NPR Music

We've got just what you need for that stubborn case of existential dread in a looming dystopia as we update our running list of the year's best songs, with new ones from yeule, Raveena and more.

Also, we continue to celebrate the 25th anniversary of All Songs Considered by looking back at our number one songs from each year. On this episode: the songs that take us back to 2005

Featured artists and songs:
01. Everything Is Recorded: "Never Felt Better (feat. Sampha, Florence + The Machine)," from 'Temporary'
02. yeule: "Skullcrusher," from 'Evangelic Girls Is A Gun'
03. Raveena: "You're So Good To Me," from 'Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain (Deluxe)'
04. Gordi: "Alien Cowboy," from 'Like Plasticine'
05. Whatever The Weather: "12°C," from 'Whatever The Weather II'

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Hear new songs from past episodes in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.


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

Lady Gaga. Jason Isbell. Newcomer Annie DiRusso. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Celia Gregory from Nashville public radio station WNXP to discuss these records and much more.

Featured albums:

• Annie DiRusso, 'Super Pedestrian' (Stream)

• Jason Isbell, 'Foxes in the Snow' (Stream)

• Sasami, 'Blood on the Silver Screen' (Stream)

• Divorce, 'Drive To Goldenhammer' (Stream)

• ASTROPICAL (Bomba Estéreo + Rawayana), 'ASTROPICAL' (Stream)

Read our feature on 'ASTROPICAL' here.

Check out our long list of albums out March 7 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at npr.org/music.

Credits:

• Host: Stephen Thompson
• Guest: Celia Gregory, WNXP
• Producer: Simon Rentner
• Editor: Otis Hart
• Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
• Vice President, Music and Visuals: Keith Jenkins

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

This week Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre balance their passion for new discoveries with reissued music from an iconic Latin American songwriter.

Featured artists and songs:

• Ezra Collective, "Body Language" (feat. Sasha Keable)

• Patti LaBelle, "Teach me Tonight (Me Gusta Tu Baile)"

• Teri Gender Bender, "SANAR"

• Kevin Kaarl, "recuérdame x siempre"

• Violeta Parra, "Cantores Que Reflexionan"

• Ben Aler, "Honest"

• Jose Luiz Martins, "Cravo e Canela"

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

As we celebrate a quarter century of music nerdom and buffoonery, we remember the songs that shaped the show and our lives, with 25 No. 1 tracks from our first 25 years (and whatever else we can manage to recall).

We aren't going to ruin the fun with a tracklist — listen along as All Songs Considered host Robin Hilton and New Music Friday's Stephen Thompson try to guess each other's favorite cuts.

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Hear new songs from past episodes in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.


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 host Felix Contreras speaks with Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican saxophonist Miguel Zenón about the Afro-Latino legacy on the island.

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

We update our running list of the year's best songs with the cinematic pop of Oklou, Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, the experimental hip-hop group clipping. and more.

Featured artists and songs:
1. Oklou: "family and friends," from 'choke enough'
2. Anna Thorvaldsdottir: "Part V" and "Part VIII," from 'UBIQUE'
3. clipping.: "Keep Pushing," from 'Dead Channel Sky'
4. Sandbox Percussion: "Don't Look Down," from 'Cerrone: Don't Look Down'
5. Lucrecia Dalt: "cosa rara (feat. David Sylvian)" (single)
6. Anouar Brahem: "The Eternal Olive Tree," from 'After the Last Sky'

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Hear the songs in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.


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

With Oscar season here, we review the nominees for Original Song and Original Score, prognosticate who will win the statues on March 2, and look at the Academy's biggest snubs.

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Hear the songs in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.

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

Bartees Strange. Denison Witmer. The Sun Ra Arkestra's Marshall Allen. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Nate Chinen of Philadelphia's WRTI to discuss the best new releases out on Valentine's Day.

Featured albums:

• Bartees Strange, 'Horror'

• Denison Witmer, 'Anything At All'

• Marshall Allen, 'New Dawn'

• Sullivan Fortner, 'Southern Nights'

• John Patitucci, 'Spirit Fall'

Check out our longer list of albums out Feb. 14 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at npr.org/music.

Credits:

• Host: Stephen Thompson
• Guest: Nate Chinen (WRTI)
• Producer: Simon Rentner
• Editor: Otis Hart
• Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
• Vice President, Music & Visuals: Keith Jenkins


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' hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are back with six new songs that span the spectrum of Latinidad.

Featured artists and songs:

• Christian Nodal, "A Solas con la Botella"

• Las Trompas de Falopium, "JARRE"

• pablopablo, Carín León & Ralphie Choo, "Eso Que Tú Llamas Amor"

• The Mexican Standoff & Flaco Jimenez, "Tu Dirás" (feat. Los Texmaniacs)

• Amaia, "C'est La Vie"

• Angie K, "Red Dirt on Mars"

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

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

The latest update to our running list of the year's best songs includes the shredded guitars of girlpuppy, solo material from from TV On The Radio's Tunde Adebimpe and more.

Featured artists and songs:

• Tunde Adebimpe: "Drop," from 'Thee Black Boltz'

• girlpuppy: "Champ," from 'Sweetness'

• Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith: "Into Your Eyes" from 'GUSH'

• Lonnie Holley: "Protest With Love," from 'Tonky'

• The Weather Station: "Lonely," from 'Humanhood'

• Ólafur Arnalds & Talos: "We Didn't Know We Were Ready" (feat. Niamh Regan & Ye Vagabonds) (single)

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Hear the songs in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.

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

This week, we hear from a Colombian-Venezuelan super group, a new Afro-Brazilian band, and Ana gets another jazz lesson from a Latin jazz orchestra.

Songs featured in this episode:

• XIXA, "Xolo de Galáxia"
• Meme del Real, "Princesa"
• Jessie Reyez, "GOLIATH"
• Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, "Dia de los Muertos III Mambo Cadaverous"
• Trinka, "Grego"
• Astropical, "Me Pasa (Piscis)"

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

Making a playlist or mixtape for that special someone? We've got you covered this Valentine's Day with these off-the-radar love songs.

Featured artists and songs:
1. Linda Diaz: "Watching Ourselves Die (feat. Solomon Fox)" (single)
2. Gal Costa: "Baby," from 'Gal Gosta'
3. Mirah: "Engine Heart," from 'You Think It's Like This, But Really It's Like This'
4. Paloma Murphy: "me faltas tú" (single)
5. Stretch Arm Strong: "For Now," from 'Rituals of Life'
6. Tender Forever: "Then If I'm Weird, I Want To Share," from 'The Soft And The Hardcore'
7. Xavi: "Tu Casi Algo," from 'NEXT'
8. Elf Power: "Temporary Arm," from 'Vainly Clutching at Phantom Limbs'
9. Daniel Lanois: "I Love You," from 'Shine'

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Hear our expanded playlist of lesser-known love songs in Apple Music and Spotify.

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

We break down the winners, surprise shutouts and more from what's billed as "music's biggest night," courtesy of our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour.

Ten take-aways from this year's Grammys
A complete list of 2025 Grammy winners


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

The Weeknd may be the biggest release of the week, but is it the best? We run down five other albums you should hear, with NPR Music's Stephen Thompson and John Morrison, host of Culture Cypher Radio on partner station WXPN.

Featured albums:

• Cymande, 'Renascence'

• Ambrose Akinmusire, 'honey from a winter stone'

• Lilly Hiatt, 'Forever'

• Pink Siifu, 'BLACK'!ANTIQUE'

• Damon Locks, 'List of Demands'

See our long list of albums out Jan. 31 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at 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

Do not come on Alt.Latino if you don't have good chisme! Ana and Felix talk about their favorite songs of the week, including some psychedelic cumbia, Cuban folk music and more.

Songs featured on the episode:

•Combo Chimbita, "Dímelo"
•Cortadito, "Yemaya"
•Joaquina, "desahogo"
•Joaquina, "aeropuerto"
•The Altons, "Waiting"
•Thee Midniters, "It'll Never Be Over For Me"
•Majo Aguilar, "el beso"
•Carrie Rodriguez, "Miles Away"

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

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

We update our list of the year's best songs with a Tamino-Mitski collaboration, Son Lux's first new music since scoring Everything Everywhere All At Once, new Circuit des Yeux and more.

Featured artists and songs:
1. Shura: "Recognise," from I Got Too Sad For My Friends
2. Tamino, Mitski: "Sanctuary," from Every Dawn's a Mountain
3. Julien Baker & Torres: "Sugar in the Tank" (single)
4. Flora From Kansas: "The Ghost is Me," from Homesick
5. Circuit des Yeux: "Megaloner," from Halo On The Inside
6. Son Lux: "Cocoon," from Risk of Make Believe

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Hear the songs in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.

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

FKA twigs. Central Cee. It's a big week for new releases, and we've got you covered. Host Stephen Thompson welcomes Desiré Moses of Virginia public radio station WNRN to break it all down.

Featured albums:

• FKA twigs, 'EUSEXUA'

• Central Cee, 'Can't Rush Greatness'

• Sam Amidon, 'Salt River'

• Mogwai, 'The Bad Fire'

• Anna B. Savage, 'You & i are Earth'

Check out our long list of albums out Jan. 24 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at 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

Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras share their goals for 2025 and the new songs that reflect them.

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

We highlight some of the most anticipated albums of the year, including upcoming ones from Perfume Genius, Lucy Dacus, serpentwithfeet and more.

Featured artists and songs:
1. Perfume Genius: "It's A Mirror," from Glory (March 28)
2. Florist: "Have Heaven," from Jellywish (April 4)
3. Lucy Dacus: "Ankles," from Forever Is A Feeling (March 28)
4. serpentwithfeet: "Writhing In The Wind," from GRIP Sequel (Feb. 28)
5. Squid: "Building 650," from Cowards (Feb. 7)
6. Jason Isbell: "Bury Me," from Foxes in the Snow (March 7)
7. Saya Gray: "Shell (Of A Man)," from SAYA (Feb. 21)
8. Marshall Allen: "African Sunset," from New Dawn (Feb. 14)
9. Samia: "Bovine Excision," from Bloodless (April 25)

See the complete list of 2025 releases we're tracking.

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Hear the songs in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.

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

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes aboard Kara Manning of New York City public radio station WFUV to discuss the best new albums hitting streaming services on Friday, Jan. 17.

Featured Albums

• Mac Miller, 'Balloonerism'

• The Weather Station, 'Humanhood'

• jasmine.4.t, 'You are the Morning'

• Victoria Canal, 'Slowly, It Dawns'

• Blue Lake, 'Weft'

Check out our long list of albums out today and stream our New Music Friday playlist at npr.org/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

Los Angeles is home for me and always in my heart. Watching the fires from afar in my current city, New York, has me thinking a lot about what makes my hometown great: breathtaking mountains, stunning beaches and above all a hodgepodge, tapestry community that comes together in powerful ways during a painful moment.

The good and bad of LA's history — redlining and rebuilding, previous fires and displacement, immigration and annexation — have all been building blocks for an exchange of culture that shows up in layers in its music and art. This week on Alt.Latino, we've decided to shine a light on some of the sounds that feel most quintessentially LA, while also specifically honoring the creativity that has come from communities most affected by the fires.

We're thinking of family and friends, and the beating heart of the city as a whole. There's nothing quite like LA and we hope this episode is an intro to some and an invitation for others to celebrate what makes it so special. —Anamaria Sayre

Songs featured on this episode:

•José Feliciano, "California Dreamin"
•Ry Cooder feat. Lalo Guerrero, "Barrio Viejo"
•Banda MS feat. Becky G and Snoop Dogg, "Que Maldicion"
•Jasper Bones, "Amor de mis sueños"
•Gerardo Ortiz, "Dámaso"
•Empress Of, "For Your Consideration"

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

Japanese Breakfast (Michelle Zauner) is back with her first new album since her memoir, Crying in H Mart, blew up. We've got the first single from it, plus a Sufjan Stevens-produced Denison Witmer track and more.

Enjoy the show? Share with a friend and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Hear the songs in our Apple and Spotify playlists.

Featured artists and songs:
1. Deep Sea Diver: "Shovel," from Billboard Heart
2. SPELLLING: "Portrait of My Heart," from Portrait of My Heart
3. Japanese Breakfast: "Orlando in Love," from For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)
4. Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek, "Hop Bico" from Yarın Yoksa
5. Denison Witmer: "A House With," from Anything At All
6. DARKSIDE: "S.N.C," from Nothing


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

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by KCRW's Travis Holcombe to run down their four favorite albums out today, as well as the revamped version of SZA's 'LANA' project.

Featured Albums:

• SZA, 'SOS Deluxe: LANA'
• Franz Ferdinand, 'The Human Fear'
• Ethel Cain, 'Perverts'
• zzzahara, 'Spiral Your Way Out'
• Moonchild Sanelly, 'Full Moon'

See the long list of albums out January 10 and stream our New Music Friday playlist on npr.org/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

Alt.Latino hosts Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras, and NPR reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento break down what exactly makes the record so Puerto Rican and why its Bad Bunny's most reflective, ambitious and ingenious album yet.

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

A new year means a new running list of our favorite songs, from the transfixing voice of Anna B Savage and FKA Twigs' moody club beats to the '80s-influenced rock and pop of Sharon Van Etten and more.

Featured artists and songs:
1. Ela Minus: "Broken," from DIA
2. Anna B Savage: "Lighthouse," from You & i are Earth
3. Horsegirl: "2468," from Phonetics On and On
4. Miya Folick: "This Time Around," from Erotica Veronica
5. FKA Twigs: "Perfect Stranger," from EUSEXUA
6. Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory: "Afterlife," from S/T

Enjoy the show? Tell a friend and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Hear the songs in our Apple and Spotify playlists.


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

There's been some great music released since the last New Music Friday episode in late November. So, on this slow January release day, NPR Music's Stephen Thompson and WRTI's Nate Chinen catch you up on the best albums we heard in December in between "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."

Featured Albums:
• ROSÉ, 'rosie'
• Lauren Mayberry, 'Vicious Creature'
• Brad Mehldau, Mark Turner & Peter Bernstein, 'Solid Jackson'
• The Innocence Mission, 'Midwinter Swimmers'
• SAULT, 'Acts of Faith'

Visit npr.org/music to see the long list of albums you might have missed in December, and stream our New Music Friday playlist.

CREDITS:

Host: Stephen Thompson, NPR Music
Guest: Nate Chinen, WRTI
Producer: Simon Rentner
Editor: Otis Hart
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Vice President, Music and Visuals: Keith Jenkins

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

NPR Music producer Lars Gotrich turns us on to lesser known corners of music from 2024: blooming drone-folk, richly textured jazz, Somali garage-rock, medieval metal and a bittersweet farewell from a beloved Athens psych-pop band. You can find more adventurous music and mixtapes via Lars' newsletter, vikingschoice.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

We asked listeners to tell us about the one song they couldn't stop listening to in 2024 because of how it made them feel. On this episode we share some of their picks and the stories behind them.

Enjoy the show? Tell a friend and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

When it comes to music, December is overflowing with gifts, but we aren't quite done with the presents. This time, the NPR Music team is giving ... to each other! On this episode of All Songs Considered, our hosts, writers and editors get into a sort of chain-letter, Secret Santa-type gift exchange. The rules were simple: Pick a song from 2024 specifically for one of your colleagues, who then has to pick a song for someone else, and so on, until the gift train comes full circle.

What songs did we pick? How well do we really know each other's taste? You'll have to listen to hear the surprise, just like we did.

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' hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre do their best to keep up with new releases, but sometimes great music evades their radar. On this episode, the duo highlight some of the best songs they never got a chance to share during the year.

Music We Missed in 2024

• Sanje, "Buen Fantasma" (from 'De Repente Otra Vez')

• David Lindes, "Te Vengo A Perdonar" (from 'Peace With A Lion')

• Yung Dupe X Kimmø X PUGSPUGSPUGS, "Nube Negra" (from 'Políticamente Correcto')

• Benjamin Walker, "Libre" (from 'LIBRE')

• Lhasa de Sela et Yves Desrosiers, "El Cosechero" (from 'First Recordings')

• Dom La Nena, "Pierre et les fleurs" (from 'LA VIE DE MA MÈRE')

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 annual attempt to throw a holiday party for the ages continues with a tolerable mix of songs for the season and, as always, some very special guests.

Enjoy the show? Tell a friend and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

Record-breaking mainstream hits. A new generation of artists rising to seize their moment. Rappers in and out of courts. A pair of the biggest names in the game transforming their careers by taking their rivalry to sometimes bitter new heights. In 2024, hip-hop brought us wave upon wave of massive, surprising, culture-shifting moments.

NPR Music's Sheldon Pearce, Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael were watching and listening all year long, and they've gathered together to explain the most important stories of hip-hop's 51st year. There was the ascendance of new dominant voices in Southern rap, many of them female, along with the noticeable resonance, for many artists in the genre, with country music. The disconcerting trial of Young Thug left a void in Atlanta — the longtime hip-hop capital — for much of the year, before it ended suddenly and dramatically. And yes, there was the remarkable show put on by Kendrick Lamar in his sustained attack on Drake.

Plus: Rodney, Sidney and Sheldon share their favorite hip-hop albums of the year. Hip-hop may have celebrated its landmark 50th anniversary in 2023 by looking back at its own history, but in 2024, it shot forward like a cannon blast.

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

Felix Contreras, Anamaria Sayre and Isabella Gomez Sarmiento run through their favorites in a crowded year for excellent songs, from innovative Spanish hip-hop to distinctive jazz.

Songs featured in this episode:

•Çantamarta, "MOTORIZADO"
•Mala Rodriguez, "Casi Nada"
•Zaccai Curtis, "Maple Leaf Rag"
•Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso, "DUMBAI"
•Melissa Aldana, "A Purpose"
•Residente, "313"

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

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 special coverage of the year in music continues with a look at the best songs of 2024, featuring Clairo, Tinashe, Chief Keef, Laura Marling and more.

See NPR Music's complete list of the 124 best songs of the year.

See NPR Music's list of the 50 best albums.

Enjoy the show? Tell a friend and leave us a review wherever you get podcasts.

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

Our look back at the best albums of 2024 continues, with Tyler, The Creator, Cassandra Jenkins, The Cure and more.

See NPR Music's complete list of the 50 best albums of the year.

And be sure to check out our list of the 124 best songs of 2024.

Enjoy the show? Tell a friend and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

It's that time of the year — figuring out the best Latin music of 2024. And every year, it gets harder and harder (seriously, it's difficult!) for Ana and Felix to narrow down their extensive lists. Joined by NPR culture reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, the three round up the best albums of this year.

Songs featured in this episode:

•Angélica Garcia, "El Que" from Gemelo
•Hinds, "Coffee" from Viva Hinds
•Spanish Harlem Orchestra, "Lluego El Caballero (feat. Gilberto Santa Ross)" from Swing Forever
•Latin Mafia, "tengo mucho ruido." from TODOS LOS DÍAS TODO EL DÍA
•RaiNao, "readysita" from CAPICÚ
•Orquesta Akokán, "Caracoles" from Caracoles

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

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 annual look back at the year in music begins with the first of a two-part episode highlighting the year's best albums, with Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Waxahatchee and more.

Look for Part 2 on Friday, Dec. 6.

See NPR Music's complete list of the 50 best albums from 2024.

Enjoy the show? Tell a friend and leave us a review wherever you get podcasts.

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

Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre continue their discussion on the 25th anniversary of the Latin Grammys and the industry's changes, featuring insight from Nathy Peluso, Rauw Alejandro and more.

Songs featured in this episode:

•Fuerza Regida, "TQM"
•Fuerza Regida, "Que onda"
•Fuerza Regida "HARLEY QUINN"
•Latin Mafia, "y como te digo que"

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

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

Hosts Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson share stories and songs of gratitude from NPR listeners.

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 Williams: "End Credits," from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
7. Blackalicious: "Make You Feel That Way," from Blazing Arrow
8. Tyler Childers: "Space and Time," from Rustin' in the Rain
9. Nina Simone: "Isn't It A Pity," from Emergency Ward! (Live)
10. Bob Marley & The Wailers: "Three Little Birds," from Exodus

Enjoy the show? Tell a friend and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

NPR Music's Daoud Tyler-Ameen and Ann Powers are your guides to the last big Friday of 2024. Plus a deep dive into an epic new Red Hot compilation titled TRAИƧA.

Featured albums:
• Kim Deal, Nobody Loves You More
• Father John Misty, Mahashmashana
• Say Lou Lou, Dust
• Michael Kiwanuka, Small Changes
• Various Artists, TRAИƧA (Red Hot)

See the long list of albums out Nov. 22 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at https://npr.org/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

The Latin Grammys recently marked its 25th anniversary. Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre was in Miami to talk to some of Latin music's most influential artists to understand some of the trends that are shaping Latin music today, shared over two episodes.

Songs featured in this episode:

•Juanes, "Fíjate Bien"
•Juanes, "Vida Cotidiana"
•Álvaro Díaz, "Quien Te Quiere"
•Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera "Bebé Dame"

Audio for this episode of Alt.Latino was edited and mixed by Simon Rentner. Editorial support from Hazel Cills. Our project manager is Grace Chung. NPR Music's executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our VP of Music and Visuals is Keith Jenkins.

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

In the final update to our running list of the year's best songs, we've got the cathartic rock of Kassie Krut, a nerve-settling collaboration between the singers SOAK and Gordi, Ethel Cain and more.

Featured songs and artists:
1. Kassie Krut: "Reckless," from Kassie Krut
2. Gordi: "Reverie," from Lunch At Dune
3. Katy J Pearson: "Save Me," from Someday, Now
4. Freak Slug: "Ya Ready," from I Blow Out Big Candles
5. Hildegard: "Bach In Town," from Jour 1596
6. Ethel Cain: "Punish" (single)

Enjoy the show? Tell your friends and leave us a review wherever you listen go podcasts.

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

NPR Music's Ann Powers and Daoud Tyler-Ameen are your guides to the most compelling releases out on November 15.

Featured Albums:
• FLO, Access All Areas
• Dwight Yoakam, Brighter Days
• Ganavya, Daughter of a Temple
• Wussy, Cincinnati Ohio

Check out the longer list of albums out Nov. 15 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at https://npr.org/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

Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre recorded their latest new music guide on the streets of Spain.

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

We update our running list of the year's best songs with more calming sounds from Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi, the electronic artist Jon Hopkins, Muno singer Katie Gavin's new solo album and more.

Featured artists and songs:
1. Jónsi: "Flicker," from First Light
2. Katie Gavin: "Aftertaste," from What A Relief
3. Jon Hopkins: "part viii - nothing is lost," from RITUAL
4. Katie Malco: "Fatal Attraction (feat. Laura Stevenson)" (Single)
5. Clairo: "Add Up My Love," from Charm
6. Max Richter: "Movement, Before All Flowers," from In A Landscape

Enjoy the show? Tell a friend and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcats.

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

NPR Music's Ann Powers and Daoud Tyler-Ameen are your guides to the most compelling albums released this Friday.

Featured albums:
• Ab-Soul, Soul Burger
• Jamey Johnson, Midnight Gasoline
• Our Girl, The Good Kind
• Various Artists, Like Someone I Know: A Celebration of Margo Guryan

Check out the longer list of albums out Nov. 8 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at https://npr.org/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

Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are in Spain for a music conference. On this episode, they share their favorite discoveries from Bilbao, San Sebastián and beyond.

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

In our second installment of blood-slowing songs we take a deep breath and let it out with the music of Max Richter, Hania Rani, Fleet Foxes, Yasmin Williams and more.

Featured artists and songs:
1. Joan Shelley: "Easy Now," from Over and Even
2. Fleet Foxes: "Helplessness Blues," from Helplessness Blues
3. Theo Alexander: "re; Waiting," from Animadversions
4. Hania Rani & Dobrawa Czocher: "There Will Be Hope," from Inner Symphonies
5. Nicholas Britell: "Eden (Harlem)," from If Beale Street Could Talk
6. Max Richter: "Dream 3 (in the midst of my life)," from From Sleep
7. Stars of the Lid: "Even If You're Never Awake," from And Their Refinement of the Decline
8. Iron & Wine: "Passing Afternoon," from Our Endless Numbered Days
9. Yasmin Williams: "Juvenescence," from Urban Driftwood
10. Gidon Kremer & Keith Jarrett: "Fratres (for violin and piano)," from Arvo Párt: Tabula Rasa

Enjoy the show? Tell a friend and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Question, comments, suggestions and 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

NPR Music's Ann Powers and Daoud Tyler-Ameen are your guides to the most compelling new releases of the week, including the first album in 16 years by The Cure and a surprise release by Tyler, the Creator.

Featured albums:
• The Cure, 'Songs of a Lost World'
• Tyler, the Creator, 'Chromokopia'
• Willie Nelson, 'Last Leaf on the Tree'
• Haley Heynderickx, 'Seed of a Seed'

Check out the longer list of albums out November 1 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at https://npr.org/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

Over half a century, hip-hop has grown into a globally dominant musical and cultural force while remaining stubbornly, vitally local.

When DJ Kool Herc spun records at a small party in the Bronx in August of 1973, no one would have predicted his unique style would give birth to the most influential and dominant music in the world: hip-hop. In this special episode, NPR Music editors Daoud Tyler-Ameen and Sheldon Pearce are joined by contributor Christina Lee to look at how and why the music has managed to remain a local phenomenon, even as it's taken hold of the world.

Note: This episode original ran in Aug. 2023 for our special coverage of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

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