New Mix: JR JR, Thunderbitch, Chris Walla, More
Clockwise from upper left: JR JR, Chris Walla, Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal, Thunderbitch. Courtesy of the artists hide caption
This week's show is split much like some of our favorite records: The A-side is loud and fast. The B-side is slow and quiet.
Co-host Robin Hilton kicks things off with Thunderbitch, a raucous side project from Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard. We quickly follow with bursts of infectious ear candy from the Louisiana-based art pop group Givers and a re-tooled JR JR (until recently known as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.), before slowing things down slightly with the transfixing singer Jill Andrews.
Then it's time to take a deep breath and breathe in the light of our B-side, mixed by host Bob Boilen. We start with two projects from the Icelandic electronic artist Ólafur Arnalds, one a collaboration with experimental pianist Nils Frahm, the other a stunning new interpretation of music by Chopin. We close with a surprising ambient solo album from former Death Cab For Cutie member Chris Walla and an enchanting new album from Malian kora player Ballaké Sissoko and French cellist Vincent Ségal.
Songs Featured On This Episode
Thunderbitch
- Song: Eastside Party
Thunderbitch is the take-no-prisoners side project for Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard. Thunderbitch quietly released its debut full-length record online with little warning. But the album is heart-pounding thrill ride of party-rock.
GIVERS
- Song: Bermuda
- from New Kingdom
The members of the Louisiana-based band Givers got their start playing zydeco, jazz and Cajun music. But you'd never know that when you listen to the group's latest record, New Kingdom. This cut is full of sonic wonders, including a gnarled, polyrhythmic jam.
JR JR
- Song: As Time Goes
Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott, the two guys behind the band Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., have grown up a lot since forming the band in 2009. This year they changed their name to the abbreviated JR JR, and are back with this introspective pop gem on the passage of time and growing old.
Jill Andrews
- Song: Cannibal
- from War Inside
Singer Jill Andrews got her start playing folk, country and bluegrass in the band The Everybodyfields. Her latest solo album is a moody pop record that includes this seductive slow-burner, "Cannibal."
Ólafur Arnalds & Nils Frahm
- Song: Four
- from Loon
Icelandic electronic artist Ólafur Arnalds is known in part for his inspired collaborations. Here he joins experimental pianist Nils Frahm for a collection of gorgeous, transporting instrumental pieces.
Ólafur Arnalds & Alice Sara Ott
- Song: Reminiscence
- from The Chopin Project
For this collaboration, Ólafur Arnalds went into the studio with classical pianist Alice Sara Ott. Together they reimagined the music of Frédéric Chopin, taking the composer's work in surprising new directions.
Chris Walla
- Song: Kanta's Theme
- from Tape Loops
Chris Walla is best-known for his incredible work with the band Death Cab For Cutie, as both a producer and multi-instrumentalist. But Walla's new solo album is an ambient record made using analog tape loops.
Ballaké Sissoko/Vincent Segal
- Song: N'kapalema
- from Musique de Nuit
Ballaké Sissoko is a famed kora player from Mali. Vincent Ségal is a French cellist. The two first worked together on the beautiful 2009 album, Chamber Music. Six years later they're back with another collection of sweetly soothing instrumental cuts called Musique de Nuit.