All Songs Considered: New Music Friday – The Best Albums Out Nov. 7

Host: Stephen Thompson (NPR)
Co-hosts/Guests: Ana Maria Sayer (Alt Latino), Liz Felix (WYEP, Pittsburgh)
Date: November 7, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "All Songs Considered" celebrates New Music Friday by highlighting and discussing some of the most notable albums released on November 7, 2025. Stephen Thompson is joined by Ana Maria Sayer for a deep dive into Rosalia’s groundbreaking new album, then partners with Liz Felix to explore exciting releases from Young Miko, Portugal. The Man, Mavis Staples, and more. The hosts reflect on the music’s cultural relevance, creative risks, and musical innovation, offering listeners a lively blend of critique, appreciation, and personal stories to bring the week’s releases to life.

Main Discussion Segments

1. Wings – Definitive Self-Titled Compilation

• Timestamps: 00:43–02:32
• Overview: Brief mention of the new Wings compilation album, discussing Paul McCartney’s legacy.
• Highlights:
  • Liz Felix: Shares excitement about seeing Paul McCartney in concert.
  • The compilation presents Wings as more than "just" a Beatles side project, highlighting their quirky depth.
• Quote:
  "Band on the Run is probably the first thing that people think about, but you know, there’s some kind of quirky songs in there as well... I’ve come around to even ‘Silly Love Songs’ over time." — Liz Felix (02:13)

2. Rosalia – ‘Lux’

• Timestamps: 02:32–10:42
• Overview: In-depth analysis of Rosalia’s ambitious, genre-defying new album, Lux.
• Key Points:
  • Album Features: Collaborations with London Symphony Orchestra, Björk, Yves Tumor. Rosalia sings in 13 languages.
  • Musical Scope: Incorporates elements of classical, flamenco, Mexican, Japanese, Arabic, and Caribbean sounds while maintaining pop appeal.
  • The lead single, “Mio Cristo,” is an operatic feat for which Rosalia undertook a year of vocal training.
  • Cultural Debate: Rosalia’s approach to genre and nationality—challenging notions of musical “ownership” and authenticity.
• Quotes:
  • “This is maybe the album of the year.” — Stephen Thompson (03:30)
  • “She just beat herself again by like 20 paces. It’s like every single thing that you could want, but didn’t know you wanted in a record.” — Ana Maria Sayer (04:29)
  • “She says in the record... ‘I think the world fits into me and I fit into the world.’” — Ana Maria Sayer (08:01)
  • “It’s alive and it’s just swimming across so many different genres, and it’s so fluent in all of them... it still works as a pop record.” — Stephen Thompson (09:09)

3. Young Miko – ‘Do Not Disturb’

• Timestamps: 10:44–16:17
• Overview: Young Miko’s sophomore album is discussed as a big moment for Latin trap/pop’s global crossover.
• Key Points:
  • Artist Trajectory: Young Miko is touring with Billie Eilish, following a notable guest spot on Bad Bunny’s album.
  • Genre Fusion: Her music blends pop, trap, and hip hop—“very current,” likely to break out globally.
  • Collaborations: Notable producer/writers like Amy Allen, a Lil Jon feature.
• Quotes:
  • “This feels like a major star-making record.” — Stephen Thompson (11:59)
  • “I think she’s really branching out… and this release is going to take her to that next level.” — Liz Felix (11:33)
  • “It actually sonically makes a lot of sense [for Billie Eilish].” — Liz Felix (13:37)

4. All Things Go – 10 Years (Compilation)

• Timestamps: 19:32–25:23
• Overview: Review of the All Things Go festival’s new 10-year compilation, featuring unique contributions from festival artists.
• Key Points:
  • Compilation features strong, cohesive tracks—no “throwaways.”
  • Discovery platform: features rising and established artists reinterpreting tracks and originals.
  • Noted for emotional and lyrical depth—standouts include Joey A Lot/August Pontier’s “Jesus and John Wayne,” Rachel Chinouriri/Boyish’s “Home,” and Jacob Allen.
• Quotes:
  • “The hair was standing up on my arms.” — Liz Felix on “Jesus and John Wayne” (22:04)
  • “Use this compilation as a music discovery vehicle.” — Stephen Thompson (23:27)
  • “I felt like I was kind of getting a little bit of insight into Gen Z’s listening habits as an elder millennial.” — Liz Felix (24:19)

5. Portugal. The Man – ‘Shish’

• Timestamps: 25:23–30:17
• Overview: Portugal. The Man’s tenth album is described as a bold return to their eclectic, experimental spirit.
• Key Points:
  • The album blends prog metal, hardcore punk, psychedelia, and melodic pop.
  • References to Alaska, their home state, are embedded throughout.
  • Notable for being the band’s first self-released album after being on a major label.
• Quotes:
  • “This band really is weird, you know, and if you forgot because they had this one hit, you know, here’s the reality about Portugal the Man.” — Liz Felix (28:02)
  • “This record, to me, feels very liberated from that hit.” — Stephen Thompson (28:48)

6. Mavis Staples – ‘Sad and Beautiful World’

• Timestamps: 31:36–36:40
• Overview: A celebration of Mavis Staples’ newest album at 86 years old, showing her enduring relevance.
• Key Points:
  • The album is rooted in gospel, soul, and protest traditions, yet feels vital and fresh.
  • Covers focus on social themes, including songs written by Tom Waits, Kevin Morby, Hozier, and Allison Russell.
  • Staples’ lived experience adds resonance to songs about migration, struggle, and hope.
• Quotes:
  • “She is 86 years old and this album is so comfortable. You just ease into this record while at the same time it still has fire in its belly.” — Stephen Thompson (32:32)
  • “She has the talent of making them sound like they belong to her, like she really should be the person singing this song.” — Liz Felix (34:16)
  • “If she wants to rest, I hope she feels free to do it. But I also am so glad she’s still putting out music.” — Stephen Thompson (36:40)

7. Lightning Round – Other Notable Releases

• Timestamps: 36:40–41:49

Brief highlights include:

• Juana Molina – ‘Doga’: First album in 8.5 years from the innovative Argentinian singer/songwriter. (Stephen Thompson, 36:40)
• Liam Kazar – ‘Pilot Light’: Chicago-based, Wilco-adjacent songwriter with well-produced, ‘70s-inspired sounds. (Liz Felix, 37:51)
• The Mountain Goats – ‘Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan’: 23rd album, described as a musical featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda. (Stephen Thompson, 38:36)
• The Cranberries – ‘MTV Unplugged (1995 Performance)’: Official audio release debut, including a previously unreleased track. (Liz Felix, 39:33)
• Sarathy Korwar – ‘There Is Beauty There Already’: Soothing, mostly instrumental jazz/Indian folk project. (Stephen Thompson, 40:37)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Ana Maria Sayer on Rosalia’s ambition:
  “She has been completely unintimidated by the idea of playing with sounds or even styles of music that people might be opposed to.” (07:38)

• Stephen Thompson on festival compilations:
  “I was shocked… I assumed I was getting outtakes because that’s often what you get with a compilation like this…” (20:26)

• Liz Felix reflecting on generational listening:
  “As an elder millennial, I was like actually understanding [Gen Z music habits].” (24:19)

Favorite Songs of the Week

• Liz Felix: “Jesus and John Wayne” by Googly Eyes, August Panthea, and Joy Oladokun (from ‘All Things Go: 10 Years’)
  “Gets right to the point. Lyrically, great song. Stuck in my head.” (41:49)
• Stephen Thompson: “Reliquia” by Rosalia (from ‘Lux’)
  “The first track on the record that made me cry… so stunningly beautiful.” (42:31)

Conclusion

A rich, enthusiastic dive into the top new albums of November 7, 2025, seamlessly blending critical insight, personal anecdotes, and genre explorations. From Rosalia’s transcendent boundary-pushing to Mavis Staples’ ongoing legacy, the episode is a vibrant roadmap for listeners seeking standout releases and deep musical context.

For a full listening experience, revisit the segments:

• Rosalia’s ‘Lux’: 02:32–10:42
• Young Miko: 10:44–16:17
• All Things Go Compilation: 19:32–25:23
• Portugal. The Man: 25:23–30:17
• Mavis Staples: 31:36–36:40
• Lightning Round: 36:40–41:49