Ella Langley. Wesley Joseph. The spellbinding Juni Habel. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Chloe Kimes from WMOT in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, April 10. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Ella Langley, 'Dandelion' (08:24) Tenille Townes, 'The Acrobat' (15:53) Wesley Joseph, 'Forever Ends Someday' (21:22) Brown Horse, 'Total Dive' (27:03) Juni Habel, 'Evergreen In Your Mind' (32:31) The...
Apr 10, 2026•41 min
Listen to this episode out in the springtime air. It starts with a bucolic jaunt through Brazilian guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento's latest orchestral project, then finds La Plazuela's fresh Spanish funk and Macha's irreverent side project. Other sounds along the way: Caribbean pop from Venezuela, feel-your-feels indie from northern Mexico and an electronic spin on the indigenous Náhuatl language. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship a...
Apr 08, 2026•32 min
The British act Jungle had a big hit with “Back on 74” — and its unforgettable dance video — in 2023. Now, the group is back with “Carry On,” a breezy, sun-dappled song about surviving a broken heart. We give it a spin to open the show, along with a study on optimism from one of José González’s best albums, a celestial ambient cut from throat singer Tanya Tagaq and more. NPR classical critic Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton as they update their running list of the year’s best songs. (00:00) ...
Apr 07, 2026•45 min
Thundercat. Arlo Parks. Devotional belters from Dermot Kennedy. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Erin Wolf from Radio Milwaukee about their favorite albums out Friday, April 3. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Introduction & Bon Iver, 'VOLUMES: ONE" (01:57) Arlo Parks, 'Ambiguous Desire' (07:29) Dermot Kennedy, 'The Weight of the Woods' (14:15) Thundercat, 'Distracted' (19:53) Joe Pernice, 'Sunny, I Wa...
Apr 03, 2026•39 min
Two phrases spoken during this week’s episode stand out because they represent how Ana and I approach our searches for new music. The first: “The only limit is the imagination.” In my constant hunt for the sound I have never heard, this thought is my mantra. The new music we’re bringing this week really steps up to that challenge, from young upstarts like Broke Carrey to beloved veterans like Draco Rosa. The second phrase? “Latin music is a geography not a genre.” Ana put into words something sh...
Apr 01, 2026•32 min
More than 6,000 artists entered this year’s Tiny Desk Contest, hoping to win their very own performance behind the actual Desk. We’ll announce the winner soon, but in the meantime, we’re sharing some of our favorite entries, from the riff-rock group Pump Action, to soul singer Les Greene, loop artist Jackie Marchal, singer-songwriter Yuri Shin and more. Tiny Desk series producer Bobby Carter joins All Songs Considered host Robin Hilton. (They’re also the two lead judges for the Contest.) Feature...
Mar 31, 2026•34 min
Robyn. RAYE. A jazzy left turn from Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson chats with Alisa Ali from WFUV in the Bronx about their favorite albums out Friday, March 27. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. The Starting 5 (01:42) Robyn, 'Sexistential' (07:15) RAYE, 'This Music May Contain Hope' (14:21) Courtney Barnett, 'Creature of Habit' (20:20) The New Pornographers, 'The Former Site Of' (25:32) Flea, 'Honora' (...
Mar 27, 2026•43 min
From the very beginning of Alt.Latino , female vocalists have captivated us the most -- and New York-based Argentine vocalist Sofia Rei has been high on our list of favorites for a while. She uses the human voice like paint on a canvas, layering voices to create choirs that take flight at the mere suggestion of a melody. On her new album Antónima , she not only creates magic with her own voice but also collaborates with some Alt.Latino favorites: Gaby Moreno, Daymé Arocena and Xenia Rubinos, amo...
Mar 25, 2026•28 min
Our latest mix of the best new songs out now includes a stunning live version of Bon Iver’s “Heavenly Father,” a track the band originally wrote for the 2014 film Wish I Was Here , but never made available to stream before now. We’ve also got a stirring new ballad from Tori Amos, Luxembourg indie rocker Francis of Delirium (who assures us this is, in fact, a beautiful life), the long-awaited (if complicated) return of influential metal band Neurosis and more. NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host ...
Mar 24, 2026•42 min
In this special episode, the beloved singer-songwriter performs four songs live and speaks with Raina Douris of NPR's World Cafe about her acclaimed new album, 'Nothing's About To Happen To Me.' Follow the World Cafe podcast for more live performances and interviews every week. Featured performers: • Mitski: vocals • Patrick Hyland: electric, acoustic guitars • Bruno Esrubilsky: drums • Jeni Magaña: bass, backing vocals • Emily Moore: guitarist, keys, backing vocals • Ty Bailie: keys Thanks to t...
Mar 21, 2026•42 min
BTS. Alex Isley. Dubstep-infused hyperpop from underscores. NPR Music's Hazel Cills chats with Francesca Harding of member station KCRW in Los Angeles about their favorite albums out Friday, March 20. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer personal picks in our lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:00) Introduction & BTS, 'ARIRANG' (02:28) Alex Isley, 'When The City Sleeps' (07:52) underscores, 'U' (15:38) ZENA, 'TEMESGEN' (20:39) Grace Ives, 'Girlfriend' (26:16) Suitor, 'Saw Y...
Mar 20, 2026•40 min
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 ...
Mar 18, 2026•31 min
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 Yo...
Mar 17, 2026•43 min
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 disc...
Mar 14, 2026•33 min
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)...
Mar 13, 2026•43 min
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...
Mar 11, 2026•34 min
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 Su...
Mar 10, 2026•41 min
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)...
Mar 06, 2026•41 min
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 C...
Mar 04, 2026•26 min
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: “...
Mar 03, 2026•52 min
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' (2...
Feb 27, 2026•41 min
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 ...
Feb 25, 2026•30 min
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...
Feb 24, 2026•44 min
Host Robin Hilton shares an update about some cosmetic changes coming to the 'All Songs Considered' podcast feed. 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
Feb 21, 2026•1 min
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 Li...
Feb 20, 2026•39 min
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 B...
Feb 18, 2026•33 min
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: ...
Feb 17, 2026•45 min
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' (...
Feb 13, 2026•38 min
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. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship an...
Feb 11, 2026•33 min
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,...
Feb 10, 2026•55 min
