NPR Music

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 HiltonGuest: Raina Douris, WXPNAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Hazel Cills, Ann Powers, Sheldon Pearce and Tom HuizengaTo 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/adchoicesNPR 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.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/adchoicesNPR 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-reviewSupport 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.orgTo 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Host Robin Hilton shares an update about some cosmetic changes coming to the 'All Songs Considered' podcast feed.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/adchoicesNPR 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/allsongsCredits: Host: Stephen ThompsonGuest: Evan Miller, WYSOAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedTo 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/adchoicesNPR 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.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/adchoicesNPR 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.orgTo 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/adchoicesNPR 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/allsongsCredits:Host: Stephen ThompsonGuest: Nastia Voynovskaya, KQEDAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedTo 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/adchoicesNPR 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.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/adchoicesNPR 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.orgTo 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/adchoicesNPR 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 ThompsonGuest: Erin Wolf, Radio MilwaukeeAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedTo 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/adchoicesNPR 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.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/adchoicesNPR 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.orgTo 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/adchoicesNPR 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 MemoriamCreditsHost: Stephen ThompsonGuests: Hazel Cills, Reanna CruzProducers: Carly Rubin, Mike KatzifEditor: Jessica ReedyExecutive Producer, NPR Music: Suraya MohamedExecutive Director, NPR Music: Sonali MehtaTo 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon. Emily Scott Robinson. Blood harmonies from Irish brothers Ye Vagabonds. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music chats with Dre Castillo from KVNF in western Colorado about the best albums out Friday, Jan. 30.The Starting 5(00:00) Introduction(01:21) Emily Scott Robinson, 'Appalachia'(08:58) Ye Vagabonds, 'All Tied Together'(16:05) Jordan Ward, 'Backward'(21:48) Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon, 'As Of Now'(27:18) Orestes Gomez, 'No me fui porque quise'The Lightning Round- Don Toliver, 'OCTANE'- Lande Hekt, 'Lucky Now'- By Storm, 'My Ghosts Go Ghost’- Yumi Zouma, 'No Love Lost to Kindness'- David Moore, 'Graze the Bell'Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org/allsongs.CreditsHost: Stephen ThompsonGuest: Dre Castillo, KVNFAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedTo 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This month Alt.Latino's been looking at the music of Venezuela from a lot of different angles. For this episode, we’ve invited trumpet player and producer Ella Bric to be our guest DJ. She shared what she thinks are the most socially, culturally and politically impactful pieces of music to come out of Venezuela in the last half century.Ella Bric grew up in a migrant-rich town in Venezuela called San Antonio de los Altos, surrounded by a culturally-minded, socially conscious community. She’s now based in New York, and in recent years has positioned herself as a prolific producer on the rise in the Latin music space. In 2018, she won a Latin Grammy for Producer of the Year, and she says her art comes from a curiosity about the state of the world and her desire to reflect that.(00:00) Introduction(01:46) La Vida Bohème, 'Hornos del Cal'(06:41) Betsayda Machado & Parranda el Clavo, 'Sentimiento'(11:35) María Rodríguez, 'Los Dos Titanes'(15:11) Ali Primera, 'Techos de Cartón'(19:52) Linda Briceño & Orlando Watson, 'Unfinished Song'(24:38) Desorden Público, 'Politicos Paraliticos'(27:36) Bucle Lunar, 'Subió El Maldito Dolar'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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This week we're obsessing over the hilarious and harrowing “Where’s My Phone?” from Mitski, a slightly softer solo cut from Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon, the confounding but wondrous wordplay of Father John Misty and more.NPR Music editor Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hilton.Featured songs and artists:(00:00) Mitski: “Where’s My Phone?” from ‘Nothing’s About to Happen to Me’(09:29) Robber Robber: “The Sound It Made,” from ‘Two Wheels Move the Soul’(16:01) Father John Misty: “The Old Law” (single)(24:44) Kim Gordon: “NOT TODAY,” from ‘PLAY ME’(31:39) Tinariwen: “Sagherat Assani (feat. Sulafa Elyas),” from ‘Hoggar’(37:21) Vero: “100 Calls,” from ‘Razor Tongue’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.orgTo 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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 MohamedTo 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/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.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/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.orgTo 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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy