Stephen Thompson

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Spirit Halloween videos, the podcast Suspect, and more.

The London-based band follows up a sprawling, pan-genre beast of an album from earlier this year by distilling its eclectic sound down to the essentials.

John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen have discographies that go back to the '70s, but have never actually recorded in the studio together until now.

Each week, the guests and hosts on Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. Today it's The Other Two, LuLaRich and a collection of movies starring Josephine Baker.

Each week, the guests and hosts on Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. Today it's Marie Kondo's new show Sparking Joy, the latest episode of Ted Lasso, and a graphic novel.

In the bittersweet "Devastating," husband-and-wife duo Johnnyswim reflects on the joys and hardships that go into a lifetime romantic partnership.

Each week, the guests and hosts on Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. Today it's Reservation Dogs, Nine Perfect Strangers, and viral music videos from the band Little Big.

Each week, the guests and hosts on Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. Today it's new music from Big Thief, Netflix's Bake Squad and a new article from Priya Krishna.

Backed by members of Sylvan Esso, Mountain Man, Bon Iver and more, Flock of Dimes' Jenn Wasner performs three songs from her new album, Head of Roses.

From an empty Shea Theater in Turners Falls, Mass., the trio plays songs from their new album, Sweep It Into Space, along with two towering classics.

Billie Eilish released five singles in the long run-up to Happier Than Ever, but saved its best song for the album's drop date.

Each week, the guests and hosts on Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. Today it's the Fear Street trilogy, Biz Markie's "Just a Friend," and Viet Thanh Nguyen's book, The Committed.

Brandi Carlile describes her forthcoming album, In These Silent Days out Oct. 1, as "drama mixed with joy." The first single sets the tone.

"Fat Chance" reveals a surprise partway through, emerging as an anthem about overcoming long odds, doing "a complete 180" and climbing out of the ruins, stronger than ever.

They Might Be Giants' John Linnell — a lifelong favorite of nerds the world over — has a new song in Latin that will get lodged in your brain for days.

The song nods to pandemic life ("Let's get back to normal") while speaking to the larger idea that our homes and communities offer us shelter from the punishing din of modern life.

Taylor Swift's feature on the latest single from Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon's side project could easily have been a standout track on either of her 2020 blockbusters.

In our weekly roundup of shows, movies, books and music that brought us joy, Pop Culture Happy Hour recommends: Sex/Life, the Jean Smart renaissance and Arooj Aftab's album Vulture Prince.

In the Scottish band Vistas' newest single, "Young Forever," singer Prentice Robertson overcomes fear and doubt via the hopeful promise of new love.

Leaning on quiet-loud-quiet dynamics, "State" makes space for both dreamy tenderness and wall-of-sound catharsis.