All Songs Considered: New Music Friday – The Best Albums Out May 2, 2025

NPR’s flagship music discovery program, “All Songs Considered,” hosted by Stephen Thompson alongside Julie B. from Marfa Public Radio, delves into the freshest releases each week. In the May 2, 2025 episode, the hosts explore a diverse array of new albums, engaging in insightful discussions, highlighting standout tracks, and offering personal reflections on each release.

Featured Albums

Car Seat Headrest – "The Scholars"

The episode kicks off with an in-depth look at Car Seat Headrest’s latest offering, "The Scholars." Stephen Thompson introduces the album, emphasizing its ambitious scope as a rock opera and concept album.

“It's actually a rock opera or concept album. It explains why the album felt flows so wonderfully with the music and the lyrics.” (03:24)

Julie B. praises the album’s cohesiveness despite its length, noting the presence of nine songs spanning 70 minutes, including the epic 19-minute track “Planet Desperation.”

“There's so much joy in. In so many of these songs, so much earnestness in the somber ones. Those long songs just sound like epics.” (05:09)

Thompson highlights the song “Devereaux” for its grand chorus and how the album balances single-worthy tracks with sprawling epics, commending Will Toledo for maintaining discipline across such a complex project.

“Their new album is called the Scholars, out today, May 2nd.” (07:10)

Samantha Crane – "Gumshoe"

Next, the hosts turn to Samantha Crane’s new album, "Gumshoe." Thompson provides background on Crane’s career trajectory, particularly her hiatus during the pandemic due to personal injuries and subsequent deepening of her roots in Oklahoma.

“This record kind of feels like a summation of her career and the best of the multiple different worlds that she's managed to document in her songs over the years.” (10:47)

Julie B. expresses her affinity for Crane’s voice and highlights standout tracks like “Dragonfly” and “Writing out the Storm,” appreciating the minimalist guitar work and playful rhyming.

“I really love her voice. To me, it just sounded like a friend singing to me. Really pure, very unaffected.” (10:54)

Thompson echoes this sentiment, particularly lauding the song “Bee Attitudes” for its superior guitar work and dynamic arrangements.

“The guitar lines just provide this kind of network of nerves that run through the record.” (13:16)

Local Spotlight: Marfa Public Radio

Stephen Thompson shifts focus to Marfa Public Radio, hosted by Julie B., offering listeners a glimpse into the vibrant local music scene of Marfa, Texas.

“The population of Marfa is less than 2,000 and we're out in the middle of nowhere in West Texas, very close to the border with Mexico. However, we get a lot of bands passing through town.” (16:39)

Julie B. showcases local talent like Baby Steps and Zona Mutante, highlighting their unique sounds and the tight-knit, DIY community that fosters creativity.

“Baby Steps burst onto the scene a few years ago, playing songs about our real experience, experiences living here in Marfa.” (17:16)

Pup – "Who Will Look After the Dog?"

Returning to the main roster, Pup’s latest album, "Who Will Look After the Dog," is thoroughly examined. Julie B. provides context on the band’s evolution and the personal challenges faced by frontman Stephon Babcock during the album’s creation.

“This album starts with a bang with the song 'No Hope.' No Hope kind of reminded me of a giant dog who I really love.” (19:28)

Thompson praises the album’s punk energy and maximalist sound, especially highlighting tracks like “No Hope” and “Get Dumber,” the latter featuring collaboration with Jeff Rosenstock.

“Get Dumber... is just this big doofy shout-along anthem. That was just exactly what I was looking for.” (23:04)

Julie B. adds her appreciation for the catchy hooks and intense live performance potential of the album.

“No, that song is a total earworm. It was stuck in my head for the rest of the week.” (23:32)

Jenny Vall – "Iris Silver Mist"

Jenny Vall’s "Iris Silver Mist" offers a stark contrast with its experimental and eclectic sound. Thompson describes the album as embodying a mixtape vibe, reflecting Vall’s versatile musical background.

“This record, there are so many, just wildly different songs.” (25:24)

Julie B. points out the album’s ethereal qualities and standout tracks like “Drinking in the House of Fedlimid,” comparing them to the soundscapes of Guided by Voices and Daniel Johnston.

“I also sang really beautifully. There's a song called 'The Artist Is Absent.' It's like a minute and a half long and it's like this strange foreboding dance number.” (26:47)

Thompson notes the album's ability to offer something new with each listen, highlighting its ambient and experimental elements.

“This is a record you really could go back to listen to again and again and find something different each time.” (26:59)

In-Depth Album Discussion: Jolie Led – "Creatures"

The episode delves deeper into Jolie Led’s "Creatures," discussing the collaboration between Nina Nastasia and Jeff McLeod. Julie B. explains the band’s origins and their goal to blend contrasting elements, making the “pretty ugly” beautiful.

“Every song was a duet. One of the standout tracks for me is 'Something for the Thrill.'” (31:22)

Thompson commends the album’s varied textures, from the bluesy grit of “Murder Ballad” to the pummeling energy of “Warwolf,” drawing parallels to Nastasia’s previous collaborations.

“The lyrics certainly have a certain element of discord to them, but there is this majestic feeling to these songs that works so well.” (23:04)

Julie B. connects the album’s themes to Nastasia’s personal experiences during COVID-19, noting the remote recording process that influenced the album's unique sound.

“They had to do these remote recording sessions back in 2023 that became their self-titled debut.” (32:07)

Lightning Round: Additional Highlights

A rapid-fire segment showcases other notable releases:

• Lucius – Self-titled album: A polished blend of pop, country, and roots music, reflecting their seamless collaborative style.

• Milkweed – "Remscala": An experimental folk project from the UK, creating sound collages with ancient Irish legends-inspired lyrics.

  “Drinking in the House of Fedlimid... almost has a trip-hop sound.” (37:08)

• Clem Snide – "Oh, Smokey, Like the Clouds": A physical release filled with meditations on personal themes like divorce and death.

• Pet Symmetry – New Album: Highlighting the catchy power pop track “Big Engagement.”

Conclusion

Stephen Thompson and Julie B. wrap up the episode by reflecting on their extensive music listening sessions and sharing personal favorites, reinforcing the episode’s rich exploration of new music across genres.

“I just have to be painfully on brand. So I have to acknowledge that one of my favorite bands of all time, Clem Snide...” (38:59)

Julie B. adds a final recommendation for Pet Symmetry’s “Big Engagement,” while Thompson reiterates his enthusiasm for Samantha Crane’s "Gumshoe."

“Stranger in the Light.” (40:16)

The hosts invite listeners to engage with the show through reviews and tease upcoming episodes featuring artists like Billy Woods and John Morrison.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Thompson: “It's actually a rock opera or concept album. It explains why the album felt flows so wonderfully with the music and the lyrics.” (03:24)

• Julie B.: “There’s so much joy in. In so many of these songs, so much earnestness in the somber ones. Those long songs just sound like epics.” (05:09)

• Stephen Thompson: “The guitar lines just provide this kind of network of nerves that run through the record.” (13:16)

• Julie B.: “I really love her voice. To me, it just sounded like a friend singing to me. Really pure, very unaffected.” (10:54)

• Stephen Thompson: “Get Dumber... is just this big doofy shout-along anthem. That was just exactly what I was looking for.” (23:04)

Conclusion

This episode of “All Songs Considered” masterfully navigates through a multitude of new releases, offering listeners a curated and insightful guide to the best music hitting the airwaves on May 2, 2025. From the ambitious rock opera of Car Seat Headrest to the experimental tapestries of Jenny Vall and the punk vigor of Pup, Thompson and Julie B. ensure that every album receives thoughtful attention, making it a valuable listen for music enthusiasts seeking their next favorite track.