In "Love to Get Used," Matt Pond PA crafts an irresistibly sunny slice of playful power-pop. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
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
Friday
Twenty years ago, hearing Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" for the first time felt like an out-of-body experience. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Monday
Friday
Yellow Ostrich's "WHALE" finds a patch of common ground between primitivism and production-driven pop. Josh Goleman hide caption
'WHALE' by Yellow Ostrich
Thursday
In "We Are the Tide," Blind Pilot's sweet folk-pop gets a welcome jolt of propulsive percussion. Ben Moon hide caption
'We Are The Tide' by Blind Pilot
Wednesday
A.A. Bondy's lamentations hit harder for the way lush beauty surrounds them. Ted Newsome hide caption
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga perform "The Lady Is a Tramp" together on Bennett's new album, Duets II, out Sept. 20. Courtesy of the artist. hide caption
Sunday
A.A. Bondy's new album, Believers, comes out Sept. 13. Ted Newsome hide caption
Sunday
Blind Pilot's new album, We Are the Tide, comes out Sept. 13. Ben Moon hide caption
Friday
The timing is eerily right for the first single from The Gaslight Anthem's Brian Fallon and his moody side project, The Horrible Crowes. Danny Clinch hide caption
'Behold the Hurricane' by The Horrible Crowes
Friday
With "There By Your Side," The Milk Carton Kids' members make feel-better music — and who doesn't want to feel better? Courtesy of the artist hide caption
'There By Your Side' by The Milk Carton Kids
Thursday
Fountains of Wayne's "Richie and Ruben" seems to be mocking a pair of fast-talking losers, but there's more to the story. Violeta Alvarez hide caption