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- [00:00]
Stephen Thompson
A quick note before the show. This podcast contains explicit language. Happy Friday, everyone. From NPR Music. It's New Music Friday. I'm Stephen Thompson here with Izzy Bevis from WTMD in Baltimore. Welcome, Izzy.
- [00:16]
Izzy Bevis
Hi.
- [00:17]
I'm so happy to be back.
- [00:18]
Stephen Thompson
You're back. And you're back for Turnstile Day.
- [00:21]
Izzy Bevis
Yes. Oh, my goodness. I am so excited about the new album and I feel like, so, so special to be like, in Baltimore while it's happening.
- [00:30]
Stephen Thompson
June 6th is a wild release day because there are any number of records we could have used to lead this week's show. Pulp, their first new album in 24 years, is out today.
- [00:40]
Unknown Speaker
Something stopped me dead in my tracks.
- [00:44]
Stephen Thompson
Little Sims, you know, one of the biggest kind of rising stars in hip hop has a new album out, TikTok star Addison Rae. But this Turnstile record is big enough that there is an accompanying movie.
- [00:57]
Izzy Bevis
There's a lot of hype and excitement around this record.
- [01:01]
Stephen Thompson
Yeah, this is gonna be a big record. Well, let's get to it. Turnstile's new album is called Never Enough.
- [01:34]
Izzy Bevis
Never Enough. Never Enough. Never Enough. Never Enough, Never Enough, Never Enough.
- [02:04]
So Turnstile's Never Enough. It's a really big deal for the hardcore scene as well as just music in Baltimore. Turnstile has been making music since, like 2010, and they've put out a handful of projects, and this one definitely feels the most introspective.
- [02:21]
Never let your God down Anywhere you go.
- [02:30]
I particularly love the song Look Out For Me, which was one of their. Their leading singles. And it has this admirable nod to Baltimore in their music video, as well as the ode to Baltimore Club. At the end of the song, which is one of my favorite parts of the record, is all the different ways that they shout out Baltimore.
- [02:51]
Stephen Thompson
The song you mentioned, look out for Me, opens with these, like, very 80s guitars. You could imagine that song beaming from a college radio station in 1986. And then it kind of segues into these chunky 90s riffs before breaking into electronic music. All in the expanse of a six and a half, seven minute song.
- [03:12]
Izzy Bevis
Better late than never so we'll spend some time away Circling the train of.
- [03:21]
Stephen Thompson
Every pass I've ever taken Their roots are in hardcore gives their songs this kind of sturdy structure, this big buzzy, chunky, riffy sound, but they move around within that sound. There are dream pop elements of these songs. There's kind of fully screamy hardcore. If you can hear a song like Dreaming or a song like Dull and not hear echoes of Jane's Addiction, then You are way younger than me because I was immediately pulled to those kind of classic 90s. It's indie rock, but it's structured for an arena.
- [04:01]
Izzy Bevis
I really want to talk more about dreaming. I was like, what is going on? Because you have these horns and then it just like kind of builds and builds and builds and the song just takes you on this sonic journey that made me, like, realize that Turnstile is not afraid to take risks, even now that they have, like, you know, more commercial success.
- [04:24]
When I get so dream and demon love I feel it's so beyond When I get so dreamy Then I know.
- [04:39]
Stephen Thompson
If you are a pop fan who wants to indulge in heavier sounds, this is a great gateway record for that. If you are a hardcore fan, this is a gateway into softer sounds. This is a gateway into Shoe Gaze. I really appreciate the overarching ambition of this record. There's another track called Sun Shower, which is getting into kind of speedball hardcore. Not hardcore laced with pop, just heavy, heavy music. Then the song detours and into this new age interlude. When people think of hardcore music, you often think of kind of rigid structures. You are staying true to your hometown scene. Anything that deviates from that runs the risk of alienating longtime fans. Turnstyle is making this push, making a transition from a club band to a theater band to an arena band, to the point where this album has a visual companion that will be screening on more than 300 theater screens. Like, this is a big swing.
- [06:26]
Izzy Bevis
The closing track of this album, Magic man, made me so emotional. It's this beautiful, peaceful closure of a very up and down record. It's very apparent that they're working through their success, being more famous, but also being true to who they are. They love Baltimore.
- [06:50]
Stephen Thompson
That's Never Enough by the band Turnstile, out today, June 2nd 6th. Next up, the first album in 24 years from the band Pulp. It's called More.
- [07:18]
Unknown Speaker
Well, how about you just keep going? Cause you crossed the line now you.
- [07:29]
Izzy Bevis
Come reverse.
- [07:34]
Unknown Speaker
Gone from old that you could be to all that you once were I know that you feel it.
- [07:45]
Stephen Thompson
Now when you think about that big 90s surge of all those classic, amazing British pop bands. Blur, Oasis, Pulp always felt like they were kind of peering into that scene from the margins, in part because their music is odd. Their music is eccentric. Singer Jarvis Cocker, you know, cuts this really unusual figure and is not necessarily just going for big pop hooks. His songs are about class, about sex, about longing, about life in England. And I really didn't know what to expect from the first pulp record in 24 years.
- [08:27]
Unknown Speaker
This morning's Crucifixion.
- [08:31]
Izzy Bevis
It is wild that in my lifetime, this is the first Pulp album that I'm seeing.
- [08:36]
Stephen Thompson
Oh, my God. How old are you?
- [08:39]
Izzy Bevis
I'm 24.
- [08:40]
Stephen Thompson
Wow.
- [08:43]
Izzy Bevis
So, I mean, for me, listening to this album, I didn't have as much context. I didn't know what to expect. It was a little bit freaky. And definitely I was laughing at parts because I was like, this is really funny. But in a way that I'm like, why do I feel like I already know the words to the songs? I loved Grown Ups was that classic kind of grip pop feel feel. It was so catchy. It was something where I was like, oh, yeah, like, I'm gonna be getting into this.
- [09:14]
Unknown Speaker
It was the night they let me out of the home it was the night I caught the bus on my own and the city slithered past the windows at the film that was just beginning I was so excited I nearly missed. My stop was quarter to 10 I.
- [09:33]
Izzy Bevis
Was hopelessly lost I read that Jarvis Cocker has this whole thing with growing up and aging made me, like, re listen to that song. Because I was like, what is he really getting into?
- [09:51]
Stephen Thompson
The.
- [09:51]
Unknown Speaker
And you be the mum and we'll make out we know what it is that we've done. But whatever it is, I know that.
- [10:00]
Izzy Bevis
It'S only just beginning because, you know, so much time has passed and they are growing up and they're in a different place in their life than the last time they put out music. They're approaching making music differently. And I feel like when you do that, it could be so scary to be like, okay, let's, like, hit the studio. But this album was recorded in three weeks.
- [10:21]
Stephen Thompson
And sometimes when you get these really epic gaps between records, like Think About Chinese Democracy by Guns N Roses, it's a case where, like, they tried to make records, spent a gazillion dollars and years and years in the studio and just couldn't get it quite right. This isn't like that. Jarvis Cocker's been active the whole time. You know, he's had his own band, Jarvis, he's put out solo records. You know, he's 61 years old. He is still as clever as ever and still kind of looking at life from this kind of unusual perspective and writing songs accordingly.
- [10:59]
Unknown Speaker
Tina saw her this morning on the train she's playing games Sometimes she changes the color of her hair or her skin she's gonna wear the T shirt with the horizontal stripes the one she.
- [11:18]
Izzy Bevis
Wore the night I Almost spoke to her. Tina's always attentive to my.
- [11:28]
Another song on the album that touches on what you're talking about is Tina. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out who Tina was, and then I read it was a fantasy girlfriend. And I was like, that makes so much more sense.
- [11:44]
Unknown Speaker
Tina. Do you remember walking past me in the snow?
- [11:50]
Izzy Bevis
This epic of Tina and this kind of like, odd, unrequited love stalker situation.
- [11:57]
Unknown Speaker
You were wearing rainbow gloves with matching socks. What a display of everyday sexuality.
- [12:07]
Stephen Thompson
A number of these songs incorporate this. This spoken word delivery, these almost conversational asides where he really is like, pulling you aside, leaning into your ear, telling you a story. But then the song that blooms around that conversation builds into something really grand. This guy kind of looking back, still having all this vitality as a generational talent, but he's able to be more reflective and thoughtful. The very first track on this record is called Spike island, and it contains the line, I was born to perform, it's a calling.
- [12:44]
Izzy Bevis
I was born to perform, it's a calling.
- [12:53]
Unknown Speaker
I exist to do this shouting and pointing. And by the way.
- [13:05]
Izzy Bevis
It'S my kind of come alive. And by the way, get it right. Oh.
- [13:20]
Stephen Thompson
He's also just like, thinking about his place in the world and his place in music in ways that I found profound at the same time that I was giggling. These songs are funny and they're supposed to be.
- [13:32]
Unknown Speaker
Only hope is you succeed. Your mind. Only hope is you succeed. You're my only hope.
- [13:39]
Izzy Bevis
And just like Spike island, towards the end of the record, you know, him of the north takes you on this crazy sonic journey. And it just echoes that. These northern lights will guide you home. And it kind of comes back to that very authentic feel that we get from Jarvis Cocker, like, throughout this record.
- [14:04]
Trust us.
- [14:08]
Unknown Speaker
Believe.
- [14:12]
Izzy Bevis
In you and me.
- [14:36]
Stephen Thompson
Yeah, I'm glad you mentioned Hymn of the north because it is a very tender song and it is a reminder that these guys have been through a lot. One of the losses that Pulp has experienced is their longtime bassist, Steve Mackey, who joined the band in the late 80s, died in 2023. Pulp has been through many lineup changes. Members of the kind of the classic Pulp lineup, but also members of Jarvis. It's kind of pulling together various threads from across Jarvis Cocker's career, but in a way that feels like Pulp instead of like a solo project.
- [15:07]
Izzy Bevis
Despite some of the songs being a little bit crass. Like, it is a very wholesome album to put out something after so many years and kind of coming from it from a place of want rather than like, I need to put something out.
- [15:20]
Stephen Thompson
Band with nothing to prove. And yet here they are proving more that is more by the band Pulp. We've got a bunch more great records to talk about first. We're gonna take a quick break. From NPR Music, it's New Music Friday. I'm Stephen Thomps here with Izzy Bavis from WTMD in Baltimore. Izzy, what's all going on at WTMD right now?
- [15:45]
Izzy Bevis
Well, we just kicked off our first First Thursday, which is a free concert series that we do by the water. It's the first Thursday of every month in the summer, and it's our 20th year putting on this festival. So the energy is really high. It's a long day for me, but it is very rewarding.
- [16:01]
Stephen Thompson
That's a gorgeous, gorgeous area. Who's playing?
- [16:04]
Izzy Bevis
Craig Finn, Brandy and the Alexanders and local band Rex Pax.
- [16:10]
Stephen Thompson
Well, I'm just up the street in D.C. i'm gonna have to head out and catch one of those. All right. Well, next up, we've got a new album by Little Sims. Lilsims new album is called Lotus.
- [16:20]
Unknown Speaker
She bad in that stiletto I heard she from the ghetto Ain't nothing like your average she on a different level you think you're who he feeling Ha ha ha ha I'm screaming don't interrupt my song okay, carry on. I fought the world of you, you fought the worst of me I'm rogue from head to toe My steez is rock and roll youl see my London girls do it like so waste my time it's a big no no if you ain't gonna move, you should probably go home.
- [16:51]
Stephen Thompson
So Little Sims UK rapper. This is her sixth album, follow up to one from 2022 called no thank you, as well as her 2021 breakthrough album, Sometimes I Might Be introvert that music prize. It has felt like she has been a rising star in hip hop for like a decade. I think I saw her and was knocked out by her charisma, by her clever lyrics, thoughtfulness. Just a really intriguing and promising presence. And listening to this record, I feel like, oh, promise realized. This record manages to weave together hip hop with kind of praggy psychedelic rock pop sounds. There are just guests woven in left and right, but incorporated in really smart ways. Michael Kiwanuka pops up. Moses Sumney, Samfa Obang Jayar, Yusuf Deyus. I mean, there's so many great people just deployed to perfection.
- [17:58]
Izzy Bevis
I really liked the aspect of resilience and the common conversation of like not being controlled by faith or bad influences, bad people, or even the good stuff, too, you know, just trying to find that middle ground and that growth aspect, you know? I was watching the Chicken Shop Date episode with Amelia Demoldenberg, and it was just like you were saying. Little Sims is such a humble and kind and authentic person. And Chicken Shop Date, I don't know if you've seen any of the episodes, but they're very odd. Emelia Demoldenberg takes someone, usually a musician or someone famous, out for chicken.
- [18:36]
Stephen Thompson
It's supposed to be kind of awkward. It's supposed to be a date.
- [18:39]
Izzy Bevis
It is. And the one with Little Sims isn't. It's so sweet. She talks about her new album. She talks about how she used to teach street dance and how she was a dancer and all of these aspects that kind of create this full image of this person, that creates this very intimate album.
- [19:10]
Unknown Speaker
Are you feeling the brush when you ain't here? Baby, I've been needing a touch as if your voice wasn't healing enough she's.
- [19:19]
Izzy Bevis
Going through all these different, different moments on the record. And Only is one of those songs that's just talking about this grand gesture of love.
- [19:46]
Only about you.
- [19:51]
Stephen Thompson
Every song just feels like just a funky kind of elastic jam. For every song that just sounds really cool, there's a song that will, like, stop you in your tracks and make you think about your family.
- [20:05]
Unknown Speaker
What more can I say? If she just wants to work what?
- [20:07]
Well, you can't replace her son with money. Why are you even in the country?
- [20:11]
Of course I'm never in the.
- [20:13]
Stephen Thompson
There is a song on this record called Blood. It's got features from Wretch 32 and Cash, and it's essentially a conversation between family members. When you think about that Kendrick Lamar song where they're just screaming at each other, this song is like exploring all these really complicated family dynamics, but doing it in a way that is so hooky, so catchy and thoughtful, where there's multiple sides to every story and the song makes it place for both of them. I just was blown away by that song.
- [20:47]
Unknown Speaker
Burning bridges Finding women hurting siblings Left me tired of winning Found some people.
- [20:52]
But they weren't one what even Jay?
- [20:54]
That's another day I've been in the club where I drink the liquor Working through the night But I'm working with it Something about our ends are missing because the mountain top it ain't so.
- [21:01]
Fulfilling Nah, I hear you, and I've been worried about how you've been coping with it. There's one of you but there's two of us and I've been in these need of my brother's love but that life ain't sustainable so don't lose yourself and how's your health?
- [21:13]
I have my days where I drift away and see Granny's face I want to trade places that's normal, ain't it?
- [21:18]
Not really. If she heard that she'll turn in her grave that woman loved you no one above you I look you felt.
- [21:23]
You were the favorite. That was mad.
- [21:26]
Izzy Bevis
That was crazy.
- [21:33]
Stephen Thompson
And then right out of that song, it goes into this six and a half minute title track, Lotus, and it's like this psychedelic jam and it has Michael Kiwanuka and his gorgeous voice, and Yusuf Deus shows up and, you know, it's just this beautiful, expansive song. Man, she is in such complete command here.
- [21:56]
Izzy Bevis
Lotus was definitely my favorite collaboration song. You really are engaged. And I really feel like it addresses all of the main themes that she's working through on this record of resilience, of growth, despite some setbacks. And I really feel like it all comes together on that track.
- [22:26]
Unknown Speaker
Attire. You brought that woman to a low I'm my amplifier it's more than evident I know I'm what they desire can't tell you what the future holds or the day I'll retire They tell me symbiote Sing your hands to preach into the choir to get your voice heard I guess take some finesse this music one big game I'm playing chess they want me speak on world issues on the Internet but that's not how I speak my truth for the way I express you Ain't got clue how I feel and what I suppress so when you're in the public eye I wanna see your best I've been staking the world from when I was 12 so don't tell me what I should be speaking on if you change yourselves My pen has always been respected I'm still.
- [23:03]
Stephen Thompson
Connected There are several tracks on this record, Hollow jumps to Mind that is like fully orchestral. She's clearly kind of dipping her toe in those waters. Like, how big can I go? How much further can I expand the musicality of my sound? What instrumentation have I not played around with? And you just hear an artist who is unafraid of genre expansion. And I just think it works gloriously throughout this record.
- [23:32]
Unknown Speaker
Imposter posing your life ain't candid no song you make can repair the damage Money, money, money money money money money Threw you off balance Law and order your told me be Wary of the.
- [23:44]
Stephen Thompson
Sharks and right up to the end, she's still packing this record. The album closes with a song called Blue, and Sampha shows up as a guest vocalist, kind of bringing that, like, James Blakean angelic quality to the track. And you're like 50 minutes into the album and still getting new voices and new sounds and just bringing in these notes of just gorgeousness and melancholy. There's a lot that we take.
- [24:16]
Unknown Speaker
Carry on you and I found a way to be strong.
- [24:25]
So how would you feel? What would you do if you thought the world was against you? You didn't talk to an angel, told him you needed some guidance.
- [24:33]
Stephen Thompson
One of my big feelings listening to this record was just, I hope this thing is huge.
- [24:38]
Izzy Bevis
Me too. And I think closing on Blue as the last song is this, like, amazing farewell. And to the project, like, to everything she worked through on the record. I just, like, imagine someone on, like a staircase waving goodbye. And this plays in the background.
- [24:55]
Unknown Speaker
Who do you pity or side with? Who do you ride for? Who do you slide with? What is the saying you racking up mileage for? Can you see past all my mind the floor? Are you the type to abide the law? Are you the kind to be risking your life? What is the cause you be dying for?
- [25:08]
Stephen Thompson
That's Lotus, the new album from Little Sims.
- [25:12]
Unknown Speaker
Yeah.
- [25:13]
Stephen Thompson
Next up, McKinley Dixon has a new album called Magic Alive.
- [25:18]
Unknown Speaker
Woogie woogie Weed of the beat of the clocks tick tock they just wanna ugh. Like Rick Ross bourgeois flip flops give a fuck My pants like crisscross the high sediddy bitches dance along to our pish posh bitch watch you already know yo bitch watch. I haven't even yet to hit TikTok. Do that little dance for TikTok. They been mopped and wish washed NPC white noise blip blah bitch stop tripping over the time of that wristwatch Ever since that night I feel alive to close calls I seen your dogs, heard them bark but they done lost or they snore Be weary of the boys that pride themselves on the ball I die a legend or I simply won't die at all Stupid touching my face you may not guess I survived Turn to my niggas in that yellow scene the curse been defied My skin can make the living day to day come alive Might put an OG on his beat Watch his career get revived.
- [26:11]
Stephen Thompson
Wow.
- [26:16]
Izzy Bevis
All right, so McKinley Dixon putting out this new album, Magic Alive, from Maryland, grew up in Annapolis, but spent a lot of time traveling to New York and lived in Richmond for a while and is now in Chicago. And this record, although, like, he's from all over, does sound like a Chicago album to me. And it's one of those moments when, like, maybe I'm just hoping for that as I'm. Because I grew up outside of Chicago, so I'm always like. I'm like, oh, is this another Chicago project?
- [26:47]
Unknown Speaker
Running from the guns Point and shoot we used to play upon.
- [26:55]
Izzy Bevis
But what I really loved, he put out this record, Beloved Paradise Jazz. And there's a song on that, run, run, Run. And he put out a different version for this record. And that just felt like it's this conversation between his past self and his present and his future self. That was the standout track for me when I was listening to this record.
- [27:22]
Unknown Speaker
The heart is heavy but it's never held alone? You keep it steady and you'll find your way home? I point a finger and a kiss to my dome With a stare from the door that'll turn you as a stone. Let's celebrate us when we step back on the street for the distance we went Using up all our speech Trying to yell out a spell to the heavens it'll reach but for now we keep running if one day we'll be free Keep it running who am I if not mama's gun Pop you in the lip Once your mouth decided wanna run? Flowers grew out of the plots Limited by the runs but the joy no more filler spots absent of sun Concrete bent wherever we went Horizon gave reason to live more time seeing expect stained glass we grew up under shows the future is seen but the dying and e the stars A real gangster's dream Thug love in the summer us the blocking bugs hug tighter than we get for a Cadillac let's start a slight hum Find a way to live forever Curse as loud as it comes but if we find a way a T will become.
- [28:08]
Stephen Thompson
Sometimes you can tell where an artist is coming from by the guests that they book. We talked about that a little bit with Little Sims. His collaborators are just wall to wall, kind of experimentalist indie hip hop royalty, right? Kweli, Kris, Angel, Blue, Shamir, Pink, Sifu, this terrific rapper from Iowa called Teller Banks. You have all these really interesting voices, and on this record, that is kind of a concept album about magic, right? It's called Magic, comma Alive. But it's. But it's using magic as a lyrical trapdoor to kind of escape from trauma, to bring back friends you've lost, to kind of unmake mistakes you've made.
- [28:49]
Unknown Speaker
Tattered feathers Became the Achilles heel Chasing affinity to describe how sunshine feels under red moon Black sun Father figure Mama's gun Back room One of one dance.
- [28:57]
Stephen Thompson
Troubles Raise him up Magic itself is woven all through this record. And the title track, Magic Alive, like, fully lives up to that title. It's just this frenetic, wild, joyful ride. He's really unafraid to just, like, clutter his sound in the best way. There's a track featuring Teller Bang. And in the second half, it fully just explodes into just wild worldplay. Kind of this strange little horror interlude woven in.
- [29:55]
Unknown Speaker
If I'm swagging, I'm swagging for fenced in.
- [30:01]
Izzy Bevis
When I was listening to it, I was like, wow, this is, like, really fun. I'm having a really great time listening to it. And you have these songs like Sugar Water that are very, like, you know, interesting to the ear, make you want to lean in. And then you have songs like Listen Gentle, which you were talking about kind of him working through things and healing past traumas. And this is a big opportunity on this song in particular, where he's kind of having this conversation about magic with a child, where the child and like an adult figure talking about a magic trick.
- [30:44]
Unknown Speaker
He said, baby boy, just come in Never fear Let me pull a quarter from behind your ear if I show you how to do it and you get the magic right, you can use these tricks to help your ass take flight. Wow. I guess I never, never knew how but it really comes alive when you say it out aloud. Take these pennies for my thoughts Turn it to a hundred thou But I can't control the fire Everybody get down I believe him as brilliant as I ain't stupid I'll show you a boy with wings who love shooting like he is stupid we shouldn't have running in the dark I love the movement But I came back home too late so I played and watched a movie A grown man and his former self dance in kitchen One suited the other Wondering when the former weapons and now both sitting on the floor on his back Crippin saying sorry Losing.
- [31:22]
Stephen Thompson
This record contains what I hope will be my new mantra for this summer. There's a track on this album called We're Outside Rejoice and true to form, it is a killer summer jam. Add this song to your rotation anytime you are getting ready to go outside into the world.
- [31:41]
Izzy Bevis
That's so funny that you say that because I wrote down in my notes, Song of the Summer. I wrote that down. And I was like, yeah, at least for me will be the song of.
- [31:50]
Unknown Speaker
The song there cracking your voice.
- [31:51]
Cause outside rejoice, rejoice.
- [31:54]
Please remember that it ain't what it sings. Stars and concrete used to map of my dreams. I could use blasphemy to do miraculous deeds when we outside rejoice, rejoice.
- [32:05]
Stephen Thompson
That is McKinley Dixon. His new album is called Magic Alive. We've got one more record we're going to talk about in depth, but first, let's take a quick break from NPR Music. Welcome back to music. It's NEW MUSIC Friday. I'm Stephen Thompson here with Izzy Bavis from WTMD in Baltimore. Finally, we're gonna talk about a band from Chicago called Lifeguard. Their new album is called Ripped and Tor.
- [32:49]
Izzy Bevis
So Lifeguard puts out this debut album, ripped in Torn. They put out other projects in the past, but this is definitely where they're saying, hey, we're here. They're from Chicago, they're from the city. And this album definitely has a feel that it's not their first. There are some songs on this record where I'm like, this sounds like it's the fifth album, and the band has come back to the drawing table to figure out what else they can do. And to have that be on the debut album is amazing because it's just like, where can they go now? How to say? Tisar was one of those songs that made me feel like I can't believe this is their first album.
- [33:57]
Stephen Thompson
When we talked about Turnstile at the top of the show, we were kind of talking a little bit about Turnstile as a gateway. One direction you could take from Turnstile is to Lifeguard, which is playing this kind of wiry, intense, post punk, but still with that kind of of freewheeling, anything goes vibe. And to me, it felt like a good companion piece to the Turnstile record. Even though it's definitely raw in its sound, some songs are kind of just blurts and blasts. You know, there's a track called I Want to Break out, which just feels like a complete song in 97 seconds or just has these kind of jarring jagged hooks. And other songs, you know, feel more of a piece with kind of 90s rock. There's a song called like, you'll Lose, which has this clanging, churning quality. I appreciated this as a place to go once you have, like, worn out the Turnstile record.
- [35:12]
Izzy Bevis
And I think what we're skirting around is that it's almost a noise album. You know, it's produced by Randy Randall, who has these kind of influences of more noise punk. And you See that on the title track of the record, Silence.
- [35:29]
Where'S the words come through?
- [35:33]
When you're leaning in and you're accepting noise as a genre, it can really be a fun experience because you do get the more kind of 90s rock vibes on some of the tracks, but then you also get the experimentation that not a lot of people are willing to go to.
- [35:49]
Stephen Thompson
Yeah, where they're like weaving in dub, they're weaving in pop, they're weaving in garage rock. What sometimes trips me up with post punk, sometimes it's a lack of emotion, sometimes it's too strict adherence to genre. And. And to me, this record does not have either of those problems.
- [36:09]
Izzy Bevis
I really like the song France. And the last time we chatted on this podcast, we were talking about Yahweh Nail Gun and I was just like going on and on about how I feel like their live shows would be sick. And I feel the same way about Lifeguard. Like I'm so hyped that they're coming to D.C. soon because I just feel like they would be be so good live just based on their album, which is rare. There's so many musicians that have really great records and don't do the live thing or vice versa. But I feel like this is an opportunity with the kind of music that they're making to have a really fun live show.
- [36:58]
Stephen Thompson
That is Lifeguard. Their new album is called Ripped and Torn. Izzy, as you can imagine, it was not easy to fit every album we wanted to talk about into this show. So we wanted to do a lightning round of some of our other favorite albums. I'm gonna kick us off. The Canadian supergroup Broken Social Scene released the classic album youm Forgot It in people back in 2002. And while the album is not celebrating any kind of round numbered anniversary, the 22 and a half year mark is as good a time as any for a really charming tribute album featuring a broad range of great mdu, Mokhtar, Serpent with Feet, Mia Folic, Toro, Y Moi, Middle Kids, which is one of my favorite bands. Too many to name really. But perhaps the best of them all is a version of anthems for a 17 year old girl by Maggie Rogers and Sylvan Esther. So the album is called Anthems, A Celebration of Broken Social Scenes. You forgot it in People.
- [38:21]
Izzy Bevis
I have Addison Rae's album. Yeah, titled Addison and I. You know, I saw the career of Addison Rae Bloom and Blossom on TikTok. You know, in 2020 she became this huge TikTok star doing dances. And in the past I would say like three years she's been pivoting to being just a regular celebrity, which is.
- [38:42]
Stephen Thompson
Just a pop star like everybody else.
- [38:45]
Izzy Bevis
Just a pop star. Working with Charli XCX like that's the dream and she's living it and she knows it and you hear it on this record, especially with the song Fame is a Gun where it's this relationship between her, you know, Internet stardom and how she's chasing and putting all of her ambition into music, but acknowledging that she couldn't get there without where she came from.
- [39:13]
Unknown Speaker
Is.
- [39:17]
Stephen Thompson
There'S no mystery.
- [39:19]
Izzy Bevis
I'm going to make it.
- [39:25]
Stephen Thompson
The English band Comet Gain has been putting out superior indie pop music for more than 30 years. They've racked up about a dozen records, countless singles and compilations amid the usual upheavals and lineup changes. The band's songs are smart and incisive, timeless and erudite. So once you're done digging into the first Pulp album in 24 years, I recommend heading here next. Comet Gain's new record is titled Letters to Ordinary Outsiders.
- [40:05]
Izzy Bevis
So pump your heart and make a start and get your buzz back on.
- [40:20]
Loaded Honey is the new project from Jungle's Lydia, Kiddo and J. Lloyd. And if you are a fan of Jungle's song back on 74, then this is the album for you. I love this album because it feels so nostalgic. It feels like Sunday morning you're brewing coffee, the birds are chirping. Maybe you go to the farmer's market, maybe you go to some body of water and hang out. That's what it's like listening to this record. So that's Loaded Honey's new album, Love Made Trees.
- [41:02]
Stephen Thompson
Well, Izzy just mentioned Music for a Sunday morning. I am not here to tell you how to live your life, but I do have a piece of music you should play some. Bleary eyed morning this weekend. The guitarist Hayden Pedigo has a gorgeous new album of instrumental music out today. He does such a gorgeous job crafting music that isn't just intricately finger picked. It's also shimmery and atmospheric in really wonderful and enveloping ways. And Hayden Pedego's new album has a perfectly bittersweet title. It's called I'll be waving as you drive away. Now Izzy, we've listened to a lot of music in the run up to this week's show. What was your favorite song that you listened to to prepare for this show?
- [42:00]
Izzy Bevis
I love the new song from Black Moth, Super Rainbow's album Soft New Magic Dream. It was their song Unknown Potion. It's very ethereal, it's very ambient, and I love a Pittsburgh moment. It's just a good vibe. Put it on in the background, kind of just enjoy life. And that was my favorite song that I listened to in preparation.
- [42:36]
Stephen Thompson
I love that whole turnstile record. I loved revisiting Pulp After 20. The song that I think is gonna stick with me the longest is Blood by Little Sims. The way that song unfolds as a duet and a conversation that is really tapping into family dynamics that you don't necessarily always hear explored in songwriting. I was truly, fully captivated by it, and that's a song I'm gonna come back to to when we start putting together lists of the best music at the end of the year.
- [43:23]
Unknown Speaker
On a real twin I really don't know much about your lifestyle or what comes with it, but I know you, so it's weird to feel like I can't phone you. I go to work and they play your songs and my coworkers coworkers ain't got no clue that you're my family and your sister I'm proud to be so when I hear you talking what.
- [43:39]
Stephen Thompson
You'Re going so that is our show. If you are listening to us on Spotify, leave a comment on the episode with the best song you heard this week. Share your recommendations with listeners. We love to hear it. Thank you so much, Izzy Bavis, for taking time out of your week at WTMD in Baltimore.
- [43:55]
Izzy Bevis
I'm so happy to be back. It was so much fun talking with you.
- [43:59]
Stephen Thompson
It is always a pleasure to have a fellow University of Wisconsin WSUM alum here in the studio with me. If you enjoyed this week's show, we always appreciate a positive review on Apple or Spotify. This episode was produced by Simon Rettner and edited by Otis Hart. The executive producer of NPR Music is Saraya Mohamed, and her boss is Keith Jenkins, NPR's vice president of music and visuals. We'll be back next week to talk about new albums out June 13th with our old friend Nate Chenen of Philadelphia, member station for wrti. Until then, take a moment to be well, get outside and rejoice and treat yourself to lots of great music.
- [44:55]
Unknown Speaker
I feel we've grown up. If you are.