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All Songs Considered

NPR Music
  • 4.3 (3.1K)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED DAILY

Since launching in 2000, All Songs Considered has been NPR's flagship program for music discovery, artist interviews and conversations with friends and fellow music lovers about the really big questions, like what was the best decade for music, are there albums everyone can agree on, and what do you put on when you need a good cry? Weekly, with host Robin Hilton and the NPR Music family.

  1. New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 16

    1H AGO

    New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 16

    Ya Tseen. The Sha La Das. A mesmerizing collaboration between Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Alex Newman from KMHD in Portland to chat about the best albums out Friday, January 16. The Starting 5 (00:00) Intro & A$AP Rocky, 'Don't Be Dumb'(02:36) Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore, 'Tragic Magic'(07:43) The Sha La Das, 'Your Picture'(15:33) Ya Tseen, 'Stand On My Shoulders'(21:53) Shaking Hand, 'Shaking Hand'(27: 43) Tyler Ramsey & Carl Broemel, 'Celestun' The Lightning Round Craig Taborn, Tomeka Reid & Ches Smith, 'Dream Archives'Courtney Marie Andrews, 'Valentine'Diogo Strausz, 'Dance Para Se'Oxis, 'Oxis 8'Nate Smith, 'LIVE-ACTION (Deluxe)' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org Credits: Host: Stephen ThompsonGuest: Alex Newman, KMHDAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Elle MannionEditor: Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    39 min
  2. All Songs+: “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service

    22H AGO · BONUS • NPR MUSIC+ ONLY

    All Songs+: “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service

    The origin story of The Postal Service is as simple (and twee) as they come: An electronic music producer (Jimmy Tamborello) and an indie rock singer-songwriter (Ben Gibbard) decide to collaborate on a few songs, sending each other music via snail mail. But The Postal Service’s only album, “Give Up,” eventually went platinum, and the band is selling out arenas decades later. It’s a record that seems to have captured how rapid advances in technology would change how we communicate and even love, bridging the distances that separate us.  This week, NPR Music critic Ann Powers and editor Daoud Tyler-Ameen discuss lead single “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service, from 2003.  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

    36 min
  3. Alt.Latino: Our Love Letter to Bob Weir

    1D AGO

    Alt.Latino: Our Love Letter to Bob Weir

    Over the weekend, we lost a musician who shaped the lives of countless people: the late, great Bob Weir. He was a founding member of the Grateful Dead who played guitar, wrote and sang in the band for 30 years. After Jerry Garcia died and the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir kept the spirit of the music alive for three more decades, creating new Deadheads for generations to come — he brought John Mayer, Billy Strings and even the National Symphony Orchestra into the Grateful Dead universe. The Deadhead slogan proved to be true: Weir everywhere. At Alt.Latino, we’re big fans of Bob Weir and his immensely cosmic musical legacy. Over the years, we’ve learned that many Latin musicians are also, metaphorically speaking, on the bus. Today on the show, we celebrate Bob Weir’s life by hearing some of his past interviews on NPR, exploring the Grateful Dead’s influence on artists like Devendra Banhart, and of course, revisiting his magnetic Tiny Desk concert from 2019. We’re incredibly grateful that Bobby came down to this world for a little while to tell us his stories – we hope to see him in the next one.  (00:00) Intro(01:38) Bob Weir's early life and Grateful Dead career(08:05) Grateful Dead at the National Symphony Orchestra(14:30) Felix and Isa reflect on 'American Beauty'(20:35) Grateful Dead's impact on Latin musicians(26:33) Bob Weir at the Tiny Desk This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    28 min
  4. Big Thief’s Buck Meek, Joji and more of the week's best songs

    2D AGO

    Big Thief’s Buck Meek, Joji and more of the week's best songs

    NPR’s classical critic Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton for our first spin of the best songs we’re hearing in 2026, including new ones from Big Thief’s Buck Meek, the genre-hopping artist Joji, “fragile hope” from composer Daníel Bjarnason and more. Featured artists and songs: 1. Buck Meek: “Gasoline,” from ‘The Mirror’ 2. Pekka Kuusisto & Sam Amidon: "Way Go, Lily" (Arr. by Nico Muhly / Adapted for orchestra by Bernard Rofe), from ‘Willows’ 3. Joji: “Love You Less,” from ‘P*** In The Wind’ 4. Joyce DiDonato & Time for Three: “Because I could not stop for Death," from ‘Emily - No Prisoner Be’ 5. Jana Horn: “Don’t think,” from ‘Jana Horn’ 6. Daniel Bjarnason & The Iceland Symphony Orchestra: “Fragile Hope,” from ‘The Grotesque and the Sublime’ Support the show by leaving 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 Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    43 min
  5. New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 9

    JAN 9

    New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 9

    Dry Cleaning. Jenny on Holiday. An introspective debut from Mon Rovîa. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville to talk about their favorite new albums out Friday, January 9. The Starting 5 (00:00) Intro(00:31) Dry Cleaning, 'Secret Love'(06:53) Jenny on Holiday, 'Quicksand Heart'(15:12) Mon Rovîa, 'Bloodline'(21:22) Home Star, 'A Binding Life'(27:07) Kris Davis and the Lutoslawski Quartet, 'The Solastalgia Suite' The Lightning Round • Zach Bryan, 'With Heaven On Top'• The Cribs, 'Selling A Vibe'• Pullman, 'III'• Clémentine March, 'Powder Keg'• Rawayana, '¿Dónde Es El After?' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org. CreditsHost: Stephen ThompsonGuest: Celia Gregory, WNXPAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Elle MannionEditor: Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    39 min
  6. Alt.Latino: Music as protest in Venezuela

    JAN 8

    Alt.Latino: Music as protest in Venezuela

    Venezuela has a deep tradition of reflecting political change through music. This week, as the country reels from the seizure of its president by American forces, we explore the recent history of Venezuelan protest music, and from the Nineties right up until the present. First, we share an excerpt of an episode we made at another moment of political turmoil in Venezuela, in the summer of 2024. Then, we'll walk up to the present and see how some musicians across Latin America are responding to this moment. And a big thanks to NPR Music's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento for being our guide. (00:00) Intro(02:06) A history of Venezuelan protest music(13:39) Social and economic changes under Nicolas Maduro(14:53) Venezuelan protest music in recent years(22:21) How artists across Latin America are responding This podcast was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    26 min
  7. The best 2026 albums we've heard so far

    JAN 6

    The best 2026 albums we've heard so far

    We look ahead to some of the albums we’re most excited about for the new year, from sure bets like Dry Cleaning and Beverly Glenn-Copeland to rumored releases from some pretty big names. (00:00) Intro (01:26) Dry Cleaning: “Cruise Ship Designer,” from ‘Secret Love’ (05:03) Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore: “Perpetual Adoration,” from ‘Tragic Magic’ (07:48) Ásgeir: “Smoke,” from ‘Julia’ (12:27) Joyce Manor: “All My Friends Are So Depressed,” from ‘I Used To Go To This Bar’ (17:45) Beverly Glenn-Copeland: “Laughter In Summer (with Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland),” from ‘Laughter In Summer’ (21:06) gobbinjr: “Just a dream,” from ‘crystal rabbit moon’ (24:59) Danny L Harle, Oklou & MNEK: “Crystallise My Tears,” from ‘Cerulean’ (28:08) August Ponthier: “Handsome,” from ‘Everywhere Isn’t Texas’ (31:14) Mumford & Sons: “Rubber Band Man (with Hozier),” from ‘Prizefighter’ Support the show by leaving 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 Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    38 min
  8. New Music Friday: A roundup of December albums

    JAN 2

    New Music Friday: A roundup of December albums

    It's a slow release day to start the new year, so this week NPR Music's Stephen Thompson brings us an abbreviated episode highlighting a few of the new albums you might have missed in December.  Artists and albums featured in this episode: - Pink Floyd, 'Wish You Were Here 50'- Fred Again.., 'USB002'- This Is Lorelei, 'Holo Boy'- HEALTH, 'CONFLICT DLC'- Juliana Hatfield, 'Lightning Might Strike'- DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ, 'Fantasy'- Daniel Lopatin, 'Marty Supreme (Original Soundtrack)' Credits: Host: Stephen ThompsonAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Elle MannionEditor: Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

    8 min
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About

Since launching in 2000, All Songs Considered has been NPR's flagship program for music discovery, artist interviews and conversations with friends and fellow music lovers about the really big questions, like what was the best decade for music, are there albums everyone can agree on, and what do you put on when you need a good cry? Weekly, with host Robin Hilton and the NPR Music family.

Information

  • Channel
    NPR Music
  • Creator
    NPR
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2026
  • Episodes
    333
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2011-2025 NPR - For Personal Use Only
  • Show Website
    All Songs Considered
  • Provider
    NPR

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