New Music Friday: The best albums out April 25

Summary

All Songs Considered: New Music Friday – The Best Albums Out April 25, 2025

Released on April 25, 2025

Hosts:

• Stephen Thompson (NPR)
• Ayanna Contreras (KUVO Jazz and the Drop, Denver, Colorado)

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Introduction

In this episode of NPR's All Songs Considered, hosts Stephen Thompson and Ayanna Contreras delve into the latest releases in the music world, spotlighting the best albums that dropped on April 25, 2025. From rising R&B sensations to eclectic jazz compositions, the duo provides insightful commentary, notable quotes, and a comprehensive overview of each featured album.

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Coco Jones – Why Not More

Overview:
Coco Jones, a multi-talented artist known for her acting on Disney Channel and the Peacock reboot of Bel-Air, makes her official debut with the R&B album Why Not More. Despite her extensive experience in the entertainment industry, this album marks her first significant foray into music as a sole artist.

Key Points:

• Background and Rise:
  Coco Jones has been active in the industry since her childhood, balancing roles in acting and music. Her transition into a full-fledged musician has been lauded, with Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist (2024), and a win for Best R&B Performance (2024).

• Musical Style and Themes:
  The album blends contemporary R&B with nostalgic early 2000s vibes, reflecting a resurgence of early aughts nostalgia among Gen Z listeners. Tracks like "Never Too Much" and "Keep It Quiet" showcase her versatility and depth as an artist.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Thompson (04:10): "Coco Jones is a very fast rising R&B star... this is her official debut album, but it's already establishing the scope and expanse of her talent."
• Ayanna Contreras (07:10): "There's a lot of early aughts sounding R&B on here, which is, you know, kind of on trend."

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Samia – Bloodless

Overview:
Samia, daughter of actress Kathy Najimy, continues to defy the "nepo baby" label with her authentic songwriting and genre-blending sounds in her third album, Bloodless. Her work is characterized by intricate lyrics and a seamless fusion of various musical influences.

Key Points:

• Artistic Lineage and Authenticity:
  While Samia benefits from her illustrious family background, her dedication to her craft and unique voice set her apart as a genuine artist.

• Album Composition and Themes:
  Bloodless traverses a wide emotional and sonic landscape, touching on themes of neurodivergence, mental health, and personal trauma. Songs like "Carousel" and "Bovine Excision" highlight her ability to intertwine specific personal experiences with universal emotions.

Notable Quotes:

• Ayanna Contreras (10:45): "There's a lot of interesting recordings. It made me want to go like, get some organic milk out of a cow in the field somewhere."
• Stephen Thompson (12:11): "Listening to this record and the way it's sequenced... to close on that note of joy and optimism and gratitude, I found really powerful."

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Emma Jean Thackray – Weirdo

Overview:
Emma Jean Thackray, a prominent figure in the London jazz scene and a recipient of critical acclaim through her involvement with Brownswood Recordings, releases Weirdo. The album is a testament to her eclectic style and contemplative lyricism.

Key Points:

• Musical Diversity:
  Emma's work on Weirdo draws from P-Funk, '70s soul, and contemporary jazz, creating a rich tapestry of sounds that defy easy categorization. Collaborations with artists like Reggie Watts add layers of complexity and innovation.

• Lyrical Depth:
  The album serves as a reflection on neurodivergence and coping with trauma, particularly poignant following the loss of her long-term partner. Tracks like "Please Leave Me Alone" and "Thank You for the Day" navigate these themes with both emotional depth and moments of levity.

Notable Quotes:

• Ayanna Contreras (20:41): "I kept listening to her voice, thinking, what does she sound like? Who does she sound like? And I landed on Brenda Russell."
• Stephen Thompson (21:00): "This is a record about coming to grips with how your brain works as you're processing trauma."

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David Murray – Berdly Serenade

Overview:
Renowned saxophonist and composer David Murray presents Berdly Serenade, an album that explores the intersection of free jazz and thematic soundscapes inspired by bird conservation efforts.

Key Points:

• Project Background:
  Part of the larger Bird Song Project, Berdly Serenade collaborates with artists like Flaming Lips, Mark Ronson, and Yo-Yo Ma, aiming to raise awareness for bird conservation alongside musical exploration.

• Musical Exploration:
  The album features a mix of cool bop influences and free jazz improvisations. Tracks like "Blackbird's Gonna Light Up the Night" exemplify Murray's ability to blend structured compositions with spontaneous creativity.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Thompson (25:17): "Instead, what you get is this really far-flung assortment of ideas and songs that are really expansive and wild."
• Ayanna Contreras (26:46): "There's a clear connection of P-Funk, '70s soul, jazz, but also some other little notes, and it's very cool."

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Fly Anakin – Forever Dream

Overview:
Fly Anakin, a versatile rapper and producer from Richmond, Virginia, releases Forever Dream, an album marked by its psychedelic influences and collaborative spirit. The project features an array of guest artists, enhancing its rich sonic landscape.

Key Points:

• Collaborative Effort:
  The album boasts contributions from Denmark Vesey, Pink Siifu, and producer Quelle Chris, among others. This network of collaborators brings diverse styles and perspectives to the project.

• Musical and Thematic Elements:
  Forever Dream interweaves dark, acid-trip aesthetics with spiritual undertones. Tracks like "Good Clothes" and "Lord Forgives I Hold Grudges" showcase Fly Anakin's lyrical prowess and the album's thematic depth.

Notable Quotes:

• Ayanna Contreras (34:57): "It's me pinning back, like, I can't remember this. You don't know what it mean to believe membership."
• Stephen Thompson (36:21): "It's a really cool record that feels like nothing that I've heard this year."

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Lightning Round: Other Notable Releases

To encapsulate the wealth of music released on April 25th, the hosts highlighted additional albums that stood out for various reasons:

• Self Esteem – A Complicated War
  Rebecca Lucy Taylor, known as Self Esteem, delivers a grand and theatrical pop experience with combative and self-aware lyrics backed by orchestral arrangements.

• The Crown – Letici's 12th Album
  Letici, a master of the R&B genre, collaborates with Trombone Shorty on the title track, infusing New Orleans energy into her multifaceted sound.

• Beach Bunny – Tunnel Vision
  The Chicago-based power pop band returns with tight, emotionally intelligent rock tracks perfect for warmer weather, featuring short, impactful songs.

• Silas Short – Lush Land
  This LA-based artist offers an 80s and 90s-inspired R&B debut filled with soulful melodies and collaborations with notable producers like Peanut Butter Wolf.

• Broncho – Natural Pleasure
  The Oklahoma indie rock band Broncho makes a stylish return with an album characterized by sleek instrumentation and mysterious, engaging melodies.

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Conclusion

Stephen Thompson and Ayanna Contreras conclude the episode by emphasizing the vibrant diversity of the music landscape on April 25th. They encourage listeners to support local record stores and continue exploring new and exciting sounds. With a blend of established artists and emerging talents, this week's releases offer something for every music enthusiast.

Notable Closing Quote:

• Stephen Thompson (41:13): "Until then, take a moment to be well, support your local record store, and treat yourself to lots of great music."

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Credits:

• Produced by: Simon Rentner
• Edited by: Otis Hart
• Executive Producer: Soraya Muhammad
• NPR's Vice President of Music and Visuals: Keith Jenkins
• Upcoming Hosts: DJ Julie B from Marfa Public Radio, West Texas

Support and Advertising:
The episode features advertisements from sponsors like Dignity Memorial, Charles Schwab, Lagunitas Brewing Co., LinkedIn Ads, BetterHelp, Capital One, and Sony Pictures Classics. These segments are seamlessly integrated and do not detract from the main content.

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This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the April 25th episode of All Songs Considered, highlighting the key discussions, album analyses, and the dynamic interplay between the hosts. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to NPR Music's offerings, this episode provides a curated glimpse into some of the best new music available.

Transcript

[Podcast 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 A quick note before the show, this podcast contains explicit language.

[Stephen Thompson]

Happy Friday from NPR Music. It's New Music Friday. I'm Stephen Thompson here with Ayanna Contreras Friday from KUVO Jazz and the Drop in Denver, Colorado. Hey, Ayanna.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Hey. How you doing?

[Stephen Thompson]

I am doing well. It is great to have you here.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Absolutely. It's been a minute.

[Stephen Thompson]

It has. You and I have done this show in past iterations, but this is the first time in kind of our new era where you and I get to chop it up and talk about great new Music. Out today, April 25th. First, you may notice you're hearing a little bit of Prince. Today is the drop date for a new Dolby Atmos Blu Ray spectacular of Purple Ra. If you have a high tech home theater system, you can experience Purple Rain in, I guess, the most high tech iteration yet.

[Ayanna Contreras]

So there's like, apparently with the Atmos, it's got like over 100 different sound points. So spaces where a different configuration of sound will hit you differently. Like surround sound on steroids. Right. Am I, I'm like Atmos agnostic. Right. Like, it sounds like a good idea, but I don't know about that. Like, is it one of those things that, like, years from now it'll be like, quaint.

[Stephen Thompson]

Eventually we're gonna be watching Prince via hologram and thinking it's. So this Atmos is so primitive.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Right? Exactly.

[Stephen Thompson]

We can't even represent what you would be getting in this Blu Ray dvd. So you just have to imagine that it sounds great.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Right. If you believe. Are you a believer?

[Stephen Thompson]

All right, well, we've got a ton of great records out today. We're gonna start with Coco Jones. Coco Jones's new album is called why not more.

[Coco Jones]

Sit me on the counter neighbors need a preview you could roll me on me I'm gonna do let you bet you wanna make me your wife Bet you got a big appetite Fresh but it's getting filthy using all my vowels Legs up on the ceiling talking about oh my God, never too much, never too much, never too much, never too much Baby, don't take it easy on me no, I'm also keep it coming. Never too much, never too much, never too much, never too much.

[Stephen Thompson]

So Coco Jones is a very fast rising R B star. She's been Active since she was a child actor, she worked on Disney Channel shows. She acts in the Peacock reboot of Bel Air. So she's very busy as an actor, but she is also a very kind of Grammy anointed, clearly future superstar. Right. Think like Victoria Monet, you know, somebody who's been kind of coming up in the business for a really long time. This is her official debut album. Even though she's been kind of rattling around this business for like 15 years.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Right. And super prolific, she's done some amazing work with lots of folks. Bj, the Chicago kid, just put out a single not too long ago with her, which was really exciting.

[Coco Jones]

Quick, baby, you started it I know.

[Ayanna Contreras]

That you feel it too but yeah, last year, here on the drop. Here we go. Her single from this album probably got the most spins out of anything just because it just really kind of captured people's imagination.

[Coco Jones]

How come when I see your name on my live screen I already know what it means? I was rolling in his bed you was rent free in my head I thought I was done with that Please, please I wanna love another person Can I please love another person this time? Oh, oh, me I've been putting all this work in and you still got a place in my mind oh, oh it's gotta be your way I want it to be mine don't you think this is for play Must be out of your mind they tell me to ignore it don't you think that I've tried and I've tried and I've tried and I've tried I know when you.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Said it's really exciting to hear a full length, Although to your point, it feels like full lengths just aren't necessarily needed in order to catapult somebody to superstardom anymore.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah. I mean, the fact that she's putting out her debut album now, but she's already been nominated for multiple Grammys, including Best New Artist. She was nominated for Best new artist in 2024. She won a Grammy in 2024 for best R and B Performance. So this is not necessarily like the official introduction to her as an artist, but it does, I think, really establish the scope and the expanse of her talent. And she's showcasing a lot of different sides of her sound. You've got a track like Keep It Quiet. Is this just really audacious and auspicious tone setter in the spirit of somebody like a Victoria Monet or a sza? It's kind of a statement of who, as an artist.

[Coco Jones]

Do it skillfully. Just when I feel like I'm catching on you take my clothes off make me forget it all hey you I love you I'm begging for all that I'm asking for Just keep it quiet don't make a scene of my heart.

[Stephen Thompson]

Babe, you mentioned the single. Here we go. Parentheses, uh oh, you know, another kind of tone setter that's already been nominated for a couple of Grammys this year. So you get a sense of who she is as an artist. But the record kind of allows her to explore a lot of different sides of her sound.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Absolutely. I mean, Other side of Love has kind of that. How does it feel? Gospel riff happening I don't know why.

[Coco Jones]

I can't get your love out of my mind Come back around every time.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Taste one of the recent singles. People are talking about this a lot because it interpolates Toxic by Britney Spears, but totally flips it and totally like stretches it out and slows it down and chills it out. There's a lot of early aughts sounding R B on here, which I think is, you know, kind of on trend.

[Stephen Thompson]

So I. I think very much so.

[Ayanna Contreras]

There's a lot for people to like.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's worth noting that you are never too young to feel nostalgia in pop culture. Right now we're having a lot of conversations about Gen Z nostalgia. Like one of the hottest movies out right now is the Minecraft movie. And it's like, yeah, 20 year olds can feel nostalgia just the way 50 year olds or 80 year olds can. And the fact that early aughts R and B is so hot right now makes all the sense in the world.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Well, I mean it's 20 years ago. I mean in the 90s, 70s sounding stuff came back into vogue. I think that 20 year period is right when vintage hits. Right?

[Stephen Thompson]

You want early aughts nostalgia. Coco Jones's father was a linebacker who made the tackle in the 2000 Super bowl that sealed the then St. Louis Rams win over the Tennessee Titans. So. So she's bringing it all back around to the early 2000s.

[Coco Jones]

Hey, ain't squeeze. Stay focused don't get complacent with me no, please. Taking up my time taking up my mind so don't hold back down why not?

[Stephen Thompson]

So that is why not More the official full length debut album by the singer Coco Jones. Next up, Samia. Samia has a new album called Bloodless.

[Coco Jones]

Nothing goes how it's gonn you miss the boat, you gotta swim But I don't have to tell you that Tulsa, Oklahoma Pulling a frame Sin was vicious and the drywall cracked like an autograph that endlessly appreciates a little die goes a long way.

[Stephen Thompson]

So just like Coco Jones is the daughter of a famous person, Samya is the daughter of Kathy Najimi and the wonderful comic actress. And this is why I don't like the phrase Nepo baby. Sometimes Nepo babies, they've just been training from a very early age to excel at what they do. And that is absolutely the case here. She's a tremendous singer songwriter. This is her third album. I love the way her lyrics are kind of laden with little specifics, little details. She sometimes like drops the names of her favorite singers or bands or stuff like that. These little details can make her songs feel really universal.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Yeah. You know what I like about it? I like that it's kind of like a drugged out, Western Echo drenched thing. Like, that's kind of my little sweet spot. There was one song, Pants. It had this kind of psychedelic, some Velvet Morning Nancy Sinatra thing going on. At least for me. That was my reference point, which I really enjoyed.

[Coco Jones]

Over the Ocean. That's how you ruin that. Take Me down.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Carousel is another strong one. There's just a lot of interesting recordings. I don't know, it made me want to go like, get some organic milk out of a cow in the field somewhere.

[Stephen Thompson]

Well, you mentioned a cow. There's a song on this record called Bovine Excision that is drawing inspiration from inexplicable cattle mutilations. You know, classic singer songwriter stuff.

[Coco Jones]

To Be Afraid, cup of Te, Drain, Drain Violence and Drain Drink.

[Stephen Thompson]

I'm really glad you mentioned the song Carousel because Carousel jumped out at me as my favorite song on this record. I was truly blown away by it. She has such a subtle, understated, kind of slightly sullen vibe to so many of her songs. And this song kind of takes her from that into this guitar drenched arrangement that really, really has like force and power behind it.

[Ayanna Contreras]

It was definitely stand out for me. The vibe of it was like really undeniable.

[Stephen Thompson]

I love her. That's Samia. Her new album is called Bloodless. We've got a bunch more great records out today, April 25th. But first we're going to take a quick break.

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[Stephen Thompson]

From NPR Music It's New Music Friday. I'm Stephen Thompson here with Ayanna Contreras from KUVO Jazz and the Drop. Ayanna, you have a lot of jobs.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Well, I am VP of radio, which means I am over both stations in terms of like general manager basically. And then I am the programmer for the Drop, which is an urban alternative station. And then I also host a show. Yeah, nice.

[Stephen Thompson]

Well, and among other things, among your many, many jobs, you are a judge in the NPR Music Tiny Desk Cont. What's that process been like?

[Ayanna Contreras]

It's been interesting because I've been kind of watching it from the outside in for a lot of years and was curious how people whittle down thousands of applicants. Right. And so now I know it's a lot of blood, sweat and tears for all parties involved for everyone that wound up being talked about on the Top Shelf podcast. I'm sure there's probably 20 more that were notable.

[Coco Jones]

Swear it, darling, make it through the.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Day.

[Coco Jones]

Lock these scars in place Never be away.

[Stephen Thompson]

One of the great things about the Tiny Desk contest is, yeah, we pick one winner every year and sometimes, often those winners go on to do really interesting and notable stuff. But at the same time, we're also building a community of musicians. And you mentioned Top Shelf, that this show is showcasing a lot more than just the artist who wins. And there are some fantastic discoveries from so many different genres in so many different parts of the country. It's a really inspiring experience where you get to discover a ton of great music that people just have not heard before.

[Coco Jones]

Everything back, everything through and through.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Yeah. And also a notable part is it's all original compositions. Right. I really enjoy that discovery. The desire, the energy, the rawness. You know, it. It brings tears to my eyes sometimes seeing some of these artists, you know, but in this sense, it's like not just a cover of Midnight Train to Georgia. It's also, you know, the songwriting chops, the whole thing, you know, it's really fabulous.

[Stephen Thompson]

So each of the clips you just heard are from Ayanna's Tiny Desk contest Top Shelf episode. You can watch the whole thing via the link in our episode notes. Well, speaking of fantastic discoveries, let's talk about Emma Jean Thackray. Emma Jean Thackray has a new record called Weirdo.

[Coco Jones]

There's something wrong with your mind there's something wrong with your mind there's something wrong with your mind.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Emma's been producing and writing and collaborating with lots of folks in this sort of hip London jazz scene. And she's on Giles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings. Also a radio host, kind of defies musical boundaries, doing a lot of work. I was actually on a panel with her a couple of months ago during Winter Jazz Fest in New York. Also just quite a thinker. When this record presented itself, I was excited to hear it. And it's like, there's like this clear connection of P funk,'70s soul, jazz, but also some other little notes, and it's very cool.

[Coco Jones]

Widow. I'm a widow too. I'm a widow.

[Stephen Thompson]

She's working in so many different genres simultaneously and collaborating with really interesting people. I mean, as soon as you hear, like, a song like Black Hole, which is a collaboration with Reggie Watts, you realize you are going to experience a collision of just dozens and dozens of ideas, musical ideas, lyrical ideas.

[Ayanna Contreras]

She's got this amazing sense of rhythm, which is really evident throughout the work. Like the rhythm changes and playing with those changes. The one other thing that is very interesting, too, is her voice. I kept listening to her voice, thinking, what does she sound like? Who does she sound like? And I landed on Brenda Russell.

[Coco Jones]

I'd like to know.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Very specific, but very emotive, but at the same time, just a little bit of coolness to it and the phrasing. And I doubt if that was like, anything near what she was going for, but that was definitely what I heard.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah, I mean, I immediately landed on K. Tempest at first, you know, just that mix of the music and spoken word poetry and kind of the way poetry can weave its way into music in fascinating ways. But. But looking at this record as a whole, it was originally intended as kind of a treatise on neurodivergence on mental health and kind of her relationship with her brain. And then that songwriting gained this poignancy after the death of her long term partner. And so it became more of a record about coming to grips with how your brain works as you're processing trauma. Knowing that really deepened my relationship with a lot of these songs. As I was listening.

[Coco Jones]

Please Leave Me Alone.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Please Leave Me Alone is really an interesting one in terms of that theme. Save Me, it's like an Afrobeats jam. But if you're actually listening to what she's saying, she's really digging deep. But like, just so the folks don't think that the whole thing is about that. She also has songs like Tofu and Fried Rice, two separate songs that showcase her sense of humor and ability to kind of call that the mundane for material. So it's like kind of this wide spectrum of things that she's talking about and drawing from.

[Stephen Thompson]

It was really interesting, like kind of listening to this record and the way it's sequenced. This record closes with a song called thank youk for the Day, which has this joyful shimmy to it. And when you think about all the things that she's been through and all the things that she's processing on this record, to close on that note of joy and optimism and gratitude, I found really powerful.

[Coco Jones]

I say thank you for the day. I say thank you for the day. Thank you for the day. Thank you for the day.

[Stephen Thompson]

That's Weirdo. The new album by Emma Jean Thackray. Next up, we're going to talk about David Murray. David Murray has a new album called Berdly Serenade.

[Coco Jones]

Saturday. A hazel icy silence caresses the peaceful waters of the sleepy lake Only clear and laughing the tremolos of the diving word break through the mist of the waving frost.

[Stephen Thompson]

Berkeley born saxophonist, bandleader, bass clarinetist, composer. We're talking about like a 50 year career in jazz and improvisation. And I have to say, Ayanna, when I saw the title of this record, Berdly Serenade, I thought it was going to be a Charlie Parker tribute. It is not.

[Ayanna Contreras]

No, you are not alone in that. Yeah. I mean, so it's part of this larger bird song project produced by Randall Poster and Stuart Lerman. And so like there's already been collaboration with Flaming Lips, Mark Ronson, Yo Yo Ma. The ultimate goal is to have these folks influence people's knowledge about bird conservation, you know, so he's also collaborated with the Audubon Society and other partners. This project has collaborated with those things. So it's really interesting. But yeah, I too thought that it was going to be a Charlie Parker tribute album.

[Stephen Thompson]

Instead, what you get is this really far flung assortment of ideas and songs that are really expansive and wild. These pieces don't necessarily stay in one place, you know, for very long.

[Ayanna Contreras]

He's really known as sort of a free jazz Saxophonist circa like 70s, 80s was when he really helped put that sound on the map with a lot of his contemporaries. But this, for me, it's pulling a lot from like 50s cool bop, like a freer version of it. Think about Bald Ego. Like that song kind of is in that pocket. But then he's not afraid to stretch all the way out on a track like Blackbird's Gonna Light up the Night.

[Stephen Thompson]

I was gonna mention this song. Cause that is a wild, freeform, chaotic ride.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Yeah, absolutely. Like it's bringing me back to my times in Chicago. I have a lot of friends who are in the aacm, so, yeah, I'm very familiar with that, that sort of freedom. It's an interesting recording and I think ultimately he definitely understood the assignment in making sure that these tracks kind of flitter and float like a bird would.

[Stephen Thompson]

That's the best way into the theme of it because I definitely, at first listening to this record was kind of like, well, this is great. This is great jazz, but I don't get the bird connection. And it's, you know, I see it in the titles. You know, you've got these titles like Bald Ego. You mentioned Blackbird's Gonna Light up the Night and there are a few guest vocalists who come in. But I think you're right that it's in the overarching theme of the record and it's in the kind of freedom and expansiveness of this album. There's a track that closes the record. It's called Waseau de Paradis. It has this, you know, kind of bonkers piano solo and just kind of gets wilder and wilder as it goes along. This. This is what's closing the record. And eventually there's this French language vocal coda from Francesca Cinelli and you just realize you're like an hour into this record and it is still just flinging ideas at you.

[Ayanna Contreras]

And it definitely has like an all star collaboration of people too. So, like that backbone from Marta Sanchez and Luke Stewart, who is a bassist. He's kind of like a Kevin Bacon of freer jazz.

[Stephen Thompson]

Everybody has worked with him at some point.

[Ayanna Contreras]

A lot of folks. Absolutely. Yeah. It's a fabulous collaboration of ideas and spirit.

[Stephen Thompson]

Berdly Serenade from David Murray. We've got one more record we're going to discuss in depth, as well as a lightning round with some of our other favorite albums out today, April 25th. 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 Ayanna Contreras from KUVO Jazz and the Drop in Denver, Colorado. We wanted to talk about a new record by Fly Anakin. It's called called the Forever Dream.

[Fly Anakin]

Oh, here we go. Hit up cracker with that Figaro, Figaro funny ass. I heard he got jokes, they got his bean pie smoke edged him up on both sides like GI Joe for the funk, the FIFA foe for the front. You don't even want no. Based off my calculations and amalgamations, if you got it on you, nigga, then I gotta take it. Favorite activations was counting paper, but now I'm stacking pages. Black John Taff up on the rafter, spraying case like it's my favorite fragrance. Me and my niggas click like tennis bracelets, mouse keys, control button so when the picture's taken, that's my dog, though. That's my son, nigga, that's my bro, that's my man, that's my cool breeze, that's my guy, that's my pops, that's my og, that's my sis, that's my missus, that's my auntie, yo, basically, see?

[Stephen Thompson]

So Fly Anakin, for those who don't know him, he's a rapper and producer from Richmond, Virginia. Extremely collaborative in his approach. He has put out loads of mixtapes and collaborative projects working with people like the Alchemist. He's been endorsed by Madlib. He's somebody who is, you know, I've made this comment about a couple records this week, and it feels like an overarching theme, throwing a ton of ideas at you and respecting you enough to let you sort them out.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Yeah, absolutely. I think I kind of got hip to him for his work with Pink Sifu. He collabed in 2020 on that pink Sifu album. And then smoke break in 2021, and pink sifu, who played it like Pitchfork. So that was kind of like my entree into it.

[Fly Anakin]

So many deep niggas, gold queens, queens believers they say so be the keeper I see demons, I see trees in the beach you reaching and you won't do that like that, like that When I see it act like you wasn't what we be at pillow talking with feedback. Hey, got it all about Cash. Never off topic. I hear you.

[Ayanna Contreras]

In general, I just think he's part of this kind of psychedelic Children of Goody Mob and Outcast, Dungeon Family Junior thing. That includes Earth Gang, Dreamville, Smino, which is all of my favorite things wrapped up in one. So when I heard the record, I was like, catnip, Catnip.

[Fly Anakin]

Is that GTA hopping out on the freeway?

[Stephen Thompson]

It's funny looking at the track list of this record, and a track that really stood out to me was a song called Lord Forgives I Hold Grudges, which, first of all, great times. But then, like, every song title has to include a whole bunch of guests. So the full title is Lord Forgives I Hold Grudges. Featuring Denmark Vessi and Pink Sifu. Parentheses producer Denmark Vessi. He's somebody who is just always working with a lot of people at once and giving them space to shine.

[Fly Anakin]

I've been on the ceiling with my UNO's with me running it up, running to my breakfast Woke up with a blessing like a death wish.

[Ayanna Contreras]

He's got a very large network of people like Denmark. Vesey is originally from Detroit, so, like, they're from all over the place coming together into this larger thing, which I think is really powerful. Chris Key's another person who did a really dope production on there called Good Clothes.

[Fly Anakin]

Me and my bitch give me everything I ask the steak and float if it's too heavy you can leave me there Every time a nigga do business we need some silverware? You got me popping on these good clothes Tell me what I should know? Ride around with these good hoes pure ones no cheap shows you gotta pay the price if you can get up under the hood the hood of my car the dead at night used to get in my head at night south side of the dead up and settled up but God it's nice Never had nothing I brought it back and twice yeah take off my vest? Cause everything that smile was left we went up, y'all went left you can see it through the chair Real give it up bad trying to police trying to come y'all wish told me I could be the president, you kind of cap me down I ain't never had the backpack.

[Ayanna Contreras]

We're saying psychedelic, but really it's more like dark acid trip, if that makes sense, you know, because there's definitely some darkness to it, both in sort of the lo fi production, but also, like, thematically speaking. But then there's also, like, sort of a spiritual touch to it. Right? Like, say thank you is definitely not a gospel song, but it does speak to a certain faith within it, a certain I'm okay with this right now thing.

[Fly Anakin]

It's me pinning back, like, I can't remember this. You don't know what it mean to believe membership. You ain't never seen what it means to have leadership. You know I'm a king. Watch this. Left in the neck that's what they expect they never a threat it's like Murder, they Cry.

[Ayanna Contreras]

The Times is another really powerful recording which was produced by Mono in Stereo. There's just, like, a lot of the Cadillac.

[Fly Anakin]

Good job.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's interesting, I was reading about this record and kind of the making of it, and that it originated with these just hangouts between Fly Anakin and producer Quelle Chris, who's kind of the executive producer. He produces a few of these tracks. He's worked on a ton of great records as well. And they started out just hanging out, but then were clearly just, like, stacking ideas on top of each other. Who can we get? Whose voice can we bring in? How can we fill this song with, you know, how can we fill these songs with interesting voices, interesting ideas, interesting sounds? And, yeah, as you said, it's psychedelic, but it's not meandering at all.

[Ayanna Contreras]

It's just like a really cool record that feels like nothing that I've heard this year.

[Fly Anakin]

Without all my brothers they can vouch I ain't never been no slouch what you searching for? You got your mind made up what you cursing for? I like you daily but lately spirits been tripping Boy, so much for Jury. You lost me. Replace them. Course I know you hear me out they tell all the stories about the.

[Coco Jones]

Times.

[Stephen Thompson]

That'S the Forever Dream by Fly Anakin, out today, April 25th. So we could not possibly get to every great record out today, April 25th. So we wanted to do a lightning round of some of the other albums that we're excited about. I'm gonna kick us off with Self Esteem. Self Esteem is a pseudonym for the English pop musician and actress Rebecca Lucy Taylor. Her songs are combative and funny and self aware. Also really grand and theatrical. We're talking choirs, we're talking orchestra. A theatrical production with dancers, the works and songs that actually back up all that pomp. It's a very big swing and I am here for it. The album is called A Complicated War.

[Ayanna Contreras]

So The Crown is Letici's 12th album. She's a master of the R and B universe. I interviewed this lady for a Downbeat cover article when she put out a Nina Simone tribute album. I mean, you know, talk about containing multitudes. The title cut the Crown features Trombone Shorty, and it's got that fabulous New Orleans energy.

[Coco Jones]

The things are said and done when tomorrow arrives but for me it didn't come Let the love I gave say all there is to say Let there be love on the other side I was told a promise the hole's getting.

[Stephen Thompson]

Deeper the terrific Shape Chicago power pop band Beach Bunny is back with its first new album in three years. It is full of tight fun, emotionally intelligent three minute rock and roll bangers. We're talking 10 songs in 30 minutes, just in time for warm weather. Beach Bunny's new album is called Tunnel Vision.

[Coco Jones]

I don't trust my own opinions and my intuition's terrible it's telling left from right I never see the the signs.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Silas Short Milwaukee born, Chicago made LA based is what he likes to say. The debut album, Lush Land is filled with soulful songs that kind of have that 80s 90s R&B feel. Collaborators include James Poizner, who did all that soul plarians work back in the day. Peanut Butter Wolf Like a Charm is is one of my favorites. So sweet, chock full of D'Angelo style riffs.

[Stephen Thompson]

All right, so narrowing down one more pick was a chore this week. There's just a glut of good stuff. Stuff to choose from. Could have gone with Jensen McCrae, who sounds like a rising indie pop star on her new album. Could have gone with Natalia La Forcata, the Grammy festooned Mexican singer songwriter whose new album was recorded in one take. But I'm gonna go with the return of the Oklahoma band Broncho. That's Bronco spelled with an H. Broncho had a breakthrough about a decade ago with songs like it's on and Class Historian. The band last put out an album album in 2018, but it's back with a new record full of sleek, strange, stylish, agreeably mysterious indie rock. That's called Natural Pleasure and that is our show for this week. Thank you Ayanna Contreras, for taking time out of your week at Denver's Kuvo Jazz and the Drop.

[Ayanna Contreras]

Thank you.

[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 by Otis Hart. The Executive producer of NPR Music is Soraya Muhammad and her boss is Keith Jenkins, NPR's vice president of Music and Visuals. We'll be back next week to talk about new records with DJ Julie B from Marfa Public Radio in West Texas. Until then, take a moment to be well support your local record store and treat yourself to lots of great music.

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