All Songs Considered: José González's hope, Jungle's sunshine

Summary

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NPR Music – All Songs Considered: José González's Hope, Jungle’s Sunshine

Date: April 7, 2026
Hosts: Robin Hilton, Tom Huizenga

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Episode Overview

This episode of All Songs Considered takes listeners on a curated journey through standout new music releases, centered around the recurring theme of resilience, hope, and perseverance. Hosts Robin Hilton and Tom Huizenga highlight new tracks by Jungle, Quiet Light, Tanya Tagaq, José González, and a modern classical piece by Giya Kancheli, weaving in conversations about musical evolution, emotional contrast in songwriting, and the deeply personal stories behind each artist’s work.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jungle – “Carry On” from the upcoming album Sunshine

[01:13 – 07:44]

• Introduction and Band Background

  • Jungle is a British trio known for retro, yet forward-looking soul and disco. Their viral hit "Back on 74" impressed both hosts with its iconic dance video.
  • Their upcoming album Sunshine (due August 14) follows the acclaimed 2023 release Volcano.

• Track Analysis

  • The new single "Carry On" is described as “really life giving” and “filled with sunshine.”
  • Tom: "By quite a measure, this is my new favorite song." [05:23]
  • The production stands out for its sunny arrangement and the surprising use of acoustic guitar, with Lydia Kitto channeling a Dusty in Memphis/country feel.

• Lyrical Themes

  • Despite the upbeat vibe, the lyrics question heartbreak and forgiveness.
  • Robin: "It's interesting because I feel like this song, it could be about an unhealthy obsession, or codependency... I read it as a song about forgiveness." [06:32]
  • The duality between the breezy sound and vulnerable lyrics sparks debate on whether it represents toxic attachment or hopeful acceptance.

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2. Gabriel Kahane & Roomful of Teeth – “Not Even the Dead” from Elevator Songs

[08:03 – 14:44]

• Concept Overview

  • The album plays out like a surreal, cinematic experience set in a “creepy hotel” where each song is named after a hotel room.
  • Each Roomful of Teeth member receives a dedicated song exploring various narratives, e.g., a US soldier facing PTSD in “Not Even the Dead.”

• Artistic Execution

  • The music blends haunting storytelling with whimsical turns, mixing tenderness, humor, and disquiet.
  • Tom: "I kind of compare it to a cross between the White Lotus and Everything Everywhere All At Once." [12:14]
  • Robin: "It's very much like a David Lynch movie or maybe a Jim Jarmusch movie." [12:19]
  • Lyricism and arrangement are lauded for cinematic detail and emotional nuance:
    • Tom: "The storytelling, and the way he just fashions words together and rhymes, words and images…” [14:01]

• Notable Moment

  • Robin proposes: "Someone should turn this whole album into like a miniseries." [14:27]

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3. Quiet Light – “Self Tape” from Blue Angel Sparkling Silver 2

[15:35 – 24:35]

• Artist Introduction

  • Quiet Light is the project of Indian-American musician Rhea Mahesh, an Austin-based artist who balances prolific releases with medical school.

• Style & Reception

  • The track “Self Tape” blends synth-pop, dreamy new wave, and atmospheric haze.
  • Tom: "Immediately just brought me back to seeing New Order in Detroit in about 1983... you can't deny how great that sound is." [20:39]
  • The song evokes a restless, driving energy but overlays it with ambiguity and introspection.

• Lyric & Production Analysis

  • Lyrics are hard to decipher without reading along but revolve around perseverance in the face of struggle—tying into the episode's broader theme.
  • Song ends with a cryptic, AI-like vocal coda which Tom finds jarring:
    • Tom: "I would strongly argue that the song would be much better without it... For me, it's just a complete buzzkill." [22:30]
    • Robin: "That's one of my favorite things in music...when an artist does something at the end… and forces you to reconsider what everything you just heard meant." [23:00]
  • The hosts engage in a friendly debate over whether the jarring coda undercuts or enhances the emotional experience.

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4. Tanya Tagaq – “Imic” from Saput Gigi

[24:46 – 32:24]

• Artist Profile

  • Tanya Tagaq, a trailblazing Inuk singer-composer from the Canadian Arctic, is known for virtuosic throat singing and emotionally raw performances.
  • Tom recounts a “searing” live experience: 70 minutes non-stop, with Tagaq warning the audience that the music “might not be for everyone.” [25:44]

• Song and Album Context

  • Saput Gigi (“Designated Protector”) features challenging, intense content dealing with war and community trauma—yet “Imic” (meaning “water”) offers a gentle, ambient release.

• Thematic Statement

  • Tagaq quote, read by Tom: “Yet after all, we are water through all of it we survive, we exist, we are breathing still. You didn't win. We are here, we are celebrating... Nothing can destroy us, Nothing can destroy love.” [31:29]
  • Both hosts agree the song is a great entry point into Tagaq’s work, highlighting the beauty that sits alongside her more visceral compositions.

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5. José González – “Etyd” from Against the Dying of the Light

[32:56 – 39:19]

• Introduction & Context

  • González is praised for his gentle, hopeful songwriting. The track “Etyd” is designed as an "etude," or musical study—a meditation on optimism.
  • The album title references the Dylan Thomas poem “Do not go gentle into that good night.”

• Lyrical & Emotional Themes

  • The song’s lyrics at first seem naively optimistic, bordering on delusional: “to pretend that everything will be just fine,” etc.
  • Robin: "He spends the entire song listing out all of these things that seem pretty delusional in some ways... but at the very end, he brings in the idea that this is all coming from the point of view of a child..." [36:50]

• Notable Quotes

  • Tom: "What I love is that the words are playing against the music... there's such warmth in the song with the vocals, and it's such a lovely guitar forward song. And that fingerpicking is... definitely Nick Drakey." [38:04]
  • Robin: "If an etude is designed to practice a certain skill, in this case, the skill is the skill of optimism or perseverance." [38:29]

• Intended Message

  • González hopes the songs will "age badly... in the sense that humanity finds a way to unite and steer clear of its most self-destructive tendencies.” [37:27, paraphrased]

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6. Giya Kancheli – “Mittelheim”

[39:31 – 45:23]

• Composer Background

  • Georgian composer Kancheli’s late-career orchestral work “Mittelheim” is highlighted—a dedication to the hospital and neighborhood he lived in during his final years.

• Music Analysis

  • The hosts describe the 20-minute piece (they play a 6.5-min excerpt) as a “mirror of life,” alternating between violence and tenderness.
  • Robin: "It's very beautiful and very sad. It's very joyful and very sorrowful. The whole range of human emotion..." [41:18]

• Performance Note

  • The recording is by the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Lara Auerbach.
    • Tom: "Anytime I can talk to anybody about the music of Giya Kancheli is a happy moment." [39:31]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tom (on Jungle): "By quite a measure, this is my new favorite song." [05:23]
• Robin (on Quiet Light’s coda): "That's one of my favorite things in music... when an artist does something at the end of the song that sort of yanks the rug out from under you." [23:00]
• Tagaq (quoted by Tom): "…we are water… we are breathing still. You didn't win. We are here, we are celebrating… Nothing can destroy us, Nothing can destroy love." [31:29]
• Robin (tying the episode’s theme): "If the recurring theme on this episode has been don't give up… I think that's the theme of the show. Don't give up. Keep going." [32:56]
• Tom (on González): "What I love is that the words are playing against the music ... and that fingerpicking is ... definitely Nick Drakey." [38:04]
• Robin (on González’s message): "You can practice this and study this and learn how to be optimistic or learn how to stay a child." [38:29]

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Important Timestamps

• Jungle – “Carry On”: [01:13 – 07:44]
• Gabriel Kahane & Roomful of Teeth – “Not Even the Dead”: [08:03 – 14:44]
• Quiet Light – “Self Tape”: [15:35 – 24:35]
• Tanya Tagaq – “Imic”: [24:46 – 32:24]
• José González – “Etyd”: [32:56 – 39:19]
• Giya Kancheli – “Mittelheim”: [39:31 – 45:23]

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Thematic Flow & Recurring Motifs

• The show organically circles around themes of perseverance, survival, and embracing the possibility of hope in difficult contexts.
• Each song, despite genre and style differences, exemplifies resilience—either through musical contrast, artistic story, or lyrical content.
• Notable throughout is the hosts’ engaging banter, deep musical knowledge, and passion for sharing boundary-pushing new work with listeners.

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This summary captures the essential ideas, emotional tones, and distinct personalities of this episode’s conversation, providing an engaging overview for anyone who missed the broadcast or wants to revisit the highlights.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Edward Jones. A rich life isn't always a straight line. Unexpected turns can bring new possibilities. With 100 years of experience navigating ups and downs, Edward Jones can help guide you. Let's find your rich together. EDWARD jones, Member, SIPC Are we doing a show?

[Robin Hilton]

Is that what this is? Are we?

[Tom Huizenga]

I think it's called All Songs Considered.

[Robin Hilton]

Ah, yes. This episode of All Songs Considered comes to you from the NPR Music podcast, your one stop virtual music club where you can hang out, hear about all the new albums and songs we're excited about and other conversations happening in the music verse. NPR Music Also, where you will find the musings and reviews of classical music editor Tom Huizenga. Robin, you're more than a classical music editor, though. You've got some of the broadest taste in music of anybody I know.

[Tom Huizenga]

Well, life is short. You might as well listen to all of it, right?

[Robin Hilton]

All of it. And that's what we're gonna be doing on this week's show. All of the music, all the music ever been written.

[Tom Huizenga]

So sit back alphabetically.

[Robin Hilton]

Yeah. No, on this episode, we're talking about the best new songs of the week. We keep a running list of the year's best songs and we update it every other week or so on the show. I thought we'd start with a new one we got from the band Jungle.

[Tom Huizenga]

Oh, yeah.

[Robin Hilton]

Were you familiar at all with Jungle?

[Tom Huizenga]

I cannot believe that it has taken me this long to get on the Jungle bandwagon. But I am Rootin and Tootin on the top of the bandwagon. And it's amazing.

[Robin Hilton]

You're fully on board.

[Tom Huizenga]

Fully.

[Robin Hilton]

So this is a trio from Britain. They make this fantastically retro but also very forward looking, I think sort of soul and disco music. They had this really big hit a few years ago called back on 74 that largely blew up because it had its incredible video. I mean, the songs, it's a great song, but the video is one of the greatest dance videos of all time, I think.

[Tom Huizenga]

Clearly. Clearly.

[Robin Hilton]

And if you look, it's got like 65 million views. I'm at least 100 of those, I think, because I've watched it so many times. Anyway, that was from their 2023 album. It was called Volcano. And now they're back with a follow up, the album. It's not out until August. It's called Sunshine. And the first single we got from it, I think it's really life giving. It's called Carry on

[Song Vocalist / Audio Clip]

no Walking around in Love with it all still going on no, you won't admit it, boy when you're doing something wrong I don't want to talk about all the things you said and done all you do is break my heart Are you ever coming home? Carry on. Carry on. I know who it was at over, Sorry. Coming on Please don't give it up this way we were walking on and on I don't want to talk about all the things you said and done all you do is break my heart Are you ever coming home Carry on. Make me feel. Helpless no one ever let me feel this love. Carry on. Please carry on that was ever Let me feel now whatever. Let me feel this love Sam.

[Robin Hilton]

So much I love in this song, but I. I know it really knocked you out, so I'll let you go first.

[Tom Huizenga]

I will just say that by quite a measure, this is my new favorite song.

[Robin Hilton]

Oh, wow.

[Tom Huizenga]

Well, the. The name of the record of Jungle coming up in August, as you mentioned, or September. Or August. August, yeah, August is called Sunshine, and this song is just filled with it, even though we can talk about the lyrics in a minute. But one thing I really love about it, it seems like it's a little bit different pathway for Jungle from some of their music, which is kind of retro disco house soul. And in this, you hear the strum of an acoustic guitar. That wonderful vocal of Lydia Kitto is really kind of channeling like Dusty in Memphis and almost a country feel to it, but just tons of warmth and sunshine. Even though the lyrics are maybe a little less than Sonny, but just a superb jaunty, galloping little shuffling beat in the whole craft of the production and everything is just amazing.

[Robin Hilton]

I think this is an interesting song because, as you say, the. The lyrics aren't quite as sunny. She says, all you do is break my heart Are you ever coming home?

[Tom Huizenga]

Right.

[Robin Hilton]

So it's interesting because I feel like this song, it. It could be about an unhealthy obsession or you like codependency or something. I don't read it as. As that I song about forgiveness. Like, you love this person so much, you're willing to put up with a lot because you just love them so much.

[Tom Huizenga]

Yeah, I think you could read it that way. Although in the lyrics, she says she sees it coming, but then to give it more of a spin, like you're interpreting the last line, one of the refrains is, no one's ever made me feel this helpless is in the refrain. But then the last version of the refrain, she adds to that. No one's Ever made me feel this love. So it's tough to really know. Is she stuck in this kind of troublesome relationship or is she forgiving? Are the words just kind of counteracting the sunny, jaunty song?

[Robin Hilton]

I mean, that's the thing. It's so sunny. It's so breezy. It goes down so easy. It feels so good.

[Tom Huizenga]

Well, there's another song we'll get to later in this set, Robin, that does kind of the same thing for me, but we'll. We'll just leave that as a. As a tease.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, I actually think there are themes in this song that seem to carry throughout this whole episode. We never plan that, but it always ends up happening that way again. The album not out until August. August 14th is when it is out. It is called Sunshine, and that song was Carry On. Where do you want to go from there, Tom?

[Tom Huizenga]

Let's go with this really interesting collaboration between two artists that I really love a lot, and that is the singer, songwriter Gabriel Kahane, and the kind of avant garde vocal ensemble called Room Full of Teeth. And Gabriel, really one of our most witty and thoughtful songwriters today, has written a suite of pieces for Room Full of Teeth. And, you know, they've won a Grammy for their debut record. And you almost always hear them singing as a group because that's what they are, a vocal group. But Kahane has written songs for each member of the group. They're like eight members of the group. And it's all in this very high concept record called Elevator Songs, where we're kind of in an imaginary hotel with this elevator that can shape shift and time travel with us. And we meet these weird guests in the hotel, and some of them are in trouble. Some of them are just living out there, trying to live out their complicated lives. And so. So let's go up to room 1212. Every song has a room number where we meet a US soldier having these flashbacks of PTSD in the song called Not Even the Dead. And the lead vocalist here, really spectacular job, is Minja Ch.

[Song Vocalist / Audio Clip]

Man alive in the dead of night with a wolf behind the headboard in your mind no relief from the circuit of grief that's wrapped around your ribcage like a that you'll died not even the dead will be safe at this banquet when nobody knows what to celebrate but anger. Child look you in the eye you are only falling order same as me Bright flesh and fire Blood bank chicken but not a cloud on the horizon line Just blue, blue for miles and miles and miles to the sea not even the Dead will be safe at this banquet when nobody knows what to celebrate but anger. Three hours. Then the car, the plane, the base, your heart, A black boot in the shadow of a fig tree. And your dog tags in the rain.

[Tom Huizenga]

Going down.

[Robin Hilton]

Lobby,

[Tom Huizenga]

lobby.

[Robin Hilton]

This is actually this album. It's very creepy at times and also very, very funny at times.

[Tom Huizenga]

Yeah, I kind of compare it to a cross between the White Lotus and everything everywhere all at once.

[Robin Hilton]

Oh, interesting, because I was thinking, like, it's very much like a David lynch movie or maybe a Jim Jarmusch movie. It's such a great concept, the idea of being in this creepy hotel. At least it seems like a creepy hotel to me. And you're visiting these different rooms and all the sort of stories and the whole range of human experiences that can unfold in each of these rooms. Yeah, I thought it was brilliant.

[Tom Huizenga]

Yeah, it really is. And the song we heard was Not Even the Dead, sung by Min Jie Chen, one of the members of Room Full of Teeth, which is the group that Gabriel Kahane wrote this suite of songs for. And I just love that whole arrangement. The, oh, I love a finger picked

[Robin Hilton]

electric guitar is that there's this great moment a minute or so in when all those harmonies swell in and there's like a center guitar, electric, like a

[Tom Huizenga]

little feedback or something comes in, this little squelch.

[Robin Hilton]

Oh, it's perfect.

[Tom Huizenga]

Yeah, it, it's. It's beautiful. Right. And there's plenty of humor in the record too. And that's definitely Gabriel Kahane. Totally, because he's got a great sense of humor. There's a scene like this mock operatic scene with a sleazy hot tub lurker in the fitness room. Yeah.

[Robin Hilton]

The song is called the Hot Tub and then parentheses Fitness Center.

[Tom Huizenga]

Right.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, I don't think I'd ever clocked before what a great lyricist Gabriel Kahane is. I mean, terrific. So many incredible line.

[Tom Huizenga]

The storytelling, the storytelling, and the way he just fashions words together and rhymes, words and, and images. And there's another great song down in the lobby where the bar is. And the woman is talking about her husband and kids up in the. Sleeping in the hotel room. And she's got a glass of gin in front of her and she's. And she references the lawyer papers in the folder up in her room.

[Robin Hilton]

Someone should turn this whole album into like a miniseries.

[Tom Huizenga]

I know. I think of it really cinematically as a movie. Right? Absolutely.

[Robin Hilton]

So the album Elevator Songs from Gabriel Kahane and Room Full of Teeth, it's out now.

[NPR Announcer]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Edward Jones what does it mean to live a rich life? It means brave first leaps, tearful goodbyes, and everything in between. With over a hundred years of experience navigating the ups and downs of the market and of life, your Edward Jones financial advisor will be there to help you move ahead with confidence. Because with all you've done to find your rich, they'll do all they can to help you keep enjoying it. Edward Jones, Member, SIPC Evergreen trees are

[Robin Hilton]

Pacific Northwest icons in journalism. An evergreen story isn't tied to one news cycle. It goes deep and helps you understand the world. The Evergreen is also a podcast from

[Tom Huizenga]

OPB about the Northwest. I'm Jen Chavez.

[Robin Hilton]

Listen to the Evergreen podcast from OPB

[Tom Huizenga]

every Monday, part of the NPR Network.

[Robin Hilton]

I want to go to a discovery for me, a discovery artist, an artist that goes by the name Quiet Light. I think this was new for you too, right?

[Tom Huizenga]

Totally new for me. So thank you, Robin. I really, really into this track.

[Robin Hilton]

So this is Rhea Mahesh. It's her project. She goes by the name Quiet Light. This is a young singer and musician originally from Dall, now based in Austin. Pretty remarkable story with her. So she's only been putting music out for a few years now, I think since 2023, and has already put out multiple albums, multiple EPs and singles. Incredibly prolific. And the whole time she's been doing this, she's been going to med school.

[Tom Huizenga]

That's what I understand. I was gonna ask you if that's true. I was reading about that. And she's like, she's in med school training in some hospital in Massachusetts.

[Robin Hilton]

She's like finishing up her med school training. Yeah. So somehow she's managed to find time to put out all this incredible music. It's sort of synth pop and it can get pretty propulsive at times, but it's also just really, really dreamy and beautiful. And she's got a new album coming out at the end of the month. It's called Blue Angel Sparkling Silver 2. There was a first Blue Angel Sparkling Silver. So this is a follow up. That one came out in 2023. And the song that I want to play from it is called Self Tape.

[Song Vocalist / Audio Clip]

It's. It's sam.

[Robin Hilton]

Cusp season. Can I spread my gray wings flat against the ceiling Yelling to your ear the sky that real infinity Yelling to your ear the sky that real infinity Yelling to your ear the sky that real. That's part of the song that wasn't a mistake or whatever at the end there. That's Part of the lyrics, and it sounds like it's being read by some automated AI voice or something.

[Tom Huizenga]

I'll say something about that in a minute. But when I first heard this song, when you sent it to me, immediately just brought me back to seeing New Order in Detroit in about 1983 or something like that. It has that lovely New wave retro feel. Orchestral maneuvers in the dark. Bauhaus early New Order. You can't deny how great that sound is. And I love. Just a little ways into the song where so the beat and then there's this grinding going on. And then above it, these synths soar. Almost like trying to make them sound like, you know, distorted French horns or something like that. And they just take off above the roiling music that's going below. It's just. It's so wonderful.

[Robin Hilton]

I just love how it's got that drive, but, you know. But there's a haze over everything, which is just about my favorite vibe ever in music. It's. You're. You're speeding down the highway with all the windows down, but there's like. Like a big question mark over the day. The lyrics in the song are. Are nearly impossible to. To make out as you're listening to it, but if you go back and read them, they're very interesting. And I think they kind of tie a little bit into some of the recurring themes that I'm hearing this week on the show around persevering. Like there's a struggle. There's this. You're trying to survive, trying to make it in the world despite all of the obstacles in your way.

[Tom Huizenga]

Although I would say, you know, I would strongly. As much as I love this song, there's only one thing wrong with it. For me, it's that ending

[Robin Hilton]

cusp season. Can I spread my gray wings Flat against the ceiling Yelling to your ear the sky that real affinity. Yelling to your ear the sky that real affinity.

[Tom Huizenga]

I would strongly argue that the song would be much better without it. Without it with. Absolutely without it. Because you're so deeply into this mood that she has created in this song. And to have that little recitation come in as a coda at the end is just. For me, it's just a complete buzzkill. I would have much preferred the slow fade, which the song was already.

[Song Vocalist / Audio Clip]

Yeah.

[Tom Huizenga]

Or it could have just cut off. Boom. And left you completely breathless.

[Robin Hilton]

Oh, wow. Because that's one of my favorite things in music. When an artist does something at the end of the song that sort of yanks the rug out from under you. And forces you to reconsider what everything you just heard meant. Like, you have this idea in mind of what the vibe of this song is. And if you read the lyrics, you know, it sounds like she is talking to somebody, confiding in them. She's talking about struggling to get up and get out in the world. And then you hear this sort of robotic artificial voice at the end. And it makes me think, oh, she's been talking to a chatbot this entire time. Or all of this has been coming from some artificial intelligence. And it makes me question the reality of it and also the validity of it. Like, whether or not is this really meaningful if it's coming from a machine?

[Tom Huizenga]

I do love codas. Hey, I listen to classical music. It's all about doing something weird at the end. And there's a song, I forget the artist who has this amazing song that we had on the show quite a number of months ago. And then at the end of the song, David Sylvian comes in and does a recitation.

[Robin Hilton]

That was Lucretia Dalt.

[Tom Huizenga]

That's right, Lucretia Dalt. And that song has this similar thing going on where you are encapsulated in this world. And then all of a sudden you get this recitation at the end from David Sylvian, which is really great. And that coda really worked for me. This one, not so much.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, the album from Quiet Light again is called Blue angels, sparkling silver two. That song, self tape, that album is out on April 24th.

[Tom Huizenga]

You know, speaking of going to shows, the song I'd like to play next, Robin, is from Tanya Tagaq, the singer extraordinaire, the composer, author, from Cambridge Bay, way up in the north of the Arctic Circle in the country we think of as Canada. And I saw her in performance about 10 years ago and it has remained seared in my memory. It was an amazing 1 hour and 10 minute nonstop performance where she said to the audience beforehand, you know, some of you, this might not be really the thing for some of you. So if you don't like it, you can get up and leave and I won't feel bad.

[Robin Hilton]

Yeah. And that's because, to be fair, her music is pretty challenging at times. She's got a way of singing. She does throat singing and it's just this very guttural.

[Tom Huizenga]

It can be. I mean, in the performance I was talking about, there were moments of tenderness, there were animal sounds. She can make her voice sound like a thunderstorm. It's absolutely amazing. Her new record has a lot of those aspects to it. It's called Sapu Chiji and. And it has a lot of challenging music in it too. She doesn't pull any punches as an artist. She talks about war, the high rate of suicide in her community. But at the end of the album, there's this song called Imic. And for me it kind of functions as a little like a pressure valve has been released at the end of a very intense set of songs. And we find. And no lyrics here, just beautiful, like fountains of vocalise. And it's really an ambient song in a way. And Imic is the native word for water.

[Song Vocalist / Audio Clip]

It. Sam. It.

[Robin Hilton]

That's incredible. It is absolutely gorgeous. I mean, no issues, no notes.

[Tom Huizenga]

I can just get so lost in. In. In that piece with all those vocals just swirling around and. And really very subtle production, the guitar and. And synths and drum machine and it's just. It's called Imic from the Inuk artist, singer extraordinaire, writer, performance artist Tanya Tagaq. Her new record is Saputji Ji, which means Designated Protector.

[Robin Hilton]

Designated protector.

[Tom Huizenga]

Protector, yeah. And I wanted to read this little thing she said. She described this song and she said, yet after all, we are water through all of it we survive, we exist, we are breathing still. You didn't win. We are here, we are celebrating. There's nothing you can do no gun you can use no policy, no law, no rule Nothing can destroy us, Nothing can destroy love.

[Robin Hilton]

I mean, I'm totally down with all her messages and themes in her music too, even if some of the other stuff is harder to receive sometimes because she does come at you so hard with her throat singing. But there are really gorgeous, beautiful moments like this across her records too. And I think this is a really great introduction for. For her work. So Tanya Tagaq Emek is the name of the song from Saput Gigi

[NPR Announcer]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Edward Jones. What does it mean to live a rich life? It means brave first leaps, tearful goodbyes and everything in between. With over 100 years of experience navigating the ups and downs of the market and of life, your Edward Jones financial advisor will be there to help you move ahead with confidence. Because with all you've done to find your rich, they'll do all they can to help you keep enjoying it. Edward Jones Member, SIPC well, I got

[Robin Hilton]

one more that I want to play. And this is from Jose Gonzalez, an artist we have been following for years and love dearly. And the song, I think, you know, if the recurring theme on this episode has been don't give up. I think that's the theme of the show. Don't give up. Keep going. I think this song from Jose Gonzalez ties in with that really, really well. It's called Etyd. Etyd E T Y D. He's from Sweden. It's a Swedish word for etude. Etude. And in your world, Tom, an etude is what?

[Tom Huizenga]

Well, an etude is, as you know, as a pianist, Robin, in the classical music world. It's a little study. It's a little exercise that you practice in order to learn a certain technique. You know, maybe octaves or thirds or whatever. You know, just a little fingering technique.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, this is from an album called against the Dying of the Light. Against the dying of the Light, which is a reference to the Dylan Thomas poem, Do not Go Gentle into that good Night, which has the opening verse. Do not go gentle into that good night Old age should burn and rave at close of day Rage, rage against the dying of the light this song, Etid it's kind of about how you can survive whatever trouble comes your way. Not necessarily by ignoring it, but by remaining optimistic and hopeful and sort of rolling with it. You'll hear what I mean. But I think pay particular close attention to the final line of the song. When I think it all comes together.

[Song Vocalist / Audio Clip]

Sam. To pretend that everything will be just fine. But any wicked problem will dissolve over time. Any black swan will go pale when brought to light that all, all different lo magically align. To say that whatever will be will be. To rely on the good will of everyone to believe all wills are equal under the sun. To be carried on by the season of billions to the color of spice and waves. Makes the day to day so much easier it's fine if you return or aim to remain this way

[Robin Hilton]

so he spends the entire song listing out all of these things that seem pretty delusional in some ways, you know, like, especially if you think they're coming from an adult saying things like, you know, to pretend that everything will be just fine or to simply say it's fate or destiny. But at the very end, he brings in the idea that this is all coming from the point of view of a child and the innocent way that a child can see the world. So he says, you know, it's fine. It makes the day so much easier if you can see the world that way. It's fine if you're a child or aim to remain one.

[Tom Huizenga]

That's the key thing, because he also said about this record, I'm very excited to release this album. A Collection of songs I hope will age badly.

[Robin Hilton]

Yes.

[Tom Huizenga]

In the sense that humanity finds a way to unite and steer clear of its most self destructive tendencies. And so what I love is that the words are playing against the music in a way. You know, there's such warmth in the song with the vocals and it's such a lovely guitar forward song. And that finger picking is. If you know the song introduction from Nick Drake's Brighter Later. It's definitely Oza.

[Robin Hilton]

Yeah. Very Nick Drakey.

[Tom Huizenga]

Yeah. I really love the whole sound of the song. And the fact that he calls it etude, I think is interesting because as we mentioned before, ETUD is something that you study and that you learn from. And I think maybe he's saying here in this song, hey, listen up, pay attention. There's something to learn here. Like things are happening around you. You should pay attention to them. Don't stick your head in the sand.

[Robin Hilton]

Interesting, because I read that. I totally see that. I also read it as if an etude is designed to practice a certain skill. In this case, the skill is the skill of optimism or perseverance. That it's something that you can learn that you don't have to default to the world sort of breaking you. You can practice this and study this and learn how to be optimistic or learn how to stay a child. Because that's something most people completely lose touch with as they grow older.

[Tom Huizenga]

Yeah, well, that's fair. I always think of somebody that said once, oh, your friends might say, well, I just don't do polit. And then the reply to that is, well, if you don't do politics, politics will do you. And I get that kind of vibe from this song.

[Robin Hilton]

So, Jose Gonzalez, the song etyd, I believe I'm pronouncing that correctly. E T Y D from the album against the Dying of the Light. Tom, I know you got one more you want to play.

[Tom Huizenga]

Oh, I do. And anytime I can talk to anybody about the music of Ghia Cancelli is. Is a happy moment. He was a leading composer from the country of Georgia. He died in 2019 at age 84. And I got to know his music, I think, like almost everybody here, like in the west, through this series of amazing recordings on the ECM label, possibly my favorite label ever, who started a series of his recordings in the early 90s. This track, which is about 20 minutes long and we'll hear only about the first six and a half minutes of it, it's called Mittelheim and it refers to a neighborhood in Antwerp, Belgium, that the composer lived late in his life and he was treated by the Mittelheim Hospital there. And in fact, he dedicated it to the doctors. This is an orchestral piece. It begins with these, with ominous, violently delivered notes in the piano. Echoed in the strings. And then it eventually gives way to this kind of manic alternation between those notes, these eruptive, violent eruptions and some of the sweetest, most tender, beautiful music that you've ever heard of. For me, it's a mirror of life, this duality, this kind of two sided coin in that, you know, you've got a lot of pain and a lot of joy and they come at you at the same time. What did you think of this, Robin?

[Robin Hilton]

Well, you told me this was probably gonna be my jam. And it is because it's very cinematic, very it's epic and it's to your point. It's very beautiful and very sad. It's very joyful and very sorrowful. The whole range of human emotion and all the directions that life can take, I think are contained in this piece is very playful and very dangerous at times. It feels like listening to it. And yeah, I think it's a beautiful, amazing piece and I'm so glad you shared it with me. I'm inferring a lot of this, but I feel like there's a sense of time, like the weight of time, a lot of questions around sort of just the meaning of humanity. And maybe that's because the song is informed. He wrote it late in life. Right.

[Tom Huizenga]

This is a. Yeah. This is a piece that he originally wrote for Piano Trio and then he orchestrated it, but is one of his last pieces.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, as you say, it's like it's more than 20 minutes long, but we'll hear what, like six and a half minutes or so.

[Tom Huizenga]

And I should just mention that the recording is by the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and the conductor is another really great composer, Lara Auerbach.

[Robin Hilton]

Tom, thanks as always for bringing the good stuff, Robin.

[Tom Huizenga]

It's always a pleasure to be here with you spinning great music.

[Robin Hilton]

All right. It's All Songs Considered from NPR Music.

[Song Vocalist / Audio Clip]

Sa.