New Mix: Sleater-Kinney, The Flaming Lips, Elle Varner, More
Clockwise from upper left: Sleater-Kinney, Elle Varner, GRMLN, The Flaming Lips Courtesy of the artists hide caption
The band Sleater-Kinney (Carrie Brownstein, Corin Tucker, Janet Weiss) is back together, and we're all pretty excited at All Songs Considered! After an eight-year hiatus, and nearly ten years since releasing their last album, Carrie and company have announced a new, upcoming record and a brand new song called "Bury Our Friends." The album, No Cities To Love, is due out Jan. 20. NPR Music's Lars Gotrich joins hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton talk about the new album and to share music from Philadelphia-based punk band Cayetana. The group will perform at NPR Music's showcase during the CMJ Music Marathon.
Next, NPR Music's Frannie Kelley (Microphone Check) shares music from R&B singer Elle Varner, who will be headlining NPR Music's live concert showcase during this week's CMJ Music Marathon in New York. Bob follows with an upbeat sing-along song (complete with hand claps) from Australian indie band Immigrant Union. Robin continues with The Flaming Lips' trippy, distorted version of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," from the band's upcoming Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band cover album, A Little Help From My Fwends.
On a quieter note, Bob shares a song by folk artist Teddy Thompson, off the new album, Family, which he made with his parents, Linda and Richard Thompson, and sister Kami Thompson, among other family members. Robin closes the show with a gritty but wistful cut from Southern California-based GRMLN's upcoming album, Soon Away.
New Mix: Sleater-Kinney, The Flaming Lips, Elle Varner, More
Bury Our Friends
- Artist: Sleater-Kinney
- Album: No Cities To Love
Sleater-Kinney is back! "Bury Our Friends" is the incredibly catchy first song released from the band's upcoming reunion album, No Cities To Love, out Jan. 20. For more on the album, visit the band's website.
Hot Dad Calendar
- Artist: Cayetana
- Album: Nervous Like Me
Cayetana's vocalist, Augusta Koch, has a recklessness to her voice that drives this jangly track, "Hot Dad Calendar." The Philadelphia-based band makes no-frills punk music that recalls the '90s slacker indie scene. For more on this album, visit the band's website.
Elle Varner, Don't Wanna Dance Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Don't Wanna Dance
- Artist: Elle Varner
- Album: Don't Wanna Dance
Elle Varner's "Don't Wanna Dance" is undeniably danceable. The hook is sticky and unexpected, punctuated by the directness of Varner's lyrics, as well as vocals from A$AP Ferg. For more on the song, visit the artist's website.
War Is Peace
- Artist: Immigrant Union
- Album: Anyway
Immigrant Union's "War Is Peace" is an over-the-top, foot-stomping sing-along. The Australian indie band's delightful new album, Anyway, features vocals from songwriter Courtney Barnett. For more on the album, visit the artist's website.
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
- Artist: The Flaming Lips
- Album: With A Little Help From My Fwends
It's difficult to think of a band better suited to cover Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band than The Flaming Lips. With A Little Help From My Fwends is a fun, trippy tribute to the classic record, featuring appearances from Moby, Tegan and Sara, Foxygen and more. The band's distorted, idiosyncratic cover of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" features vocals from Miley Cyrus and Moby. For more on the album, visit the band's website.
Family by Thompson hide caption
Family
- Artist: Thompson
- Album: Family
Teddy Thompson is the son of Richard and Linda Thompson, two talented and influential figures in British Folk music. Now Teddy and family have made an album together. This title track is an look at what it's like to be the less confident, less influential son of a famous couple. For more on this album, visit the artist's website.
GRMLN courtesy of the artist hide caption
Of Nothing
- Artist: GRMLN
- Album: Soon Away
GRMLN's "Of Nothing" is a bold but contemplative song that's perfect for windows-down listening and solitary thought. The Southern California-based songwriter Yoodoo Park's new album, Soon Away, was released Sept. 16. For more on this album, visit the artist's website.
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