All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 13

March 13, 2026

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  • The episode of *All Songs Considered*, "New Music Friday: The best albums out March 13," featured discussions on new releases from Sturgil Simpson (as Johnny Blue Skies), James Blake, Anjimile, Kim Gordon, and Blessing Jolie, alongside a lightning round of other notable albums. 
  • Sturgil Simpson's album *Mutiny After Midnight* is highlighted for its country-funk sound and explicit protest lyrics addressing national frustration, while James Blake's *Trying Times* explores the personal, psychic effects of living in tumultuous times. 
  • Guest Amelia Mason from WBUR noted that Anjimile, whose new album is *You're Free to Go*, was a past discovery from the WBUR selection process for the NPR Tiny Desk Contest, illustrating the contest's role in artist development. 

Segments

Oscar Predictions and Banter
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(00:00:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Amelia Mason strongly disliked the movie Frankenstein, calling it overwrought, while Stephen Thompson favored Sinners to win Best Picture.
  • Summary: The hosts briefly discussed their Oscars predictions ahead of the ceremony scheduled for March 13th. Amelia Mason expressed a strong dislike for Frankenstein, finding it visually like a video game and overwrought. Stephen Thompson predicted Sinners would win Best Picture and mentioned that NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour feed contained a full Oscars preview.
Johnny Blue Skies Album Review
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(00:02:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgil Simpson) released Mutiny After Midnight exclusively on physical formats, featuring hedonistic country-funk mixed with pointed protest lyrics like “Make America F Again.”
  • Summary: The first album reviewed was Mutiny After Midnight by Johnny Blue Skies and the Dark Clouds, Sturgil Simpson’s country-funk alter ego. The record is intentionally not being released digitally, encouraging physical purchase. Musically, it blends country twang with funk, while lyrically, it functions as protest music, exemplified by the track “Make America F Again.”
James Blake’s New Record
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(00:08:50)
  • Key Takeaway: James Blake’s Trying Times, his first release on his own label, balances dreaminess with forcefulness, exploring the internal, psychic effects of current global dread.
  • Summary: James Blake’s new album, Trying Times, was noted for its mix of dreaminess and forcefulness, reflecting weariness about the world’s state. The music sonically mirrors this feeling, sounding fragmented and unreal at times. The track “Doesn’t Just Happen” features rapper Dave, exploring themes of ethical survival within unethical systems.
WBUR Tiny Desk Contest Connection
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(00:14:51)
  • Key Takeaway: WBUR selects a favorite local entry from the annual NPR Tiny Desk Contest, a process that previously identified Anjimile before their current success.
  • Summary: Amelia Mason explained that WBUR, as an NPR member station in Boston, convenes a panel to select their favorite Massachusetts entry for the Tiny Desk Contest from hundreds of submissions. This process previously highlighted Anjimile, who first entered the contest in 2015 and is now releasing a new album.
Anjimile Album Deep Dive
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(00:17:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Anjimile’s album You’re Free to Go showcases a distinctive lyrical style and melody, drawing comparisons to Tracy Chapman and Sufjan Stevens while addressing personal themes like being trans and estrangement from family.
  • Summary: Anjimile, originally from Texas and developed in Boston, released You’re Free to Go, praised for distinctive lyrical style and melody. Comparisons were drawn to Tracy Chapman for pointed songwriting and Sufjan Stevens for intricate arrangements. The album addresses personal themes, including Anjimile’s experience being trans, as seen in the song “Waits for Me.”
Kim Gordon Solo Work Review
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(00:22:53)
  • Key Takeaway: Kim Gordon’s solo album Play Me extends her unique voice outside of Sonic Youth, incorporating hip-hop beats and spoken word, though the rock-oriented tracks were favored by the reviewer.
  • Summary: Kim Gordon’s solo work, following her departure from Sonic Youth, continues to explore distinct excursions into hip-hop and spoken word. The production on Play Me was noted as sometimes confusing when applied to her voice over hip-hop beats, though rock-oriented tracks like “Not Today” felt more cohesive. The album features artful commentary on the modern era, including quoting Spotify playlist titles in the lyrics.
Blessing Jolie Debut Album
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(00:27:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Blessing Jolie’s debut project 20 Nothing is a playful, inventive mix of indie folk, R&B, and hip-hop, chronicling her youth as a Nigerian American artist navigating family expectations.
  • Summary: Blessing Jolie’s first release, 20 Nothing, is characterized by its playful genre-skipping, mixing indie folk, R&B, and hip-hop elements. The lyrics are dense with wordplay, referencing modern life like streaming services alongside themes of Nigerian American identity. The host praised her sticky melodies, noting that the lyrics immediately suggested a tune.
Lightning Round Picks
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(00:35:14)
  • Key Takeaway: The lightning round featured Morgan Nagler’s solo album I’ve Got Nothing to Lose, and I’m Losing It, Tinariwen’s groovy Hoggar, Jorge Drexler’s Candombe-influenced Taracá, Nico Muhly’s choral work No Resting Place, and the officially released Fugazi bootleg Albini Sessions.
  • Summary: Morgan Nagler’s solo album was highlighted for its menacing quality mixed with twang, reminiscent of bands like Wednesday. Tinariwen’s Hoggar was praised for its consistent groove and the inclusion of younger musicians. Jorge Drexler’s Taracá leans into the Afro-Uruguayan Candombe tradition for the first time. The Tallis Scholars performed Nico Muhly’s No Resting Place, which incorporates English quotes from deported immigrants. Finally, the long-bootlegged 1992 Fugazi recordings with Steve Albini were officially released as Albini Sessions.