All Songs Considered

On this week's show, we've got a massive amount of new music from an incredible list of fall releases, including special premieres from Poliça, Son Lux, Mount Eerie, Anna Calvi, Luscious Jackson and more. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson and Ann Powers from NPR Music's The Record join hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton to talk about these and more, with a bonus debate about synth pop versus guitar rock. Artist: M.I.A. Album: Matangi Song: Come Walk With Me Artist: Luscious Jackson Album: Magic Hour Song: So Rock On Artist: Jucifer Album: There Is No Land Beyond The Volga Song: Shame Chvrches Artist: CHVRCHES Album: The Bones of What You Believe Song: We Sink Artist: Deltron 3030 Album: Event II Song: The Return Son Lux Artist: Son Lux Album: Lanterns Artist: Anna Calvi Album: One Breath Song: Suddenly Poliça Artist: Poliça Album: Shulamith Song: Smug Yuna Artist: Yuna Album: Nocturnal Song: Someone Who Can Artist: Mount Eerie Album: Pre-Human Ideas Song: Hidden Stone Los Campesinos! Artist: Los Campesinos! Album: No Blues Song: What Death Leaves Behind Artist: William Onyeabor Album: Who Is William Onyeabor? Song: Body and Soul

On this edition of All Songs Considered, hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton share a brand new song from Beck. The new cut, called "Gimme," is the third single he's released since June, and by far the strangest (i.e. best) of the bunch. None of the songs will be on the new full-length record Beck has in the works, which he hopes to release before the end of the year. Also on the show: Summer never ends in a shimmering, joyful new track from the Los Angeles-based duo Best Coast; Joanna Gruesome (a play on harpist and singer Joanna Newsom) delivers a burst of gritty, infectious garage rock from the Welsh group's new album, Weird Sister; singer Cate Le Bon, another artist from Wales, has a new cut with shades of Nico and The Velvet Underground; electronic artist Huerco S. morphs dance beats into alluring ambient soundscapes; and the musician known as Arp swaps the instrumental electronics from his previous two records for guitar pop. Beck Album: Gimme Song: Gimme playlist Best Coast Album: Fade Away Song: I Don't Know How Joanna Gruesome Album: Weird Sister Song: Anti-Parent Cowboy Killers Cate Le Bon Album: Mug Museum Song: Are You With Me Now? Huerco S. Album: Colonial Patterns Song: Prinzif Arp Album: More Song: Judy Nylon

All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton spoke recently with Nirvana's two surviving members, drummer Dave Grohl and bassist Krist Novoselic, about the making of In Utero, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The two shared their memories from when they were just kids in the studio, piecing together what would become the band's last studio album. Featured tracks: 1. The Jesus Lizard: "Boilermaker" 2. Nirvana: "Serve The Servants" (Original version) 3. Nirvana: "All Apologies" (Demo) 4. Nirvana: "Heart-Shaped Box" (Steve Albini Mix) 5. Nirvana: "Forgotten Tune" 

On this week's episode of All Songs Considered, ­co-hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton jump into fall by playing songs from big upcoming releases by Paul McCartney, Moby and Tim Hecker. Also, All Songs Considered intern Thor Slaughter has spent his final week with the show living with Bob in a 21st-century spin on The Odd Couple. The two even enjoyed an evening head-banging at a concert by two of this week's featured artists: Brooklyn's So So Glos and Nashville's Diarrhea Planet, the latter of which has four guitars in its lineup. The show closes with a rousing psychedelic anthem by the garage-rock band King Khan & The Shrines, but not before a little farewell twerking. Son Of An American Artist: The So So Glos Album: Blowout Kids Artist: Diarrhea Planet Album: I'm Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams New Artist: Paul McCartney Album: New The Perfect Life Artist: Moby Album: Innocents Live Room Artist: Tim Hecker Album: Virgins Born To Die Artist: King Khan & the Shrines Album: Idle No More

On this week's episode of All Songs Considered, co-host Bob Boilen basks in the glory of his return by making fellow co-host Robin Hilton enjoy the musings of a box that when opened plays affirming statements with Bob's name that was gifted to him by a secret admirer. The theme of good vibes continues when artists that were featured on some of the earliest episodes of All Songs Considered, like TV On The Radio and Rokia Traore, return with new music. NPR Music's Lars Gotrich joins the discussion to explain post-metal in light of a new track from metal juggernauts Pelican. NPR Music intern Thor Slaughter brings the self-described "#1 cut" of Jackson and His Computerband. All that and more on this week's episode, and don't forget: "You're the best, Bob." Million Miles Artist: TV On The Radio Album: Million Miles When they first emerged, we called TV On The Radio "one of the most unique acts of the new decade." That would be the last decade. "One of the first bands we ever featured on [All Songs Considered]," Robin recalls. The longtime indie favorites have a full length in the works but are tiding us over with another one-off single, featuring a lush and dreamy sound. Tempest Artist: Lucius Album: Wildewoman "The songs build in really potent ways," says Bob Boilen of this Brooklyn-based indie pop five piece. Maybe it's the dual lead vocals of Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig that give Lucius, which is quickly becoming a favorite, something extra. Deny the Absolute Artist: Pelican Album: Forever Becoming "They came up at a time in metal where post-metal happened," says Lars Gotrich of Pelican. "It was more melodic, resembling post-rock." The group, which has been around for 13 years, is readying a new album. Dead Living Things Artist: Jackson & His Computerband Album: Glow Glow is Jackson and His Computerband's second album, following Smash in 2005. "It's glitchy, big and boisterous. It's a bit harder than most electro-pop out there," says Thor Slaughter. Tidal Ground Artist: Luray Album: The Wilder Taking the name of the Luray caverns in Virginia, banjo player Shannon Carey got help from her brother Sean Carey (Bon Iver) to produce this beautifully lush album. Kouma Artist: Rokia Traoré Album: Beautiful Africa Another artist featured on an early episode of All Songs Considered. "Kouma" is the work of the amazingly talented Rokia Traore. An extremely accomplished guitar player as well as singer, Rokia released her new album Beautiful Africa in April.

All Songs Considered co-host Robin Hilton has been feeling a little dazed and confused lately, so host Bob Boilen gives him a "sonic hug" with a new song from the Austin, Texas rock band The Octopus Project. Robin follows with a surprising cut from the first new Nine Inch Nails album in five years. NPR's Sami Yenigun brings a healthy dose of dance beats from Seven Davis Jr. and NPR Music's Frannie Kelley shares a new cut from Earl Sweatshirt, whom she calls the "strangest and most cerebral" member of the L.A.-based hip-hop collective Odd Future. Robin offers up the alluring beats and soundscapes of the former Argentinian actress and comedian Juana Molina and we close with a new cut from The Goldberg Sisters, a.k.a. Adam Goldberg, the actor and musician known for his role (among others) in the 1993 movie Dazed And Confused.

While the cat's away, the mice will play rock-and-roll! On this week's episode of All Songs Considered, with Bob Boilen on vacation (to hunt through the treasure trove of memorabilia in his basement), co-host Robin Hilton and NPR Music's Stephen Thompson attempt to fulfill their vision of a perfect bizarro world episode, with premieres from Cults, Minor Alps, Weed and more. One question remains: Can Bob really resist the temptation of trying to ruin Stephen's vision of a Bob-less show? Hear the show to find out. Weed Album: Deserve Song: Silent Partner "I love the way the vocals are mixed behind the guitars; it gives it this really dreamy quality," says Robin Hilton of this fuzz-filled Vancouver four piece, which is currently readying its debut album, Deserve. The Julie Ruin Album: Run Fast Song: Ha Ha Ha Kathleen Hanna's (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre) new project is heavy on punk synths and shoutable and infectious choruses. Lily & Madeleine Album: Lily & Madeleine Song: Devil We Know "This song is so pretty, it makes me wish I actually listened to this show more," says Stephen Thompson. This teenaged folk-duo (one member is still in high school) gained popularity after its videos caught fire on YouTube. Lily & Madeleine are preparing their self-titled full length for October. Minor Alps Album: Get There Song: Buried Plans Nada Surf's Matthew Caws teams up with Julia Hatfield to form the new group Minor Alps. The pairing brings out the softer side Nada Surf sometimes delved into while reaching for something new entirely. Cults Album: Static Song: I Can Hardly Make You Mine The duo known as Cults is back with its second album, Static, due in October. This track's gorgeous vocal hooks and retro production remind us of the band's breakthrough single "Go Outside" and we're excited to see how the album develops its classic sound. The Avett Brothers Album: Magpie And The Dandelion Song: Another Is Waiting "Recorded close to the same time as their last album The Carpenter, Magpie And The Dandelion is in a similar vein," says Stephen Thompson of the soon-to-be-released album by The Avett Brothers. The group has one of the most die hard fan bases in modern music; from this new Rick Rubin-produced single, it's easy to see why. Kishi Bashi Album: Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It! Song: Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It! Released on a seven-inch for Kishi Bashi's upcoming tour, "Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!" contains the singer's big sounds and beautiful melodies.

In this week's episode of All Songs Considered, co-hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton are joined by NPR Music's Stephen Thompson, who tries to find a solution to the problem of cell phones at concerts in light of The Lumineers stopping their international hit "Ho Hey" to tell people to put their phones down. Bob surprises everyone by having actually seen the 1980s children's movie Lars Gotrich uses to describe Aloonaluna. Also find out what Brookyln high school hip-hop collective is sampling the Carol Burnett show. Premieres include Elf Power and Bill Callahan.

On this edition of All Songs Considered, host Bob Boilen returns from a long, arduous weekend of work, looking tan and rested. That's because he just got back from the Newport Folk Festival, where he spent three glorious days surrounded by love, rainbows and amazing music. But leave it to co-host Robin Hilton to harsh Bob's mellow, when he shows Bob the most horrifying publicity photo either has ever seen for a band. The perpetrator? Chastity Belt, a Seattle group that makes what its members call "the worst music you will ever hear." (It isn't anywhere near the worst music you'll ever hear — in fact, it's awesome.) Also on this week's show: a new song from the sometimes gritty, sometimes droning rock group Yuck; the woozy, strangely captivating psych-pop of Jackson Scott; and veteran electronic-music pioneer Hans-Joachim Roedelius and his latest collaboration with bassist Stefan Schneider. The Lone Bellow Live At Newport Song: You Never Need Nobody Hear The Lone Bellow's full set from the 2013 Newport Folk Festival. Rayland Baxter Live At Newport Song: The Tower Song Chastity Belt Album: No Regrets Song: Black Sail playlist Jackson Scott Album: Melbourne Song: Evie playlist Yuck Album: Rebirth-Single Song: Rebirth playlist Roedelius Schneider Album: Tiden Song: Umstunden

It isn't the biggest or the flashiest festival of the year, but Newport Folk, which NPR is covering all this coming weekend, is certainly one of the country's most prestigious and historic annual musical gatherings. Its legacy stretches back more than 50 years, with a long list of memorable performances from some of the most influential artists of all time: Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and many, many more. These days the festival continues to challenge people's expectations for what folk should look and sound like, with a surprising lineup of artists that includes the gothic rock singer Cold Specks, Nigerian Tuareg guitarist and singer Bombino, and shape-shifting rock artist Beck. All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen talked with Newport Folk Festival producer Jay Sweet about this year's lineup and why the annual event is so special.

On this week's episode of All Songs Considered: Hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton offer up huge premieres, including a preview of '90s lo-fi rock pioneer Sebadoh's first new album in 14 years. There's also new music from folk duo The Civil Wars, which finished its new album just before going on hiatus, and pianist singer Lucy Schwartz. NPR's Sami Yenigun plays a song by Moderat, the electronic group featuring the ambient sounds of Apparat and dance beats of Modeselektor, that amazed him so much he couldn't sleep. NPR Music's Jacob Ganz reveals listening secrets for productivity. Plus, the debate continues between Robin and Stephen Thompson about mix-tape etiquette. Who do you think is right? Typhoon Album: White Lighter Song: Young Fathers While the subject matter can sometimes be bleak — it's often inspired by songwriter Kyle Morton's health struggles as a child — Typhoon's music is always beautiful and uplifting. This Portland, Oregon band that sometimes includes up to 17 people is set to release their second full length album White Lighter on August 20th. Sebadoh Album: Defend Yourself Song: I Will The All Songs team has spent a lot of time this year talking about big comebacks from '90s artists and, more importantly, how all these releases have lived up to the hype. Now, after a fourteen year hiatus, Sebadoh returns with Defend Yourself, out September 19th. Our own First Listen series will feature the album a week before it's release. Moderat Album: II Song: This Time Moderat is collaboration between electronic dance music group Modeselektor and dark electronic pop artist Apparat. NPR's Sami Yenigun said of "This Time": "I put it on to unwind after DJing. I like to calm down after the adrenaline of a show — this record did the opposite. I was wired after hearing it." F**k Buttons Album: Slow Focus Song: Red Wing NPR Music's Jacob Ganz says the music of this electronic production duo with epic rock leanings is motivational: "I spent a lot of time as an editor reading copy and when this is on I feel like a superhero." Archers of Loaf Album: Icky Mettle Song: Wrong Brought in to discuss the ongoing feud over mix-tape etiquette that has been chronicled here and here in his advice column, The Good Listener, NPR Music's Stephen Thompson declared that Robin Hilton — who argues that one mix-tape deserves another — is in fact wrong, and picked this song for him: "You are wrong, I dedicate this song to you, Robin Hilton. This is the Robin Hilton song." The Civil Wars Album: The Civil Wars Song: Dust To Dust Bob Boilen on the latest song from the now-on-a-break folk duo The Civil Wars, whose self-titled second album will be out on August 6: "What I like most in this song is also the thing this pair of musicians does best, what Johnny Cash and June Carter did best: a conversation, a duet between two people with underpinnings of tension that add to and even confuse the meaning of the song." Lucy Schwartz Album: Timekeeper Song: Captain Sunshine Lucy Schwartz has had her music featured films and TV shows (including both Twilight and Shrek). On August 27, the Los Angeles, Calif. singer-songwriter will release her third album, Timekeeper.

This week on All Songs Considered, Bob's so sure Robin will love a new song by the Australian rock band Pond that he lays down five dollars on the table. Then another challenge: Can Bob identify the collaborator on the new, mostly instrumental album by Arcade Fire violinist Sara Neufeld? Can you? Plus: Who made the right choice? Robin finally sees pop legend Paul McCartney, but Bob skips the show in favor of his monthly contra dance night. All that and new music from Okkervil River, Beck, Goldfrapp and more. Okkervil River Album: The Silver Gymnasium Song: Down Down The Deep River "Down Down The Deep River," from Okkervil River's forthcoming album The Silver Gymnasium, is a beautiful, rocking song inspired by Meriden, N.H., where songwriter Will Sheff grew up. Also: Explore an interactive musical map of that small town, complete with stories and photos from Sheff's childhood. Beck Song: I Won't Be Long Beck is back and just as good as ever, with the gorgeously lush "I Won't Be Long." The single is available digitally and (with a 15 minute extended version) on 12" vinyl. Pond Album: Hobo Rocket Song: Giant Tortoise Bob Boilen is so sure that Robin will love "Giant Tortoise," by this group that shares three members with fellow Australians Tame Impala that he throws five dollars down on the table as a bet. Once the guitar assault comes in, Robin is all smiles. Sarah Neufeld Album: Hero Brother Song: Forcelessness Can you guess who accompanies Arcade Fire violinist Sarah Neufeld on this song? Hint: He adds piano and records this song from two stereo mics in a parking garage. Goldfrapp Album: Tales Of Us Song: Drew It's been three years since Goldfrapp's last album, Head First. "Drew," a new song from Tales of Us, out in September, shows a softer side than we've ever seen from the duo. It's a beautiful production on all counts. Light Heat Album: Light Heat Song: Are We Ever Satisfied? Light Heat is a new Philadelphia-based project from Quentin Stolzfus of Mazarin, backed on a new album by members of The Walkmen. "Are We Ever Satisfied?" is a lovely, rambling example of what he's been up to since Mazarin's 2005 album We're Already There. We still can't figure out what that squeaking noise on the chorus is.

So far, 2013 has been a huge year for bands that make us think of the 1990s. My Bloody Valentine kicked things off with its first new album in more than 20 years. We've heard new music from Boards Of Canada and Pixies. Later this summer, Sebadoh is due to release its first new album in 14 years, and we'll hear new music from Superchunk, The Dismemberment Plan and many more '90s groups as well. It seemed like the perfect time to revisit an episode of All Songs Considered about the return of the '90s that we originally ran in early 2011. We had no clue at the time how serious the '90s revival would get. Ann Powers joins co-hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton, along with Stephen Thompson, to celebrate the '90s at their best, worst and weirdest, from the birth of grunge to the commercial rise of hip-hop, a batch of gutsy female songwriters and a few goofy one-hit wonders we'd mostly forgotten about, until now. Smells Like Teen Spirit Artist: Nirvana Album: Nevermind Grace Artist: Jeff Buckley Album: Grace No Surprises Artist: Radiohead Album: OK Computer Doo Wop (That Thing) Artist: Lauryn Hill Album: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Holland, 1945 Artist: Neutral Milk Hotel Album: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Shine Artist: Collective Soul Album: Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid Black Hole Sun Artist: Soundgarden Album: Superunknown Long Snake Moan Artist: PJ Harvey Album: To Bring You My Love Hit 'Em Wit da Hee Artist: Missy Misdemeanor Elliott Album: Miss E...So Addictive/Da Real World/Supa Dupa Fly Mustt Mustt (Lost in His Work) Artist: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Album: Mustt Mustt Steal My Sunshine Artist: LEN Album: You Can't Stop the Bum Rush YouTube 1979 Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins Album: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness Car Wheels on a Gravel Road Artist: Lucinda Williams Album: Car Wheels on a Gravel Road Soul and Fire Artist: Sebadoh Album: Bubble & Scrape Song 2 Artist: Blur Album: Blur Enter Sandman Artist: Metallica Album: Metallica Brimful of Asha Artist: Cornershop Album: Brimful of Asha The Fixer Artist: Pearl Jam Album: Backspacer Note: Ann Powers chose this song to play to show how Pearl Jam is still relevant 20 years after the band started. "The Fixer" is from the group's 2009 album, Backspacer. When You Sleep Artist: My Bloody Valentine Album: Loveless Delia's Gone Artist: Johnny Cash Album: American Recordings Loser Artist: Beck Album: Mellow Gold

This week on All Songs Considered, teams up with NPR Music's to deliver a healthy dose of new music to get you through the week. This week's episode starts off strong when Stephen brings a bombshell from indie-rock legends to the table, in the form of the bratty new single "Bagboy." Even though the Pixies made "Bagboy" after bassist Kim Deal left the band, it's exactly the type of comeback single you'd want after a nine year hiatus. Bagboy The Pixies Album: Bagboy-Single Song: Bagboy John Grant Album: Pale Green Ghosts Song: GMF Dessa Album: Parts of Speech Song: Fighting Fish Lowland Hum Album: Native Air Song: War Is Over Volcano Choir Album: Repave Song: Byegone Deafheaven Album: Sunbather Song: Dream House

On this week's episode of All Songs Considered, co-hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton split right down the middle when it comes to bringing the noise. Bob, who normally likes his summer's fast and loud, takes a more languid approach, with beautiful cuts from Sigur Rós, Jon Hopkins and Zola Jesus. Meanwhile, Robin cranks it to 11 with some dissonant explosions of rock and roll from Drug Church, Ebony Bones and Two Inch Astronaut. Drug Church Album: Paul Walker Song: Deconstructing Snapcase Hayden Thorpe & Jon Hopkins Album: Goodbye Horses Ebony Bones Album: Behold A Pale Horse Song: I See I Say Zola Jesus Album: Versions Song: Avalanche (Slow) Two Inch Astronaut Album: Bad Brother Song: Little Short Guy Sigur Rós Album: Kveikur Song: Kveikur