All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 23

January 23, 2026

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  • The episode of "All Songs Considered," "New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 23," features discussions on new releases including Lucinda Williams' protest album *World's Gone Wrong* and the expanded 15th-anniversary edition of Carolina Chocolate Drops' *Genuine Negro Jig*. 
  • Rising Americana star Kashus Culpepper's debut album *Act I* is highlighted as a sonically expansive and potentially year-defining work blending country, soul, blues, and folk. 
  • Jazz guitarist Julian Lage's album *Scenes From Above* is praised for its elegant, timeless sound that is both soothing and creatively expansive, challenging the notion that background music cannot be deeply engaging. 

Segments

Cat Power Redux EP Intro
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(00:00:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Cat Power’s ‘Redux’ EP revisits her classic 2006 album ‘The Greatest’ and includes a cover of Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares to You’ as a tribute to guitarist Teeny Hodges.
  • Summary: The segment opens with the introduction of Cat Power’s ‘Redux’ EP, which accompanies a reissue of ‘The Greatest.’ This new EP features a cover of ‘Nothing Compares to You,’ dedicated to the late guitarist Teeny Hodges who played on the original album. The music revisits a classic sound while blurring boundaries with vintage sonic elements.
Lucinda Williams Protest Album
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(00:02:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Lucinda Williams’ new album World’s Gone Wrong features ten topical songs written last year, backed by her ‘Rockiness band’ and featuring guests Mavis Staples and Nora Jones.
  • Summary: Lucinda Williams released World’s Gone Wrong, an album described as protest music through and through, addressing a ‘messed up’ world. The record features a robust band setup, including two guitars, and guest appearances from Mavis Staples on a dub-arranged track and Nora Jones. Despite the heavy themes, the music retains moments of joy and features righteous fury with Neil Young-esque guitar work.
Carolina Chocolate Drops Reissue
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(00:07:53)
  • Key Takeaway: The 15th-anniversary edition of Carolina Chocolate Drops’ Genuine Negro Jig adds seven previously unreleased songs to the classic record, reminding listeners of the group’s essential role in highlighting African-American contributions to roots music.
  • Summary: The Carolina Chocolate Drops released an expanded 15th-anniversary edition of Genuine Negro Jig, which includes seven new, unreleased tracks alongside remastered and remixed songs. The group is credited with writing the book on awareness of African-American contributions to roots music, spanning ragtime, jigs, and field hollers. A standout track on the reissue is their glorious cover of Blue Cantrell’s ‘Hit ‘Em Up Style.’
WMOT Roots Radio Update
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(00:15:46)
  • Key Takeaway: WMOT Roots Radio in Nashville is approaching its 10th anniversary in September and is noted for overlooking a vibrant, cooperative community of new musicians.
  • Summary: Jesse Scott shared that WMOT Roots Radio is celebrating its 10th anniversary in September. She expressed pride in the cooperative nature of the Nashville music scene and the influx of new voices contributing to Americana. Listeners can tune in via WMOT.org or by downloading the WMOT app.
Kashus Culpepper Debut Album
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(00:17:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Alabama native Kashus Culpepper’s debut album Act I is highly praised for its genre-blending scope, incorporating country rock, blues, and folk, and features a ripping solo by Marcus King on the track ‘Southern Man.’
  • Summary: Kashus Culpepper’s debut, Act I, is lauded for summarizing the Americana movement by combining country, soul, blues, and folk into an iconic sound. The album is sonically expansive, featuring a classic country rock statement on ‘Southern Man’ with a guest solo from Marcus King. Another track, ‘Broken Wing Bird,’ strips down the sound, featuring Sierra Farrell.
The Lowest Pair New Release
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(00:21:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The duo The Lowest Pair released Always As Young As Will Ever Be, their first album in six years, noted for the interesting blend of Kendall Winter’s plaintive vocals and Palmer T. Lee’s grittier folk sound.
  • Summary: The duo The Lowest Pair released Always As Young As Will Ever Be, their first album in six years, with the title inspired by a John Hartford poem. The music features a rich blend where Kendall Winter’s high, plaintive voice contrasts beautifully with Palmer T. Lee’s grounded folk sound. The album includes the lush power-pop Americana track ‘Diamonds’ and the epic ‘Tiny Rebellions.’
Julian Lage Guitar Mastery
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(00:27:55)
  • Key Takeaway: Jazz guitar virtuoso Julian Lage, a former child prodigy, released Scenes From Above, an elegant and timeless record that avoids being mere ‘wallpaper’ music through its creative exploration.
  • Summary: Julian Lage, known for his jazz guitar mastery since age 12, released Scenes From Above. The album is described as moody, elegant, and timeless, featuring tracks like the atmospheric opener ‘Opal’ and the more jittery ‘Red Elm.’ The music demands attention, offering significant creativity and expansiveness beyond simple background listening.
Lightning Round Quick Hits
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(00:34:05)
  • Key Takeaway: The lightning round covered Ari Lennox’s steamy soul follow-up Vacancy, Sammy Brew’s tribute album The Journals using Justin Townshend’s late mentor’s writings, a Talking Heads tribute Naive Melodies, and Della Mae’s powerful bluegrass Magic Accident.
  • Summary: Ari Lennox’s new album Vacancy delivers timeless, steamy soul following her 2022 sleeper hit. Sammy Brew’s The Journals features reimagined songs from the journals of his late mentor, Justin Townshend. The compilation Naive Melodies reinterprets Talking Heads songs through jazz, soul, and Afrobeat prisms. Finally, the all-female bluegrass band Della Mae released the tight and powerful Magic Accident.