Plus, R. Kelly taken into custody and a 'Leaving Neverland' timeline
Koko Nakajima/NPR
Deep in the heart of Texas, far from the winter cold wherever you are, music lovers, tech experts and BBQ aficionados are gathering. South by Southwest season is officially here! Whether you’ll be in Austin or on your couch, there’s a lot of new music to discover.
The All Songs Considered team listened to more than 1,000 songs by bands playing this year's festival, and this week, they shared some of their favorite discoveries before they hit the ground running. And of course, we’ve got the Austin 100: Hear 100 songs hand-picked by NPR Music from artists you need to know and find your new favorite band before the festival begins.
Save us some breakfast tacos, Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna
New Music
After five years – and some work on the animated Netflix show BoJack Horseman – The Black Keys has finally returned with a new song, “Lo/Hi.”
The National’s latest album, Sleep Well Beast, was released in 2017, which made the band’s announcement of a new album, I Am Easy to Find, plus a short film, pretty unexpected. Hear “You Had Your Soul with You” now.
Tank And The Bangas – winners of NPR Music’s 2017 Tiny Desk Contest – announced its new album, Green Balloon, this week. The band also shared a charming illustrated video for its new song, “Ants.”
Featuring
Hector Berlioz died 150 years ago, but the one-time musical misfit from France has been a lifelong favorite of British author David Cairns. Meet the man who wrote the book on the composer – and edited and translated his memoirs, too.
The film Leaving Neverland, which aired earlier this week, revived allegations of sexual abuse against Michael Jackson. Though his estate continues to deny all allegations, young boys and their families were accusing the star as early as 1993.
We launched a new column this week! All Ears from Ruth Saxelby examines ideas in electronic and experimental music. First up, a look at albums that turn away from traditional cosmic tropes toward explorations of the elemental and the unknown.
More R. Kelly developments this week: The artist was taken into custody Wednesday over unpaid child support; court documents revealed he owes more than $160,000 in back child support payments.
Tiny Desk
Amir Alfiky/NPR
Phony Ppl is a group of Brooklynites who stand out for their inventive and seamless blend of jazz, R&B and hip-hop. The musicians entered the building like they were shot out of a cannon, sharing their unique, vigorous energy with the audience of NPR staffers from the moment they gathered behind the desk.
Incoming
Next week, we’ll have a big announcement about the Tiny Desk. Want a hint? Think about what Naia Izumi, Hobo Johnson and Haley Heynderickx all have in common.
One More Thing
Curious about what Gritty and Bryce Harper are listening to? Check out this list of 10 artists you should know from the City of Brotherly Love, lovingly compiled by member station WXPN.
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