balladry to grandiose mission statements.

Hear 'The North' In Its Entirety

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First Listen: Animal Collective, 'Centipede Hz'

Animal Collective's new album, Centipede Hz, comes out Sept. 4. Adriano Fegundes/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Adriano Fegundes/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Animal Collective, 'Centipede Hz'

Centipede Hz is jagged and assertive; it snarls and heaves, supported by electric musculature. The album captures the sound of studio wizards who are once again ready to unleash some sweaty savagery on the live stage.

Hear 'Centipede Hz' In Its Entirety

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First Listen: Deerhoof, 'Breakup Song'

Deerhoof's new album, Breakup Song, comes out Sept. 4. Deron Pulley/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Deron Pulley/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Deerhoof, 'Breakup Song'

Deerhoof's music has evolved to the point where it reliably conveys an endearing mix of adorability and eccentricity, with just enough noisy, discordant menace to hold the cuteness in check. On its 12th album, the band honks and shimmies down some appealing side roads.

Hear 'Breakup Song' In Its Entirety

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Friday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Friday

The Tallest Man On Earth, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2012

Tallest Man On Earth performs at the 2012 Newport Folk Festival. Erik Jacobs for NPR hide caption

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Erik Jacobs for NPR

Newport Folk Festival

The Tallest Man On Earth, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2012

Folk Alley

Fans overflowed well beyond the point at which they could reasonably be expected to see the singer on stage, as Kristian Matsson blazed through songs from each of his records.

The Tallest Man On Earth, Live In Concert: Newport Folk 2012

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Sunday

First Listen: Divine Fits, 'A Thing Called Divine Fits'

Divine Fits' debut album, A Thing Called Divine Fits, comes out August 28. Marina Chavez hide caption

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Marina Chavez

First Listen

First Listen: Divine Fits, 'A Thing Called Divine Fits'

Spoon's Britt Daniel, Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade and Handsome Furs, and New Bomb Turks' Sam Brown know exactly what they want from the music they make together: namely, to explore a bit of a new-wave streak while still operating in their wheelhouse of slick, sharp, smart pop-rock.

Hear 'A Thing Called Divine Fits' In Its Entirety

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First Listen: Yeasayer, 'Fragrant World'

Yeasayer's new album, Fragrant World, comes out August 21. Anna Palma hide caption

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Anna Palma

First Listen

First Listen: Yeasayer, 'Fragrant World'

Even when its subject matter plunges into otherworldly thickets of doom, Yeasayer stays sprightly. On Fragrant World, it makes playful party music for worried minds and uncertain futures.

Hear 'Fragrant World' In Its Entirety

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First Listen: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, 'Mature Themes'

The new album by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Mature Themes, comes out August 21. Piper Ferguson hide caption

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Piper Ferguson

First Listen

First Listen: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, 'Mature Themes'

For the man known as Ariel Pink, albums aren't so much collections of songs so much as dump trucks full of ideas: some good, some bad, some ridiculous, some stupid, some disarmingly good-natured, all smashed together in an unpredictable mosaic.

Hear 'Mature Themes' In Its Entirety

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Thursday

Tuesday