All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best albums out Oct. 17

October 17, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The episode features guest host Anamaria Sayre and KCRW's Travis Holcombe reviewing five new albums released on October 17th, including Tame Impala's polarizing new pop-leaning record, 'Deadbeat'. 
  • Silvana Estrada's second album, 'Vendrán Suaves Lluvias', showcases a more playful and comfortable evolution for the artist, balancing pain and beauty through a unique production process involving musicians from a Laza de Cela tribute. 
  • Soulwax's first studio album in seven years, 'All Systems Are Lying', is noted as being more vocal-forward and accessible than previous work, reflecting the band's continued activity across DJing, remixing, and running their Deewee label. 

Segments

Tiny Desk Intro & Context
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:27)
  • Key Takeaway: The Chilean children’s TV show ‘Trentio Minutos’ set a record for most views within nine days for any Tiny Desk published.
  • Summary: Anamaria Sayre is guest hosting the All Songs Considered episode of New Music Friday: The best albums out Oct. 17 alongside Travis Holcombe of KCRW. The show opens by highlighting the record-breaking success of the ‘Trentio Minutos’ Tiny Desk session, which was part of the ‘El Tiny 2025’ Latin America takeover event.
Tame Impala’s New Direction
Copied to clipboard!
(00:02:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Tame Impala’s fifth album, ‘Deadbeat’, marks a complete deviation from psychedelic rock toward a polarizing, electronic, house-influenced sound.
  • Summary: Tame Impala is the project of Kevin Parker, who writes and plays all instruments on the recordings. ‘Deadbeat’ is seen as polarizing because Parker has been moving away from his psychedelic rock roots since the 2015 album ‘Currents,’ and this new record fully embraces an electronic, dance-floor orientation, addressing themes of self-criticism and midlife crisis.
Silvana Estrada’s Second Album
Copied to clipboard!
(00:09:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Silvana Estrada’s second album, ‘Vendrán Suaves Lluvias’, balances pain and beauty while incorporating a playful side, influenced by recording with the band of her inspiration, Laza de Cela.
  • Summary: Estrada’s first album, ‘Marchita’, focused on balancing pain and beauty, a theme she continues, but this new record incorporates more of her light and funny personality. The album was completely re-recorded after an initial attempt in Mexico City failed, leading her to work with Laza de Cela’s band, which influenced the lush string arrangements exported from Macedonia.
Soulwax’s Return to Album Format
Copied to clipboard!
(00:17:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Soulwax released ‘All Systems Are Lying’, their first studio album in seven years, while remaining highly active through DJing, running the Despacio club concept, and managing the Deewee label.
  • Summary: Soulwax, celebrating 30 years as DJs, released ‘All Systems Are Lying,’ which is more vocal-forward than their previous record, ‘Essential.’ The Belgian duo stays busy through their Too Many DJs sets, the Despacio sound system events with James Murphy, and running their label in Ghent.
Meme del Real Solo Debut
Copied to clipboard!
(00:22:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Meme del Real of Café Tacuba released his debut solo album, ‘La Montaña Encendida,’ which pays homage to diverse Latin genres while existing in a futuristic sonic landscape.
  • Summary: The album features homages to cumbia, bossa nova, bolero, and ranchera, and includes a collaboration with Argentine rocker Gustavo Santaolalla. Del Real took vocal lessons for the project, which allows him to play different characters in the songs, and he contributes to the conversation around regional Mexican music by blending ancestry with futuristic sounds.
Clarice Jensen’s Stripped Back Cello
Copied to clipboard!
(00:29:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Clarice Jensen’s album ‘In Holiday Clothing, Out of the Great Darkness’ strips back her usual electronic effects to focus on traditional cello work, inspired by Bach’s solo pieces.
  • Summary: Jensen is an in-demand session cellist who has worked with artists like Taylor Swift. This fourth solo album was inspired by Bach’s six solo cello pieces, though her interpretation remains unique. The record features a dynamic interplay between her electronic loops and the acoustic cello, exemplified by tracks like ‘Two Comma One’ and ‘One Comma Two’.
Lightning Round Recommendations
Copied to clipboard!
(00:34:11)
  • Key Takeaway: The lightning round highlights Nathy Peluso’s growing commitment to salsa with her EP ‘MALPORTADA’ and Sudan Archives’ shift toward club music on ‘The BPM’.
  • Summary: Nathy Peluso, an Argentine artist raised in Spain, is expanding her work in the salsa genre, which she views as essential to her musical interests. Sudan Archives is branching into electronic and club music, mixing R&B and avant-pop on her third record. Other recommendations include Skullcrusher’s cinema-inspired ‘And Your Song Is Like a Circle,’ CYM’s Kraut Rock/shoegaze debut, and Sam Wilkes’ live recording ‘Public Records Performance’.