All Songs Considered

We take a motorcycle road trip to Wisconsin in our annual search for the true spirit of the season. And, of course, we meet some special guests along the way. Thanks for another amazing year, and happy holidays! Listen to the songs featured on this episode and more in our holiday playlist in Apple Music and Spotify. Tell a friend about the show and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We get in our fast car, drive like a red wine supernova, and run into Kristine from the 7th grade. Bad idea, right? Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We asked and you answered. Earlier this month, we opened the polls and invited All Songs Considered's listeners to tell us their top 5 records of the year. We tabulated all of the ballots, determined the top 10, and gave the results a proper countdown in this episode of All Songs. And while we usually include the albums we discuss in our episode notes, this time you'll have to listen to find out what made the list. (OK, fine, you can click here to see the top 50 vote-getters.) NPR Music critic Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton. Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The sheer volume and variety of Spanish-language music released every year is breathtaking. Even those of us with our ears to the ground are bound to miss things. So, in this episode we travel back through the year to resurface some of the remarkable albums that somehow didn't make it on the show. Catch Afro-Caribbean jazz, a history-spanning classical strings project, the return of Juana Molina and much, much more. Artists and albums featured in this episode: - Alex Cuba, 'Índole' - Enyel C, 'Nuevo Caribe' - Berta Rojas, 'La Huella de las Cuerdas' - Cazzu, 'Latinaje' - Conrad Herwig, Eddie Palmieri and Luques Curtis, 'Reflections-Facing South' - Juana Molina, 'DOGA' This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

NPR listeners share the one song that hit them the hardest this year, and tell us why they laughed, cried, or simply couldn’t stop listening to it. Featured songs and artists: 1. Annie DiRusso: "Back In Town," from Super Pedestrian 2. Tunde Adebimpe: "Drop," from Thee Black Boltz 3. Brandi Carlile: "You Without Me," from Returning To Myself 4. Bad Bunny: "DtMF," from DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS 5. Of Monsters And Men: "The End," from All Is Love And Pain In The Mouse Parade 6. Eph See: "Malachi The Uber Driver" (unreleased single) 7. Audra McDonald: "Rose's Turn," from Gypsy 8. Big Thief: "Los Angeles," from Double Infinity 9. Flock Of Dimes: "Afraid," from The Life You Save 10. Ben Rector: "Forever (Doesn't Quite Seem Long Enough)," from The Richest Man In The World Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We go to college and get the “big D,” hit the dance floor and do what we want, then head back to the radio. Is this a life filled with every possibility, or is it all just devastatingly mediocre? Note: This is a recurring series in celebration of All Songs Considered’s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year. Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

If we needed any more proof that the album isn't dead, 2025 was it. On this episode, Stephen Thompson is joined by Ann Powers and Daoud Tyler-Ameen to run through 12 dazzling albums that stuck with the NPR Music team this year. And for an even deeper exploration, check out the full lists of our critics' best albums of 2025 here. Artists and albums featured on this episode: - Rosalía, 'LUX' - Wednesday, 'Bleeds' - Nourished by Time, 'The Passionate Ones' - Daniel Caesar, 'Son of Spergy' - Dave, 'The Boy Who Played the Harp' - Clarice Jensen, 'In holiday clothing, out of the great darkness' - Gwenifer Raymond, 'Last Night I Heard the Dog Star Bark' - Kal Banx, 'RHODA' - Mary Halvorson, 'About Ghosts' - Annie DiRusso, 'Super Pedestrian' - Queralt Lahoz, '9:30 PM' - Patrick Watson, 'Uh Oh' Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

This year was bookended by two major statements in Latin music. In January, Bad Bunny released DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, and followed that up with a 31-show residency in Puerto Rico over the summer. Then, in November, the Spanish vocalist Rosalía released her genre-defying masterpiece LUX, which sent legions of music lovers scrambling to try to grasp the magnitude of an album performed in 13 different languages. But they were only the tip of the iceberg of yet another year of mind-bending creativity in Spanish language music. This week on Alt.Latino, Felix and Ana look back at some of the other artists and recordings that made 2025 another year of adventurous and rewarding listening. These six artists made only a fraction of music that caught our attention. But we only have so much time on these podcasts! Use this as a starting point to explore the year that was on your own. And check out more of NPR Music's coverage of the best music of 2025 here. Enjoy! Artists and albums featured in this episode: - Bad Bunny, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS - Rosalía, LUX - Queralt Lahoz, 9:30 PM - Roxana Amed, Todos los Fuegos - Arath Herce, Musas en Mi - Mon Laferte, Femme Fatal - rusowsky, DAISY - Lido Pimienta, La Belleza This episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

When the dust settles on 2025, what songs will remain in heavy rotation? We look back at a dizzying amount of music and share some of our picks for the best tracks of the year. What you'll hear in this episode is an incredibly incomplete list that obviously just scratches the surface of all the incredible music that came out this year. For a more comprehensive breakdown of what we loved in 2025, check out NPR Music’s list of the 125 best songs. Artists and songs featured on this episode: 1. Dijon: “Yamaha,” from ‘Baby’ 2. Nourished By Time: “Max Potential,” from ‘The Passionate Ones’ 3. Patrick Watson: “Peter and the Wolf,” from ‘Uh Oh’ 4. FKA twigs: “Room of Fools,” from ‘EUSEXUA’ 5. PinkPantheress: “Stateside,” from ‘Fancy That’ 6. Asher White: “Beers with my name on them,” from ‘8 Tips for Full Catastrophe Living’ 7. Wednesday: “Townies,” from ‘Bleeds’ 8. Gabriel Jacoby: “the one,” from ‘gutta child’ 9. Olafur Arnalds & Talos: “We Didn’t Know We Were Ready (feat. Niamh Regan & Ye Vagabonds),” from ‘A Dawning’ Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We’ve got a funny feeling about the times, stay indoors (together alone), and dream about life on the other side. Note: This is a recurring series in celebration of All Songs Considered’s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year. Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dove Ellis. Melody's Echo Chamber. Editors' Tom Smith. Erin Wolf of Radio Milwaukee joins Stephen Thompson to discuss those albums and more on our last episode of New Music Friday this year. The Starting 5: Dove Ellis, Blizzard Melody's Echo Chamber, Unclouded Tom Smith, There Is Nothing In The Dark That Isn’t There In The Light TEED, Always With Me Voices from the Lake, II The Lightning Round: HTRK, String of Hearts (Songs of HTRK) Ben Marc, Who Cares Wins Isobel Waller-Bridge, Objects Mother Soki, Fantasy EP Prins Thomas, Thomas Moen Hermansen See our long list of albums out December 5 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on npr.org. Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson Guest: Erin Wolf, Radio Milwaukee Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Elle Mannion Editor: Otis Hart Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Some folks think by December all the releases for the year are complete. Not quite. This week's Alt.Latino episode features a new music show with albums that should be considered along with the year’s best. We've got pop and alternative from Mexico, funk from Colombia, rock and ambient from New York, and a Tejano master celebrated by his fellow Texans. Plus, Felix brings the zen. Artists and songs featured in this episode: - Diles que no me maten, 'Manos de Piedra - Revisitada' - Dianna Lopez, 'Sun Frequencies (Renewal)' - HUMBE, 'fantasmas' - Rene Lopez, 'Any Chance' - Duplat, 'Vete del País' - Ruben Ramos. 'El Año Viejo (ft. Gaby Moreno)' This podcast was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We look back at the year’s most defining moments in music, from the Trump administration’s takeover of the Kennedy Center to Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance, the Sean Combs trial, the 'Sinners' phenomenon, artists we loved and lost and more. But we begin with a question: Was it an unusually great year for music, unusually bad or par for the course? Check back for more year-end coverage from NPR Music and All Songs Considered, including our picks for best songs, best albums and more. Vote for your favorite albums of 2025. Enjoy the show? Send it to a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We make some bad moves, start over, and take a day off in Kyoto as we look back at the songs we loved most from 2020. Note: This is a recurring series in celebration of All Songs Considered’s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

There's 177 new special edition physical releases out today, so go support your local music purveyor. On this abbreviated version of 'New Music Friday,' host Stephen Thompson shares a taste of what's waiting for you. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Hosts Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson share stories and songs of gratitude from NPR listeners. Note: This is an encore presentation that originally ran in 2024 Featured songs and artists: 1. Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss: "Simple Gifts," from Classic Yo-Yo 2. Bill Withers: "Lean On Me," from Still Bill 3. The Mountain Goats: "This Year," from The Sunset Tree 4. Crosby, Stills & Nash: "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," from Crosby, Stills & Nash 5. Louis Armstrong: "What A Wonderful World" 6. John Williams: "End Credits," from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 7. Blackalicious: "Make You Feel That Way," from Blazing Arrow 8. Tyler Childers: "Space and Time," from Rustin' in the Rain 9. Nina Simone: "Isn't It A Pity," from Emergency Ward! (Live) 10. Bob Marley & The Wailers: "Three Little Birds," from Exodus Enjoy the show? Send it to a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We bury a friend, visit the School of Design, and gather around a crowded table to remember the songs that take us back to 2019. Note: This is a recurring series in celebration of All Songs Considered’s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Odeal. Snarky Puppy. The return of Tobias Jesso Jr. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Justus Sanchez from KNKX in Seattle and Tacoma to chat about their favorite new albums out Friday, Nov. 21. The Starting 5: - Tobias Jesso Jr., 's h i n e' - Haley Heynderickx and Max Garcia Conover, 'What of Our Nature' - SHOLTO, 'The Sirens' - Snarky Puppy with Metropole Orkest, 'Somni' - Odeal, 'The Fall That Saved Us' The Lightning Round: - Keaton Henson, 'Parader' - John Scofield and Dave Holland, 'Memories of Home' - Fabiano do Nascimento, 'Cavejaz' - Magic Fig, 'Valerian Tea' - Max Richter, 'Hamnet (OST)' See the long list of albums out Nov. 21 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org. Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson Guest: Justus Sanchez, KNKX Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Elle Mannion Editor: Otis Hart Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The annual Latin Grammy awards are always full of glamour and glitz. But they're also an ideal time to take the pulse of the industry - which is exactly what Anamaria Sayre did this year, perusing the red carpet to talk with the most exciting names in Latin music. In this episode, Ana brings Felix her report from Las Vegas, where Bad Bunny won Album of the Year, the independent Brazilian music scene made a splash, and the whole industry seemed to be saying: "Show us where you're from." This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

In our final contenders episode of 2025, we’ve got some late additions to our running list of the year’s best songs, including Robyn’s first new release in seven years, the return of the existential shoegaze band Nothing and, of course, we’ve gotta include Rosalía. NPR Music editor Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hilton. Featured artists and songs: Robyn: “Dopamine” (single) Rosalía: “Divinize,” from 'LUX' Snocaps: “Over Our Heads,” from ‘Snocaps’ Bassvictim: “Mr. President,” from ‘Forever’ Lola Young: “SPIDERS,” from ‘I’m Only F****** Myself’ Nothing: “cannibal world,” from ‘a short history of decay’ Weekly reset: Walking through Nara Park (the deer park) in Nara, Japan, on an autumn afternoon. Enjoy the show? Send it to a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy