The New Pornographers, Josh Ritter, and Kris Kristofferson employ three very different styles of songwriting, but they’re united by one single quality: they’re all pretty great at it. This week, NPR’s Exclusive First Listen Series is offering streaming sneak previews of each artist’s upcoming album. The main link is here; happy listening.
from the press release:
A.C. Newman, Dan Bejar (a.k.a. Destroyer) and Neko Case join forces with fellow indie rockers to form the New Pornographers for an aptly titled fifth album, Together. Far more than a side project, the band distinguishes itself by cranking out albums that often earn praise equal to each member’s signature efforts. Adding to the anticipation of this latest release are contributions from high-profile friends, including Annie Clark (St. Vincent), Zach Condon (Beirut), Will Sheff (Okkervil River) and the horn section from Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Together is available now, a week ahead of its official May 4 release, at NPR Music here.
Releasing a string of five acclaimed albums in the past decade, singer-songwriter Josh Ritter quietly became one of modern folk’s top artists. The beginning of this decade finds Ritter entering what he calls a “new period” in his life, reflected on his new record, So Runs the World Away. Whatever changes the musician has experienced, one constant is his ability to craft a song. “I’ve come to expect good records from him,” says NPR Music’s All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen, “but this one took my breath away.” Audiences can hear why Ritter continues his conquest of the musical world by checking out NPR Music’s advance stream of So Runs the World Away today until May 4 here.
By the mid-1960s, Kris Kristofferson had already been in the Army and been distinguished as a Rhodes Scholar. Yet he was sweeping Columbia Studios’ floors in Tennessee in the hopes of making a living as a songwriter. Kristofferson’s struggle paid off, big time. Over the years, many of his compositions have made their way into the Great American Songbook and been big hits for other musicians: Ray Price (“For the Good Times”), Waylon Jennings (“The Taker”), Bobby Bare (“Come Sundown”), Johnny Cash (“Sunday Morning Coming Down”) and Janis Joplin (“Me and Bobby McGee”). Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends: The Publishing Demos 1968-72 is the culmination of a five-year effort, and compiles 16 previously unreleased Kristofferson demos, showcasing not only his talent as a songwriter but also his gifts as a performer. This glimpse into the beginning of one of the most storied American singer-songwriters can be heard at NPR Music until May 4 here.
Starting next Monday, May 3, NPR Music will preview the new album from popular indie band The National and the latest beats from laptop musician — and composer of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim bumper music — Flying Lotus.