All Songs Considered

All Songs Considered: U2 meets the moment, Lana Del Rey goes 'True Detective,' James Blake croons

February 24, 2026

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  • U2 surprised listeners with the EP ‘Days Of Ash,’ featuring the scorching, politically charged track “American Obituary,” which the hosts praised as a vital, anthemic rallying cry for the band,” 
  • Arlo Parks is taking a bold sonic step toward dance music with her new single “Heaven,” which successfully splits the difference between her previous indie-folk sound and more rhythmic, club-focused elements. 
  • Lana Del Rey’s new single, “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter,” is an uncanny, anachronistic track that sounds like a haunted musical soliloquy, leaving the hosts uncertain about the overall tone of her forthcoming album, ‘Stove’. 

Segments

Intro and Jill Scott Review
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Sheldon Pearce’s recent NPR piece analyzed Jill Scott and Brent Faiyaz as an antithesis to the self-help industry’s grifters.
  • Summary: The segment opens with sponsor messages before transitioning to a discussion about Sheldon Pearce’s recent article. Pearce framed his review of Jill Scott and Brent Faiyaz as a critique of the self-help industry. He positioned Jill Scott as the antithesis to those selling superficial self-improvement for profit.
U2 Surprise EP Release
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(00:02:41)
  • Key Takeaway: U2 surprise-dropped the EP ‘Days Of Ash,’ which features the scorching, politically relevant track “American Obituary.”
  • Summary: The hosts expressed excitement over U2’s surprise EP, ‘Days Of Ash,’ their first new music in nearly a decade. The opening track, “American Obituary,” is described as a blistering critique concerning immigration and government crackdowns. The song is lauded for its anthemic, direct, and rallying cry quality, feeling like peak U2.
Arlo Parks Dance Floor Shift
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(00:10:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Arlo Parks’ new single “Heaven,” from the forthcoming album ‘Ambiguous Desire,’ represents a successful progression toward a more rhythmic, nightlife-focused sound.
  • Summary: Arlo Parks is moving toward more ecstatic, club-focused music, contrasting with the acoustic/analog sound of her debut. The single “Heaven” is seen as a better progression than the first single, “Two-Sided,” finding a sweet spot between her past mood and new rhythmic energy. The album ‘Ambiguous Desire’ is scheduled for release on April 3rd.
Lana Del Rey’s Haunting New Single
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(00:19:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Lana Del Rey released the third single, “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter,” which sounds like a twisted, anachronistic musical soliloquy about domesticity.
  • Summary: The hosts noted that Lana Del Rey’s highly anticipated album, potentially titled ‘Stove,’ remains unpredictable as the new single is stylistically different from previous releases. The song features classic Americana touchstones mixed with modern elements, creating an uncanny and unsettling mood despite lyrical content suggesting deep love for her husband.
Baby Rose and Leon Thomas Collaboration
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(00:27:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Baby Rose’s singular, generational voice is perfectly complemented by Grammy-winner Leon Thomas on the new single “Friends Again.”
  • Summary: Baby Rose possesses one of the most recognizable and powerful voices in music, which is described as generational. Leon Thomas, a modern soul man and previous collaborator, serves as the perfect foil, matching her vocal strength stride for stride. The song’s only critique is that listeners wished it were longer than its current single format.
James Blake’s Surreal New Track
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(00:34:17)
  • Key Takeaway: James Blake’s new single “I Had a Dream She Took My Hand” blends surreal, out-of-time vocal pop with electronic elements, shifting meaning dramatically with a Titanic reference.
  • Summary: James Blake is releasing the album ‘Trying Times’ in March, and this single features a cracked, warbly synth line reminiscent of early vocal pop. The song’s meaning pivots when Blake references the Titanic band playing while sinking, transforming the track from a simple love song into a commentary on shared doom. Blake excels at mashing traditional and digital ideals in his music.
Bella Kay’s Confessional Song
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(00:41:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Bella Kay, known for the viral TikTok song “The Sick,” offers a raw, almost uncomfortably honest assessment of self-worth in her new track “Steady.”
  • Summary: Bella Kay’s new song “Steady” comes from the album ‘A Couple Minutes Out.’ The track is intensely confessional, revealing a raw, bruised quality regarding the singer’s feelings of unworthiness and fear of love. This honesty stood out to the host despite the melodramatic quality of her previous viral hit.