In this special episode from our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour, host Stephen Thompson talks with critics Christina Lee and Marcus J. Moore about Kendrick Lamar's new double album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.  

It's been five years since Lamar released his previous album, DAMN. Since then, he's won a Pulitzer Prize, been nominated for an Oscar, and become a parent. But Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, is anything but a breezy victory lap. Lamar examines generational trauma, sexual politics, and his own attempts to grow amid high expectations and heavy introspection.

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Presenting 'Pop Culture Happy Hour': Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers'

Since launching in 2000, All Songs Considered has been NPR's flagship program for music discovery, artist interviews and conversations with friends and fellow music lovers about the really big questions, like what was the best decade for music, are there albums everyone can agree on, and what do you put on when you need a good cry? Weekly, with host Robin Hilton and the NPR Music family.

Music

NPR Music's Daoud Tyler-Ameen and Sheldon Pearce discuss new albums from St. Vincent, Charley Crockett, Iron & Wine and more.

Feature Albums:
• St. Vincent, 'All Born Screaming'
• Charley Crockett, '$10 Cowboy'
• Iron & Wine, 'Light Verse'
• Maria Chiara Argirò, 'Closer'

Other notable albums out April 26:
• Neil Young and Crazy Horse, 'FU##IN' UP'
• PartyNextDoor, 'PartyNextDoor 4'
• Justice, 'Hyperdrama'
• Anitta, 'Funk Generation'

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New Music Friday: The best albums out April 26

Is April, as T.S. Eliot put it, the cruelest month? We reflect on the question with a mix that's both cringe-inducing and hilarious, from the cruelest takedowns to the most insidious earworms.

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Cruel songs for the cruelest month

NPR Music's Ann Powers and Hazel Cills dig into Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department,' which hit streaming services last night, and share a handful of other new albums out Friday, April 19.

Featured Albums:
• Taylor Swift, 'The Tortured Poets Department'
• Bbymutha, 'Sleep Paralysis'
• claire rousay, 'sentiment'
• Pearl Jam, 'Dark Matter'

Other notable albums out April 19:
• Stephanie Lambring, 'Hypocrite'
• Cadence Weapon, 'ROLLERCOASTER'
• Tei Shi, 'Valerie'
• Ekko Astral, 'pink balloons'
• Bill Frisell, 'Orchestras'
• BIG|BRAVE, 'A Chaos of Flowers'
• Blue Lab Beats, 'Blue Eclipse'
• Chanel Beads, 'Your Day Will Come'
• Local Natives, 'But I'll Wait For You'
• Gangrene (The Alchemist & Oh No), 'Heads I Win, Tails You Lose'
• Brian Eno, 'Eno'
• Cloud Nothings, 'Final Summer'
• Melvins, 'Tarantula Heart'
• Mozzy, 'CHILDREN OF THE SLUMS'
• Lucy Rose, 'This Ain't The Way You Go Out'
• Pillow Queens, 'Name Your Sorrow'
• A Certain Ratio, 'It All Comes Down To This'
• Cavalier, 'Different Type Time'
• Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds, 'That Delicious Vice'
• T Bone Burnett, 'The Other Side'

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New Music Friday: Taylor Swift's 'Tortured Poets' and the best albums out April 19

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras round up their favorite new music, from Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko's boundary-pushing new music, to Alejandro Escovedo's genre-bending rock and Angelica Garcia's electro-cumbia.

Songs featured in this episode:
• Young Miko, "Tamagotchi"
• The Mavericks, "Moon & Stars (with Sierra Ferrell)"
• Angelica Garcia, "Juanita"
• Alejandro Escovedo, "Castañuelas"
• Nella, Yendry, "Veinte Años"
• Sheila E., "Bemba Colorá (ft. Gloria Estefan and Mimy Succar)"

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Alt.Latino's New Music Roundup: Young Miko, The Mavericks and more

This week's update to our list of the year's best songs includes thunderous shoegaze from Wisp, a classic Cuban piano piece from Dánae Olano, a deeply moving story from Pedro The Lion and more.

Featured artists and songs:
1. Pedro The Lion: "Modesto," from 'Santa Cruz'
2. Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti & Frank Rosaly: "Destejer," from 'Mestizx'
3. Sheila E.: "Bemba Colorá (feat. Gloria Estefan)," from 'Bailar'
4. Lizzy McAlpine: "I Guess," from 'Older'
5. Dánae Olano: "Danzón para la abuela" from 'Children's Corner'
6. Wisp: "Pandora" from 'Pandora' EP

Questions, comments, feedback, suggestions? Emaill us: allsongs@npr.org

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Presenting 'Pop Culture Happy Hour': Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers'

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