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- Speaking of long-awaited reunions, Sigur Rós has just returned with a new album called ÁTTA. It’s the Icelandic band’s first studio record in a decade and eighth in 26 years, and it follows a long string of solo and side projects, particularly for singer Jónsi. (Side note: How has it already been 13 years since Jónsi’s Go? Didn’t that wonderful record come out, like, six months ago?) ÁTTA fits seamlessly into Sigur Rós’s catalog, but it brings in new and unexpected sounds — most notably a rich and immersive assortment of strings. Like many fundamentally goodhearted people, All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen is a big Sigur Rós fan, so he devotes the show’s latest episode to a conversation with Jónsi about the new record. (Also, don’t miss our review of ÁTTA, by the great and good Tom Huizenga.)
- Sigur Rós isn’t the only veteran artist with a gorgeous new record out Friday: Meshell Ndegeocello just released The Omnichord Real Book, a fluid and inward-looking collection she crafted in the aftermath of her parents’ deaths. For those of us who fell in love with Ndegeocello in the ’90s, first as an indefinable cult maverick and then as the artist behind 1999’s quiet masterpiece Bitter, it’s a joy to experience her more than 30 years into her career — and to read a review of her new album by your friend and mine, Nate Chinen.
- I try to remain notionally open to just about any critical reconsideration of maligned music, so it was a joy to read Lars Gotrich’s review of Memorrhage’s self-titled debut album. Led by Garry Brents, Memorrhage reworks the sound of early 2000s nu metal in compelling ways — and Lars’ essay had me hooked even before he stated his love of P.O.D. and Deftones. (P.O.D.’s “Alive” legit rules, y’all, and always has.)
- One last review this week: Sarah Hennies has some lovely thoughts on Souled American’s 1996 album Notes Campfire. A true cult band, Souled American was an early practitioner of alternative country, but never caught on the way peers such as Uncle Tupelo did. Now, the group’s long-out-of-print catalog is available on Bandcamp for your perusal. It can be challenging and strange — this is, once again, a true cult band — but there’s a reason diehards have spent the last few decades screaming from the rooftops about Souled American. Moments from Notes Campfire recall the work of my own favorite alt-country-adjacent band, Clem Snide, and I can summon no higher compliment than that.
- Here’s a more-than-welcome NPR Music byline: Daoud Tyler-Ameen, who doubles as one of our brilliant editors, an occasional guest voice on Pop Culture Happy Hour and a less-occasional cartoon voice actor. Here, he talks with drummer Matt Tong, who’s been a member of Algiers (which recently released a new album called Shook) and Bloc Party. Daoud is a drummer himself — he plays in the delightful Bad Moves — so he and Tong are able to go deep on drumming, craftsmanship and collaboration.
- Joni Mitchell hadn’t played an announced concert in 20 years — though she did give a surprise Newport Folk Festival performance last year — but there she was, on stage at eastern Washington’s Gorge Amphitheatre with an all-star cast. Check out our photo gallery, with a warm introduction by Ann Powers.
- Finally, we’ve got a couple more new All Songs Considered episodes for you: Bob Boilen has a new mix (with new songs from Bob Dylan, Annie Bartholomew, Darlingside, Sparks, Alaska Reid and Buck Meek) and Robin Hilton hosts a new episode of New Music Friday.
- North Carolina alt-R&B singer Tre. Charles recently opened up for Tiny Desk Contest winners Tank and the Bangas, which had us watching his Live Session with Member station WNRN.
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Charismatic veteran R&B star Durrell “Tank” Babbs just headlined a performance at the Tiny Desk, and it marked a triumphant return for the singer, who hadn’t appeared in the series since… well, Babyface’s very recent set, which you might remember from last week’s newsletter. Tank’s own concert finds him transforming the Tiny Desk into what he calls “the big, nasty Desk,” so prepare yourself accordingly. “Some of these songs make you want to make up. Some of these songs make you want to break up,” he says, adding, “And some of these songs make you want to participate in various sexual activities.” Also this week: Adam Blackstone captured the essence of Black Music Month when he said during his Tiny Desk concert: "In order to pay it forward, you have to pay it back..." That sentiment was the spirit of his performance, a multi-genre celebration of the legacy of Black music. |
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Just in time for Fathers Day, Jazz Night In America has a show toasting the “Dads of Jazz.” |
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