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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

Thursday

NewJeans is a new kind of K-pop juggernaut

NewJeans released a new EP titled Get Up earlier this summer. ADOR hide caption

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ADOR

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

NewJeans is a new kind of K-pop juggernaut

In a little more than a year, NewJeans has become huge in the world of K-pop, with a reputation for upending industry conventions. They've become the fastest K-Pop act ever to reach one billion streams on Spotify, and their new EP, Get Up, just hit number one on the Billboard charts. Plus, their single "OMG" went viral on TikTok, spawning dance challenges and memes.

NewJeans is a new kind of K-pop juggernaut

Listen · 16:49
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Tuesday

Bon Iver wasn't born in a vacuum — it took an 'Epoch' to form

Before (left to right) Justin Vernon, Joe Westerlund, Phil Cook and Brad Cook started Bon Iver and Megafaun, they made music together as DeYarmond Edison. D.L. Anderson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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D.L. Anderson/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

Bon Iver wasn't born in a vacuum — it took an 'Epoch' to form

DeYarmond Edison's Epoch revels in the early alchemic triumphs of Bon Iver and Megafaun members. But the box set also reminds us that no moment of creative inspiration takes place spontaneously.

Into the raunchy, violent danger zone of 'Archer' one last time

Natalie Dew and H. Jon Benjamin voice the characters Zara Kahn and Sterling Archer on FX's Archer. FX hide caption

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FX

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Into the raunchy, violent danger zone of 'Archer' one last time

The FX animated comedy Archer explores the raunchy exploits of Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin), who is known from Berlin to Bangkok as the world's most dangerous spy. The show is violent, smutty, and packed with profanity, wordplay, and callbacks. The final season is about to premiere, so we thought now would be the perfect time to revisit our conversation about the series.

Into the raunchy, violent danger zone of 'Archer' one last time

Listen · 16:22
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Saturday

Music News

Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez's new singles show the pop stars pivoting audiences

Two new songs from two huge pop stars: we hear about new releases from former child stars Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez.

Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez's new singles show the pop stars pivoting audiences

Listen · 3:53
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Friday

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 25

Burna Boy's I Told Them... tops our shortlist for the best new albums out on Aug. 25. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Coachella hide caption

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Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Coachella

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 25

NPR Music's picks for the best albums out this week include global sensation Burna Boy, rising R&B star Victoria Monét and more.

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 25

Listen · 33:52
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Tuesday

'Strays' leads the pack for R-rated dog comedies

Reggie (Will Ferrell), Maggie (Isla Fisher), Hunter (Randall Park) and Bug (Jamie Foxx) in Strays. Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures hide caption

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Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Strays' leads the pack for R-rated dog comedies

In the raunchy new comedy Strays, four talking dogs embark on an incredible journey. Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell) doesn't realize his owner Doug (Will Forte) is desperate to abandon him on the streets. But when Doug's intentions become clear, Reggie's motivation shifts from a reunion to revenge. Strays' voice cast also features Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher and Randall Park.

'Strays' leads the pack for R-rated dog comedies

Listen · 15:40
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Friday

Movies

Get ready for lots of toy-based movies trying to duplicate the success of 'Barbie'

The Barbie movie is on pace to be the top-grossing film this year. This means we're about to get a lot of movies trying to duplicate that success in a toy-filled cinematic future.

Get ready for lots of toy-based movies trying to duplicate the success of 'Barbie'

Listen · 3:38
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Thursday

Checking in on the World Cup

Salma Paralluelo of Spain during the Women's World Cup semi-final match versus Sweden. Phil Walter/Getty Images hide caption

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Phil Walter/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Checking in on the World Cup

On Sunday morning, England and Spain will face off in the Women's World Cup Final. Both countries are playing in the women's final for the first time. And whether you'll be watching for the first time or a diehard soccer fan, we've got you've covered. Plus, we'll talk about why the U.S. was knocked out in the round of 16, and the impact of the American team on the sport.

Checking in on the World Cup

Listen · 20:17
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Tuesday

Friday

'Mutant Mayhem' reboots the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and does it well

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount Pictures hide caption

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Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Mutant Mayhem' reboots the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and does it well

The fun new animated movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem reboots the iconic series. It's directed by Jeff Rowe (The Mitchells vs. the Machines), who co-wrote the script with Seth Rogen and others. The formula is familiar — an ooze turns four baby turtles into ninja-fighting warriors who must save humanity and find acceptance along the way. The film is bolstered by its funny pop-culture references and a strong voice cast, including Jackie Chan, Ice Cube and Ayo Edebiri.

'Mutant Mayhem' reboots the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and does it well

Listen · 27:43
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Tuesday

With an '80s revival upon us, these classic songs deserve a comeback

No one's forgotten Janet Jackson, of course, but we're still (wildly over)due for a true Janaissance. ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Music

With an '80s revival upon us, these classic songs deserve a comeback

Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill," Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" and Indigo Girls' "Closer To Fine" have experienced massive comebacks. Which '80s songs should be next?

With an '80s revival upon us, these classic songs deserve a comeback

Listen · 8:00
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Obituaries

Actor Paul Reubens, who created Pee-wee Herman, dies at 70

Reubens' work included the 1985 film Pee-wee's Big Adventure and the children's show Pee-wee's Playhouse, which produced new episodes from 1986 to 1990.

Actor Paul Reubens, who created Pee-wee Herman, dies at 70

Listen · 3:38
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