NPR listeners share the songs they reach for when they need to reset the mood, their day or even their life.This is a followup to our April episode on songs for starting over.  NPR’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.A good review helps! Leave us one on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected]  Featured artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(01:13) Quincy Jones: “Dead End”(02:12) Bill Withers: “Lovely Day”(04:51) Florence + the Machine: “Shake It Out”(08:06) Jacob Collier: “Something Heavy”(11:24) Des’ree: “You Gotta Be”(16:32) Peter Gabriel: “Washing Of The Water”(19:57) Cat Power: “Nothin But Time”(23:02) John Denver: “Sweet Surrender”(27:46) Isley Brothers: “Summer Breeze”(31:22) Green Day: “Still Breathing”(34:10) Vienna Teng: “Level Up”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 latest picks for the best new tracks of the week include a raging, dancefloor remix of Wet Leg’s “Catch These Fists,” a touch of vintage soul from rapper and singer Vince Staples, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien channels Kentucky poet Wendell Berry who says, “to know the dark, go dark,” and more.NPR Music’s Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton.A good review helps! So, leave us one on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected]  Featured artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(01:03) Wet Leg: “catch these fists (FDC DJs remix)” from moisturizer deluxe(07:05) Katie & Marielle Labèque: “The Somnambulist”  (Phillip Glass) from 55(15:23) Balming Tiger: “Home” from Gongbu(22:42) Wild Up: “No. 8, Always Making New Inversions” from Julius Eastman Vol. 5: Gay Guerrilla(31:00) Vince Staples: “White Flag” from Cry Baby(36:06) Ed O’Brien: “Blue Morpho” from Blue MorphoSee 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 weigh the options and attempt to pick the one song that best captures the Millennial generation's experience, from the dizzying highs of the dot-com boom, when anything seemed possible, to the post-9-11 bust, the hope of the Obama years, and prolonged period of generational disillusionment.NPR Music millennials Hazel Cills and Sheldon Pearce join host Robin Hilton.A good review helps! So, leave us one on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected]  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 latest mix of the week’s best new songs includes a moody reflection on burnout from Gracie Abrams, rising L.A. duo Evening Elephants, the elusive electronic collagists Ear and more.  NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.Please leave a glowing review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(01:45) Gracie Abrams: “Hit the Wall”(08:10) Zoh Amba: “Eyes Full"(14:18) Jazmin Bean: “Darling”(21:57) Ear: “Ne Plus Ultra”(27:46) Evening Elephants: “A Digital Touch”(33:07) Knats: “Carpet Doctor (feat. Geordie Greep)”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 latest mix of the best new tracks this week includes a massive eye-roll from Charli xcx, the first-ever solo music from Mike D of the Beastie Boys, another surprise drop from electronic music icons Boards of Canada, and more.NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host Robin Hilton.Leave us a glowing review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(01:18) Charli xcx: “Rock Music” (Single)(07:30) Starflyer 59: “I’m Disappointed” from Disappointed EP(12:22) Mike D: “Switch Up” (Single)(19:53) Black Swan Network: “The Shell” from The Early Music, Vol. 1(25:30) Hannah Cohen: “Golden Chain” (Single)(31:55) Boards of Canada: “Introit/Prophecy At 1420 MHz” from InfernoSee 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 Mother’s Day nearing, listeners share the songs that remind them of their moms and the deeply moving stories behind them.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: [email protected]: A version of this episode originally ran in 2024Featured artists and songs:(00:00) Intro / “Stardust Memories” by Hoagey Carmichael(01:52) Christina Aguilera: “Beautiful”(06:06) Jeannie C. Riley: “Harper Valley P.T.A.”(10:09) Kermit the Frog: “Rainbow Connection”(13:50) Phyllis Hyman: “You Know How To Love Me”(17:16) MILCK: “Oh, Mother”(21:58) Christina Perri: “You Are My Sunshine”(25:33) The Tokens: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”(29:16) Four Tops: “Reach Out I’ll Be There”(33:43) Sweet Honey In The Rock: “Wanting Memories”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 latest picks for the week’s best new songs include Olivia Rodrigo’s head-over-heels earworm “Drop Dead,” a stunning bonus cut from Rosalía’s LUX album, a surprising pop turn from Peter Gabriel, twisted dance beats from Nine Inch Nails, Rostam and more.NPR Music’s Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hiton.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: [email protected] artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(01:49) Olivia Rodrigo: “drop dead” from you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love(09:50) Peter Gabriel: “Till Your Mind Is Shining (Bright-Side Mix)” from o\i(20:23) Nine Inch Nails, Boys Noize: “Heresy” from Nine Inch Noize(28:47) Rosalía: “Focu ‘Ranni” from LUX (Complete Works)(36:21) Rostam: “Like a Spark” from American Stories(42:51) Gregory Uhlmann: “Days” from Extra StarsSee 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 latest mix of the best new songs out now includes a scorching new cut from Jack White, a surprise (and breathtaking) return of electronic legends Boards of Canada, outlaw country from Charley Crockett and more.  NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton.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: [email protected] artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(01:22) Jack White: “G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs” (Single)(08:38) Kelela: “idea 1” (Single)(16:13) mary in the junkyard: “Crash Landing” from Role Model Hermit(24:59) Charley Crockett: “Kentucky Too Long” from Age of the Ram(32:33) Boards of Canada: “Tape 05” (Single)(40:09) Purity Ring: “lemonlime” (Single)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 talk with Beck about his gauzy new song, "Ride Lonesome," what he’s been up to since releasing his last album seven years ago, and what he (maybe?) has planned for the coming year.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: [email protected] 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 celebrate spring and new beginnings with a perfect mix of songs for starting over.  This can take many forms: songs that spark a good, cleansing cry; songs that offer wisdom, or just a sure-fire jolt of adrenaline. But in the end, all of the tracks can help reconfigure your mood, your day or even your life.   Host Robin Hilton is joined by NPR Music’s Noah Caldwell and Dora Levite.Featured artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(02:05) Nina Simone: “Feelin’ Good” from I Put a Spell on You(06:02) Cassandra Jenkins: “Hard Drive” from An Overview of Phenomenal Nature(10:29) Cajmere: “Brighter Days” from Brighter Days(15:42) Beastie Boys: “Sabotage” from Ill Communication(18:54) Wednesday: “Reality TV Argument Bleeds” from Bleeds(22:43) Gregory Alan Isakov: “Second Chances” from The Weatherman(27:09) Bob Marley: “Three Little Birds” from Exodus(30:56) LCD Soundsystem: “Oh Baby” from American Dream(35:18) Ryuichi Sakamoto: “Zure” from async(41:02) Amy Shark: “Amy Shark” from Cry Forever(45:26) Sluice: “Beadie” from Companion(50:05) The Allman Brothers Band: “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” from Eat a PeachSupport 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: [email protected] 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