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Listen to new songs from Radiohead, MUNA, Little Simz, Eddie Vedder, Angel Du$t, and Ka Lia Universe

The Current: Music You Should Know
The Current: Music You Should KnowMPR graphic

by Jade

September 09, 2021

Hear something new from Radiohead's vault; a collaboration between MUNA and their label boss Phoebe Bridgers; a solo effort from Eddie Vedder; and the latest from Little Simz. Plus, discover new sounds from Baltimore's Angel Du$t and Minnesota's Ka Lia Universe.

Radiohead, "If You Say The Word"


What's your favorite Radiohead album? If you are a Kid A or Amnesiac fan, rejoice. Radiohead are putting out a triple-album edition to celebrate the 21st anniversary of those recording sessions. It's a collection of the band's fourth and fifth albums, plus an album of B-sides, alt versions, unreleased studio versions (like fan favorite "Follow Me Around") and a whole song that's never seen the light of day: "If You Say the Word."

MUNA, "Silk Chiffon" feat. Phoebe Bridgers


MUNA will be in town twice on tour in the next few months, opening this weekend for Phoebe Bridgers (who is also sort of their boss since they signed to her label, Saddest Factory) and then hitting Xcel Energy Center to open for Kacey Musgraves in January. The band just released a single, "Silk Chiffon," that features the ever-present Bridgers. It's a bright and Lorde-like tune about wanting to kiss your crush.

Little Simz, "I Love You I Hate You"


Little Simz is everywhere right now. The U.K. rapper is being lauded as the freshest voice in hip hop, and the album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, is looking like it'll be on a number of year-end "best of" lists. The album is vibrant and alive with discussions of race, womanhood, and heritage.

Eddie Vedder, "Long Way"


With Pearl Jam still touring and a soundtrack recently released full of new songs, you'd think that Eddie Vedder would have his hands full. Not so. The prolific musician has a new solo record, Earthling, that he'll be releasing. The first song off the album, "Long Way," has some Tom Petty introspection going on, full of avoidance and regrets.

Angel Du$t, "Big Bite"


This jangly offering from Baltimore band Angel Du$t (members of Turnstile and Trapped Under Ice) was produced by Rob Schnapf (who's worked with Elliott Smith and Kurt Vile). It's a song to get you into the fall with a little skip in your step, urging you to "take a big bite" and get on with what you need to do.

Ka Lia Universe, "I've Been Thankin'"


"Trust the Universe," reads the motto on Ka Lia Universe's merchandise. The St. Paul artist is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who's been working on her music for a decade now — since she was a young teenager — and has begun to find a national audience for the pop songs she writes and performs in both Hmong and English. She played two sets at the Minnesota State Fair last week, and her latest single "I've Been Thankin'" highlights the exuberant spirit of an artist on the verge of breaking out. "I went from performing at open mics to now performing at festivals and sold-out concerts," she told VoyageLA last year. "In the grand scheme of the overall music scene it might seem small, but as a single mother, minority, and female artist who started from the ground up, it means the world to me." – Jay Gabler