NPR Music

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 To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Will this finally be Diane Warren’s year at the Oscars, when she goes up against “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters and “I Lied To You,” from Sinners? (Probably not). Host Robin Hilton is joined by New Music Friday’s Stephen Thompson to cruelly rank those nominees along with “Train Dreams,” from Train Dreams and “Sweet Dreams Of Joy,” from Via Verdi. (00:00) Intro (02:37) Fifth place (08:45) Fourth place (16:55) Third place (24:25) Second place (33:31) First place and our pick to win the Oscar Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Flying Lotus. waterbaby. The groovy affirmations of Joshua Idehen. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Nate Chinen from WRTI in Philadelphia about their favorite albums out Friday, March 6. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Introduction & Harry Styles, 'Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.' (03:18) Flying Lotus, 'BIG MAMA' EP (08:34) waterbaby, 'Memory Be a Blade' (15:20) Shabaka, 'Of The Earth' (20:51) Joshua Idehen, 'I know you're hurting, everyone is hurting, everyone is trying, you have got to try' (27:09) The Scythe, 'Strictly 4 The Scythe' (31:37) The Lightning Round - Cece Coakley, 'Pleasant Attack' EP - Terrace Martin, 'Purpose' - Various Artists, 'HELP(2)' - Alice Sara Ott, 'Jóhann Jóhannsson: Piano Works' - Macha & Bedhead, 'Macha Loved Bedhead' 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: Nate Chinen, WRTI Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Dora Levite Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Special thanks to Ann Powers, Tom Huizenga and Lars Gotrich To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

On Feb. 21, the musical world lost a legend and pioneer of salsa: Willie Colón. The trombonist, songwriter, producer and arranger was a key part of the transition of Afro-Caribbean dance music from regional traditions to worldwide popularity. For an insider’s perspective on that history, this week we speak to trombonist and bandleader Angel “Papo” Vázquez, a Philadelphia-born musician who was not only inspired to play the trombone by Willie Colón, but also played on some historic recordings by Colón and other Fania Records notables. The best music tells great stories, and the same can be said about musicians. Vázquez brings along five tracks by Willie Colón that set him, and the rest of the world, on a path of deep appreciation for Colón’s contributions to salsa. This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Our third installment of calming songs includes Max Richter’s tribute to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ambient sounds from Ryuichi Sakamoto, Brazilian jazz from Wayne Shorter and more. Note: This episode originally ran in April, 2025 Artists and songs featured on this episode: (00:00) Intro (02:20) The Choir: “You Don’t Have To Smile,” from ‘Translucent’ (05:58) Orbital Patterns: “Can’t Tell If I’m Awake,” from ‘Extended Impostor Syndrome’ (10:11) Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alvo Noto: “Logic Moon,” From ‘Insen’ (15:46) Lea Bertucci: “Vapours,” From ‘Of Shadow And Substance’ (20:25) Hayden Pedigo: “Long Pond Lily,” From ‘I’ll Be Waving As You Drive Away’ (25:57) Max Richter: “All Human Beings,” from ‘Voices’ (31:17) Wayne Shorter: “Tarde,” From ‘Native Dancer’ (36:15) Mabe Fratti: “El Sol Sigue Ahí,” From ‘Pies Sobre La Tierra’ (41:08) Ida: “Don’t Get Sad,” from ‘Will You Find Me?’ (46:10) David Zinman, Dawn Upshaw & London Sinfonietta: “Lento,” from Henryk Górecki’s ‘Symphony No. 3, Op. 36 - Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs’ Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Bruno Mars. Mitski. Grief and celebration from Gorillaz. Robin Hilton welcomes Raina Douris from WXPN in Philadelphia to chat about their favorite albums out Friday, Feb. 27. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Introduction & Bruno Mars, 'The Romantic' (03:54) Mitski, 'Nothing's About to Happen to Me' (09:44) Gorillaz, 'The Mountain' (15:04) Heavenly, 'Highway To Heavenly' (20:34) Voxtrot, 'Dreamers in Exile' (27:12) Nothing, 'a short history of decay' (32:52) The Lightning Round - Buck Meek, 'The Mirror' - Maria BC, 'Marathon' - Bill Callahan, 'My Days of 58' - GENA, The Pleasure is Yours' - Sarah Kirkland Snider, 'Forward Into Light' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org. Credits: Host: Robin Hilton Guest: Raina Douris, WXPN Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Dora Levite Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Special thanks to Hazel Cills, Ann Powers, Sheldon Pearce and Tom Huizenga To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

This week on Alt.Latino, it's another new music episode with a global panorama: Canary Islands merengue, Chicano soul, Afro-Brazilian roots and more. Plus, a percussion supergroup that Felix could listen to for hours. Featured artists and albums: (00:00) Introduction (01:05) Quevedo, 'NI BORRACHO' (05:12) Joey Quiñones, 'In a Soul Situation' (12:34) Carolina Mama, 'Amina' (15:41) Elipsis, 'Elipsis' (19:32) Da Cruz, 'Som Sistema' (23:56) Sofía Rei, 'Antónima' This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

This week on All Songs Considered: U2 surprise-dropped a new EP that opens with a scorching critique of the government crackdown on immigration; Lana Del Rey inched closer toward releasing her long-awaited album with a haunting and strange ode to love and obsession, while singer Arlo Parks takes a bold step out onto the dance floor. All that and more as host Robin Hilton and NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce share their picks for the best new songs of the week. Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (01:50) U2: “American Obituary,” from ‘Days Of Ash’ (10:24) Arlo Parks: “Heaven,” from ‘Ambiguous Desire’ (17:37) Lana Del Rey: “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” (Single) (25:22) Baby Rose & Leon Thomas: “Friends Again” (Single) (31:58) James Blake: “I Had a Dream She Took My Hand,” from ‘Trying Times’ (39:08) Bella Kay: “Steady,” from ‘a couple minutes out’ And here's a link to Sheldon's piece on Jill Scott and Brent Faiyaz that was discussed during the show's intro: https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5713600/jill-scott-brent-faiyaz-rnb-review Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend! 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

Host Robin Hilton shares an update about some cosmetic changes coming to the 'All Songs Considered' podcast feed. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

WILLOW. Altin Gün. Fugazi alumni smashing punk into jazz. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by Evan Miller from WYSO in Yellow Springs, Ohio to chat about their favorite albums out Friday, Feb. 20. The Starting 5 (00:00) Introduction & WILLOW, 'petal rock black' (03:29) Pekka Kuusisto, 'Willows' (08:59) Manu Delago & Max ZT, 'Deuce' (16:21) The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis, 'Deface The Currency' (21:29) Hen Ogledd, 'DISCOMBOBULATED' (27:19) Altin Gün, 'Garip' (32:41) The Lightning Round - Megan Moroney, 'Cloud 9' - Chris Forsyth's WHAT IS NOW, 'Both / And' - Choker, 'Heaven Ain't Sold' - MX LONELY, 'ALL MONSTERS' - Mumford & Sons, 'Prizefighter' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org/allsongs Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson Guest: Evan Miller, WYSO Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Dora Levite Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

So, I was away for a bit and the new music just piled up during the holidays, and while we were watching Bad Bunny make headlines at the Grammys and the Super Bowl. Our first new music episode of the new year has quite a variety of styles from lots of different countries. We could say that about just about every new music show we produce. But what are we to do when the amount of creativity that comes our way pretty much overwhelms us? Jump in for a summertime journey through the many sounds of Brazil, a fusion of indigenous and contemporary styles, and a lost relic of Mexican rock from the 1970s. - Felix Artists and albums: (00:00) Introduction (01:20) Amaro Freitas, Criolo, and Dino D'Santiago, 'CRIOLO, AMARO E DINO' (09:19) Javier Jara, 'Our Rhythms, Our Voices' (13:19) Infinito Latente, 'Sem Início Nem Fim' (19:19) Ernan Roch Con Las Voces Frescas, 'La Onda Pesada' (24:52) João Menezes & Paulo Novaes, 'Coisa Híbrida' (30:02) Líber Terán, 'Canciones Del Desierto' 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

If you watch HBO’s The Pitt, you might have heard the gorgeous new song called “Need Someone” that Andrew Bird wrote for a recent episode. We’ve got that on this week’s show along with reflections on fitting in by letting go, from Gia Margaret and Ratboys; shoegaze from Draag, the twitchy glitchy sounds of Mandy, Indiana and more. NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton to share the best new songs they’re obsessing over this week. Featured songs and artists: (00:00) Intro (02:18) Draag: “Finding Fear,” from ‘Miracle Drug’ (09:35) Mandy, Indiana: “Try Saying,” from ‘Urgh’ (14:59) Andrew Bird: “Need Someone” (single as featured in ‘The Pitt’) (20:38) Ratboys: “Open Up,” from ‘Singin’ To An Empty Chair’ (28:49) Gia Margaret: “Everyone Around Me Dancing,” from ‘Singing’ (35:30) By Storm: “Can I Have You For Myself,” from ‘My Ghost Go Ghost’ Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend! 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

August Ponthier. Brent Faiyaz. Jill Scott's first album in more than a decade. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by Nastia Voynovskaya from KQED in San Francisco to chat about their favorite albums out Friday, Feb. 13. The Starting 5 (00:00) Introduction & Charli xcx, 'Wuthering Heights' (03:06) August Ponthier, 'Everywhere Isn't Texas' (09:38) Brent Faiyaz, 'Icon' (15:29) Jill Scott, 'To Whom This May Concern' (21:09) STAYC, 'Stay Alive' (25:57) The Paranoid Style, 'Known Associates' (32:01) The Lightning Round: - The Olympians, 'In Search of a Revival' - Hemlocke Springs, 'the apple tree under the sea' - Neba Solo & Benego Diakité, 'A Djinn and a Hunter Went Walking (The Complete Sessions)' - Aaron Shaw, 'And So It Is' - Ásgeir, 'Julia' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org/allsongs Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson Guest: Nastia Voynovskaya, KQED Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Dora Levite Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was many things: a time-traveling journey through the history of Puerto Rico, a statement of pan-American unity, and a masterpiece of cultural expression. This week, co-hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are joined by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento — who brings on-the-ground reporting from San Juan — to unpack the symbolism embedded in Bad Bunny's performance. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

With the arrival of the Geese Tiny Desk, we thought we’d try to break down what it is about this band that has made them one of the most talked about and polarizing acts of the past six months. Host Robin Hilton is joined by NPR Music's Ann Powers and host of The Ringer's Bandsplain podcast Yasi Salek to make sense of all the fuss. (Full disclosure: We all love Geese.) Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend! 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

Ratboys. Beverly Glenn-Copeland. Caribou's club alter-ego. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music chats with Erin Wolf from Radio Milwaukee about their favorite new albums out Friday, Feb. 6. The Starting 5 (00:00) Introduction & J. Cole, 'The Fall Off' (02:11) Ratboys, 'Singin' To An Empty Chair' (08:27) Beverly Glenn-Copeland, 'Laughter In Summer' (16:27) Daphni, 'Butterfly' (21:22) Charlotte Day Wilson, 'Patchwork' (26:39) John Craigie, 'I Swam Here' (31:26) The Lightning Round - Melissa Carper & Theo Lawrence, 'Havin' a Talk' - Alice Costelloe, 'Move On With The Year' - vegas water taxi, 'long time caller, first time listener' - Ulrika Spacek, 'EXPO' - Music City, 'Welcome to Music City' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org/allsongs. Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson Guest: Erin Wolf, Radio Milwaukee Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Dora Levite Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Last Sunday, Bad Bunny's DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS became the first exclusively Spanish language album to win Album Of The Year at the Grammys. This coming Sunday, the Puerto Rican megastar will perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. For this week's episode, Anamaria Sayre and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento chat about what these two moments mean for Bad Bunny, the island of Puerto Rico, and the role of Latin music in America more broadly. This podcast was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The Beck rarity “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime” has officially hit streaming services and we can’t get enough of it. We’ve also got new (not-yet-announced) projects from Friko and Asher White, a witchy new cut from the duo Sibyl, the Polish composer and guitarist Szymon Wójcik and more. NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host Robin Hilton. Featured songs and artists: (00:00) Intro and The Grammys (03:31) Beck: “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime,” from ‘Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime’ (12:29) Rat Penat: “Kijiji,” from ‘Over Easy’ (18:26) Friko: “Seven Degrees,” from ‘Something Worth Waiting For’ (25:27) Sibyl: “Witch Wife,” from ‘Sibyl’ (30:42) Asher White: “Casper,” from ‘Jessica Pratt’ (38:22) Szymon Wójcik: “it’s only begun,” from ‘when you rub your eyes, you see things you can’t describe’ Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend! 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

Enjoy Pop Culture Happy Hour's late-night recap of the 2026 Grammy Awards, featuring NPR Music's Stephen Thompson and Hazel Cills, as well as pop culture journalist (and former NPR intern) Reanna Cruz. (00:00) Intro (00:46) Album of the year: Bad Bunny (05:24) Record of the year: Kendrick Lamar (08:51) Best new artist medley (13:52) Lady Gaga's three Grammys (18:44) Song of the year: Billie Eilish (21:05) Milestone moments and In Memoriam Credits Host: Stephen Thompson Guests: Hazel Cills, Reanna Cruz Producers: Carly Rubin, Mike Katzif Editor: Jessica Reedy Executive Producer, NPR Music: Suraya Mohamed Executive Director, NPR Music: Sonali Mehta Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy