Photo Illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR / Getty Images |
Popular music often feels guided by a spirit of innovation and ingenuity, bringing us fresh sounds and perspectives. But recycling is often part of the process, too; sometimes, what appears to be new is actually something older remade, remixed and re-released. Bands remodel songs in their catalogs all the time: They add new orchestral flourishes, as Phoebe Bridgers did on her recent Copycat Killer EP, or retrofit tracks for lineup changes, as the band Journey did in 2008. But, as writer Annie Zaleski explains, re-records are something entirely different. The process of recording a note-for-note replica of a preexisting song or album can be lucrative, but it's also far more more complex – and emotional – than a mere remix or remake.
The re-recording process has been on our minds lately because of Taylor Swift’s new version of her 2008 sophomore album, aptly named Fearless (Taylor’s Version). The new record is the result of a high-profile ownership dispute, and is the first of what Swift claims will be a series of re-recordings of her early material in order to regain control of her masters.
For fans, whether you were 15, 19 or 22 when Fearless debuted, this new version likely brings back some powerful memories — and feels pretty different from the vantage point of 2021. So we asked some musicians who are fans of Swift’s (including Adult Mom, Ruston Kelly and Shamir), plus a few of our colleagues, to revisit their first experiences with the 2008 record as they came to the re-release.
You belong with me,
Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna
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| - Celebrate the arrival of spring with Alt.Latino’s seasonal new music extravaganza, featuring fresh sounds from heavy hitters, including Mon Laferte and Juanes, plus picks from Chucky73, Cuco, Girl Ultra and more.
- On the latest installment of the Morning Edition Song Project, Kishi Bashi, aka Kaoru Ishibashi, shares “For Every Voice That Never Sang,” his original composition inspired by a cross-country road trip with his daughter that reflects on the Asian American experience and the pain of pursuing acceptance.
- Bob Boilen never fails to find new discoveries worth sharing. On this week’s All Songs Considered mix, hear new-to-us cellist Mabe Fratti – who Bob calls one of his favorite finds of 2021 so far – and Melbourne-based artist Jess Locke, plus longtime favorites Sufjan Stevens and Damien Jurado.
- Do you remember Michael Jordan’s famed “flu game” victory in the 1997 NBA Finals? Rising U.K. rapper AJ Tracey’s new album Flu Game was inspired by Jordan’s remarkable performance. Hear more about Tracey, plus Norah Jones’ first-ever live album, the return of English dream-pop trio London Grammar and the anniversary of Sharon Van Etten’s epic, on this week’s New Music Friday from All Songs.
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- Singer, songwriter and viral mainstay Lil Nas X caused some controversy when he released the irreverent music video for his song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” In a powerful reflection, scholar and author Ashon Crawley writes about how the video, and the reaction to it, reminded him of the grip that fear can hold over queer Black lives — and the way art can help us find joy and peace beyond fear.
- This week marked what would have been the 50th birthday of pop icon Selena, who died in 1995. Recently, scholar and poet Deborah Paredez has noticed a remarkable revival in Selena’s legacy. But, Paredez asks, has she ever really been that far from our thoughts or playlists?
- For nearly five decades, Laurie Anderson has explored the connections between art and technology. In honor of the reissue of Anderson’s transformative debut, Big Science, reporter Allyson McCabe had a career-spanning conversation with her for All Things Considered.
- Saxophonist Sonny Simmons died last week at the age of 87. A true outsider’s outsider, he released nearly all his records on small, independent labels — but left an enormous impact on jazz, eventually gaining recognition as a crucial voice during one of jazz's most innovative times.
- On the most recent episode of Amplify With Lara Downes, violinist Regina Carter joins Lara to talk about the way genre labels can limit artists and the importance of being a role model for young women.
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A few years ago, a few of our colleagues stumbled upon a copy of Demi Lovato's 2013 book, Staying Strong: 365 Days A Year. The experience of reading Lovato's heartfelt, vulnerable reflections on a daily basis turned us into true fans of the pop singer. So we were delighted to premiere her Tiny Desk (home) concert this week, recorded on a sunny spring day in her Los Angeles backyard.
Plus, this week we shared a set from Americana star Nathaniel Rateliff, performed from an empty and beloved concert venue in Denver, and one from co-founder of yMusic and Bon Iver collaborator CJ Camerieri, aka CARM.
Also this week: Actor and comedian KevOnStage spends a considerable amount of time waving the Tiny Desk flag for his millions of followers, so we asked him to share a playlist of his five favorites with us.
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