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Welcome to your all-in-one destination for every NPR Music podcast. We break down the best new albums to hit streaming each week on New Music Friday; we share the latest songs worthy of your playlists on All Songs Considered; there’s off-the-rails conversations (and chisme!) about Latin music on Alt.Latino. The NPR Music channel is your hub for new records, iconic artists and cult heroes, free of algorithms and full of surprises.

  1. New Music Friday: The best albums out March 13

    14 HR AGO

    New Music Friday: The best albums out March 13

    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 ThompsonGuest: Amelia Mason, WBURAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Felix Contreras, Tom Huizenga and Lars Gotrich To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    43 min
  2. NPR Music+: Needle drops from the best picture Oscar nominees

    1 DAY AGO · BONUS • NPR MUSIC+ ONLY

    NPR Music+: Needle drops from the best picture Oscar nominees

    With the Academy Awards happening this weekend, we’re picking some our favorite needle drop moments from the best picture nominees and exploring the history behind these older songs and the impacts they make within the films.  Spoilers abound! Here are the songs and films discussed: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” in “Marty Supreme” (4:06); “American Girl” in “One Battle After Another” (10:43); “Eu Não Sou Cachorro Não” in “The Secret Agent” (16:18); “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” in “Bugonia” (22:48); and “Pick Poor Robin Clean” in “Sinners” (29:14).  To access this episode and every episode in this series, plus get sponsor-free listening for every episode of All Songs Considered and Alt.Latino, sign up for NPR Music+ at plus.npr.org/nprmusic. NPR Music+ is a new way to support NPR and public radio. Follow NPR Music coverage and the Tiny Desk Concerts at npr.org/music

    38 min
  3. Alt.Latino: If the singer falls silent, life falls silent: Female power anthems

    2 DAYS AGO

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

    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. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    34 min
  4. All Songs Considered: Cruelly ranking the best original song Oscar nominees

    3 DAYS AGO

    All Songs Considered: Cruelly ranking the best original song Oscar nominees

    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 To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    41 min
  5. New Music Friday: The best albums out March 6

    6 MAR

    New Music Friday: The best albums out March 6

    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 ThompsonGuest: Nate Chinen, WRTIAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Ann Powers, Tom Huizenga and Lars Gotrich To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    41 min
  6. Alt.Latino: From church basement to salsa immortality: Remembering Willie Colón

    4 MAR

    Alt.Latino: From church basement to salsa immortality: Remembering Willie Colón

    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 To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    26 min
  7. All Songs Considered: Even more songs to calm the nerves

    3 MAR

    All Songs Considered: Even more songs to calm the nerves

    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 To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    52 min
  8. New Music Friday: The best albums out Feb. 27

    27 FEB

    New Music Friday: The best albums out Feb. 27

    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 HiltonGuest: Raina Douris, WXPNAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Otis Hart, Elle MannionExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Hazel Cills, Ann Powers, Sheldon Pearce and Tom Huizenga To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    41 min
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About

Welcome to your all-in-one destination for every NPR Music podcast. We break down the best new albums to hit streaming each week on New Music Friday; we share the latest songs worthy of your playlists on All Songs Considered; there’s off-the-rails conversations (and chisme!) about Latin music on Alt.Latino. The NPR Music channel is your hub for new records, iconic artists and cult heroes, free of algorithms and full of surprises.

Information

  • Channel
    NPR Music
  • Creator
    NPR
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2026
  • Episodes
    364
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2011-2026 NPR - For Personal Use Only
  • Show Website
    NPR Music
  • Provider
    NPR

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