New Sylvan Esso, Sharon Van Etten, R.E.M. Acoustic Demo, More
Clockwise from upper left: R.E.M. in 1991, Sharon Van Etten, Sylvan Esso, Kate Tempest Courtesy of the artists hide caption
With host Bob Boilen away, co-host Robin Hilton and NPR Music's Stephen Thompson settled into the studio for this week's All Songs Considered, and a clear theme quickly emerged: They had a whole lot of music by artists they already adore! This includes a rare acoustic demo by R.E.M., a glorious new electro-pop cut from Sylvan Esso, a heartbreaking tribute song from Sharon Van Etten and more.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of R.E.M.'s 1991 classic album Out Of Time. To mark the occasion, the band is releasing a deluxe version of the album that includes early acoustic demos of every song, including the one Robin kicks this week's show off with, "Radio Song." Stephen follows in the same spirit with Sylvan Esso's brand new "Radio," a somewhat retro synth thumper that mixes the band's signature dance pop with singer Amelia Meath's searching, often melancholy vocals.
Also on the show: Sharon Van Etten's stirring tribute to the victims of the Pulse nightclub shootings in Orlando, Fla.; English poet, playwright and rapper Kate Tempest and a fabulous kiss-off from the Phoenix, Ariz. band AJJ. Plus, John K. Samson, lead singer for The Weakerthans, returns with a sentimental new song that has Stephen thinking of happier days.
Songs Featured On This Episode
01Radio Song (Acoustic Demo)
R.E.M.
- Song: Radio Song (Acoustic Demo)
- from Out Of Time 25th Anniversary Edition
Out Of Time was a monstrously huge album for the Athens, Ga. rock band R.E.M. when it was first released in 1991. It sold millions of copies worldwide, won multiple Grammys and solidified the band's position atop the indie rock echelon. Twenty five years later R.E.M. is releasing a deluxe version of the record that includes acoustic demos of every track. This version of the opener, "Radio Song," features drummer Bill Berry singing lead on a verse.
Sylvan Esso
- Song: Radio
- from Radio (Single)
When Sylvan Esso released its self-titled debut in 2014, singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sanborn won legions of fans over with their mix of danceable pop and searching, often melancholy vocals. The duo returns with this new song ahead of a sophomore full-length, due out sometime next year.
01Not Myself
Sharon Van Etten
- Song: Not Myself
- from Not Myself (Single)
Tribute songs, especially those written about tragedies, are never easy to pull off. But "Not Myself," Sharon Van Etten's song for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shootings in Orlando, Fla., hits all the right chords.
08Don't Fall In
Kate Tempest
- Song: Don't Fall In
- from Let Them Eat Chaos
Kate Tempest is a poet, playwright and rapper from London who cites both James Joyce and the Wu-Tang Clan among her influences. Her 2014 debut album, Everybody Down, was nominated for a Mercury Prize. She returns on Oct. 7 with Let Them Eat Chaos, another collection of searing, low-slung jams.
06Goodbye, Oh Goodbye
AJJ
- Song: Goodbye, Oh Goodbye
- from The Bible 2
AJJ (previously the Andrew Jackson Jihad) lead singer Sean Bonnette says he let go of a lot of demons before making his band's new record, The Bible 2. He punctuated the recording process by allegedly singing the vocals for this cathartic song with both middle fingers raised.
02Postdoc Blues
John K Samson
- Song: Postdoc Blues
- from Winter Wheat
John K. Samson is the lead singer for the Canadian rock band The Weakerthans and has built his reputation on smart, wistful storytelling. On his new solo album, Winter Wheat, out Oct. 21, Samson continues some of the threads started on previous records, with a comforting sound.