Lorde’s Return

Plus, The Isley Brothers perform a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

View this email online by Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna Ophelia Mikkelson/Courtesy of the artist “Organic.” “Carefree.” “Loose.” Those are not words ordinarily associated with the music of Ella Yelich-O'Connor, aka Lorde. But this week, the New Zealand singer-songwriter returned after a nearly four-year hiatus with Solar Power, an uncharacteristically sunny-sounding album that embraces analog instruments rather than the electro-pop for which she’s become known.  “I think I had a very happy, confident, grounded few years,” she told Morning Edition host A Martínez ahead of the album’s release. She also spoke to him about her musical goals for the album, her social media hiatus and her love of onion rings (yes, seriously). And our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour also weighed in on the album. PCHH’s Lorde episode featured our colleagues Stephen Thompson, Ann Powers, LaTesha Harris and Cyrena Touros, who each shared their thoughts on Solar Power: from its introspective and incisive commentary to its subtle, warm sound. (LaTesha rightly said it sounds a bit like being at the beach when you’re very sad.) If you’re a fan of Lorde, or intrigued by the album, we’d love to hear your thoughts: You can let us know by replying via the link at the bottom of this email. “Blink three times when you feel it kicking in,”  Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna P.S. Looking for even more from the good folks at Pop Culture Happy Hour? On the podcast this week, LaTesha Harris joined the panel for a discussion of the new film CODA, and Barrie Hardymon of Weekend Edition shares what makes a good – or...not so good – cover song.  Newsletter continues after sponsor message New Music Hip-hop artist IDK describes his life as something of a paradox: raised by college-educated, middle class parents in an underserved educational environment in Prince George's County, Maryland. On his new album USEE4YOURSELF, IDK reconciles with his family history, particularly his difficult relationship with his mother, who passed away in 2016.  Friday, Aug. 20 was a watershed day for new releases: from the metal-turned-dream-pop band Deafheaven, to effervescent Scottish rock band Vistas, to the late jazz legend John Coltrane, guest host Stephen Thompson shares it all on New Music Friday from All Songs Considered. This week on #NowPlaying, NPR Music’s guide to today’s essential releases, we shared a cover of Madonna’s “Borderline” from a compilation by label Italians Do It Better celebrating Madge’s birthday. Plus, resident viking Lars Gotrich marks the return of Circuit Des Yeux with his latest Viking’s Choice pick, “Dogma,” and Tiny Desk’s Bobby Carter, aka DJ Cuzin B, recommends “Don’t Play With My Heart” the latest “stank-face-inducing bassline” from India Shawn. Featuring This week on All Songs Considered, Bob Boilen invites musician Rodrigo Amarante to play guest DJ, featuring music from Amarante’s great new album and a handful of songs that changed his life.  “What is it that makes you move past the closed doors, push back against the ‘no's’ and stay the course to achieve your greatness?” That’s an idea Lara Downes investigates in the latest episode of Amplify, in conversation with dancer Camille A. Brown, who will soon make history as the first Black director at New York's Metropolitan Opera. This month, producer Chucky Thompson died at the age of 53. He crafted career-defining records by Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. guided by a specific desire: to understand his artists as people first. Every year, the Tiny Desk Contest receives a massive number of incredible songs. For a little help getting the word out about some of the best Latin alternative entries, Alt.Latino asked Austin musician – and former Contest judge – Gina Chavez to highlight her favorite entries from this year’s edition. This week, our friends at WUNC shared a video of Shungudzo performing “It's A Good Day (To Fight The System).” Tiny Desk NPR “At the Tiny Desk, we've hosted shows from superstars and legends,” writes our colleague Bobby Carter, “but our home concert series has now officially reached new heights.” He’s referring, of course, to a recent performance by The Isley Brothers. Shot at their home studio in St. Louis, Ronald and his brother Ernie are front and center in this (home) concert, showing off just a slice from a catalog overstuffed with classics. Also this week: Catch up on the latest episode of Tiny Desk Contest Top Shelf, featuring WXPN’s John Morrison, and an honest yet inviting (home) concert by Nigerian-American songwriter Joy Oladokun. One More Thing ⚽ Your newsletter editors have spent the past year obsessed with Ted Lasso. If you too “Believe” in the affable coach’s mantra of “Be Curious, Not Judgemental,” we feel it is our duty to point you to Linda Holmes of Pop Culture Happy Hour’s episode reviews, which publish every Friday. Here’s the latest (and yes, it includes spoilers).  Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprmusic@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! 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