NPR Music

Songs on this week's episode of All Songs Consideredgrapple with sweeping, thematically weighty subjects, from xenophobia and immigration to Hurricane Sandy and the inherent meaninglessness of life: 1. Audible: "Up, Up And Away," 2. Nothing: "Zero Day," 3. The 1975: "Give Yourself A Try," 4. IDLES: "Danny Nedelko," 5. Sam Evian: "Health Machine," 6. Laurie Anderson: "Dreams," 7. Liminal: "Sigur Rós - Untitled 6 (EBow) (Paul Corley Remix)"

All Songs Considered's Robin Hilton talks with NPR Music's Ann Powers and Stephen Thompson about the best new albums out on June 1, including the remarkable new Neko Case record Hell On and an emotional and revealing new album from Father John Misty. Featured Albums: Neko Case, Hell On, Father John Misty, God's Favorite Customer, Tancred, Nightstand, Natalie Prass, The Future and the Past, Albin Lee Meldau, About You, LUMP, LUMP. Other Notable Releases for June 1: American Aquarium, Things Change; Gabriella Cohen, Pink is the Colour of Unconditional Love; Sam Evian, You, Forever; Maps & Atlases, Lightness is Nothing New.

For just over a decade, Thou has made music that is, at times, grueling in its pace and extreme in volume, but that can also be painfully beautiful — the Baton Rouge metal band has a penchant for pitting Bryan Funck's searing vocals against dense, majestic melodies. The group's shows are invariably deafening, rattling your clothes if they aren't already covered in sweat; sometimes, it feels like the whole room is heaving in time to Thou's slow-motion sludge. In this interview with NPR Music's Lars Gotrich, vocalist Bryan Funck and guitarist Andy Gibbs talk about the four new records coming from Thou this summer and their decision to explore grunge, acoustic and even drone music.

This past week singer James Blake quietly dropped an incredible new song called "Don't Miss It." Like much of his work, it's both sultry and synthetic – a mix of seductive melodies and warped production, including a piano that keeps slipping out of tune. On this week's show we share "Don't Miss It" and try to make sense of its haunting meditations on the fleeting nature of life. Full playlist: 1. Angélique Kidjo: "Once In A Lifetime," 2. Gabriella Cohen: "Music Machine," 3. Luluc: "Heist," 4. The Beths: "Future Me Hates Me," 5. James Blake: "Don't Miss It," 6. I'm Kingfisher: "Topography Of Gabon."

All Songs Considered's Robin Hilton is joined by NPR Music's Rodney Carmichael, Stefanie Ferndandez, Lars Gotrich and Stephen Thompson – along with special guest Talia Schlanger, host of WXPN's World Café – for a quick run through the best new albums out on May 25. This includes the highly anticipated (and instant classic) album, Daytona from rapper PUSHA-T, reggaetón mega-hit maker J Balvin, raw and ragged rock from Thunderpussy, effervescent synth-pop from CHVRCHES and more. FEATURED ALBUMS: Thunderpussy: Thunderpussy, PUSHA-T: Daytona, Aisha Burns: Argonauta, CHVRCHES: Love Is Dead, J Balvin: Vibras, Zaytoven: Trap Holizay, Witch Mountain: Witch Mountain. Other notable releases for May 25: Sudan Archives: Sink, Graveyard: Peace, Jenny Hval: The Long Sleep, Ari Roar: Calm Down, Chad Valley: Imaginary Music, Wand: Perfume

On this special Guest DJ edition of All Songs Considered, I talk with the dry-witted songwriter and guitarist, Stephen Malkmus. He made five albums with the much-beloved rock band Pavement, from 1992-1999, but his latest release comes from his other project, The Jicks. It's called Sparkle Hard and it's his seventh album with the band in seventeen years. For this Guest DJ session with All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen, Malkmus shares some of the songs he's loved over the years and talks about his latest album.

All Songs Considered's Robin Hilton joins NPR Music's Rodney Carmichael, Lars Gotrich, Marissa Lorusso, Ann Powers and Stephen Thompson for a sprint through the best new albums out on May 18. This includes the raging rock of Courtney Barnett, Atlanta rapper Nick Grant, wildly ambitious psych-folk from Ray La Montagne and a whole lot more. Featured Albums: Courtney Barnett: Tell Me How You Really Feel, BTS: Love Yourself: Tear, Nick Grant: Dreamin' Out Loud, Ray LaMontagne: Part of the Light, Joan Armatrading: Not Too Far Away, Remember Sports: Slow Buzz. Other notable releases for May 18: GAS: Rausch, John Maus: Addendum, Low Cut Connie: Dirty Pictures (Part 2), Nellie McKay: Sister Orchid, Parquet Courts: Wide Awake, Ryley Walker: Deafman Glance, Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks: Sparkle Hard

Last week, we asked listeners to tell us about the songs that got them through school. As the stories poured in, we began to see some clear and common themes. For starters, school, while being an exciting time of profound change, is really hard. Many told us stories of battling depression, anxiety and issues of sexual identity, all while navigating a churning sea of uncertainty. On this edition of All Songs Considered, we hear stories of how music became a powerful force in their lives — the one thing that grounded them or made them feel connected to something bigger than themselves.

Mitski's new album is called Be the Cowboy. She talks with All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen about the lead-off single "Geyser," and the near-desperate passion that went into making it.

All Songs Considered's Robin Hilton takes a quick run through May 11's essential album releases with NPR Music's Felix Contreras, Jewly Hight, Tom Huizenga, Lyndsey McKenna and Stephen Thompson. Featured albums include the irresistible pop of Charlie Puth, classical pianist Simone Dinnerstein, early folk recordings from The Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia, infectious guitar rock from Illuminati Hotties and more.Featured Albums1. Charlie Puth: Voicenotes 2. Jerry Garcia: Before The Dead 3. Brent Cobb: Providence Canyon 4. Simone Dinnerstein: Circles 5. Illuminati Hotties: Kiss Yr Frenemies6. Los Texmaniacs: Cruzando Borderes 7. Arctic Monkeys: Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino Other Notable Releases For May 11-Marian Hill: Unusual; Mark Kozelek: Mark Kozelek; Beach House: 7; Ry Cooder: The Prodigal Son; The Sea And Cake: Any Day; Ski Mask The Slump God: Beware The Book Of Eli; Ashley Campbell: The Lonely One