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MUNA. Stephen Sanchez. Lykke Li. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, May 8. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. 

The Starting 5

(00:00) MUNA, 'Dancing On The Wall'
(08:17) Aldous Harding, 'Train on the Island'
(16:00) Deb Never, 'Arcade'
(22:15) Lykke Li, 'The Afterparty'
(28:12) Stephen Sanchez, 'LOVE, LOVE, LOVE'

(34:46) The Lightning Round

- Ashley McBryde, 'Wild'
- Broken Social Scene, 'Remember The Humans'
- Ray Bull, 'Please Stop Laughing'
- Anastasia Kristensen, 'Bestiarium Sombre'
- Amy Grant, 'The Me That Remains'

Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org.

Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Celia Gregory, WNXP
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Robin Hilton, Ann Powers and Lars Gotrich

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With Mother’s Day nearing, listeners share songs that remind them of their moms and the deeply moving stories behind them.

NPR's Mitra Arthur joins host Robin Hilton.

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Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro / “Stardust” by Hoagy Carmichael
(01:52) Christina Aguilera: “Beautiful”
(06:06) Jeannie C. Riley: “Harper Valley P.T.A.”
(10:09) Kermit the Frog: “Rainbow Connection”
(13:50) Phyllis Hyman: “You Know How To Love Me”
(17:16) MILCK: “Oh, Mother”
(21:58) Christina Perri: “You Are My Sunshine”
(25:33) The Tokens: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
(29:16) Four Tops: “Reach Out I’ll Be There”
(33:43) Sweet Honey In The Rock: “Wanting Memories”

Note: A version of this episode originally ran in 2024

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Kacey Musgraves. American Football. Tori Amos. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Jewly Hight from WPLN in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, May 1. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round.

The Starting 5

(00:00) Kacey Musgraves, 'Middle of Nowhere'
(08:41) American Football, 'American Football (LP4)'
(16:25) Isaiah Rashad, 'IT'S BEEN AWFUL'
(21:42) Tori Amos, 'In Times of Dragons'
(28:09) Ana Roxanne, 'Poem 1'

(33:38) The Lightning Round

- Jesca Hoop, 'Long Wave Home'
- Casper Sage, 'PATINA'
- duendita, 'existential thottie'
- Maisy Owen, 'Dark on a Sunny Day'
- Octo Octa, 'Sigils For Survival'

Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org.

Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Jewly Hight, WPLN
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Ann Powers and Hazel Cills

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Fusion is at the heart of so much of the music we cover - especially on this week's episode. Flamenco producers descend on Hermosillo to experiment with regional Mexican music. Young Argentine artists blend trap with folk and rock en Español. A sunny Rio sound is born in Spain. Plus, a New Mexican string band, an Afro-Brazilian collective and an exploration of Latin roots from Cypress Hill.  

Artists and albums featured in this episode:

(02:26) Trueno, 'TURR4ZO'
(09:37) Lone Piñon, 'Hot Carne Seca'
(13:20) Chanela Clicka, 'COBRA'
(18:50) Cypress Hill, 'Dios Bendiga'
(22:30) Leo Middea, 'Notícias de Puglia'
(25:28) Mandinga Beat, 'Afro-Brazil'

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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Our latest picks for the week’s best new songs include Olivia Rodrigo’s head-over-heels earworm “drop dead,” a stunning bonus cut from Rosalía’s LUX album, a surprising pop turn from Peter Gabriel, twisted dance beats from Nine Inch Nails and more.

NPR Music’s Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hiton.

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(01:49) Olivia Rodrigo: “drop dead” from you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love

(09:50) Peter Gabriel: “Till Your Mind Is Shining (Bright-Side Mix)” from o\i

(20:23) Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize: “Heresy” from Nine Inch Noize

(28:47) Rosalía: “Focu 'Ranni” from LUX (Complete Works)

(36:21) Rostam: “Like a Spark” from American Stories

(42:51) Gregory Uhlmann: “Days” from Extra Stars

Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend!

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected]

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