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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

Wednesday

Kacey Musgraves Examines Heartbreak On 'Star-Crossed'

Kacey Musgraves' latest album Star-Crossed and its companion film are out now. Adrienne Raquel/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Adrienne Raquel/Courtesy of the artist

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Kacey Musgraves Examines Heartbreak On 'Star-Crossed'

Kacey Musgraves's 2018 album Golden Hour was a huge breakthrough. It's a soft but spangly celebration full of love songs that helped cement Musgraves as both a country star and a pop star. Now, she's released her follow-up. Star-Crossed is a breakup record, written in the aftermath of the singer's divorce. Plus we remember the work of comedian Norm Macdonald, who died at 61.

Kacey Musgraves Examines Heartbreak On 'Star-Crossed'

Listen · 22:13
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Monday

As 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Winds Down, It's Time To Assess Its Complicated Legacy

Stephanie Beatriz as Rosa Diaz, Andy Samberg as Jake Peralta in the final season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. NBC hide caption

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NBC

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

As 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Winds Down, It's Time To Assess Its Complicated Legacy

This week, the police comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine will end its eight-season run. Starring Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher, among many other gifted comic actors, the show has enjoyed a devoted following and strong reviews. It's also survived shaky ratings and a change in networks, and its last season is airing against a backdrop of more intense conversations around real-life police violence that can't be laughed off or swept aside.

As 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Winds Down, It's Time To Assess Its Complicated Legacy

Listen · 19:13
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Friday

What's Making Us Happy: A Guide For Your Weekend Watching, Listening And Reading

LuLaRich on Amazon Prime examines how the company was created and how they came up with this model where they would get women to buy a bunch of clothes and then they have parties and sell them. Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video hide caption

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Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video

Pop Culture Happy Hour

What's Making Us Happy: A Guide For Your Weekend Watching, Listening And Reading

Each week, the guests and hosts on Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. Today it's The Other Two, LuLaRich and a collection of movies starring Josephine Baker.

New Music Friday: The Top 11 Albums Out On Sept. 10

J Balvin's JOSE is on our shortlist for the best albums out on Sept. 10. VIVIIMAGE/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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VIVIIMAGE/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The Top 11 Albums Out On Sept. 10

It's a packed release day, with new albums from the prince of reggaeton J Balvin, Kendrick Lamar collaborator and rising rapper Baby Keem, Kacey Musgraves, Andrew W.K. and more.

New Music Friday: The Top 11 Albums Out On Sept. 10

Listen · 38:31
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Tuesday

'Certified Lover Boy' Is A Complete Drake Experience, For Better And Worse

Drake's latest album, Certified Lover Boy, is out now. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Certified Lover Boy' Is A Complete Drake Experience, For Better And Worse

On Friday, Drake dropped his long-awaited sixth album: Certified Lover Boy. The album contains 21 songs in 86 minutes, and it's generated conversation around everything from its many guest stars (including Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Future, and Lil Wayne) to its cover art, which features a diverse array of... emoji pregnancies.

'Certified Lover Boy' Is A Complete Drake Experience, For Better And Worse

Listen · 16:03
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Friday

Thursday

The Highs And Lows Of High School Required Reading

What were the books you were assigned to read in school? What books should get added to the curriculum? georgeclerk/Getty Images hide caption

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georgeclerk/Getty Images

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The Highs And Lows Of High School Required Reading

Heading back to school is always a stressful but exciting time of year, whether you're doing it at home or in a classroom full of people. And we are always up to talk about books. Summer reading lists, class syllabi, there's no shortage of pages turned in the average school career. We're here to talk about them in this encore episode all about high school required reading.

The Highs And Lows Of High School Required Reading

Listen · 15:07
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Friday

New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On Aug. 27

CHVRCHES' fourth album, Screen Violence, is out Friday. Kevin J Thomson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Kevin J Thomson/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On Aug. 27

NPR Music's picks for the best albums out on Aug. 27 include new ones from CHVRCHES, Indigo De Souza, Terence Blanchard and more.

New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On Aug. 27

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Wednesday

Friday

What's Making Us Happy: A Guide For Your Weekend Watching, Listening And Reading

In the new show Reservation Dogs, four Native teens commit crimes to fund their efforts to leave their home in rural Oklahoma. Shane Brown/FX on Hulu hide caption

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Shane Brown/FX on Hulu

Pop Culture Happy Hour

What's Making Us Happy: A Guide For Your Weekend Watching, Listening And Reading

Each week, the guests and hosts on Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. Today it's Reservation Dogs, Nine Perfect Strangers, and viral music videos from the band Little Big.

New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On Aug. 20

Lorde's long awaited Solar Power is out Friday. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On Aug. 20

NPR Music picks the best new albums out this week, including new releases by Lorde, Sturgill Simpson, Deafheaven and more.

New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On Aug. 20

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Lorde's 'Solar Power' Is A Whole Mood

Lorde's new album Solar Power is out now. Ophelia Mikkelson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Ophelia Mikkelson/Courtesy of the artist

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Lorde's 'Solar Power' Is A Whole Mood

Lorde became a pop superstar at 16 with her hit single "Royals" — winning two Grammy Awards and following up with her second album, Melodrama. The New Zealand singer's third album Solar Power finds the artist reflecting on stardom, boredom and the aftermath of a youth filled with debauchery. Reunited with Melodrama producer Jack Antonoff, Lorde brings a more subdued sound, positioning her as a worldly 24-year-old who's found peace with herself, while wondering what's next.

Lorde's 'Solar Power' Is A Whole Mood

Listen · 22:30
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Tuesday

What Makes A Good—Or Bad—Cover Song?

William Shatner performed a number of covers on his debut album The Transformed Man. Santiago Felipe/Getty Images hide caption

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Santiago Felipe/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

What Makes A Good—Or Bad—Cover Song?

Great songs often come around more than once. They're re-interpreted, reimagined, reconsidered. In fact, sometimes cover versions bring out new qualities even in songs we think we know well. Today we bring you an encore episode all about cover songs.

What Makes A Good—Or Bad—Cover Song?

Listen · 16:45
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Friday

What's Making Us Happy: A Guide For Your Weekend Watching, Listening And Reading

Hosted by Christina Tosi of Milk Bar, Netflix's Bake Squad asks four professional bakers to create an epic dessert for a special occasion in each episode. Kit Karzen/Netflix hide caption

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Kit Karzen/Netflix

Pop Culture Happy Hour

What's Making Us Happy: A Guide For Your Weekend Watching, Listening And Reading

Each week, the guests and hosts on Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. Today it's new music from Big Thief, Netflix's Bake Squad and a new article from Priya Krishna.