All Songs Considered: New Music Friday - The Best Albums Out April 4, 2025

Hosted by Stephen Thompson of NPR Music, this episode of All Songs Considered delves into the standout albums released on April 4, 2025. Joined by Zach McCormick from Minnesota Public Radio's The Current, Stephen explores a diverse range of music, offering in-depth analyses, insightful discussions, and notable quotes from the artists themselves.

1. Craig Finn – All Always Been

Introduction: Stephen Thompson opens the episode by highlighting Craig Finn, the acclaimed frontman of The Hold Steady and Lifter Puller. Finn's new solo record, All Always Been, marks a departure from his band's signature bar band theatrics, embracing a more reflective and singer-songwriter approach.

Album Analysis: Zach McCormick praises Finn's profound lyricism, noting his ability to weave rich, character-driven narratives infused with elements of religion and pop culture. The conversational tone reflects Finn's evolution as an artist, maintaining the storytelling prowess that fans have cherished.

Notable Quotes:

• Craig Finn (01:01):
  "She met him after summer school, Ohio, at the bus stop in a knockoff Celtics jacket..."

• Stephen Thompson (02:53):
  "There's a softer kind of more reflective, almost apologetic tone to this record."

Themes: The album explores themes of regret, self-awareness, and the quest for forgiveness. Songs like "Bethany" and "The Man I've Always Been" delve into personal reflections and the desire to grow beyond past mistakes.

Notable Lyrics:

• Craig Finn (05:26):
  "Honest, I've been a couple people knowing that I'd wanna be again."

Conclusion: All Always Been showcases Finn's ability to blend introspective songwriting with vivid storytelling, making it a compelling listen for both long-time fans and newcomers.

2. Mama – welcome to My Blue Sky

Introduction: Next, Stephen introduces Mama’s latest release, welcome to My Blue Sky. This album is described as a "leveling up" record, blending fuzzy rock and roll with substantial vocals, encapsulating the band’s matured sound.

Album Analysis: Mama’s sound draws from 90s college radio, shoegaze, and fresh rock elements. Zach McCormick highlights the band’s evolution, noting the significant role of bassist and producer Aaron Kobayashi Rich in crafting the album’s expansive sound.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Thompson (07:32):
  "This record full of big, fuzzy rock and roll, you know, with these, like, sugary but substantial vocals."

• Zach McCormick (09:03):
  "You get 90s college radio, you get bits of shoegaze. You get kind of fresher rock sounds."

Themes: The album juxtaposes heavier rock tracks with lighter, poppier songs, offering a dynamic listening experience. The closing track, "My Old Street," features big, chunky guitars that leave a lasting impression.

Notable Lyrics:

• Mama (11:42):
  "Everyone can see what this is all about."

Conclusion: welcome to My Blue Sky is a testament to Mama’s musical growth, blending nostalgia with contemporary sounds to create a no-skip album experience.

3. Lily Seabird – Trash Mountain

Introduction: Stephen moves on to Lily Seabird’s new record, Trash Mountain, a project that embodies the essence of "Basement Show Americana" or "Punk House Americana." Recorded in a ramshackle punk house on a decommissioned landfill in Burlington, Vermont, the album reflects Seabird’s unique living environment and artistic influences.

Album Analysis: Zach McCormick draws comparisons to bands like Wednesday and Big Thief, noting the album’s blend of jangly guitars and gnarled Americana. The storytelling is observational, capturing slices of life with a warped, almost Neil Young-esque guitar line reminiscent of Cortez the Killer.

Notable Quotes:

• Zach McCormick (17:30):
  "I really hear some of that Wednesday style on some of this Lily Seabird record, too."

• Stephen Thompson (19:37):
  "The track that really jumped out at me is Trash Mountain, 1:00pm… like right out of Neil Young’s Cortez the Killer."

Themes: Trash Mountain navigates through personal and environmental landscapes, with tracks like "1:00pm Trash Mountain" presenting vast, observational storytelling that paints vivid pictures of Seabird’s surroundings.

Notable Lyrics:

• Lily Seabird (19:20):
  "Look in the Windows of people's houses."

Conclusion: Lily Seabird’s Trash Mountain offers a compelling blend of punk and Americana, enriched by her environment and storytelling prowess, making it a standout addition to the current music scene.

4. Duendita – A Strong Desire to Survive

Introduction: The discussion then shifts to Duendita’s new album, A Strong Desire to Survive. Hailing from Queens, Candice Lee Camacho, known as Duendita, delivers an atmospheric and layered R&B experience.

Album Analysis: Zach McCormick highlights Duendita’s background in performance art and poetry, which influences her album’s atypical structures and glitchy, seamless soundscape. The album's brevity, with 10 songs in 27 minutes, creates an intense and focused listening experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Zach McCormick (24:35):
  "Duendita has a little bit of background in performance art and poetry… presenting a hooky sequence and then kind of quickly warping it."

• Stephen Thompson (28:27):
  "This record is called A Strong Desire to Survive… song about kind of picking up in the face of hardship."

Themes: Themes of survival, resilience, and personal struggle are interwoven with modern realities, using art as a form of healing and expression. The album’s tracks transition smoothly, offering moments of tension and release.

Notable Lyrics:

• Duendita (29:19):
  "Love, throat CL had to run away from you my Lord."

Conclusion: A Strong Desire to Survive by Duendita stands out for its innovative structure and emotional depth, providing a unique blend of R&B and experimental sounds that resonate with listeners seeking both beauty and complexity.

5. Dumb Things – Self Help

Introduction: Stephen introduces Dumb Things’ latest album, Self Help, a vibrant entry from the Australian band that channels the sunny, jangly vibes reminiscent of bands like Rolling Blackouts and The Beths.

Album Analysis: Zach McCormick describes the album as a blend of jangle pop and catchy melodies, with multiple vocalists and songwriters contributing to its diverse soundscape. The album captures a carefree, summer-day essence with tracks like "Out Of Time" and "Cherry Blossoms."

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Thompson (35:19):
  "I've been reading Self Help, but I just can't help myself lately."

Themes: Self Help explores themes of personal growth, reflection, and the juxtaposition of progress with stagnation. The lyrics often feature oblique references to personal and communal changes, delivering them through upbeat and engaging melodies.

Notable Lyrics:

• Dumb Things (37:38):
  "Apple, you wrote me a letter in blue ballpoint pen... Everything change outside the door."

Conclusion: Dumb Things’ Self Help is an enchanting album that marries familiar jangle pop elements with fresh, innovative twists, making it an enjoyable and charming addition to the new releases of the week.

6. Lightning Round: Other Noteworthy Albums

Additional Recommendations: In a swift conclusion, Stephen and Zach highlight several other notable albums:

• Sleigh Bells – Mile Wide Hook: Celebrating 17 years of the noise pop duo’s evolution, this album blends bombastic sounds with pop elements.

  Notable Quote (39:12):
  "Self Help" by Dumb Things.

• Joe Keery – The Crush: Known for his role in Stranger Things, Joe Keery’s solo project offers an organic, new wave-inspired soundtrack experience.

• Rumor – Leaving it all to CH: This Berlin-based band delivers sweet, ethereal pop melodies intertwined with crushing guitar noise, crafting a delicate balance between fragility and intensity.

• Mike Scott as The Waterboys – Life, Death and Dennis Hopper: A 25-track concept album narrating the life of Dennis Hopper, blending various musical genres to match the chronological storytelling.

• HXH – Stark Phenomena: Perfect for ambient music enthusiasts, this album offers drifty, expansive soundscapes ideal for relaxed listening.

Final Thoughts

Stephen Thompson wraps up the episode by thanking Zach McCormick and encouraging listeners to explore the featured albums. Emphasizing the curated selection, the hosts invite audiences to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of new music, celebrating the diverse sounds that define April 4’s releases.

Closing Lyrics:

• Mama (44:44):
  "It's essential to remember that in that moment, looking at the sky reminded me of a moment I had in real life..."

Produced by Simon Rentner and edited by Otis Hart, this episode showcases NPR Music's commitment to highlighting exceptional new music across genres. Whether you’re a fan of reflective singer-songwriters, vibrant pop bands, or experimental R&B, this week’s recommendations offer something special for every music lover.

Note: This summary excludes advertisement segments and focuses solely on the content-rich discussions surrounding the featured albums.