All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best albums out Nov. 21

November 21, 2025

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  • The episode of *All Songs Considered*'s *New Music Friday: The best albums out Nov. 21* features Stephen Thompson and guest Justus Sanchez discussing five main new releases, including Tobias Jesso Jr.'s raw, melody-driven album 's h i n e' after a decade hiatus. 
  • The collaboration between Haley Heynderickx and Max Garcia Conover, 'What of Our Nature,' is highlighted for its powerful folk tradition addressing contemporary American issues of identity and history, drawing comparisons to Woody Guthrie's legacy. 
  • The featured albums span genres from intimate singer-songwriter work and cinematic jazz/orchestral fusion (Snarky Puppy with Metropole Orkest's 'Somni') to smooth Afrobeat-infused R&B (Odeal's 'The Fall That Saved Us'). 

Segments

Sponsor Message and Show Intro
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode of All Songs Considered, “New Music Friday: The best albums out Nov. 21,” opens with sponsor messages and a warning about explicit language.
  • Summary: The episode begins with advertisements from Amazon and a note regarding explicit language contained within the broadcast. Host Stephen Thompson introduces guest Justus Sanchez from KNKX in Seattle and Tacoma to begin the new music review. The show immediately plays music from De La Soul’s new album, ‘Cabin in the Sky.’
De La Soul Album Context
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(00:00:45)
  • Key Takeaway: De La Soul’s new album, ‘Cabin in the Sky,’ is their first since 2016 and features collaborations with Q-Tip, Bilal, Slick Rick, Black Thought, and Nas.
  • Summary: The music playing is from De La Soul’s ‘Cabin in the Sky,’ their first album since the passing of True Goy the Dove. The album title references a 1940s musical with an all-Black cast, marking a moment of triumph for the group following the return of their catalog rights. The tracklist includes a partial Native Tongues reunion.
Tobias Jesso Jr. ’s h i n e
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(00:02:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Tobias Jesso Jr.’s new album, ’s h i n e,’ is his first in ten years, showcasing raw songwriting with strong pop structures, recorded primarily on his mother’s piano.
  • Summary: Tobias Jesso Jr.’s ’s h i n e’ is his first album in a decade, during which he became a highly successful collaborative songwriter, winning a Grammy for Songwriter of the Year and contributing to Harry Styles’ ‘Harry’s House.’ The music is noted for its raw songwriting and strong underlying pop melodies, with tracks like ‘Black Magic’ evoking a Springsteen-esque energy. Jesso Jr. recorded the intimate collection in Vancouver using his mother’s piano.
Haley Heynderickx & Max Garcia Conover
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(00:07:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Haley Heynderickx and Max Garcia Conover’s ‘What of Our Nature’ blends folk music with wrestling over American identity, drawing influence from Woody Guthrie and evoking artists like Bob Dylan.
  • Summary: The collaboration between Heynderickx (half Filipina) and Garcia Conover (half Puerto Rican) addresses difficult subjects concerning America’s past and present. The album was developed while they lived on opposite coasts, involving research into identity and the legacy of Woody Guthrie. Standout tracks include one using the words of Filipino-American activist Carlos Bolasan and ‘This Morning I Am Born Again,’ which powerfully channels 60s folk energy.
KNKX Station Update
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(00:15:59)
  • Key Takeaway: KNKX in Seattle and Tacoma recently launched new programs, including ‘The Lounge,’ which explores modern music influenced by jazz, aiming to bridge sounds from artists like BadBadNotGood to traditional jazz.
  • Summary: Justus Sanchez hosts ‘The Lounge’ at KNKX, focusing on the intersection of modern music and jazz. The show seeks to introduce listeners of contemporary sounds to the jazz that inspires them, creating a two-way gateway between genres. This programming direction aligns well with the diverse musical selections featured on New Music Friday: The best albums out Nov. 21.
SHOLTO’s The Sirens
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(00:16:52)
  • Key Takeaway: UK drummer/bandleader SHOLTO’s album ‘The Sirens’ is heavily inspired by soul jazz, Kraut rock, Greek myths, and Studio Ghibli films, resulting in cinematic, groove-heavy instrumental tracks.
  • Summary: SHOLTO’s music is characterized by cinematic grooves inspired by 60s/70s soul jazz and Kraut rock, with tracks like ‘Tied to the Mass’ being large and cinematic. The album draws thematic inspiration from Greek mythology (e.g., ‘Lemia’) and film, creating expansive soundscapes that encourage listeners to create their own visuals. The music maintains a fluid, non-stiff quality despite its overarching structure.
Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest ‘Somni’
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(00:21:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest’s live collaboration, ‘Somni,’ features 74 musicians and explores dream logic through unsettling, shape-shifting musical movements, including the nearly 14-minute track ‘Recurrent.’
  • Summary: The album ‘Somni’ is a massive collaboration recorded live in the Netherlands, involving 74 musicians across the orchestra and Snarky Puppy core members. Thematically, the music addresses dreams and liminal spaces, often incorporating unsettling outbursts within mellow sections, such as in the track ‘Recurrent.’ The recording was a significant technical feat, utilizing 256 channels of audio.
Odeal’s The Fall That Saved Us
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(00:26:44)
  • Key Takeaway: German-Nigerian R&B artist Odeal delivers a concise, sensual nine-song EP, ‘The Fall That Saved Us,’ showcasing his rich voice and blending classic R&B with Afrobeat elements, notably featuring Wizkid on ‘Nights in the Sun.’
  • Summary: Odeal (Hilary Dennis Udano) creates music that straddles European and Nigerian influences, primarily rooted in R&B but incorporating Afrobeat vibes. The short 24-minute record effectively hooks the listener with his voice and sensual soundscapes, which he terms ‘Lustropolis.’ The final track, ‘Nights in the Sun’ featuring Wizkid, provides a bright contrast to the album’s generally dark, moody tone.
Lightning Round Recommendations
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(00:30:59)
  • Key Takeaway: The lightning round highlights Keaton Henson’s louder, more dynamic album ‘Parader,’ the intimate jazz duo work of John Scofield and Dave Holland on ‘Memories of Home,’ and Max Richter’s sweeping score for the film ‘Hamnet.’
  • Summary: Keaton Henson’s ‘Parader’ turns up the volume on his signature tender indie pop, incorporating grunge influences while maintaining his core sound. The jazz release features guitar legend John Scofield and bassist Dave Holland performing together as a duo for the first time, offering mellow, in-tune instrumental music. Max Richter’s score for Chloe Zhao’s film ‘Hamnet’ is described as sad, sweeping, and beautiful, fitting his reputation for contemporary classical music.
Favorite Tracks Selection
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(00:35:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Both hosts select a track from Haley Heynderickx and Max Garcia Conover’s ‘What of Our Nature’ as their most memorable song, with Sanchez choosing ‘Fluorescent Light’ and Thompson favoring ‘This Morning I Am Born Again.’
  • Summary: Justus Sanchez highlights ‘Fluorescent Light’ for its lyrical commentary on the pervasive, inescapable nature of American society, regardless of one’s social standing. Stephen Thompson chooses ‘This Morning I Am Born Again’ for its powerful evocation of classic folk music, creating a ‘Ratatouille moment’ that connected him deeply to his childhood musical influences. The segment concludes the main album discussion before sponsor messages.