Tierra Whack. The War and Treaty. A plethora of new jazz releases. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Nate Chinen from WRTI in Philadelphia about their favorite new albums out Friday, June 19. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (01:17) Album No. 1 - Tierra Whack, 'Whack's Museum' (06:43) Album No. 2 - The War and Treaty, 'The Story of Michael and Tanya' (15:39) Album No. 3 - Micah Thomas, 'Lucid' (20:40) Album No. 4 - ...
Jun 19, 2026•40 min
We're living in a moment when the geopolitical intersects with the personal in a profound way. The relationship between the United States and Cuba is once again in the news, and it happens at a time when there are a handful of new releases from Cuban artists on the island and around the world. The sounds of the albums are vastly different, but they all draw from the same deep well of inspiration that has always fueled Cuban music: a deep love for the intersection of cultures. The music we share ...
Jun 17, 2026•22 min
It’s the season of road trips — and nothing goes better with those long and winding roads than music. This week we share our picks for the perfect playlist, breakdown what works best when, and consider some ground rules — does the driver always have the final say? Reviews help! Leave us one on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Eric Burdon and War: “Spill t...
Jun 16, 2026•41 min
Olivia Rodrigo. Pussy Riot. Hayley Kiyoko. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Nastia Voynovskaya from KQED in San Francisco about their favorite albums out Friday, June 12. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Songs of the Summer (01:59) Album No. 1 • Olivia Rodrigo, 'you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love' (10:01) Album No. 2 • Pussy Riot, 'CYKA' (17:31) Album No. 3 • YHWH Nailgun, 'Magazine' (22:01) Album No...
Jun 12, 2026•42 min
Ruben Ramos' life story mirrors the history of what we now know as Tejano music. His family's musical roots in Texas go back to 1918, and as a boy he was brought into the family bands, first as a drummer and then as a vocalist. He's been playing big band-inflected Tejano music now for more than six decades, and just released a tribute album tracing that musical lineage, called 'Los Días de Calor.' In this episode, Felix chats with "El Gato Negro" Ramos about the history of Tejano music across th...
Jun 10, 2026•27 min
NPR listeners share the songs they reach for when they need to reset the mood, their day or even their life. This is a followup to our April episode on songs for starting over . NPR’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton. A good review helps! So, leave us one on Apple , Spotify , or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (01:13) Quincy Jones: “...
Jun 09, 2026•37 min
Vince Staples. Zoh Amba. Death Cab for Cutie. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Laura Grant from WEXT in New York about their favorite albums out Friday, June 5. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Album No.1 Death Cab for Cutie, 'I Built You a Tower' (ANTI-Records) (08:18) Album No. 2 Vince Staples, 'Cry Baby' (Loma Vista Recordings) (15:43) Album No. 3 Jalen Ngonda, 'Doctrine of Love' (Daptone Records) (20:41...
Jun 05, 2026•41 min
The best new tracks of the week include a raging, dance floor remix of Wet Leg’s “Catch These Fists,” a touch of vintage soul from rapper Vince Staples, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien and more. NPR Music’s Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton. A good review helps! So, leave us one on Apple , Spotify , or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro ...
Jun 02, 2026•44 min
Boards of Canada. Kurt Vile. Iceage. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Andrew Brown of KUTX in Austin about their favorite albums out Friday, May 29. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Paul McCartney (02:00) Boards of Canada (09:22) Kurt Vile (17:01) Iceage (22:18) feeble little horse (27:45) Greg Mendez (33:46) Lightning Round Recommendations - The Greenberry Woods - obli - RaiNao - ear - Brian Jackson Sample...
May 29, 2026•41 min
We don’t often get to discuss the ways that Latin American music made its way west across the Pacific Ocean. But this week we have two incredible projects that celebrate that journey. First, a Japanese band that fuses traditional minyo folk sounds with cumbia and other Latin rhythms. Then, a project that unearths a forgotten history of the 19th century Mexican cowboys who went to Hawaii to help manage livestock. Plus, a tribute to Afro-Colombian folk legend Totó La Momposina, who passed away thi...
May 27, 2026•34 min
We weigh the options and attempt to pick the one song that best captures the Millennial experience, from the dizzying highs of the dot-com boom, when anything seemed possible, to the post-9-11 bust, the "hope and change" of the Obama years, and prolonged period of generational disillusionment. NPR Music editors Hazel Cills and Sheldon Pearce join host Robin Hilton. A good review helps! So, leave us one on Apple , Spotify , or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen! Question...
May 26, 2026•1 hr 4 min
Aja Monet. Jack Antonoff's Bleachers. Radiohead's Ed O'Brien. Guest host Ann Powers chats with Aurora McGuckin of MVY Radio in Massachusetts about their favorite albums out Friday, May 22. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Bleachers, 'everyone for ten minutes' (06:55) JPEGMAFIA, 'EXPERIMENTAL RAP' (12:49) Ed O'Brien, 'Blue Morpho' (19:01) aja monet, 'the color of rain' (25:19) Lowertown, 'Ugly Duckling Union...
May 22, 2026•39 min
Two different pioneers - from two different continents - are at the heart of this episode of new music. Since the late 80s, Gipsy Kings have been infusing Catalan rumba flamenca with a pop sensibility that defies the purists. Their new single "Historia," from an upcoming album of the same name, shows they've still got that punchy danceability forty years on. And across the pond, Mexican rocker and songwriter Julieta Venegas explores the musical roots of her norteña heritage on a new album, playi...
May 20, 2026•36 min
Our latest mix of the week’s best new songs includes a moody reflection on burnout from Gracie Abrams, rising L.A. duo Evening Elephants, the elusive electronic collagists Ear and more. NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton. Please leave a glowing review on Apple , Spotify , or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (01:45) Gracie Ab...
May 19, 2026•39 min
It’s been five years since we last heard music from Isaiah Rashad. And four years since he largely disappeared from the public eye after two leaked sex tapes, featuring Rashad with other men, upended his life. Now, he's back. On his album, 'It's Been Awful,' he reaches new levels of clarity and intimacy. Having survived hypervisibility, this new music encapsulates what it means to truly be seen. In this episode, NPR Music's Rodney Carmichael sits down with Rashad for a wide-ranging interview abo...
May 16, 2026•47 min
Jobi Riccio. Dua Saleh. Tank and the Bangas. Plus, others not named Drake! NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with J oe Kendrick of WNCW in North Carolina about their favorite albums out Friday, May 15. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Introduction & Jobi Riccio, 'Face The Feeling' (07:49) Dua Saleh, 'Of Earth & Wires' (15:38) Tank and the Bangas, 'The Last Balloon' (21:41) Cocanha, 'Flame Folclòre'...
May 15, 2026•43 min
Since 2014, we've been hitting bands up to send in their videos for the opportunity to win the Tiny Desk Contest. And almost from the beginning, Alt.Latino has been pulling aside the bands and artists that play Latin music. It’s always been a highlight to see the incredible talent that's out there night after night in bars, clubs, community centers, street parties and backyards, finding new ways to express their Latino identity through music. This year was no different. We waded through hundreds...
May 13, 2026•31 min
Our latest mix of the best new tracks this week includes a massive eye-roll from Charli xcx, the first-ever solo music from Mike D of the Beastie Boys, another surprise drop from electronic music icons Boards of Canada, and more. NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host Robin Hilton. Leave us a glowing review on Apple , Spotify , or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists a...
May 12, 2026•39 min
MUNA. Stephen Sanchez. Lykke Li. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, May 8. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) MUNA, 'Dancing On The Wall' (08:17) Aldous Harding, 'Train on the Island' (16:00) Deb Never, 'Arcade' (22:15) Lykke Li, 'The Afterparty' (28:12) Stephen Sanchez, 'LOVE, LOVE, LOVE' (34:46) The Lightning Round - Ashley McBryde,...
May 08, 2026•43 min
With Mother’s Day nearing, listeners share songs that remind them of their moms and the deeply moving stories behind them. NPR's Mitra Arthur joins host Robin Hilton. 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 Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro / “Stardust” by Hoagy Carmichael (01:52) Christina Aguilera: “Beautiful” (06:06) Jeannie C. Ri...
May 05, 2026•36 min
Kacey Musgraves. American Football. Tori Amos. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Jewly Hight from WPLN in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, May 1. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Kacey Musgraves, 'Middle of Nowhere' (08:41) American Football, 'American Football (LP4)' (16:25) Isaiah Rashad, 'IT'S BEEN AWFUL' (21:42) Tori Amos, 'In Times of Dragons' (28:09) Ana Roxanne, 'Poem 1' (33:38) The ...
May 01, 2026•41 min
Fusion is at the heart of so much of the music we cover - especially on this week's episode. Flamenco producers descend on Hermosillo to experiment with regional Mexican music. Young Argentine artists blend trap with folk and rock en Español. A sunny Rio sound is born in Spain. Plus, a New Mexican string band, an Afro-Brazilian collective and an exploration of Latin roots from Cypress Hill. Artists and albums featured in this episode: (02:26) Trueno, 'TURR4ZO' (09:37) Lone Piñon, 'Hot Carne Seca...
Apr 29, 2026•28 min
Our latest picks for the week’s best new songs include Olivia Rodrigo’s head-over-heels earworm “drop dead,” a stunning bonus cut from Rosalía’s LUX album, a surprising pop turn from Peter Gabriel, twisted dance beats from Nine Inch Nails and more. NPR Music’s Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hiton. Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (01:49) Olivia Rodrigo: “drop dead” from you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love (09:50) Peter Gabriel: “Till Your Mind Is Shining (Bright-Side Mix)” from o\i ...
Apr 28, 2026•51 min
Noah Kahan. Kehlani. The return of Metric. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with DJ Llu from Vermont Public about their favorite albums out Friday, April 24. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Noah Kahan, 'The Great Divide' (09:28) Kehlani, 'Kehlani' (16:14) Metric, 'Romanticize The Dive' (21:33) Gia Margaret, 'Singing' (28:27) Season 2, 'Power of Now' (34:12) The Lightning Round - Quiet Light, 'Blue Angel Sparkl...
Apr 24, 2026•42 min
This week's new music show spans the breadth of Latin America. Argentine indie artist Paula Prieto goes experimental. Venezuelan reggaeton pioneers Chino y Nacho return to the limelight. Brazilian singer Marina B reminds Felix of The Beatles. Guatemala's Doctor Nativo pays homage to the "caminantes" heading north to find a better life. Plus, Latin punk from San Antonio, and a celebration of Afro-Cuban legend Arsenio Rodriguez. Artists and albums featured in this episode: (00:46) Chino y Nacho, '...
Apr 22, 2026•29 min
Our latest mix of the best new songs out now includes a scorching new cut from Jack White, a surprise (and breathtaking) return of electronic legends Boards of Canada, outlaw country from Charley Crockett and more. NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton. 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 Featured artists and songs: (00:00) ...
Apr 21, 2026•45 min
We talk with Beck about his gauzy new song, what he’s been up to since releasing his last album seven years ago, and what he (maybe?) has planned for the coming year. 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...
Apr 20, 2026•22 min
Honey Dijon. Yaya Bey. Shadowy pop from Sofia Isella. Guest host Hazel Cills chats with Nastia Voynovskaya from KQED in San Francisco about their favorite albums out Friday, April 17. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Introduction & Nine Inch Nails & Boys Noize, 'Nine Inch Noize' (02:47) Honey Dijon, 'The Nightlife' (09:05) Jessie Ware, 'Superbloom' (16:22) Sofia Isella, 'Something is a shell' EP (22:43) E...
Apr 17, 2026•42 min
Jorge Drexler is one of the most decorated singer-songwriters in Latin America. His albums are always high profile events, and his latest record merits the attention. It's called Taracá , and to make it he returned home to his native Uruguay - after living in Spain for 30 years - to explore the roots of an Afro-Uruguayan tradition known as candombe. On this week's episode we chat with Drexler about the motivation for returning to his home country, making music after losing his parents, and how t...
Apr 15, 2026•31 min
We celebrate spring and new beginnings with a perfect mix of songs for starting over. This can take many forms: songs that spark a good, cleansing cry; songs that offer wisdom, or just a sure-fire jolt of adrenaline. But in the end, all of the tracks herein can help reconfigure your mood, your day, maybe even ... your life. Host Robin Hilton is joined by NPR Music’s Noah Caldwell and Dora Levite. Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (02:05) Nina Simone: “Feeling Good” from I Put a Spell on ...
Apr 14, 2026•53 min
