New Music Friday: The best albums out April 18

Summary

All Songs Considered: New Music Friday – The Best Albums Out April 18

Release Date: April 18, 2025

Hosts:

• Stephen Thompson – NPR Music
• Brian Burns – WUNC

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Introduction

In this episode of NPR Music’s flagship program, All Songs Considered, hosts Stephen Thompson and Brian Burns delve into the latest releases featured in New Music Friday. Skipping over sponsor messages and advertisements, the duo centers their conversation around the standout albums released on April 18th, providing insightful critiques, personal anecdotes, and memorable quotes with corresponding timestamps from the transcript.

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1. Julian Baker and Taurus – Send a Prayer My Way

Timestamp: [02:06]

Stephen Thompson kicks off the discussion with Send a Prayer My Way, a collaborative effort between Julian Baker and Taurus. Thompson praises Baker's transition from her solo work and as a member of the supergroup Boy Genius (with Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus) to this new country-infused project.

Stephen Thompson [03:34]: "My first thought listening to this record is just what a clever post Boy Genius move this is for Julian Baker."

Country Signifiers and Authenticity

The album embraces country music’s simplicity and relatable struggles without leaning into clichés. Tracks like “Dirt” resonate deeply, addressing themes of regret and substance abuse with authenticity.

Julian Baker [04:34]: "Spend your whole life getting clean just to wind up in the dirt."

Personal Stories Enhance the Music

Brian Burns highlights personal stories behind the songs, such as the inspiration for “Sylvia.”

Brian Burns [07:23]: "Sylvia is her dog, and this was meant to be a foster dog, but she ended up adopting her."

Conclusion on Send a Prayer My Way

Thompson lauds the album as a continuation of Baker’s introspective artistry, emphasizing its ties to friendship and mutual support fostered during her time with Boy Genius.

Stephen Thompson [06:36]: "I love that about this record, Sylvia My Baby. It ties into a lot of the good vibes that surrounded Boy Genius."

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2. Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson – What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow?

Timestamp: [08:45]

Next, the hosts explore What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow?, an album by Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson. Burns describes it as a homage to North Carolina’s fiddle and banjo traditions, recorded live outdoors to capture an authentic porch-sitting ambiance.

Brian Burns [09:44]: "The album was recorded live and outdoors... you really do just feel like you're sitting on the back porch of somebody's house."

Honoring Musical Heritage

The collaboration honors Joe Thompson, a mentor to both artists, ensuring the preservation of black string music traditions. Tracks like “Hook and Line” pay tribute to Thompson’s influence.

Brian Burns [11:56]: "They are celebrating him by carrying the tradition on of that one."

Upcoming Festival: Biscuits and Banjos

Giddens is set to host her first music festival, Biscuits and Banjos, featuring a blend of musical performances and culinary demonstrations, aiming to become a North Carolina tradition.

Brian Burns [14:27]: "The lineup, the music lineup is insane... it's going to be really special and I'm hoping this will be a tradition."

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3. Tunde Adebimpe – The Black Bolts

Timestamp: [18:42]

Tunde Adebimpe, known from TV on the Radio, presents his solo project, The Black Bolts. Burns expresses admiration for TV on the Radio’s innovative spirit and Adebimpe’s ability to channel that into his independent work.

Brian Burns [19:31]: "TV on the Radio is probably my favorite band of the early 2000s New York scene."

Creative Freedom and Evolution

Adebimpe discusses the challenges of transitioning from a collaborative band environment to solo projects, emphasizing his desire to finish his own ideas.

Stephen Thompson [19:50]: "He started sketching out concepts and ideas for the record a little bit after that. And now we have the final product and it's great."

Dynamic and Energetic Composition

The album maintains the high-energy and experimental essence of TV on the Radio, with tracks like “Ate the Moon” featuring collaborations that infuse fresh elements into his sound.

Brian Burns [21:36]: "Another favorite of mine is called the Most... it really is in the spirit of the best country things."

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4. Beirut – A Study of Losses

Timestamp: [26:29]

Beirut’s latest release, A Study of Losses, is a departure from their typical sound, commissioned by Swedish circus Company Giraffe. The album blends global influences with Beirut’s signature instrumentation, enriched by collaborations with cellist Claris Jensen.

Stephen Thompson [27:26]: "This album is freaking gorgeous."

Cultural and Historical Inspirations

The album draws inspiration from Judith Shalansky’s novel and the mythical Tuanaki Atoll, blending storytelling with eclectic musical arrangements.

Brian Burns [30:25]: "Tuanaki Atoll is said to have been an Eden-like island... the people of this island were so peaceful."

Timeless and Exotic Sounds

Tracks like “Villa Sacchetti” and “Gorecki's Unicorn” showcase Beirut's ability to create timeless, immersive soundscapes that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.

Stephen Thompson [31:37]: "It's just a beautiful listen."

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5. Sarah Siskind – Simplify

Timestamp: [35:09]

Sarah Siskind’s Simplify is lauded as a minimalist masterpiece, focusing on her ethereal vocals and intricate guitar work. Burns and Thompson commend the album’s introspective nature, highlighting its timeless quality.

Brian Burns [36:30]: "This record is really beautiful. It's very minimal. It's really just her voice and her guitar."

Evolution as an Artist

Siskind’s journey from songwriting for major artists to creating deeply personal music is emphasized, showcasing her growth and unwavering passion for authentic expression.

Stephen Thompson [41:50]: "This record feels very much like it was made on her terms."

Emotional Resonance

Tracks like “Heavenly Father” and “Simplify Our Love” exhibit Siskind’s ability to convey profound emotion through simplicity, making her music universally relatable.

Sarah Siskind [39:50]: "Heavenly Father relieves my sorrow."

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6. Lightning Round: Other Notable Albums Released April 18th

Timestamp: [43:16]

The hosts transition to a lightning round, briefly highlighting additional albums that made an impact on April 18th:

• Davido – five: A powerhouse in Afrobeat, Davido’s fifth album delivers booming anthems and infectious rhythms.

  Brian Burns [44:34]: "It's full of booming anthemic ear worms."

• Adrienne Young – Something About April 3: The final installment of Young’s series, inspired by 60s and 70s Brazilian music, showcases her analog recording prowess.

  Brian Burns [45:23]: "She totally nailed it."

• Avery Friedman – New Thing: A Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter whose album blends anxiety with uneasy beauty, featuring chiming arrangements that captivate listeners.

  Stephen Thompson [45:29]: "Avery Friedman's new album is called New Thing."

• Jess Sabi – Jesus Christ Ne de soi pas: A reissue on the Tapes From Africa label, this album from 1991 Ivory Coast artist Jess Sabi brings her vibrant sounds to a broader audience.

  Brian Burns [46:17]: "It's a really cool one."

• Neil Young – Coastal. The Soundtrack: Complementing a new documentary, this intimate live album features Young performing solo, offering a raw glimpse into his extensive catalog.

  Stephen Thompson [46:48]: "It's an incredible, extremely intimate live document."

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Conclusion

Stephen Thompson and Brian Burns conclude the episode by expressing their excitement for the featured albums and appreciation for the vibrant music scene. They encourage listeners to explore the highlighted records and anticipate future discussions with upcoming guests.

Stephen Thompson [48:27]: "Take a moment to be well, drink a tall glass of ice water and treat yourself to lots of great music."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Stephen Thompson [03:34]: "What a clever post Boy Genius move this is for Julian Baker."
• Julian Baker [04:34]: "Spend your whole life getting clean just to wind up in the dirt."
• Brian Burns [07:23]: "Sylvia is her dog, and this was meant to be a foster dog, but she ended up adopting her."
• Brian Burns [09:44]: "You really do just feel like you're sitting on the back porch of somebody's house."
• Stephen Thompson [19:50]: "He started sketching out concepts and ideas for the record a little bit after that. And now we have the final product and it's great."
• Stephen Thompson [27:26]: "This album is freaking gorgeous."
• Stephen Thompson [35:09]: "This record feels very much like it was made on her terms."

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the April 18th episode of All Songs Considered, providing listeners with an in-depth overview of the discussed albums, enriched by personal insights and impactful quotes from the hosts.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcer]

Support for this podcast and the following message come from Dignity Memorial. When your celebration of life is prepaid today, your family is protected. Tomorrow, planning ahead is truly one of the best gifts you can give your family. For additional information, visit dignitymemorial.com Happy Friday, everyone.

[Stephen Thompson]

From NPR Music. It's NEW Music Friday. I'm Stephen Thompson here with Brian Burns from wunc. Hey, Brian.

[Brian Burns]

What's up? Stephen, thanks for having me.

[Stephen Thompson]

It is a pleasure to have you.

[Song Lyricist]

I am a lineman for the county.

[Stephen Thompson]

Now. If you're listening to this, you may be wondering why you are hearing the song wichita lineman. Today. April 18th is national lineman Appreciation Day. And when I think about all of the hard working linemen in this country, I immediately think of this classic song.

[Brian Burns]

It's one of my favorite songs of all time. I attended this at Karaoke about 10 years ago. And I gotta say, if you're thinking about doing that, think again. It's a tough one. I kind of ate it. I was doing fine until you get to the high note. And at that point I just was like, oh, yeah, forgot there was this note here.

[Song Lyricist]

It's still on the line.

[Stephen Thompson]

Karaoke is a great equalizer. It's amazing how many songs I think I can sing.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. It really lets you know where you stand. That one might have scarred me so much that I haven't done karaoke since then. I can't remember. But I respect people who can really own it and who are good at it.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah. The secret is commitment, as it is with so many things.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

Well, let's kick off New Music Friday. We've got a ton of fantastic albums. We've got new records from Rhiannon Giddens, Beirut Tunde, Adebimpe, tons of great stuff. But first, to kick us off, let's talk about a new record by Taurus and Julian Baker. It's called Send a Prayer My Way.

[Julian Baker]

Sitting on the curb with my greatest fear Outside the discount tobacco and beer Thought if I dove it would get more clear but it's all brown. Oh, half of my friends got a foot in the soil Ballpoint pen and aluminum foil Shuffling off the submodal core just to get out. So if you want to hop in, I'll give you a ride. Gotta really love if you'd make it tonight. Try to pick you up around 4, 5 and go downtown.

[Stephen Thompson]

My first thought listening to this record is just what a clever post boy genius move this is for Julian Baker. You know, Julian Baker made this string of really fantastic, very intimate singer songwriter records as A solo artist starting in 2015. But then she blew as a member of the supergroup Boy Genius with Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. And coming out of Boy Genius, suddenly, the stakes for a new Julian Baker record have never felt higher. Right? Like, all of a sudden, you know, she's won Grammys. You know, there are pictures of her goofing around with Taylor Swift, but her music is so interior and reflective and quiet. I love the fact that her first post Boy Genius record is like lifting up another great singer songwriter.

[Brian Burns]

Absolutely. I love that it's the country record, because I don't know that anybody saw that coming. It makes so much sense, though, because both Torres and Julian Baker are from the South, Torres is from Georgia, and Julian Baker grew up in Memphis. So country music has always been a part of their culture. I read, though, that they said that they've never seen themselves in the country music they were brought up on. So this record kind of fixes that.

[Julian Baker]

More than half the time. I'm only skating by Waiting for the ice to melt beneath me why do I keep.

[Stephen Thompson]

As much as. It's got these country signifiers, part of it is tapping into what makes great country music great, which is a certain simplicity, a certain relatable struggle. There are songs on this record, you know, about regret, about substance abuse, about kind of coming to terms with who you are. And, you know, there's a song on this record called Dirt.

[Julian Baker]

Spend your whole life getting clean Just to wind up in the dirt.

[Song Lyricist]

Got.

[Julian Baker]

A shortcut in a paradise it's killing me But I still gotta try to.

[Stephen Thompson]

Get there first it's got this line that really jumps out. It's just spend your whole life getting clean Just to wind up in the dirt. That's a very relatable sentiment to anyone who's battled that or known people who've battled with that. But it's not pouring on, like, country tropes. It's not like trying to sound more country than it is. It's just tapping into truths in their lives. I want to take a moment to sing the praises of tourists to people who maybe they're big Boy Genius fans. Maybe they've loved what Julian Baker's done, but aren't as familiar with Taurus. Taurus put out six solo records. They're very different. You know, she's definitely a restless soul and somebody who's explored a lot of different avenues on her records. But, you know, she had a song back in 2015 called Strange Hellos, which is just one of the best songs.

[Julian Baker]

Of the Decade Strange hellos are not.

[Stephen Thompson]

My bag Better never Heaven. She is a phenomenal talent, and she's continued to do great work. And I so appreciate an artist like Julian Baker having her first instinct after breaking Big Be. Who can I help? How can I lift someone else up with me? I love that about this record, Sylvia My Baby. It ties into a lot of the good vibes that surrounded Boy Genius, which was a project that was very much a celebration of the importance of friendship.

[Julian Baker]

My two minds can't decide if I'm at home on the road When I know the road ain't any kind of.

[Stephen Thompson]

Home Sylvia.

[Song Lyricist]

Don't Forget Me.

[Brian Burns]

The song Sylvia has a very sweet story. I was doing some reading on that one, And MacKenzie Scott, aka Torres, says this is a song that's basically about a foster fail. Sylvia is her dog, and this was meant to be a foster dog, but she ended up adopting her. When she went to pick her up to be the foster dog, she got in the car and heard Dolly Parton's Cracker Jack on the radio, and she took that as a sign that Sylvia and her were meant to be. So I love that story. So I think that might make it my favorite song on the record.

[Julian Baker]

Every time your cheek goes unkiss.

[Stephen Thompson]

A.

[Julian Baker]

Day for me is a week for you My life's already halfway through tomorrow in my book there's no such thing as guilty pleasure as long as your.

[Stephen Thompson]

Pleasure'S not unkind There's a song on this record called the Only Marble I've Got Left, and Taurus sings in that song. In my book there's no such thing as guilty pleasure as long as your pleasure's not unkind I agree with every word of that, right. To have that line coexist with songs like Bottom of the Bottle, you know, which is a regret song about drinking, where the chorus is, don't let me die at the bottom of a bottle. It really is in the spirit of the best country things.

[Julian Baker]

We're fishing me out the bottom of the bottom I'm missing you more every day I can't keep the wanting you.

[Stephen Thompson]

At bay Send a prayer my way. It is the new album by Julian Baker and Taurus. Highly, highly recommended. Next up, a new album from Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson. It's called what did the Blackbird say to the Crow?

[Brian Burns]

This is Rhiannon Giddens reuniting with her former Carolina Chocolate Drops bandmate Justin Robinson for an album dedicated to fiddle and banjo music of North Carolina. Couldn't be up more up our alley. There's so much love for Rhiannon Giddens here in North Carolina. She's won a MacArthur genius grant, two Grammys, and then Robinson won a Grammy, too, with the Carolina Chocolate drops back in 2010. Yeah. The opening line of the press release for this record says, welcome to our porch. And I think that really sums up what this album sounds like. The album was recorded live and outdoors between two sessions, one at Etta Baker's house in Morganton, North Carolina, and one at Joe Thompson's house in Mebin, North Carolina. Between the songs, you hear banter from Giddens and Robinson. You hear birds chirping and the sound of cicadas, and I think a rooster shows up at one point. Listening to this record, you really do just feel like you're sitting on the back porch of somebody's house when the sun is going down and it's getting a little bit cooler.

[Stephen Thompson]

She has become an icon in the bluegrass and roots music space. But this record, it captures this great musical virtuosity for which they're known, but it lowers the stakes by placing it in these live settings. It makes these songs feel extremely timeless in ways that only enhance their power.

[Brian Burns]

It really does feel like you're sitting in on something special, and they're just kind of playing for each other. It doesn't necessarily sound like they're playing for a particular audience.

[Song Lyricist]

I win to see my girl last night Met her at the door Shoes and stockings in her hand Little feet all on the floor what did the blackbird say to the crow? It ain't going to rain no movie what did the blackbird say to the crow? Ain't gonna rain no more Rain a little snow, a little high neck and old folks tell it ain't gonna rain no more.

[Brian Burns]

And that's something I love about this style of music, is that it's all the songs are passed down from generation to generation. A lot of the music on this record they learned from their mentor, Joe Thompson. Joe Thompson was one of the last musicians carrying on the legacy of black string music in North Carolina, and he was a mentor to both Giddens Robinson and Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops before they started that band. The song Hook and Line on the record is apparently the first song Joe Thompson ever learned, so they're celebrating him by carrying the tradition on of that one.

[Stephen Thompson]

Can you imagine the emotion involved? If you have grown up with this, like, deep and abiding respect for these artists and these keepers of this music to be playing Etta Baker's marching Jaybird in Etta Baker's house with Etta Baker's family around you. Like, the weight of that could really dampen the electricity of a performance like that. And yet it doesn' Rhiannon Giddens said something about this record that really, that really stuck with me as just a beautiful metaphor. She said, with the assaults on reality going on in the world today, we wanted to offer another kind of record like walking back onto a gravel or dirt road while a stampede goes the other way. And I just thought, man, you get it. You know exactly what you're doing. You know exactly what this record can be for people. And, and you're pulling it off brilliantly. Now, I wanted to ask you because Rhiannon Giddens is about to throw her first music festival.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's called biscuits and banjos April 25th to 27th in Durham, North Carolina.

[Brian Burns]

That's right. Yeah. Right across the street from where we are now. I will definitely be there covering the event for wunc. We're really looking forward to it. The lineup, the music lineup is insane. But there's also, because it's Biscuits and Banjos, there's a cooking element to it. So there's going to be a bunch of like James Beard Award winning chefs doing demonstrations. A lot of this stuff is free, too. There are ticketed events like the Carolina Chocolate Drops are playing their first show together for the first time in more than a decade. That's a big draw. But then there's also, you know, things happening during the day that anybody can go to, cooking demonstrations, other musical performances. It's going to be really special and I'm hoping this will be a tradition.

[Stephen Thompson]

Now.

[Brian Burns]

I hope this is a brand new festival for North Carolina.

[Stephen Thompson]

That is. What did the Blackbird say to the Crow? By Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson. We've got some more terrific records we're going to talk about this week, but first, let's take a quick break.

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[Stephen Thompson]

From NPR Music, It's NEW Music Friday. I'm Stephen Thompson here with Brian Burns of wunc. Brian, tell me about what you're working on at the station.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah, so I'm the music reporter here at wunc, which is a really fun job. We have a very exciting and thriving music scene here in the Triangle in North Carolina. So I do a lot of reporting on music festivals. I interview local artists. I have a blog I run that's all local music and getting, you know, unknown songs on people's radars that way. I have a weekly newsletter I put out. I do a lot of interviews with people that are within the music community here that don't always get a spotlight on them. I have a series that's called Getting to Know that. I just launched recently where I do kind of long form interviews with people who I think are doing really amazing work but don't always, you know, get the attention that they deserve. Keeps me busy.

[Stephen Thompson]

You got a great music scene there to draw from. I mean, who doesn't love Sylvanesso and Flock of Dimes?

[Sarah Siskind]

I remember what it feels like when it's up and wanna wake it up.

[Brian Burns]

We really do have, you know, a very eclectic and exciting music scene here. And that's going back to our legacy, too. We have so many jazz legends, you know, John Coltrane, Nina Simone, Thelonious Monk, all from North Carolina.

[Stephen Thompson]

All right, next up is Tunde Adebimpe from TV on the Radio. He's got a great new solo record called the Black Bolts.

[Song Lyricist]

The Black Bolts. I was thinking about my time and space I was thinking about the human race in the age of tenderness and rage had me kicking through the end of days from the time I heard a message cry Shining like mirrors in the sky so get your head right and hold it high say look around now, babe, you know you got the touch because you're birthday Don't. Synthesizer. You get down but you're gonna get higher I have a skill and doing loose in the fire what they gonna do with a lightning riders flying every.

[Brian Burns]

TV on the Radio is probably my favorite band of the early 2000s New York scene. He had the idea for this record back in 2019 when TV on the radio was on a break. And it sounds like the pandemic inspired him to make this record a reality. He started sketching out concepts and ideas for the record a little bit after that. And now we have the final product and it's great.

[Stephen Thompson]

You know, he said something really interesting and he was saying that, like working with TV on the Radio, he doesn't always get a chance to finish his own ideas. And that. That is this kind of weird, subtle, unexpected downside of working with a bunch of geniuses. Because TV on the Radio, the individual players in that band, Dave Scitek, Kip Malone, people like that, those are brilliant artists. Like, that is a band that is like wall to wall geniuses. And you totally understand how Tunde Adebempe would be like, okay, here are some fragments of lyrics. Here are some musical ideas. And then he turns. Turns his band loose on them and they make these sprawling, fascinating idea packed records.

[Song Lyricist]

Why'd you want to come like that for? You know, your magnetic dope synthesizer. You bend down but you're gonna get higher I'm just gonna do a loops in the fire what they gonna do is enlightening Rider.

[Stephen Thompson]

Listening to this record, you realize like he is every bit on their level. This is a terrific record. It has all of the, like, those kind of fiery and wiry signifiers of what makes a great TV on the Radio song. The songs just have this nervy energy to them that makes them irresistible.

[Song Lyricist]

Knock my blues into the red but.

[Brian Burns]

She comes fire TV on the Radio is a very democratic band. So he wasn't used to writing and finishing songs on his own. I know he worked with multi instrumentalist Wilder Zobey on the song called Ate the Moon. That's somebody who's worked with Run the Jewels a lot. And I can kind of hear that in that song. I think that's a really cool one.

[Song Lyricist]

The man who Ate the Moon the man who Ate the Moon. The man who Ate the Moon. The man who Ate the Moon.

[Stephen Thompson]

He's such an interesting talent, and, you know, he pops up all over the place. He's an actor, he's an illustrator. He's an animator. He worked on Celebrity Deathmatch for mtv. But he also, like, popped up. Remember the movie Twisters?

[Brian Burns]

I was gonna ask you if you saw Twisters.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah, I did, I did. And I was watching along and I'm like, ba ba da boop. Is that Tunde? Ada Bimpe?

[Sponsor Announcer]

Yeah.

[Brian Burns]

And he was great in it.

[Stephen Thompson]

You know, I'm glad you mentioned, you know, Ate the Moon. You know, that's definitely a highlight. There's another track on this record called ily.

[Song Lyricist]

I love you with a heart that's pure and true. Came through the shadows and like a beacon in the dark Ever so grateful for the spark.

[Stephen Thompson]

At first he sounds a little bit like Matt Berninger from the National. But then the song, as it goes, it's morphing into this different kind of contraption. It's building and evolving as it goes, but it never loses this directness and this intensity that's running through this record.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah, a lot of the songs on this record have these really interesting builds. They kind of end up somewhere completely different from where they started. Another favorite of mine is called the Most. And in the middle of that song, he kind of breaks out into like, a dance hall reggae thing, which I did not see at all coming, but I. But I loved it. It's a really fun surprise in that song.

[Song Lyricist]

Let you go so you can let me live and then you turn around and say I need your soul and make you cross the floor and then you turn and if there's a lesson to be learned about the nature of desire Sometimes the loving lingers on Even when the lover is a liar. Try to forget you but the memories play across the ceiling. Now you can beg him for forgiveness But I've lost the feeling. Cause I.

[Stephen Thompson]

The surprises persist all the way through this record. Like, really late on the record. There's a song called Somebody New. It's almost like a. It's like a dance pop song almost. You could actually take to a dance floor and not look like a fool.

[Brian Burns]

I know.

[Stephen Thompson]

I mean, I would still look like a fool.

[Brian Burns]

Totally. I love that one too. That one reminded me of New Order right off the bat. But it definitely brings you back to that era.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's a terrific record. I'm so glad to see TV on the radio coming back out into the world. They just did a Tiny Desk concert recently.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah, that's right.

[Stephen Thompson]

Which for me tells me, like, yes, they're celebrating kind of their early records because they've reached some big anniversaries, but that those guys are still working together. But no matter what they're doing, individually and collectively, they're still making tremendous, vital music more than 25 years into their career, which is amazing. Amazing to see.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah, it's so cool to see. I think they're playing some show shows this summer with Krung Bin and LCD sound system. So, yeah, they're having quite a moment, which I'm all about.

[Song Lyricist]

Like a storm cloud.

[Stephen Thompson]

More TV on the radio, more Tunde Adabimpe. Great new record. It's called the Black Bolts. Next up, another artist that's been around for a while with a really intriguing new project. Beirut has a new album called A Study of Losses.

[Song Lyricist]

God is the garden I tend to believe Whoever you are I leave you the key Long past the time of my misery.

[Brian Burns]

This is not your average Beirut record. I would say it's an 18 track record that was commissioned by a Swedish circus called Company Giraffe. Company Giraffe is a group of artists who create circus performances with a foundation of poetic narrative and a passion for magic in everyday situations.

[Stephen Thompson]

According to their website, they commissioned this work based on a novel by the German author Judith Shalansky. But the title is Versichnis Einiger Verlust and please do not laugh at my pronunciation.

[Brian Burns]

I think Beirut's music has often been compared to, like, circus and carnival music. And I know that Zach Condon of Beirut hates that. So it's really ironic that, you know, he said yes to this project and this is the record we have right now.

[Stephen Thompson]

I've been sitting here commenting on, well, look at where this record came from. This album is freaking gorgeous.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah, it's stunning.

[Stephen Thompson]

Zach Condon, who's kind of the mastermind of Beirut, been around a long time. He's working with, among other people, the great cellist and composer Claris Jensen. And Claris Jensen, who's worked with like, the Max Richter Orchestra. She has put out a ton of phenomenal solo projects. She's one of My kind of go to music I listen to when I want to concentrate. Instrumental music that is haunting and enveloping. You can get lost in it in a number of different, different ways. Her presence is felt throughout this record. There's also that swoony, worldly, grand, kind of exotic sound of Beirut, where it seems like it's radiating from a bunch of different countries at once.

[Brian Burns]

I think one of the standouts on the record is a track called Tuwanaki Atoll.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yes, it's my favorite track on the record.

[Song Lyricist]

How will I be shorted?

[Brian Burns]

So Condon says that Tuanaki Atoll is said to have been an Eden like island somewhere in the South Pacific that mysteriously disappeared under the sea during an earthquake in the 1840s. The people of this island were so peaceful that they did not have words like murder or war in their language.

[Song Lyricist]

What do we do if they don't run?

[Stephen Thompson]

It weaves in kind of his voice, that very familiar vocal that he has, and sets it to this kind of breezily loping, kind of tropical jam. It's really swoony and charming and beautiful at the same time.

[Brian Burns]

There's so many just kind of quirky notes about this record, and they all make sense when you listen to it. This is exactly what it sounds like, and it's a beautiful listen.

[Stephen Thompson]

And if you're a fan of what Beirut, of the sound for which Beirut became famous, there are still tracks that are gonna scratch that itch. There's a song called Villa Sacchetti. It's got that sweep, you know, it's kind of set within and among these beautiful instrumental interludes on this record. But it still sounds very much like a classic Beirut song.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Song Lyricist]

Falling stone Remember how we called it home? My eyes were dry as bone when you said to me you're on your own.

[Brian Burns]

Another standout for me was Gorecki's Unicorn. Please don't judge me on my pronunciation of that one, but I looked up that one, too, and that's a song that was inspired by a fake unicorn fossil. Apparently, somebody found this fossil that was a bunch of different animal pieces put together, and people really believed it was a unicorn for a long time.

[Stephen Thompson]

Drawing inspiration from all over the world. Different sounds, different countries, different languages. He's just so open to new ideas, and this is one of my favorite things that he's done in a really long time.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah, I think people are. I think he's gonna win some new fans with this one. And I think people who are already fans are gonna love it.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's just.

[Brian Burns]

Just a beautiful record.

[Song Lyricist]

Away. It cannot be something.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's called A Study of Losses. The new album by Beirut. We've got one more record we want to talk about in depth, as well as a lightning round of some of our other favorite albums out today, April 18th. But first, let's take a quick break.

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[Stephen Thompson]

From NPR Music. It's NEW MUSIC Friday, rounding up the best new albums out today, April 18th. We wanted to talk in depth about one more album. It's by the artist Sarah Siskind, and it's called Simplify.

[Sarah Siskind]

Come on hard, don't let me down Come on hard don't fail me now I need you more than I ever have before. I don't think I can do this anymore. Can you beat, beat, beat like a drum, keep me going can you beat, beat, beat like a drum, keep me strong can you beat, beat, beat like a drum And I'll keep trying to sing.

[Song Lyricist]

This song.

[Sarah Siskind]

Come on.

[Song Lyricist]

Hard, yeah.

[Brian Burns]

This is another artist with North Carolina Ties, which I was really happy to see on our list this week. Sarah Siskind grew up in North Carolina, and after spending some time there, she moved to Nashville, where she seems to have made an 18 for herself. She's a great songwriter. She lives up in Brevard now, which is in the mountains outside of Asheville.

[Stephen Thompson]

She made a record with Bill Frizzell in 2002 called covered, and it's really, really beautiful. I was, was and am a huge fan of Bon Iver. And as Bon Iver was kind of breaking through in 2007 and 2008, one of the songs that Bon Iver often played in concert was a cover of Sarah Siskin's song Lovin's For Fools, which is a basically perfect song.

[Sarah Siskind]

Crazy how I feel living without you. Inside this house that we build it seems like the wind finally open Letting the memories out. We'll go on and love her, love her forever I will.

[Stephen Thompson]

It is an absolutely true, tremendous, tremendous song. And Justin Vernon gave it, you know, like, did justice to it and, like, started taking her out on Tour with them. And over time, you know, in the years since, you know, she's put out a string of records. Her most recent record before this was modern Appalachia in 2020. It's really beautiful. She had a great record called say It Louder back in the late aughts. She's been a songwriter for other artists. She's written for Alison Krauss and Matty Diaz and, you know, a bunch of Randy Travis, you know, a bunch of great artists. She wrote for the TV show Nashville, and she's just somebody more people should hear. Her voice just shimmers.

[Sarah Siskind]

Sunshine, give me some of your time oh, this winter sure was rough Cool street over my feet Will I ever get enough? Oh, we race to get there before the other Then we forget to call our mother if we just had a little more time how do we simplify our life? How do we simplify our love?

[Brian Burns]

She is a relatively new artist to me, and I'm really enjoying learning about her from you. I found this record to be, again, really beautiful. It's very minimal. It's really just her voice and her guitar, and that really, you know, lets her writing shine and her voice shine.

[Stephen Thompson]

That title simplify is definitely a mission statement. There's a track late on this record called Heavenly Father, and the song is just absolutely centering her huge, swooping, expressive voice. And I just found myself kind of leaning into the speakers as she was singing it.

[Sarah Siskind]

I am a fatherless girl Making my way through this fatherless world.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah, her voice really knocked me out. There are a few notes she hits on this record that really just, like, made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It's really beautiful. I also feel like it just sounds timeless. Like, if you told me this record came out 40 years ago, I would believe you.

[Sarah Siskind]

Remains the same Yesterday, today and tomorrow My heavenly Father relieves my sorrow Every.

[Stephen Thompson]

Week on this show, I find myself locating some sort of theme, some kind of connective thread that ties together a lot of the records that we're talking about. And this. This record, for me, really feels like a love letter to music.

[Brian Burns]

Yeah, it's such a beautiful record. And that's another reason I'm a big fan of this podcast, because I do. I spend so much time listening to music. It's my job, it's my passion. But there's so much stuff I'm missing out there. So I'm really happy that this week I'm learning about Sarah Siskin.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's one of my favorites. She's been one of my Favorites for a really, really long time. Just a voice that I can always go back to, and some singers you just trust. She put out her first record more than 20 years ago. She's not a household name, but she's somebody I've always been able to go back to. And you just feel like you're getting her truth just beamed directly into your heart.

[Sarah Siskind]

And on and on. Time goes My rose is when you laugh My bud is our next photograph.

[Brian Burns]

How do you feel like her music has evolved since you've been a fan?

[Stephen Thompson]

She has worked through so many phases of her career. She's been a working songwriter. She's, you know, worked with big names. She has definitely had records that were kind of swinging for, you know, some kind of mainstream acceptance. And I think what jumps out about this record paired up with Modern Appalachia, is this is an artist who knows who she is, has figured out what she's capable of, and has just found, I think, the most power and the most strength, letting her voice echo out and having that draw in the people that it's gonna draw in. And so this record feels very much like it was made on her terms.

[Brian Burns]

That's so cool to hear. Yeah. I feel like this is a record she could not have made at a different point in her life. I love knowing her backstory now and that she spent this time in Nashville, but is now chilling up in the mountains in Brevard. And this is a very. It sounds like she made this record for herself. You know, it sounds like she's been through Nashville and she's done with that, and now she's enjoying life in the mountains and still making music. Cause it's her great passion.

[Sarah Siskind]

Love me anyway Even though it would be easier to walk away Even if there are things you are afraid to say Love me anyway.

[Stephen Thompson]

That is Sarah Siskind. Her new record is called Simplify. Now, obviously, as you can tell from the fact that all five records we picked this week are great. We could not possibly get to all the fantastic Music out today, April 18th, so we wanted to do a lightning round of some of the other records that are out today. I'm going to kick us off with Davido. He does pronounce it Davido, but it's spelled. DeVito is one of the biggest stars in Afrobeat music. He's been streamed billions of times. He's been nominated for four Grammys, and he has one of the biggest social media followings of any African artist. Now he's back with his fifth album. It's full of booming anthemic ear worms. It's called five that is spelled with the numeral five. I vow.

[Brian Burns]

Another pick from me this week is Adrienne Young's Something About April 3. This is the third and final installment of Young's Something About April series. Young is a recording studio genius who uses all analog equipment. Unlike the first two volumes of the series, this one is inspired by the music of Brazil in the 60s and 70s and has young working with a choir of Brazilian single fingers. It's Young's attempt at creating a great lost Brazilian record and he totally nailed it.

[Julian Baker]

Mark 12 seasons pass with this view.

[Stephen Thompson]

If you're into intense, dreamy, subtly imaginative singer, songwriterly pop people like Squirrelflower or maybe the softer moments of Big Thief. Don't miss the debut album by the Brooklyn singer Avery Friedman. Her song are a cocktail of anxiety and uneasy beauty with chiming, ringing arrangements that really get under your skin. Avery Friedman's new album is called New Thing.

[Brian Burns]

This is a record by the artist Jess Sa? B. It's a reissue on the awesome Tapes From Africa label called Jesus Christ Ne de soi pas. This album originally came out in 1991. In 1985, Sabi made an album with Peter one called Our Garden Needs Its Flowers that was a big success, especially on the Ivory Coast. I love that record. So I was really excited to hear new music from Jess Sabi. This one was actually recorded in South Carolina when Sabi was visiting the States as part of an exchange program, but wasn't available outside of the Ivory coast until now.

[Stephen Thompson]

Finally, Neil Young fans have been super served in recent years. The rock legend has released a long string of new records, live recordings, welcome reissues from across his 60 year career. Now fans are getting an incredible, extremely intimate live document to accompany a documentary that came out yesterday directed by Daryl Hannah. Other than one guest on one song, it's just Neil Young himself performing songs from across his catalog on piano, guitar and harmonica. It's called Coastal. The soundtrack.

[Song Lyricist]

Comes a light feelings lifting Lift that baby right up off the ground.

[Stephen Thompson]

And that is our show for this week. Brian Burns, thank you so much for taking time out of your week at WUNC Music.

[Brian Burns]

Thanks so much for having me. It was a real honor to be here.

[Stephen Thompson]

It is a pleasure to have you. If you enjoyed this week's show, we always appreciate a positive review on Apple or Spotify or whatever app you're listening to right now. This episode was produced by Simon Rentner and edited by Otis Hart. The executive producer of NPR Music is Soraya Mohammed and her boss is Keith Jenkins, NPR's vice president of music and visuals. We'll be back next week to talk about more new records with Ayanna Contreras of Denver Public radio stations KUVO and the Drop. Until then, take a moment to be well, drink a tall glass of ice water and treat yourself to lots of great music.

[Song Lyricist]

Oh, this whole world keeps spinning round It's a wonder tall trees ain't laying down Comes a time.

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