All Songs Considered: New Wet Leg, Sufjan Stevens, More – The Contenders, Vol. 7
Host: NPR Music
Episode Title: New Wet Leg, Sufjan Stevens, more: The Contenders, Vol. 7
Release Date: April 1, 2025
1. South by Southwest Music Festival Changes
Timestamp: [00:18] – [07:47]
Hosts: Bob Boilen and James Miner
In the opening segment, Bob Boilen revisits last week's discussion about significant changes at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival. Originally described as a potential "premature funeral" for the festival, Boilen clarifies the transition towards a more integrated event structure.
James Miner, VP of SXSW Music Festival, clarifies:
"South by Southwest Music Festival is not going away. We're actually doing an additional night of showcases this year... Over the years, convergence has become more and more important to us." ([05:32])
Miner emphasizes that the festival is evolving to encompass music, film, and interactive media simultaneously over a consolidated seven-day period, enhancing the attendee experience by fostering interdisciplinary connections. Despite concerns about the music segment being overshadowed, Miner assures that the changes aim to create a more curated and holistic festival environment.
Bob Boilen reflects:
"This could make the festival better, as you said, more curated. Kind of get back to some of the things that a lot of us loved about the festival." ([07:02])
2. Wet Leg’s New Album “Moisturizer”
Timestamp: [08:07] – [14:17]
Hosts: Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson
Bob Boilen introduces Wet Leg’s highly anticipated new album, "Moisturizer," featuring their latest single, "Catch These Fists." The band, known for their energetic and deadpan style, delivers a track brimming with swagger and frenetic energy.
Bob Boilen exclaims:
"So much swagger and just that frenetic energy... it's everything that we love about this band." ([12:15])
Stephen Thompson compares the song to the Stooges’ "I Wanna Be Your Dog," highlighting its pre-punk attitude and powerful guitars. The hosts express immense excitement, anticipating that "Moisturizer" will surpass expectations and solidify Wet Leg’s position in the music scene.
Stephen Thompson notes:
"It's like a roll the windows down, crank it up summer rocker to me." ([13:28])
3. The Renaissance of the Harp: Featuring Ashley Jackson
Timestamp: [14:18] – [23:26]
Hosts: Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson
The conversation shifts to the resurgence of the harp in contemporary music, spotlighting harpists like Ashley Jackson and Brandy Younger. Ashley Jackson’s album, "Take Me to the Water," explores her experiences in the black church, blending spirituals with folk, jazz, and West African rhythms. A highlight includes her cover of Brandy Younger's "Unrest," showcasing innovative techniques such as muting strings with a sock to create "watery" effects.
Stephen Thompson describes:
"There are a lot of really wonderful harpists out there today... breathing this whole new life into the instrument." ([21:04])
Bob Boilen adds that the harp is experiencing a renaissance, with artists like Mary Lattimore and Lavinia Meyer pushing its boundaries beyond traditional settings.
Bob Boilen observes:
"The harp is almost having a moment, like a renaissance for the harp." ([21:30])
4. Tribute to Composer Alexander Knifel
Timestamp: [23:27] – [41:52]
Hosts: Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson
Paying homage to the late Soviet-era composer Alexander Knifel, the hosts play a snippet from his piece "Chapter Eight" of the Song of Solomon. Knifel, a student of Mstislav Rostropovich, turned to composing after a hand injury ended his cello career. His work, characterized by its slow, deliberate beauty and reverberant church settings, offers a meditative experience.
Stephen Thompson remarks:
"It's just so slowly quiet and deliberately beautiful." ([40:04])
Bob Boilen highlights Knifel’s resilience and artistic evolution, noting how his compositions provide a calming alternative to modern stressors.
Bob Boilen adds:
"This is better than Xanax. I just love how that is just so unabashedly slow and deliberately beautiful." ([40:39])
5. Sufjan Stevens’ 10th Anniversary Edition of "Carrie and Lowell"
Timestamp: [41:12] – [33:27]
Hosts: Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson
Bob Boilen shares exciting news about Sufjan Stevens releasing a 10th-anniversary edition of his acclaimed album "Carrie and Lowell." This special edition includes previously unreleased tracks, such as an early version of "Mystery of Love," originally featured in the film "Call Me by Your Name." The song delves into Stevens’ profound relationship with his late mother, exploring themes of grief and enduring love.
Bob Boilen states:
"It's an absolutely devastating album, but it's also by far my favorite album from Sufjan Stevens." ([30:30])
Stephen Thompson compares Stevens to Franz Schubert, praising his ability to convey deep emotional narratives through captivating melodies.
Stephen Thompson reflects:
"He's overflowing like Schubert with these amazing melodies... it's all there." ([30:40])
The hosts discuss the raw vulnerability in the demo version of "Mystery of Love," noting how it profoundly connects with listeners.
Stephen Thompson comments:
"There’s this supreme vulnerability in this performance that really connects with the words." ([31:15])
6. George Foo’s “Passecaglia on a Theme by Radiohead”
Timestamp: [42:27] – [54:46]
Hosts: Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson
George Foo, a pianist and Royal Academy of Music educator, presents his latest work, "Passecaglia on a Theme by Radiohead," which intricately deconstructs and reimagines Radiohead’s "Airbag" from "OK Computer." The piece exemplifies the etude style, with a series of variations that both honor and transform the original theme.
Bob Boilen expresses awe:
"It's just spinning so wildly, and it feels like it's just gonna completely go off a cliff." ([53:35])
Stephen Thompson praises Foo’s deep exploration and innovative approach, likening it to artistic reinvention.
Stephen Thompson observes:
"He just takes it and dissects it through the series of variations and obsesses with different parts of it." ([53:38])
The discussion highlights how Foo’s rendition maintains the essence of the original while pushing creative boundaries, making it a standout addition to the album focused on etudes.
Bob Boilen remarks:
"It's like to remind you where we've been... He pulls the whole thing apart." ([52:20])
7. Celebrating 25 Years of All Songs Considered: Top Songs of 2007
Timestamp: [54:27] – [60:28]
Hosts: Stephen Thompson and Bob Boilen
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of All Songs Considered, the hosts reflect on their number one songs from each year, pausing at 2007. They highlight Feist’s "I Feel It All," which epitomizes the year with its blend of heartfelt lyrics and intricate engineering.
Bob Boilen shares emotional resonance:
"Listen to this. It takes me back and it is just so perfect." ([56:05])
The discussion also covers MGMT’s "Kids," praised for its catchy synth lines and underlying melancholic themes about fame and personal loss.
Bob Boilen adds:
"Such a hooky little synth line... but this song is so heartbreaking to me." ([59:11])
Stephen Thompson concludes the segment by noting the enduring quality of these songs and their ability to encapsulate the spirit of their time.
Stephen Thompson concludes:
"If you were making a movie, this is your opening credits... exactly what 2007 in music felt like." ([59:22])
Note: This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, featured music, and notable quotes with accurate timestamps. Listeners seeking to explore these topics further are encouraged to tune into the full episode of All Songs Considered on NPR.