All Songs Considered

The best new albums out Sept. 19

September 19, 2025

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  • The podcast "New Music Friday" from NPR Music, hosted by Stephen Thompson and Kyle Meredith, provides in-depth reviews and discussions of new album releases, highlighting artists like Joan Shelley, Lola Young, Wednesday, Sarah McLachlan, and Yasmeen Hamdan. 
  • The hosts emphasize the depth and intentionality behind the music discussed, noting how artists like Joan Shelley and Yasmeen Hamdan use their work to convey significant social and personal messages, even within calming or ambient soundscapes. 
  • The episode features a "lightning round" of other notable new releases, showcasing a diverse range of genres and artists, including Kieran Hebden & William Tyler, Nine Inch Nails, Lawrence Matthews, Joy Crooks, and Joanne Robertson, demonstrating the breadth of contemporary music. 

Segments

Buckingham Nicks Reissue
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(00:00:39)
  • Key Takeaway: The reissue of Buckingham Nicks’ 1973 album, their only studio work as a duo before joining Fleetwood Mac, is significant because it predates their iconic work and is now widely available after decades out of print.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss the reissue of the Buckingham Nicks album, noting its historical importance as a precursor to Fleetwood Mac’s success and its recent availability on streaming services after being out of print for decades. They also touch on early covers of the album.
Joan Shelley’s Real Warmth
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(00:02:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Joan Shelley’s album ‘Real Warmth’ is characterized by its calming surface that belies deep lyrical content addressing human connection, spiritual warmth, and environmental concerns, offering a ‘cocktail for resilience’ in desperate times.
  • Summary: The discussion focuses on Joan Shelley’s new album ‘Real Warmth,’ highlighting her signature sound, comparisons to Nick Drake, and the profound themes embedded in her lyrics, which address global issues and the power of music as a form of activism.
Lola Young’s I’m Only Fing Myself
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(00:09:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Lola Young’s album ‘I’m Only Fing Myself’ blends brash, chaotic pop energy with themes of sex, queer love, and self-reflection, drawing comparisons to Lily Allen for its upfront and confrontational lyrical style.
  • Summary: The hosts explore Lola Young’s latest album, ‘I’m Only Fing Myself,’ noting its raw energy, explicit themes, and catchy pop arrangements. They discuss its dual meaning and its confrontational yet relatable lyrical content.
Wednesday’s Bleeds
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(00:17:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Wednesday’s ‘Bleeds’ exemplifies ‘Creek Rock’ with its gnarly, beautiful, and lived-in sound, blending southern indie rock with narrative-heavy lyrics that capture the essence of small-town upbringing with a raw, untamed energy.
  • Summary: The conversation delves into Wednesday’s new album ‘Bleeds,’ describing their ‘Creek Rock’ sound and the songwriting prowess of Carly Hartzman. They compare the band to Drive-By Truckers and Sonic Youth, appreciating the album’s blend of intensity and beauty.
Sarah McLachlan’s Better Broken
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(00:24:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Sarah McLachlan’s return with ‘Better Broken’ showcases her signature ethereal vocals and songwriting craft, with tracks that could have been 90s classics, demonstrating her continued ability to produce powerful and relevant music after a hiatus.
  • Summary: The hosts celebrate Sarah McLachlan’s new album ‘Better Broken,’ noting its return to her signature sound and the potential for its songs to be timeless hits. They discuss her influence, the album’s sonic choices, and its lyrical themes.
Yasmeen Hamdan’s I Remember I Forgot
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(00:32:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Yasmeen Hamdan’s ‘I Remember I Forgot’ is a multi-sensory experience that masterfully blends Arabic sonic textures with haunting, trancy, and propulsive electronic music, offering a profound reflection on her birthplace, Lebanon.
  • Summary: The discussion highlights Yasmeen Hamdan’s latest album, ‘I Remember I Forgot,’ praising its rich sonic landscape, emotional depth, and connection to her Lebanese heritage. The hosts express strong personal connections to the album’s immersive quality.