All Songs Considered: Hear Brand New My Morning Jacket, More
Clockwise from upper left: My Morning Jacket, Sharon Van Etten, Matt Pond PA, Desaparecidos Courtesy of the artists hide caption
On today's All Songs Considered, we're hitting you with several premieres, beginning a heavy cut from My Morning Jacket's latest studio album, The Waterfall. On "Believe (Nobody Knows)," front man Jim James seeks meaning and truth in an uncertain world, while hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton consider a life of possibilities.
We've also got a premiere from Matt Pond PA's upcoming album, The State Of Gold, a crowdsourced record he conceived after a long period of writer's block in a winter cabin. The song, "The State Of Gold, Pt. 2," is both wistful and joyful.
After a 13-year recording hiatus, Conor Oberst's Nebraska punk band Desaparecidos is back with a new album of politically charged rock. We've got the song "City on the Hill."
We'll hear Sharon Van Etten's title track from her latest EP I Don't Want to Let You Down, backed by her four piece touring band. We also premiere a song from multi-instrumentalist and touring musician Heather Woods Broderick, who also sings harmonies on Van Etten's EP.
The Norweigian band Highasakite offers a beautiful new take on Bon Iver's "Heavenly Father" that may be more beautiful than Justin Vernon's original. We'll also hear from electronic producer Gacha, of Berlin, who teamed up with vocalist Natalie Beridze on a track from his debut full-length album.
But first, are you a believer, a possibilist or a doubter?
Songs Featured On This Episode
My Morning Jacket
- Song: Believe (Nobody Knows)
- from The Waterfall
After 16 years together, My Morning Jacket returns with a monumental new album, The Waterfall. "Believe (Nobody Knows)" is an anthemic track about songwriter Jim James' search for meaning and acceptance of the unknown in a beautiful world. The Waterfall arrives on May 4.
NOTE: This song is only available to hear in the full podcast with the listen link at the top of the page.
02Waterfall
Gacha
- Song: Waterfall
- from Send Two Sunsets
Following his two solo EPs, the Berlin-based electronic musician and producer Gacha is releasing his first full-length album, Send Two Sunsets. "Waterfall" features the lovely voice of Georgian singer Natalie Beridze who sings over Gacha's ambient, expansive beats. Send Two Sunsets comes out May 5.
Matt Pond PA
- Song: The State of Gold, Pt. 2
- from The State Of Gold
After suffering an epic bout of writer's block, songwriter Matt Pond exiled himself to a winter cabin in Bearsville, New York, where his creativity was finally awakened. The State of Gold features a number of guest artists, including Laura Burhenn of Mynabirds and Matt Iwanusa of Caveman. This song, "The State of Gold, Pt. 2," is celebratory yet wistful. The State of Gold is due out June 30.
01Heavenly Father
Highasakite
- Song: Heavenly Father
- from Heavenly Father
When Bon Iver's Justin Vernon saw the Norwegian band Highasakite play at Norway's Oya Festival in 2012, he fell in love. Now the band has covered one of their friend and touring partner's songs with a gorgeous rendition of "Heavenly Father," a track Vernon originally recorded for Zach Braff's 2014 film Wish I Was Here. Bob believes the single, which showcases Helene Håvik's beautiful voice, is even more majestic than the original.
Desaparecidos
- Song: City on the Hill
- from Payola
After more than decade pursuing their individual projects, the Midwestern punks of Desaparecidos are back with a second album fronted by Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst. "City on the Hill" continues the aggression and political commentary the band brought to the forefront with its first album, Read Music/Speak Spanish, released in 2002. Co-produced by Mike Mogis and the band, Desaparecidos' second album, Payola, arrives on June 23.
01I Don't Want To Let You Down
Sharon Van Etten
- Song: I Don't Want To Let You Down
- from
Backed by her touring band, Sharon Van Etten's sound is fully realized on her latest EP, I Don't Want to Let You Down. As the title track unfolds it becomes more urgent and melancholy. Produced by Stewart Lerman and Van Etten, I Don't Want to Let You Down comes out June 9.
01A Call For Distance
Heather Woods Broderick
- Song: A Call For Distance
- from Glider
After spending the last ten years on the road supporting and touring with other musicians, Sharon Van Etten collaborator Heather Woods Broderick is releasing her second full-length album, Glider. On "Call For Distance," Broderick's voice sounds ethereal and lush over atmospheric sound beds. Glider arrives July 10.