We’re taking a short break, so today we’re bringing back one of our favorite episodes: “DO Call It a Comeback.” If you’re new here, this one’s all about the songs that marked big returns for some of our favorite artists after a hiatus from music. And if you’ve already listened, we think it’s a fun one to revisit. We’ll be back soon with more music therapy to help you cope with the holidays. Until then, we hope you enjoy this comeback classic.

---

From the grief-fueled artistry of Ben Kweller to the soulful resurgence of Ethiopian legend Girma Bèyènè, this week, we get into the emotional power of musical comebacks—those triumphant, and sometimes tragic, returns to the spotlight.

Videos:

Ben Kweller: Dollar Store (2025)

Girma Bèyènè & Akalé Wubé: Enkèn Yèlélèbesh (2017)

Extras:

Ben Kweller’s famous nosebleed at ACL 2006

Vulture’s Review of “Cover the Mirrors”

Ben’s show at the Troubadour is on July 23!

Girma Bèyènè: Enkèn Yèlélèbesh (Original 1969)

Girma’s Comeback Concert at Studio de L’ermitage (2015)

Ethiopiques Collection

Ethiopiques: Revolt of the Soul

My Beautiful Girma

Connect with us on Instagram (to share your song picks or troll us), Spotify (for our ever-growing playlist), and Stereothematica.com (for extra fun)!

If you like what you’re hearing, please subscribe, and if you love it, a five-star rating and review would send us into the exosphere of excitement.

And email us at [email protected]! We will write back!