Stephen Thompson

Stephen King is one of the most successful living writers. He’s written more than 50 books that have sold hundreds of millions of copies. And his works have been adapted into a number of classic films, including <em>The Shining</em>, <em>The Shawshank Redemption</em>, and <em>It</em>. This month marks the 50th anniversary of his first novel, <em>Carrie</em>, so we are revisiting our guide to Stephen King.

Stephen King is one of the most successful living writers. He’s written more than 50 books that have sold hundreds of millions of copies. And his works have been adapted into a number of classic films, including <em>The Shining</em>, <em>The Shawshank Redemption</em>, and <em>It</em>. This month marks the 50th anniversary of his first novel, <em>Carrie</em>, so we are revisiting our guide to Stephen King.

It’s a big week for fans of early aughts rock bands, with new releases from The Black Keys and Vampire Weekend hitting streaming services. Kick back with NPR Music’s Stephen Thompson and World Cafe host Raina Douris as they run through the new albums you need to know about.<br/><br/><strong>Featured albums:<br/></strong>1. The Black Keys, ‘<em>Ohio Players’</em><br/>2. Vampire Weekend, ‘<em>Only God Was Above Us’</em><br/>3. Katie Pruitt, ‘<em>Mantras’</em><br/>4. Khruangbin, ‘<em>A La Sala’</em…

Though it isn’t quite as packed with huge names as last week, we’re digging through another robust assortment of terrific albums. Daoud Tyler-Ameen and Stephen Thompson open by hailing <em>Tigers Blood</em>, the latest album from a singer-songwriter — Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee — who sounds more assured and potent than ever.<br/><br/>Plus: inescapably catchy global pop from South African singer Tyla, genre-straddling roots music from Sierra Ferrell, indescribable electronic compositions fr…

The utterly commanding artist takes the Tiny Desk stage with a magnetic performance and a towering wig.

The artist, who just dropped his new album <em>Everything I Thought It Was, </em>comes to the Tiny Desk with a set that leans heavily on his early solo catalog.

<em>Kung Fu Panda 4</em> is the latest movie in the popular and surprisingly thoughtful animated film franchise. Jack Black returns to voice Po, a gigantic, adorable panda who becomes the highly unlikely Dragon Warrior. He embarks on a quest alongside a devious fox, played by Awkwafina, to face a new villain, the Chameleon, played by Viola Davis. You got your hero’s journey and training montages and some pretty stellar voice acting.

If there’s any justice in the world, a <em>Barbie</em> songwriter will take home this statue.

There have been countless romantic movies and TV shows — and a virtually infinite number of ways to watch people fall in love. But we’re here to celebrate pop culture that revolves around friendship — where people love and care about each other deeply, even though they’ll never kiss. Today we’re recommending things to watch that get platonic love right.

Every night is a big night for Taylor Swift. But this year’s Grammy night proved especially big: Swift won album of the year for <em>Midnights </em>and announced her next album, titled <em>The Tortured Poets Department</em>. It may be time to pose the question: Have we reached peak Taylor Swift? Other major winners included Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish and SZA. In fact, women swept all nine categories presented during Sunday night’s telecast.