Since her debut in 2002, Norah Jones has sold over 50 million albums and won 8 Grammys. In 2016, she released Day Breaks, her sixth album. In this episode, she takes apart the title track and details how the pieces unexpectedly came together. you’ll hear her original demo for the song, and how it was transformed in the studio, including a session with jazz saxophone legend Wayne Shorter. Plus, a few thoughts from Norah’s co-producer and longtime collaborator Sarah Oda.

Listen to “Day Breaks” on Apple Music or Spotify.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

David Longstreth started making music under the name Dirty Projectors in 2002. Since then, he’s released seven albums and collaborated with Björk, Solange, and Kanye West, Paul McCartney, and Rihanna. Dirty Projectors went from a solo project to a full-band, performing on TV, and at Carnegie Hall. Dave and one of his bandmates were in a relationship for years, but then that relationship—and the band—broke up. In February 2017, with Dirty Projectors as solo project once again, Dave released a self-titled album, a breakup album by all accounts. In this episode, Dave breaks down the song “Up in Hudson” and the winding road he went down to create it.

Listen to “Up In Hudson” on Apple Music or Spotify.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan
Tyondai Braxton – Scout1
Dirty Projectors – Stillness Is the Move
Kanye West – Blood On the Leaves
Miles Davis & Gil Evans – Oh Bess, Oh Where’s My Bess?

Sleigh Bells formed in 2008. They released their fourth album, Jessica Rabbit, in 2016. In this episode, Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller break down their song “I Can Only Stare.” I interviewed the two of them in front of a live audience at the Kaufman Music Center in New York, as part of the Ecstatic Music Festival.

Buy “I Can Only Stare” on iTunes.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
Amy Grant – Baby, Baby
Sleigh Bells – Rill Rill