Welcome to your all-in-one destination for every NPR Music podcast. We break down the best new albums to hit streaming each week on New Music Friday; we share the latest songs worthy of your playlists on All Songs Considered; there’s off-the-rails conversations (and chisme!) about Latin music on Alt.Latino. The NPR Music channel is your hub for new records, iconic artists and cult heroes, free of algorithms and full of surprises.
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We talk with Beck about his gauzy new song, what he’s been up to since releasing his last album seven years ago, and what he (maybe?) has planned for the coming year.
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Honey Dijon. Yaya Bey. Shadowy pop from Sofia Isella. Guest host Hazel Cills chats with Nastia Voynovskaya from KQED in San Francisco about their favorite albums out Friday, April 17. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round.
The Starting 5
(00:00) Introduction & Nine Inch Nails & Boys Noize, 'Nine Inch Noize'
(02:47) Honey Dijon, 'The Nightlife'
(09:05) Jessie Ware, 'Superbloom'
(16:22) Sofia Isella, 'Something is a shell' EP
(22:43) Eaves Wilder, 'Little Miss Sunshine'
(28:56) Yaya Bey, 'Fidelity'
(34:33) The Lightning Round
- Kathryn Mohr, 'Carve'
- Protoje, 'The Art of Acceptance'
- PPJ, 'Joker' EP
- Iceland Symphony Orchestra, 'Arvo Pärt: Complete Symphonies'
- Adrian Younge, 'Younge'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org
Credits:
Host: Hazel Cills
Guest: Nastia Voynovskaya, KQED
Audio Producers: Noah Caldwell, Alina Edwards
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Tom Huizenga and Rodney Carmichael
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Jorge Drexler is one of the most decorated singer-songwriters in Latin America. His albums are always high profile events, and his latest record merits the attention. It's called Taracá , and to make it he returned home to his native Uruguay - after living in Spain for 30 years - to explore the roots of an Afro-Uruguayan tradition known as candombe. On this week's episode we chat with Drexler about the motivation for returning to his home country, making music after losing his parents, and how the album's title reflects the sound made by a candombe drum.
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We celebrate spring and new beginnings with a perfect mix of songs for starting over. This can take many forms: songs that spark a good, cleansing cry; songs that offer wisdom, or just a sure-fire jolt of adrenaline. But in the end, all of the tracks herein can help reconfigure your mood, your day, maybe even ... your life.
Host Robin Hilton is joined by NPR Music’s Noah Caldwell and Dora Levite.
Featured artists and songs:
(00:00) Intro
(02:05) Nina Simone: “Feeling Good” from I Put a Spell on You
(06:02) Cassandra Jenkins: “Hard Drive” from An Overview of Phenomenal Nature
(10:29) Cajmere: “Brighter Days” from Brighter Days
(15:42) Beastie Boys: “Sabotage” from Ill Communication
(18:54) Wednesday: “Reality TV Argument Bleeds” from Bleeds
(22:43) Gregory Alan Isakov: “Second Chances” from The Weatherman
(27:09) Bob Marley: “Three Little Birds” from Exodus
(30:56) LCD Soundsystem: “oh baby” from American Dream
(35:18) Ryuichi Sakamoto: “ZURE” from async
(41:02) Amy Shark: “Amy Shark” from Cry Forever
(45:26) Sluice: “Beadie” from Companion
(50:05) The Allman Brothers Band: “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” from Eat a Peach
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Ella Langley. Wesley Joseph. The spellbinding Juni Habel. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Chloe Kimes from WMOT in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, April 10. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round.
The Starting 5
(00:00) Ella Langley, 'Dandelion'
(08:24) Tenille Townes, 'The Acrobat'
(15:53) Wesley Joseph, 'Forever Ends Someday'
(21:22) Brown Horse, 'Total Dive'
(27:03) Juni Habel, 'Evergreen In Your Mind'
(32:31) The Lightning Round
- Gracie and Rachel, 'If We Could, Would We'
- Melanie Baker, 'Somebody Help Me, I'm Being Spontaneous!'
- upsammy & Valentina Magaletti, 'Seismo'
- Spirit Adrift, 'Infinite Illumination'
- Drivin N Cryin, 'Crushing Flowers'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org
Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Chloe Kimes, WMOT
Audio Producers: Noah Caldwell, Alina Edwards
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Lars Gotrich, Ann Powers and Hazel Cills
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Listen to this episode out in the springtime air. It starts with a bucolic jaunt through Brazilian guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento's latest orchestral project, then finds La Plazuela's fresh Spanish funk and Macha's irreverent side project. Other sounds along the way: Caribbean pop from Venezuela, feel-your-feels indie from northern Mexico and an electronic spin on the indigenous Náhuatl language.
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The British act Jungle had a big hit with “Back on 74” — and its unforgettable dance video — in 2023. Now, the group is back with “Carry On,” a breezy, sun-dappled song about surviving a broken heart. We give it a spin to open the show, along with a study on optimism from one of José González’s best albums, a celestial ambient cut from throat singer Tanya Tagaq and more.
NPR classical critic Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton as they update their running list of the year’s best songs.
(00:00) Intro
(01:03) Jungle: “Carry On” from ‘SUNSHINE’
(07:42) Gabriel Kahane & Roomful of Teeth: “Not Even the Dead” from ‘Elevator Songs’
(14:23) Quiet Light: “Self Tape” from ‘Blue Angel Sparkling Silver 2’
(23:34) Tanya Tagaq: “Imiq” from ‘Saputjiji’
(31:13) José González: “Etyd” from ‘Against the Dying of the Light’
(37:49) Giya Kancheli: “Middelheim” from ‘Kancheli: Ex contrario, Middelheim & Tsutisopeli’
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Thundercat. Arlo Parks. Devotional belters from Dermot Kennedy. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Erin Wolf from Radio Milwaukee about their favorite albums out Friday, April 3. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round.
The Starting 5
(00:00) Introduction & Bon Iver, 'VOLUMES: ONE"
(01:57) Arlo Parks, 'Ambiguous Desire'
(07:29) Dermot Kennedy, 'The Weight of the Woods'
(14:15) Thundercat, 'Distracted'
(19:53) Joe Pernice, 'Sunny, I Was Wrong'
(26:44) Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE & Surf Gang, 'POMPEII // UTILITY'
(31:30) The Lightning Round
- Maria Taylor, 'Story's End'
- Wendy Eisenberg, 'Wendy Eisenberg'
- Sunn O))), 'Sunn O)))'
- Roomful of Teeth & Gabriel Kahane, 'Elevator Songs'
- Sofia Rei, 'Antónima'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org
Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Erin Wolf, Radio Milwaukee
Audio Producers: Noah Caldwell, Alina Edwards
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Felix Contreras, Lars Gotrich and Tom Huizenga
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Two phrases spoken during this week’s episode stand out because they represent how Ana and I approach our searches for new music. The first: “The only limit is the imagination.” In my constant hunt for the sound I have never heard, this thought is my mantra. The new music we’re bringing this week really steps up to that challenge, from young upstarts like Broke Carrey to beloved veterans like Draco Rosa.
The second phrase? “Latin music is a geography not a genre.” Ana put into words something she and I talk about often, the idea that the term “Latin music” is no longer adequate to reflect that amazingly eclectic forms of musical expression in the Spanish-speaking world. This episode features musicians from Argentina, Peru, the Dominican Republic and elsewhere -- but what they share is a distinct artistic expression that consistently blows our minds.
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More than 6,000 artists entered this year’s Tiny Desk Contest, hoping to win their very own performance behind the actual Desk. We’ll announce the winner soon, but in the meantime, we’re sharing some of our favorite entries, from the riff-rock group Pump Action, to soul singer Les Greene, loop artist Jackie Marchal, singer-songwriter Yuri Shin and more.
Tiny Desk series producer Bobby Carter joins All Songs Considered host Robin Hilton. (They’re also the two lead judges for the Contest.)
Featured entries:
(00:00) Intro
(00:51) Pump Action: “Supernova”
(03:34) Lily Talmers: “The Big Idea”
(07:18) Walker Burroughs: “Open Skies”
(10:53) Les Greene & the Swayzees: "Long Story Short"
(14:08) Nicolosi: “Are You Coming To The Ivy?”
(17:20) Jackie Marchal: “Excavate The Girl”
(21:43) the King will come: “welcome”
(24:33) Yuri Shin: “Falling Rabbit”
(27:54) Lauren Frihauf: “One Thing Always Leads To Another”
(31:41) Meira: “Make Me Go”
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Robyn. RAYE. A jazzy left turn from Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Alisa Ali from WFUV in the Bronx about their favorite albums out Friday, March 27. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round.
The Starting 5
(01:42) Robyn, 'Sexistential'
(07:15) RAYE, 'This Music May Contain Hope'
(14:21) Courtney Barnett, 'Creature of Habit'
(20:20) The New Pornographers, 'The Former Site Of'
(25:32) Flea, 'Honora'
(32:08) The Lightning Round
- Connie Converse, 'How Sad, How Lovely' (Reissue)
- Snail Mail, 'Ricochet'
- The Philharmonik, 'Transcendentalism I' EP
- Irreversible Entanglements, 'Future Present Past'
- Sluice, 'Companion'
- Charlotte Cornfield, 'Hurts Like Hell'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org .
Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Alisa Ali, WFUV
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Bobby Carter, Sheldon Pearce and Ann Powers
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From the very beginning of Alt.Latino , female vocalists have captivated us the most -- and New York-based Argentine vocalist Sofia Rei has been high on our list of favorites for a while. She uses the human voice like paint on a canvas, layering voices to create choirs that take flight at the mere suggestion of a melody. On her new album Antónima , she not only creates magic with her own voice but also collaborates with some Alt.Latino favorites: Gaby Moreno, Daymé Arocena and Xenia Rubinos, among others. As we revive our Guest DJ series, we asked her to bring on some of the songs she loves, for an insider's perspective of the art behind the human voice.
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Our latest mix of the best new songs out now includes a stunning live version of Bon Iver’s “Heavenly Father,” a track the band originally wrote for the 2014 film Wish I Was Here , but never made available to stream before now. We’ve also got a stirring new ballad from Tori Amos, Luxembourg indie rocker Francis of Delirium (who assures us this is, in fact, a beautiful life), the long-awaited (if complicated) return of influential metal band Neurosis and more.
NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host Robin Hilton.
(00:00) Intro
(01:41) Bon Iver: “Heavenly Father” from VOLUMES: ONE (SELECTIONS FROM MUSIC CONCERTS 2019-2023)
(08:25) Souled American: “Freeing Wheels” from Sanctions
(13:58) Francis of Delirium: “It’s a Beautiful Life” from Run, Run Pure Beauty
(20:28) Tara Clerkin Trio: “Somewhere Good” from Somewhere Good
(28:58) Tori Amos: “Stronger Together” from In Times of Dragons
(35:36) Neurosis: “Untethered” from An Undying Love for a Burning World
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Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org
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In this special episode, the beloved singer-songwriter performs four songs live and speaks with Raina Douris of NPR's World Cafe about her acclaimed new album, 'Nothing's About To Happen To Me.'
Follow the World Cafe podcast for more live performances and interviews every week.
Featured performers:
• Mitski: vocals
• Patrick Hyland: electric, acoustic guitars
• Bruno Esrubilsky: drums
• Jeni Magaña: bass, backing vocals
• Emily Moore: guitarist, keys, backing vocals
• Ty Bailie: keys
Thanks to the production team at Power Station: Neal Shaw, Omisha Chaitanya, Grace Leckey and
Ben Miller.
This episode of World Cafe was produced and edited by Kimberly Junod. Our digital producer is Miguel Perez. World Cafe 's engineer is Chris Williams. Our programming and booking coordinator is Chelsea Johnson and our line producer is Will Loftus.
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BTS. Alex Isley. Dubstep-infused hyperpop from underscores. NPR Music's Hazel Cills chats with Francesca Harding of member station KCRW in Los Angeles about their favorite albums out Friday, March 20. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round.
The Starting 5
(00:00) Introduction & BTS, 'ARIRANG'
(02:28) Alex Isley, 'When The City Sleeps'
(07:52) underscores, 'U'
(15:38) ZENA, 'TEMESGEN'
(20:39) Grace Ives, 'Girlfriend'
(26:16) Suitor, 'Saw You Out With The Weeds'
(32:23) The Lightning Round
- Ali & Charif Megarbane, 'Tirakat'
- Naomi Scott, 'F.I.G.'
- Samara Cyn, 'Detour' EP
- Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, 'Live at the Village Vanguard, Vol.1'
- Luke Combs, 'The Way I Am'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org
Credits:
Host: Hazel Cills
Guest: Francesca Harding, KCRW
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Rodney Carmichael, Ann Powers and Stephen Thompson
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This week's new music pairs well with a glass of wine - or, at least, that's what Ana chose while taping this happy hour edition of Alt.Latino at Felix's dining room table. And the music on tap spans a huge breadth of styles. Yahritza y Su Esencia returns with a powerful sophomore album after a spell out of the limelight. Brazilian legend-in-the-making Lucas Santtana collaborates with his mentor Gilberto Gil. Ana Tijoux revisits her late-'90s hip-hop roots. Plus, Tejano master Ruben Ramos tells his life story through song.
This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.
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We check back in with our running list of the best songs of the week, including Olivia Rodrigo’s cover of The Magnetic Fields classic “The Book of Love,” Noah Kahan’s anthemic new single “Porch Light,” one of Aldous Harding’s boldest songs to date and more.
NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.
(00:00) Intro
(01:29) Noah Kahan: “Porch Light” from ‘The Great Divide’
(09:09) Olivia Rodrigo: “The Book of Love” from ‘Help (2)’
(16:48) Ages and Ages: “Feel Amazing” from ‘Fine Thanks and You’
(24:30) Aldous Harding: “One Stop” from ‘Train on the Island’
(31:23) Ryan Lott: “Discontent” from ‘Marathon’
(38:20) underscores: “Tell Me (U Want It)” from ‘U’
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Earlier this week, country superstar Kacey Musgraves announced her sixth album, Middle of Nowhere , which will be released on May 1. Since her Grammy-winning 2018 album Golden Hour , Musgraves has explored a space beyond country music, but the new album reflects a renewed interest in traditional country and western sounds, influenced by the time she's been spending on either side of the Texas-Mexico border. For her first interview about the project, she sat down with reporter Jewly Hight to discuss the album's first single, "Dry Spell," how she's learned to love solitude and what made her frosty relationship with with fellow Texan Miranda Lambert thaw enough to collaborate.
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James Blake. Kim Gordon. Sturgill Simpson's country-funk alter ego. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Amelia Mason from WBUR in Boston about their favorite albums out Friday, March 13. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round.
The Starting 5
(00:00) Introduction & Oscars predictions
(02:15) Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds, 'Mutiny After Midnight'
(08:50) James Blake, 'Trying Times'
(17:04) Anjimile, 'You're Free To Go'
(22:53) Kim Gordon, 'Play Me'
(27:52) Blessing Jolie, '20nothing'
(35:15) The Lightning Round
- Morgan Nagler, 'I've Got Nothing To Lose, and I'm Losing It'
- Tinariwen, 'Hoggar'
- Jorge Drexler, 'Taracá'
- The Tallis Scholars, 'Nico Muhly: No Resting Place'
- Fugazi, 'Albini Sessions'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org .
Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Amelia Mason, WBUR
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Felix Contreras, Tom Huizenga and Lars Gotrich
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International Women's Day is more than a perfunctory holiday in many parts of Latin America. In Mexico City, for example, more than 120,000 people turned out on Sunday to protest femicide and celebrate the ongoing fight for basic rights for women in the country. In honor of the holiday, this week's episode debuts our female power anthems hall of fame, highlighting women in Latin music whose art challenged the status quo of their time. Plus, some on-the-ground reporting from Anamaria Sayre at the march in Mexico City.
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