All Songs Considered

Beck, Asher White, Friko and more of the week’s best new songs

February 3, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The hosts opened the episode by discussing their mixed feelings about the recent Grammy Awards, citing historical snubs and controversial comments from past leadership. 
  • The episode heavily featured new and rare music, including a newly streamed rarity from Beck, "Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime," and unannounced projects from Friko and Asher White. 
  • Lars Gotrich shared his annual tradition of selecting a song in January that sets the tone for his listening year, contrasting with Robin Hilton's focus on new discoveries like Rat Panat and Sibyl. 

Segments

Grammy Awards Post-Mortem
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The 2001 Album of the Year Grammy awarded to Steely Dan over Radiohead’s Kid A was a significant moment that disillusioned one host regarding the awards’ credibility.
  • Summary: The hosts recorded the episode the morning after the Grammys, noting the show’s general silliness but acknowledging its importance to nominees. A major point of contention was the 2001 Album of the Year award, which Steely Dan won over Kid A, Marshall Mathers LP, Midnight Vultures, and You’re the One. The segment also recalled Neil Portnow’s controversial 2017/2018 comments about women needing to ‘step up’ in the industry.
Beck Rarity Premiere
Copied to clipboard!
(00:03:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Beck released a surprise mini-album featuring rarities, including the song “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime,” which was previously only available on the soundtrack for the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
  • Summary: The first featured song is Beck’s “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime,” a cover originally by The Corgis from 1980. The song was featured in the opening credits of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a film about surgically erasing memories. Beck’s new collection includes film singles and one-offs, and it has been seven years since he released an album of all new original songs.
Discovery: Rat Panat’s Indie Pop
Copied to clipboard!
(00:13:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Rat Panat, an artist originally from Montreal now based in Valencia, Spain, released the album Over Easy, featuring the track “Kijiji,” which is described as homemade indie pop reminiscent of early Grimes or Cave Records.
  • Summary: The song “Kijiji” features a buried vocal mix, poppy shoegaze hints, and jangly acoustic guitar with a monosynth line. The title ‘Kijiji’ refers to the Canadian equivalent of Craigslist, which connects to the artist’s Montreal origins. The track’s production style incorporates elements that evoke Stereolab.
Friko’s Unannounced Album
Copied to clipboard!
(00:20:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Chicago duo Friko is releasing an album titled Something Worth Waiting For on April 24th, featuring the song “Seven Degrees,” which is noted for its accomplished, classic psych-folk sound.
  • Summary: The song “Seven Degrees” builds to a climax reminiscent of late 60s/early 70s psych-folk, drawing comparisons to Bowie, T-Rex, and The Beatles in its chord progressions. The track was produced by John Congleton, known for his work on many beloved projects. The hosts noted the song’s strong arrangement and performance, despite one host admitting a preference for original artists over new bands sounding like classics.
Sibyl’s Witchy Folk
Copied to clipboard!
(00:28:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Sister duo Sibyl (Chloe and Lily Holgate) released the haunting track “Witch Wife,” which sets lyrics from an Edna St. Vincent Millay poem to music featuring viola and aleatoric vocal clusters.
  • Summary: Sibyl’s music is described as ancient-sounding and deceptively simple, evoking unnotated, handed-down music traditions. The duo’s parents worked on Broadway, influencing their musical background. Their upcoming February album features musical readings of poetry, including works by Emily Dickinson and Edna St. Vincent Millay.
Asher White’s Jessica Pratt Cover
Copied to clipboard!
(00:32:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Asher White is releasing a complete song-by-song recreation of Jessica Pratt’s 2012 self-titled debut album, with the track “Casper” featuring a dramatic, roaring guitar sound compared to Mount Eerie’s Black Wooden era.
  • Summary: Asher White’s version of “Casper” is significantly louder and more explicit in its expression of grief compared to Jessica Pratt’s quieter, acoustic original. White’s vocal cadence differs from Pratt’s, which the hosts felt was a wise choice for a cover project. The full cover album, also titled Jessica Pratt, is set for release on February 4th.
January Tone-Setting Song Tradition
Copied to clipboard!
(00:40:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Lars Gotrich maintains a tradition of selecting a song in January to set the tone for the year, viewing it as a personal reset rather than a predictor of future musical taste.
  • Summary: The tradition involves choosing a song that reflects the host’s head space at the start of the year, with past selections including Pigeon Pit and Luxury. January was perceived by the hosts as an unusually long month this year. The segment concluded by highlighting Szymon Wójcik’s track “it’s only begun” as an extraordinary piece to close the show.
Szymon Wójcik’s Closing Piece
Copied to clipboard!
(00:41:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Polish composer Szymon Wójcik’s track “it’s only begun” features slow, discordant guitar work, tuba, and an Icelandic vocalist singing “Don’t You Worry,” creating a feeling of simultaneous beginning and ending.
  • Summary: Wójcik, primarily a guitarist, creates a tone described as obsidian with slow, discordant notes and cymbal skitters. The composition resolves with the vocalist returning to the phrase “Don’t You Worry,” suggesting a sense of peace with despair. The hosts recommended this piece for listeners to close their eyes and experience fully.