NPR Music

Latest Episodes:

Alt.Latino: A Tejano master gets his flowers. Plus, Yahritza y Su Esencia returns Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

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.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy

All Songs Considered: Olivia Rodrigo covers The Magnetic Fields, Noah Kahan channels his mom, and more Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

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’
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
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy

Interview: Kacey Musgraves on her new album, 'Middle of Nowhere' Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

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.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 13 Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

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
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy

Alt.Latino: If the singer falls silent, life falls silent: Female power anthems Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

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.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy

All Songs Considered: Cruelly ranking the best original song Oscar nominees Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Will this finally be Diane Warren’s year at the Oscars, when she goes up against “Golden” from KPop 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 Viva 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
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 6 Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

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
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy

Alt.Latino: From church basement to salsa immortality: Remembering Willie Colón Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

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
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy

All Songs Considered: Even more songs to calm the nerves Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

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
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy

New Music Friday: The best albums out Feb. 27 Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

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
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected