All Songs Considered

Lucinda Williams. Julian Lage. The debut from rising Americana star Kashus Culpepper. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music chats with Jessie Scott from WMOT in Nashville about the best new albums out Friday, Jan. 23.The Starting 5(00:00) Intro: Cat Power, 'Redux' EP(02:14) Lucinda Williams, 'World's Gone Wrong'(07:36) Carolina Chocolate Drops, 'Genuine Negro Jig' (15th Anniversary Edition)(15:19) Kashus Culpepper, 'Act I'(20:00) The Lowest Pair, 'Always As Young As We'll Ever Be'(25:29) Julian Lage, 'Scenes From Above'The Lightning Round- Ari Lennox, 'Vacancy'- Sammy Brue, 'The Journals'- V/A, 'Naive Melodies'- Della Mae, 'Magic Accident'Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org.CreditsHost: Stephen ThompsonGuest: Jessie Scott, WMOTAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sometimes life imitates art - or at least the two can seem eerily connected. On Jan. 1, the Venezuelan band Rawayana released a new album, '¿Dónde Es El After?,' which began with a lyric that many interpreted as a wish for their country's leadership to be gone. A few days later, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was ousted from power and seized by American forces. For this week's episode, we chat with Fofo Story and Beto Montenegro of Rawayana to hear how the album came together, where its sonic influences lie, and how they're reflecting on the seismic changes underway in their home country.(00:00) Intro(01:54) How they decided to open the album(06:26) On the song 'Qué Rico PR!'(09:36) Caribbean influences growing up(13:41) Childhood love for merenhouse(16:13) Adapting tonada folk music(21:58) Reflections on Venezuela in this momentThis podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Reports from late last year about the demise of MTV were overstated; but it got us thinking about the network’s legacy and most memorable moments. So, on this episode, we remember the best of MTV with a list of our top 20 videos from its golden era.If you’re listening on Spotify, tell us your favorite classic music video in the episode’s comments. You can support the show by leaving a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Or just tell a friend!Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Ya Tseen. The Sha La Das. A mesmerizing collaboration between Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Alex Newman from KMHD in Portland to chat about the best albums out Friday, January 16.The Starting 5(00:00) Intro & A$AP Rocky, 'Don't Be Dumb'(02:36) Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore, 'Tragic Magic'(07:43) The Sha La Das, 'Your Picture'(15:33) Ya Tseen, 'Stand On My Shoulders'(21:53) Shaking Hand, 'Shaking Hand'(27:43) Tyler Ramsey & Carl Broemel, 'Celestun'The Lightning Round• Craig Taborn, Tomeka Reid & Ches Smith, 'Dream Archives'• Courtney Marie Andrews, 'Valentine'• Diogo Strausz, 'Dance Para Se'• Oxis, 'Oxis 8'• Nate Smith, 'LIVE-ACTION (Deluxe)'Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org.Credits: Host: Stephen ThompsonGuest: Alex Newman, KMHDAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Elle MannionEditor: Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Over the weekend, we lost a musician who shaped the lives of countless people: the late, great Bob Weir. He was a founding member of the Grateful Dead who played guitar, wrote and sang in the band for 30 years. After Jerry Garcia died and the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir kept the spirit of the music alive for three more decades, creating new Deadheads for generations to come — he brought John Mayer, Billy Strings and even the National Symphony Orchestra into the Grateful Dead universe. The Deadhead slogan proved to be true: Weir everywhere.At Alt.Latino, we’re big fans of Bob Weir and his immensely cosmic musical legacy. Over the years, we’ve learned that many Latin musicians are also, metaphorically speaking, on the bus. Today on the show, we celebrate Bob Weir’s life by hearing some of his past interviews on NPR, exploring the Grateful Dead’s influence on artists like Devendra Banhart, and of course, revisiting his magnetic Tiny Desk concert from 2019. We’re incredibly grateful that Bobby came down to this world for a little while to tell us his stories – we hope to see him in the next one. (00:00) Intro(01:38) Bob Weir's early life and Grateful Dead career(08:05) Grateful Dead at the National Symphony Orchestra(14:30) Felix and Isa reflect on 'American Beauty'(20:35) Grateful Dead's impact on Latin musicians(26:33) Bob Weir at the Tiny DeskThis podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

NPR’s classical critic Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton for our first spin of the best songs we’re hearing in 2026, including new ones from Big Thief’s Buck Meek, the genre-hopping artist Joji, “fragile hope” from composer Daníel Bjarnason and more. Featured artists and songs:1. Buck Meek: “Gasoline,” from ‘The Mirror’2. Pekka Kuusisto & Sam Amidon: "Way Go, Lily" (Arr. by Nico Muhly / Adapted for orchestra by Bernard Rofe), from ‘Willows’3. Joji: “Love You Less,” from ‘P*** In The Wind’4. Joyce DiDonato & Time for Three: “Because I could not stop for Death," from ‘Emily - No Prisoner Be’5. Jana Horn: “Don’t think,” from ‘Jana Horn’6. Daniel Bjarnason & The Iceland Symphony Orchestra: “Fragile Hope,” from ‘The Grotesque and the Sublime’ Support the show by leaving 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.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Dry Cleaning. Jenny on Holiday. An introspective debut from Mon Rovîa. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville to talk about their favorite new albums out Friday, January 9.The Starting 5(00:00) Intro(00:31) Dry Cleaning, 'Secret Love'(06:53) Jenny on Holiday, 'Quicksand Heart'(15:12) Mon Rovîa, 'Bloodline'(21:22) Home Star, 'A Binding Life'(27:07) Kris Davis and the Lutoslawski Quartet, 'The Solastalgia Suite'The Lightning Round• Zach Bryan, 'With Heaven On Top'• The Cribs, 'Selling A Vibe'• Pullman, 'III'• Clémentine March, 'Powder Keg'• Rawayana, '¿Dónde Es El After?'Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org.CreditsHost: Stephen ThompsonGuest: Celia Gregory, WNXPAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Elle MannionEditor: Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Venezuela has a deep tradition of reflecting political change through music. This week, as the country reels from the seizure of its president by American forces, we explore the recent history of Venezuelan protest music, and from the Nineties right up until the present. First, we share an excerpt of an episode we made at another moment of political turmoil in Venezuela, in the summer of 2024. Then, we'll walk up to the present and see how some musicians across Latin America are responding to this moment. And a big thanks to NPR Music's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento for being our guide.(00:00) Intro(02:06) A history of Venezuelan protest music(13:39) Social and economic changes under Nicolas Maduro(14:53) Venezuelan protest music in recent years(22:21) How artists across Latin America are respondingThis podcast was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We look ahead to some of the albums we’re most excited about for the new year, from sure bets like Dry Cleaning and Beverly Glenn-Copeland to rumored releases from some pretty big names.(00:00) Intro(01:26) Dry Cleaning: “Cruise Ship Designer,” from ‘Secret Love’(05:03) Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore: “Perpetual Adoration,” from ‘Tragic Magic’(07:48) Ásgeir: “Smoke,” from ‘Julia’(12:27) Joyce Manor: “All My Friends Are So Depressed,” from ‘I Used To Go To This Bar’(17:45) Beverly Glenn-Copeland: “Laughter In Summer (with Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland),” from ‘Laughter In Summer’(21:06) gobbinjr: “Just a dream,” from ‘crystal rabbit moon’(24:59) Danny L Harle, Oklou & MNEK: “Crystallise My Tears,” from ‘Cerulean’(28:08) August Ponthier: “Handsome,” from ‘Everywhere Isn’t Texas’(31:14) Mumford & Sons: “Rubber Band Man (with Hozier),” from ‘Prizefighter’Support the show by leaving 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.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It's a slow release day to start the new year, so this week NPR Music's Stephen Thompson brings us an abbreviated episode highlighting a few of the new albums you might have missed in December. Artists and albums featured in this episode:- Pink Floyd, 'Wish You Were Here 50'- Fred Again.., 'USB002'- This Is Lorelei, 'Holo Boy'- HEALTH, 'CONFLICT DLC'- Juliana Hatfield, 'Lightning Might Strike'- DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ, 'Fantasy'- Daniel Lopatin, 'Marty Supreme (Original Soundtrack)'Credits:Host: Stephen ThompsonAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Elle MannionEditor: Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On the last episode of All Songs Considered for 2025, NPR Music producer Lars Gotrich takes host Robin Hilton through an exceptional year in guitar music. From Gwenifer Raymond's beautiful and brash fingerstyle to Rafael Toral's stretched-out jazz standards, not to mention William Tyler's glitched hymns and Vernon Reid's ecstatic shred, there's so much diversity to be found in six strings.Featured songs and artists: • Gwenifer Raymond: "Bleak Night in Rabbit's Wood," from 'Last Night I Heard the Dog Star Bark'• Hayden Pedigo: "Houndstooth," from 'I'll Be Waving As You Drive Away'• TAKAAT: "Isghmar," from 'Is Noise, Vol. 1'• Rafael Toral: "You Don't Know What Love Is," from 'Traveling Light'• Laura Snowden: "This Changing Sky," from 'This Changing Sky'• Madala Kunene & Sibusile Xaba: "Wemfana," from 'kwaNTU'• William Tyler: "Star of Hope," from 'Time Indefinite'• Jorge Espinal: "ají de pollería," from 'Bombos y Cencerros'• Vernon Reid: "Meditation on the Last Time I Saw Arthur Rhames," from 'Hoodoo Telemetry'Want more? See the full Viking's Choice list for the best guitar music of 2025.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.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In our final look back at our number one songs from the past 25 years, we visit Modesto, take an existential stroll through Petco, and find it all so confusing.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.Leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with a friend.Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR 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.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR 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.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR 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/adchoicesNPR 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 Pedestrian2. Tunde Adebimpe: "Drop," from Thee Black Boltz3. Brandi Carlile: "You Without Me," from Returning To Myself4. Bad Bunny: "DtMF," from DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS5. Of Monsters And Men: "The End," from All Is Love And Pain In The Mouse Parade6. Eph See: "Malachi The Uber Driver" (unreleased single)7. Audra McDonald: "Rose's Turn," from Gypsy8. Big Thief: "Los Angeles," from Double Infinity9. Flock Of Dimes: "Afraid," from The Life You Save10. Ben Rector: "Forever (Doesn't Quite Seem Long Enough)," from The Richest Man In The WorldEnjoy 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.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR 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.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR 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/adchoicesNPR 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 BellezaThis episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy