Some folks think by December all the releases for the year are complete. Not quite. This week's Alt.Latino episode features a new music show with albums that should be considered along with the year’s best. We've got pop and alternative from Mexico, funk from Colombia, rock and ambient from New York, and a Tejano master celebrated by his fellow Texans. Plus, Felix brings the zen. Artists and songs featured in this episode: - Diles que no me maten, 'Manos de Piedra - Revisitada' - Dianna Lopez, '...
Dec 03, 2025•28 min
We look back at the year’s most defining moments in music, from the Trump administration’s takeover of the Kennedy Center to Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance, the Sean Combs trial, the 'Sinners' phenomenon, artists we loved and lost and more. But we begin with a question: Was it an unusually great year for music, unusually bad or par for the course? Check back for more year-end coverage from NPR Music and All Songs Considered, including our picks for best songs, best albums and more. Vote for y...
Dec 02, 2025•58 min
We make some bad moves, start over, and take a day off in Kyoto as we look back at the songs we loved most from 2020. 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. 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...
Dec 01, 2025•13 min
There's 177 new special edition physical releases out today, so go support your local music purveyor. On this abbreviated version of 'New Music Friday,' host Stephen Thompson shares a taste of what's waiting for you. 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...
Nov 28, 2025•7 min
Hosts Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson share stories and songs of gratitude from NPR listeners. Note: This is an encore presentation that originally ran in 2024 Featured songs and artists: 1. Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss: "Simple Gifts," from Classic Yo-Yo 2. Bill Withers: "Lean On Me," from Still Bill 3. The Mountain Goats: "This Year," from The Sunset Tree 4. Crosby, Stills & Nash: "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," from Crosby, Stills & Nash 5. Louis Armstrong: "What A Wonderful World" 6. John W...
Nov 25, 2025•38 min
We bury a friend, visit the School of Design, and gather around a crowded table to remember the songs that take us back to 2019. 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. 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...
Nov 24, 2025•17 min
Odeal. Snarky Puppy. The return of Tobias Jesso Jr. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Justus Sanchez from KNKX in Seattle and Tacoma to chat about their favorite new albums out Friday, Nov. 21. The Starting 5: - Tobias Jesso Jr., 's h i n e' - Haley Heynderickx and Max Garcia Conover, 'What of Our Nature' - SHOLTO, 'The Sirens' - Snarky Puppy with Metropole Orkest, 'Somni' - Odeal, 'The Fall That Saved Us' The Lightning Round: - Keaton Henson, 'Parader' - John Scofield and Dave Hollan...
Nov 21, 2025•36 min
The annual Latin Grammy awards are always full of glamour and glitz. But they're also an ideal time to take the pulse of the industry - which is exactly what Anamaria Sayre did this year, perusing the red carpet to talk with the most exciting names in Latin music. In this episode, Ana brings Felix her report from Las Vegas, where Bad Bunny won Album of the Year, the independent Brazilian music scene made a splash, and the whole industry seemed to be saying: "Show us where you're from." This podc...
Nov 19, 2025•27 min
In our final contenders episode of 2025, we’ve got some late additions to our running list of the year’s best songs, including Robyn’s first new release in seven years, the return of the existential shoegaze band Nothing and, of course, we’ve gotta include Rosalía. NPR Music editor Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hilton. Featured artists and songs: Robyn: “Dopamine” (single) Rosalía: “Divinize,” from 'LUX' Snocaps: “Over Our Heads,” from ‘Snocaps’ Bassvictim: “Mr. President,” from ‘Forever’ Lola Yo...
Nov 18, 2025•42 min
An Afro-futurist universe with funk and lots of theater (and a big nod to Prince), a potent, political gut punch from a beloved actor and comedian, era-defining protest anthems and more. 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. 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 ...
Nov 17, 2025•14 min
FKA twigs. The Avett Brothers. Madi Diaz covering blink-182. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Liz Warner from WDET in Detroit to chat about their favorite albums out Friday, Nov. 14. The Starting 5: - FKA twigs, 'EUSEXUA Afterglow' ( Stream ) - The Avett Brothers & Mike Patton, 'AVTT/PTTN' ( Stream ) - Gabriel Jacoby, 'gutta child' EP ( Stream ) - K-LONE, 'sorry i thought you were someone else' ( Stream ) - Sword II, 'Electric Hour' ( Stream ) The Lightning Round: - Summer Walker...
Nov 14, 2025•36 min
Spanish vocalist and composer Rosalía has been a major presence in Spanish language music since she released her 2018 album, "El Mal Querer." She started by leaning into her flamenco roots, but since then she has expanded her musical vision to become one of those musicians who defies category. Her new album "LUX" stretches that descriptor to its limit. Her musical tools this time include the London Symphony Orchestra, singing in 13 languages, guests like Icelandic performer Björk, and her own vo...
Nov 12, 2025•32 min
With the end of 2025 in sight, we pause to update our running list of the year’s best songs. Our latest adds include the (possibly twisted) dance pop of JADE, a brutal but affecting story song from S.G. Goodman, power pop from the band Liquid Mike and more. But we open with a question: Benson Boone... kinda awesome? Featured artists and songs: 1. Liquid Mike: “Double Dutch,” from ‘Hell Is An Airport’ 2. Cleo Reed: “Always the Horse, Never the Jockey (feat. IWEWE),” from ‘C**try’ 3. JADE: “Plasti...
Nov 11, 2025•40 min
A Pulitzer Prize-winning hip-hop album, a crushing elegy to a lost love, a reevaluation of Kesha, "melodrama" from Lorde and more. 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. 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...
Nov 10, 2025•16 min
Mavis Staples. Young Miko. A jaw-dropping project from Rosalía. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre and Liz Felix from WYEP in Pittsburgh to discuss their favorite new albums out November 7. The Starting 5: - Rosalía, 'Lux' - Young Miko, 'Do Not Disturb' - Various Artists, 'All Things Go: 10 Years' - Portugal. The Man, 'Shish' - Mavis Staples, 'Sad and Beautiful World' The Lightning Round: - Juana Molina, 'DOGA' - Liam Kazar, 'Pilot Light' - The Mountain Goats, ...
Nov 07, 2025•42 min
Ever since I heard the Argentine saxophonist Gato Barbieri back in the Seventies, I’ve been fascinated by musicians from South America who found their way to jazz. Lately there seems to be a strong showing of contemporary musicians from various Latin American countries who not only play jazz but also mix certain Latin American folk traditions into their sound. So, this week I spoke with six of them: vocalist Claudia Acuña from Chile, Argentine vocalists Sofia Rei and Roxana Amed, Mexican vocalis...
Nov 05, 2025•28 min
Our fourth installment of music to slow the blood is a mix of all-new releases from this year, from the world-building, ambient sounds of Ozbolt and Klein to the hope, optimism and good company found in the music of Samia, Hand Habits, KeiyaA and more. NPR Music’s Dora Levite and Sheldon Pearce join host Robin Hilton. Featured songs and artists: 1. Kieren Hebden & William Tyler: “Secret City,” from ‘41 Longfield Street Late ‘80s’ 2. Cassandra Jenkins: “Only Relaxation,” from ‘My Light, My Ma...
Nov 04, 2025•46 min
It was a year of staggering losses, from David Bowie and Prince to Leonard Cohen and George Michael. But it was also a year of monumental new music, including Beyonce’s 'Lemonade' and a mountain-sized rock anthem from Mitski. 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. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcas...
Nov 03, 2025•22 min
A Waxahatchee side project. Guided By Voices. keiyaA. Marfa Public Radio's Julie Bee joins NPR Music's Stephen Thompson to break down the best albums out on Halloween. The Starting 5: - Snocaps (Katie and Allison Crutchfield) , s/t ( Stream ) - Guided By Voices , Thick Rich and Delicious ( Stream ) - Chat Pile & Hayden Pedigo , In The Earth Again ( Stream ) - keiyaA , hooke's law ( Stream ) - Anna von Hausswolff , Iconoclasts ( Stream ) The Lightning Round: - Florence + The Machine , Everybo...
Oct 31, 2025•39 min
Not to sound like a broken record, but I'll say it again: the variety of creative expression in what is inadequately labeled "Latin music" continues to astound me. From the bossa nova-by-way-of-Guatemala of Fabuloso and Los Skeepers, to the evolving torch singing of the Chilean-via-Mexico vocalist Mon Laferte, to the ‘Western noir’ of California singer Andrés Miguel Cervantes, to Nathy Peluso’s Argentine take on Seventies New York City salsa, to jazz from southern Spain’s Chano Domínguez... how ...
Oct 29, 2025•32 min
It’s a week of surprises as we update our running list of the year’s best music, with a mix of songs that refuse to be any one thing. Plus, singer Brandi Carlile drops a stunning, stadium-sized rock anthem. NPR Music editor Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton. Featured artists and songs: 1. Brandi Carlile: “Church & State,” from ‘Returning to Myself’ 2. Hannah Frances: “The Space Between (feat. Daniel Rossen),” from ‘Nested in Tangles’ 3. Kelly Moran: “Don’t Trust Mirrors,” from ‘Don’t Tr...
Oct 28, 2025•40 min
Guitar rock comes roaring back, a monumental tear-jerker wrecks legions of fans, hip-hop hits Broadway and more. 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. 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...
Oct 27, 2025•18 min
Brandi Carlile. Miguel. Tortoise. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Ayana Contreras from KUVO in Denver about their favorite albums out Friday, Oct. 24. The Starting 5: - Brandi Carlile, 'Returning To Myself' - Miguel, 'Caos' - Tortoise, 'Touch' - Daniel Caesar, 'Son Of Spergy' - Yazmin Lacey, 'Teal Dreams The Lightning Round: - iLe, 'Como Las Canto Yo' - Natural Information Society, 'Perseverance Flow' - Hannah Jadagu, 'Describe' - Hether, 'Holy Water' - Joyer, 'On the Other End of the Line' See...
Oct 24, 2025•39 min
This is the first episode of a new series on All Songs Considered, hosted by NPR Music critic Ann Powers and editor Daoud Tyler-Ameen. Most of what you hear on All Songs is focused on new music, but now, every other Thursday, Ann and Daoud will pick an old song and discuss how it has managed to stand the test of time and why we still care about it. This week’s song: “I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)” by Stevie Wonder, from 1972. This episode is available for everyone, but upcom...
Oct 23, 2025•34 min
The past month has been a whirlwind. The El Tiny takeover of the Tiny Desk... interviews with some of the most exciting artists in Latin music... and, of course, puppets! So, for today's episode, we emerge from the craziness and dig into our neglected mailbag, which is brimming with new music. What did we find? Simple beauty. A young songwriter from Veracruz whose spare compositions have wowed his elders. An offbeat producer from Madrid. And, a joyful ode to a city half a millennium old. Feature...
Oct 22, 2025•31 min
Who’s the Mariah Carey of Halloween? Labels and artists are trying to capitalize on spooky season, but these are the songs that belong in the canon, from the truly terrifying to autumnal and nostalgic. Featured songs: 1. Phoebe Bridgers: “Killer” from ‘Stranger in the Alps’ 2. Fever Ray: “If I Had A Heart,” from ‘Fever Ray’ 3. Sufjan Stevens: “John Wayne Gacy, Jr” from ‘Illinois’ 4. Jack Lenz: “Goosebumps” (theme from the TV show) 5. Disneyland Records: “Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted...
Oct 21, 2025•54 min
A new synth-pop duo comes out of the gate with a perfect song and country gets metaphysical, but a surprise drop from the tail end of 2013 dominates the year. 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. 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...
Oct 20, 2025•18 min
Tame Impala. Silvana Estrada. Soulwax! Guest host Anamaria Sayre is joined by Travis Holcombe of KCRW in Los Angeles to chat about their favorite albums out Friday, Oct. 17. The Starting 5: - Tame Impala, 'Deadbeat' ( Stream ) - Silvana Estrada, 'Vendrán Suaves Lluvias' ( Stream ) - Soulwax, 'All Systems Are Lying' ( Stream ) - Meme del Real, 'La Montaña Encendida' ( Stream ) - Clarice Jensen, 'In holiday clothing, out of the great darkness' ( Stream ) **Read our review of Clarice Jensen's album...
Oct 17, 2025•38 min
There is no question that Mexican vocalist and composer Silvana Estrada is special to Alt.Latino. Ever since she launched her 2022 album "Marchita" with a series of revelatory singles, she seemingly spoke directly to Alt.Latino co-host Anamaria Sayre. Since those earliest days, the two have been able to spend quite a bit of time together in interviews and other public gatherings, which only brought them closer on a personal level. Now, as Estrada releases her new album, "Vendrán Suaves Lluvias,"...
Oct 15, 2025•36 min
We’ve got two of the most-talked-about albums of the year, the return of electro-folk wonder Juana Molina, guitar rock from Alien Boy, Agriculture and more. NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton as we update our running list of the year’s best songs. Featured artists and songs: 1. Geese: “Islands of Men,” from ‘Getting Killed’ 2. Juana Molina: “Siestas ahí,” from ‘DOGA’ 3. Dijon: “Yamaha,” from ‘Baby’ 4. Devin Shaffer: “All My Dreams Are Coming True,” from ‘Patience’ 5. Agriculture: “H...
Oct 14, 2025•48 min
