Podcast Summary: All Songs Considered – "New Music Friday: The Best Albums Out May 9"

Release Date: May 9, 2025
Host: NPR’s Stephen Thompson
Guest: John Morrison from Culture Cipher Radio on WXPN, Philadelphia

Introduction

On this episode of All Songs Considered, NPR’s flagship music discovery program, host Stephen Thompson teams up with John Morrison from Culture Cipher Radio to delve into the standout album releases of May 9, 2025. Together, they explore a diverse array of genres, highlighting both veteran artists and rising stars. This detailed discussion provides listeners with deep insights into each album's artistic significance, thematic depth, and sonic innovation.

1. "Gollywood" by Billy Woods

Overview:

• Billy Woods, a Brooklyn-based MC and founder of Backwoods Studios, is celebrated as one of the finest MCs in underground hip hop.
• "Gollywood" is Woods' latest release, characterized by its dark, unsettling tones and horror-inspired aesthetics.

Key Points:

• Influence of Horror: Woods draws heavily from horror themes, intertwining real social issues with a horror narrative. This blend creates an atmosphere reminiscent of classic horror anthologies like Creepshow and Trilogy of Terror.

  Billy Woods (00:48): "Feel it today I watched a man die in a hole from the comfort of my home..."

• Social Commentary: The album tackles themes such as colonialism, U.S. government torture programs post-9/11, and the systemic struggles faced by marginalized communities.

  Billy Woods (03:36): "Neighbors just got evicted. How you gonna put folks out a week before Christmas?"

• Sound and Lyrics: The soundscape is both sonically and lyrically rooted in horror, offering a critique of contemporary societal issues without veering into fantasy.

  John Morrison (04:04): "It's not fantasy. It's all real stuff that he's talking."

Insights:

• Woods continues to gain momentum in his career, with collaborations like the 2023 album "Maps" showcasing his evolution.

• Despite the album's brutal themes, Woods incorporates dark humor, adding layers of complexity to his narrative.

  John Morrison (05:55): "Woods is one of the best writers out and it's all over this record."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• 00:59: Introduction of Woods and "Gollywood".
• 02:31: Discussion of horror influences.
• 04:04: Reflection on Woods' career trajectory.
• 06:54: Exploration of the album's emotional depth.
• 09:56: Praise for Woods' sustained artistic vitality.

2. "Tall Tales" by Mark Pritchard and Thom York

Overview:

• Mark Pritchard, a veteran electronic producer known for his work with Reload and Global Communication, teams up with Thom York of Radiohead and The Smile.
• "Tall Tales" marks their first full-length collaboration, blending experimental electronic sounds with progressive arrangements.

Key Points:

• Sound Design: The album features a mix of vintage synthesizers and modern warping techniques, creating a soundscape that bridges past and future electronic music.

  John Morrison (11:24): "Scott, tell Page... turning Mark Prichard loose on these strange and hypnotic arrangements."

• Experimental Approach: The duo experiments with Thom Yorke’s iconic voice, manipulating it to create unique auditory experiences akin to a charcoal drawing's texture.

  Stephen Thompson (14:31): "They're playing around Thom Yorke's voice so much, and it's wild."

• Visual Collaboration: Visual artist Jonathan Zawada contributes by designing visuals and a full-length visual companion video, enhancing the album's immersive quality.

Insights:

• "Tall Tales" exhibits playful yet haunting tones, with tracks that feel like film scores or ambient pieces juxtaposed with punchy electronic pop.
• The collaboration highlights both artists' willingness to push creative boundaries, resulting in a rich, multi-dimensional listening experience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• 11:24: Description of Pritchard and York’s collaboration.
• 14:31: Analysis of the album’s experimental elements.
• 17:04: Acknowledgment of visual contributions enhancing the music.

3. "Fancy that" by Pink Pantherus

Overview:

• Pink Pantherus, a prominent figure in the TikTok era, releases "Fancy that", a mixtape that captures the essence of contemporary, fast-paced dance pop.

Key Points:

• Gen Z Nostalgia: The album marries TikTok-friendly hooks with nostalgic elements, reflecting a larger trend in pop culture where younger generations embrace and reinterpret past influences.

  John Morrison (26:44): "Gen Z feels like a generation that's very much forward moving, but also, like, looking at the past."

• Musical Influences: Incorporates elements from older electronic music, Jersey Club, Baltimore Club, and even K-Pop, filtered through a modern lens.

  Stephen Thompson (26:05): "It's like a weird feedback loop... how young people process music history, like, very fast."

• Production and Sampling: Pink Pantherus skillfully samples older tracks, blending them seamlessly with current production styles to create a vibrant, danceable sound.

Insights:

• "Fancy that" exemplifies how contemporary artists can draw from a rich history of music, infusing it with modern energy to resonate with today’s audience.
• The album’s brevity and compactness make it highly replayable and suitable for remixing, hinting at future expansions and reinterpretations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• 23:10: Introduction to Pink Pantherus and the mixtape’s structure.
• 26:05: Discussion on Generation Z’s relationship with the past.
• 26:44: Exploration of Gen Z nostalgia in music.

4. "Pinball 2" by Mike and Tony Seltzer

Overview:

• Mike (often stylized as MIKE M I K E), an MC, collaborates with producer Tony Seltzer to release "Pinball 2", an album that blends fun and bizarre elements with high-energy production.

Key Points:

• Varied Soundscape: The album boasts a mix of mellow tunes with gorgeous production and intense, hard-hitting tracks reminiscent of late 2000s club energy.

  John Morrison (33:05): "There’s mellow tunes that have really gorgeous production... and then there are songs that feel like somebody hit you with a baseball bat."

• Vocal Delivery: MIKE’s unique, often slurred delivery adds a casual mastery to the intricate patterns and rhythms, showcasing his evolution as an MC.

  John Morrison (35:41): "His delivery feels slurred. It feels super casual... he's mastered the traditional way of rapping and going beyond that."

• Emotional Depth: Despite the album's high energy, tracks like "Angsty" provide moments of reflection and emotional impact, balancing the overall momentum.

Insights:

• "Pinball 2" demonstrates the dynamic range of hip hop, from playful and energetic to introspective and emotionally charged.
• The collaboration between MIKE and Tony Seltzer results in a robust, genre-blending album that appeals to a wide audience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• 31:04: Introduction to "Pinball 2" and its opening track.
• 35:24: Discussion on the emotional depth of certain tracks.
• 36:22: Analysis of MIKE’s lyrical mastery.

5. "The World Is Still Here and so Are We" by McCluskey

Overview:

• McCluskey, a UK-based post-punk hardcore band, returns with "The World Is Still Here and so Are We", marking their first release after a lengthy hiatus.

Key Points:

• Aggressive and Bizarre: The album features loud, gnarly post-punk riffs fused with bizarre, shouty elements, maintaining a sense of humor and grandiosity.

  John Morrison (41:42): "Rock music needs the weirdos... and this McCluskey record has all of that."

• Unique Song Titles: Tracks like "The Competent Horse Thief" and "Kafkaesque Novelist Franz Kafka" reflect the band's quirky and unconventional approach.

  Stephen Thompson (40:58): "Tell me I'm famous without being famous."

• Tribute Elements: The album serves as a tribute to Per Ubu and the late David Thomas, integrating their influence into McCluskey’s distinctive sound.

Insights:

• "The World Is Still Here and so Are We" embodies the essence of post-punk’s experimental spirit, offering a fresh yet nostalgic experience for fans of the genre.
• The album's commitment to pushing musical boundaries highlights McCluskey’s dedication to innovative and unorthodox rock music.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• 40:58: Introduction to McCluskey and their new album.
• 42:32: Description of the album’s aggressive sound.
• 44:36: Highlight on the album's playful yet intense tracks.

Lightning Round: Additional Favorite Albums

1. "Aperture" by The Head and the Heart

   • A return to their signature folk-pop sound, blending joyous, uplifting melodies with tender sentiment.

2. "In Between Revisited" by Jazzanova

   • A live rendition connecting hip hop, sample culture, and jazz, showcasing complex arrangements performed live.

3. "Ridin Riding" by Cuco

   • Combines bedroom pop with cumbia, bossa nova, and AM soft rock, infused with earnest emotion and charisma.

4. "Seven Piano Sketches" by Andre 3000

   • An experimental collection of piano improvisations, offering a glimpse into Andre's musical versatility beyond rap.

5. "Lands and Eternal John" by Cole Police

   • Ambient music featuring saxophone, creating calming, conversational, and futuristically vibey soundscapes.

Conclusion

Stephen Thompson and John Morrison conclude the episode by sharing their favorite tracks from the discussed albums, highlighting the eclectic and rich landscape of new music released on May 9, 2025. Morrison expresses enthusiasm for McCluskey's "Autofocus on the Prime Directive", while Thompson remains enchanted by the playful intensity of McCluskey’s tracks.

John Morrison (51:37): "Absolutely gorgeous soul tune."

Stephen Thompson (51:37): "Auto focus on the Prime Directive... I will be cranking that out of my car for weeks."

The episode wraps up with gratitude towards John Morrison for his insights and a preview of future episodes, promising more in-depth discussions on upcoming albums and interviews with artists.

Final Notes

This episode of All Songs Considered serves as a comprehensive guide for music enthusiasts eager to explore the latest releases across various genres. From underground hip hop to experimental electronic and post-punk hardcore, the curated selections provide a rich tapestry of sounds and stories, ensuring there's something for every musical palate.