All Songs Considered: Fever Ray, The Beaches, Patrick Watson, More – The Contenders, Vol. 13

Release Date: June 17, 2025 | Host: Robin Hilton | Guests: Stephen Thompson

1. Opening Discussion: Facing Adversity in the Music World

The episode kicks off with Robin Hilton addressing the recent news about Morton Harkett, the lead singer of A-ha, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (00:14). Hilton shares a poignant quote from Harkett: "Use what still works." This philosophy, inspired by Harkett's father, emphasizes acceptance and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Stephen Thompson concurs, highlighting the importance of focusing on what one can control to navigate through fear and uncertainty (01:11).

Key Themes:

• Acceptance of difficult diagnoses
• Drawing inspiration from personal resilience
• Managing fear and anxiety

2. The Beaches' New Album: Embracing Joy Amidst Challenges

Shifting the conversation to more uplifting topics, the discussion turns to The Beaches, a Canadian rock band known for their vibrant sound. Hilton expresses her enthusiasm for their upcoming album, No Hard Feelings, set to release on August 29th. She highlights the single "Last Girls at the Party," describing it as an "incredible new song" that exudes joy and defiance against fear (02:20).

Stephen Thompson praises the song’s anthemic quality and catchy riffs, suggesting it could be the song of the summer (07:24). Hilton reflects on how the song serves as a joyful response to managing fear, advocating for embracing life's moments to the fullest.

Notable Quote:

• Robin Hilton: "It's impossible to ignore. It's impossible to not absolutely love that song." (05:43)

3. Patrick Watson: Overcoming Vocal Cord Hemorrhage

The conversation transitions to Patrick Watson, a singer who endured a severe vocal cord hemorrhage, leaving him unable to sing or speak for a year and a half. Hilton narrates Watson's recovery journey and introduces his new song, "Peter and the Wolf," from the upcoming album Oh, I Could Hear, releasing on September 26th (09:00).

Watson's music delves into themes of personal crisis and finding light in dark times. Hilton interprets his work as an embodiment of using what still works, drawing parallels to Harkett's outlook on life.

Key Insights:

• Resilience in the face of physical challenges
• The therapeutic role of music in personal healing
• Finding peace and beauty amidst anxiety

Notable Quote:

• Robin Hilton: "What do you do when life pulls the rug out from under you? You find the light where you can." (14:01)

4. Deb Talon’s Solo Journey: Healing Through Music

Deb Talon, formerly of The Weepies, is spotlighted next with her new solo album, I Thought I Saw You. Hilton and Thompson discuss Talon's reflective songwriting, which touches on themes like surviving childhood abuse and personal loss. Her song "A Glimmer in the Grass" is highlighted for its emotional depth and relatable lyrics (19:06).

Talon's music serves as a balm, offering listeners solace and a sense of connection through her honest and nuanced storytelling.

Notable Quote:

• Guest (Stephen Thompson): "She manages to weave [her personal experiences] into her music in ways that never feel didactic." (24:12)

5. Fever Ray’s Bold Exploration of Fear

Fever Ray is featured with their remake of "I'm Not Done (Therapy Session)," originally from their 2009 self-titled album. Hilton describes the accompanying music video as "absolutely horrifying" yet infused with dark humor (30:14). The video portrays a monstrous group therapy session, symbolizing the confrontation and mockery of fear.

The discussion emphasizes Fever Ray's approach to fear as a central theme, using artistic expression to explore and defy anxiety.

Key Points:

• Artistic portrayal of fear and vulnerability
• The blend of horror and humor in visual storytelling
• The role of music videos in enhancing thematic narratives

Notable Quote:

• Robin Hilton: "Fever Ray... laugh in the face of it. It's almost mocking fear in a way." (30:16)

6. Celebrating 25 Years: Reflecting on Iconic Songs

As part of the 25th anniversary celebration of All Songs Considered, Hilton and Thompson engage in their traditional segment of selecting top songs from past years. Focusing on 2016, they debate the best song of the decade, ultimately spotlighting Beyoncé's "Don't Hurt Yourself" from her Lemonade album as a seminal work that blends rock elements with profound lyrical content (45:07).

They discuss the song's impact, musical innovation, and its accompanying film, which together represent a cultural milestone in Beyoncé's career.

Notable Quote:

• Robin Hilton: "This was Beyonce stepping into the rock space and absolutely destroying it." (47:00)

7. Mitski’s "Best American Girl": A Decade-Defining Anthem

The episode concludes with an in-depth analysis of Mitski's "Best American Girl," lauded as a defining song of the 2010s. Both hosts commend the song's powerful guitar riffs and its exploration of identity and self-acceptance (49:12). They admire how Mitski combines emotional depth with compelling musicality, making it a standout track that resonates deeply with listeners.

Notable Quote:

• Stephen Thompson: "It's the anthem of our lifetime. I mean, it's incredible." (51:09)
• Robin Hilton: "There have been a handful of guitarists and albums... but the sound in Mitski's song is just perfect." (52:35)

Conclusion: Embracing Resilience and Joy Through Music

Throughout the episode, Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson weave a narrative that underscores the power of music as a tool for overcoming adversity, celebrating joy, and exploring complex emotions. From Morton Harkett's steadfast acceptance of his diagnosis to the anthemic resilience in The Beaches' and Mitski's music, the discussion highlights how artists channel personal experiences into universally relatable art.

Timestamps Reference

• [00:14]: Introduction to Morton Harkett's Parkinson's diagnosis
• [01:11]: Discussion on managing fear and anxiety
• [02:20]: Introduction to The Beaches' new album and single
• [05:43]: Hilton's admiration for The Beaches' song
• [07:24]: Stephen Thompson's take on "Last Girls at the Party"
• [09:00]: Patrick Watson's vocal cord hemorrhage and recovery
• [14:01]: Hilton on Patrick Watson's approach to adversity
• [19:06]: Deb Talon's new solo album and song
• [24:12]: Guest comments on Deb Talon's songwriting
• [30:14]: Fever Ray's music video and thematic exploration
• [30:16]: Hilton's description of Fever Ray's approach to fear
• [45:07]: Debate on best song from 2016
• [47:00]: Discussion on Beyoncé's "Don't Hurt Yourself"
• [49:12]: Mitski's "Best American Girl" analysis
• [51:09]: Thompson's praise for Mitski's anthem
• [52:35]: Hilton's admiration for Mitski's guitar work

Listen to the full episode on NPR's All Songs Considered for an enriching journey through music that inspires, heals, and defines moments.