Leon Bridges. Blondshell. Joy Oladokun. Host Stephen Thompson breaks down the best albums out Friday, Sept. 18 with DJs from around the NPR Music network: Erin Wolf from Radio Milwaukee, Jewly Hight from WPLN in Nashville and Liz Warner from WDET in Detroit. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.The Starting 5(00:53) Album No. 1- Blondshell, 'Violins'(07:43) Album No. 2- Julia Jacklin, 'The Gem'(15:13) Album No. 3- Joy Oladokun, 'Hope Is A Heavy Thing'(22:33) Album No. 4- Leon Bridges, 'Happiness Anytime'(28:52) Album No. 5- Protomartyr, 'Hotel Usona'(34:04) The Lightning Round- Space Afrika, 'Quiet Storm'- claire rousay & Martyna Basta, 'hotel room'- Tinashe, 'Popstar'- Mary Gauthier, 'Reckoning'- Axel Boman & Superpitcher, 'Tell It To The Mountain'Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist.Credits:Host: Stephen ThompsonGuests: Erin Wolf, Jewly Hight, Liz WarnerAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Elle Mannion, Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Sheldon Pearce and Ann PowersSupport public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.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

YEИDRY's music is almost as diverse she is. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Italy, the singer’s repertoire of genre and sound pulls from multiple continents, and even more unique cultural roots. It’s complicated to explain so many mixed identities, but, as we know quite well at Alt.Latino, music is an easy way to tell a complex story. From the first song she ever heard to a track that brings her peace, we’re presenting a playlist of YEИDRY, the artist and the person. It’s raw, unprepped, and just like YEИDRY: alive and constantly evolving.Songs discussed in this episode:- "Ese Hombre" by LA INDIA- "Guitarra" by Yoskar Sarante- "Weird Fishes / Arpeggi" by Radiohead- "Bam Bam" by Sister Nancy- "To Zion (feat. Carlos Santana)" by Ms. Lauryn Hill, Carlos Santana- "Paloma" by Angélica GarciaThis podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.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 latest mix of the week’s best new songs swings from the shoegaze rock of rising LA band untitled (halo) to Bach’s “Air on the G String” performed by pianist Víkingur Ólafsson. We’ve also got singer Lizzy McAlpine’s breathtaking ode to her late father, the laid-back grooves of polymath Sen Morimoto, the extraordinary voice of Scottish singer Beth Taylor and more.NPR Music’s Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton.Tell us what you think with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(02:05) Sen Morimoto: “Chewing Gum”(09:27) Víkingur Ólafsson: “Air on the G String” (Johann Sebastian Bach)(16:56) Lizzy McAlpine: “The crowd”(25:51) Beth Taylor: “My Lagan Love”(33:49) untitled (halo): “easy rider”(41:58) inti figgis-vizueta: “Samara (maple seed) mvmt. III - find roots”Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.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

In September 2025, the electro-pop duo Sylvan Esso made headlines with the announcement that it was removing its catalog from Spotify. The world’s most popular music streamer wasn’t new to criticism, but the temperature changed last year with the revelation that then-CEO Daniel Ek was a major investor in Helsing, an AI software company that designs military weapons systems. A year later, the band has returned bearing new music and another small bombshell: A week after the release of 'Ow ∞,' Sylvan Esso’s fifth studio album, came the news that all of its music was returning to Spotify beginning Sept. 18. In a conversation with reporter Brian Burns from NPR member station WUNC in Chapel Hill, N.C., members Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn (also a married couple) describe that return as the result of a series of sobering discoveries — but also stress how much they learned on the road to this moment.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.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

Beck. Carly Rae Jepsen. Beabadoobee. Host Stephen Thompson breaks down the best albums out Friday, Sept. 18 with DJs from around the NPR Music network: Robert Moore from 90.9 The Bridge in Kansas City, Amelia Mason from WBUR in Boston, and Brian Burns from WUNC in Chapel Hill. Plus, a handful of of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.The Starting 5(01:01) Album No. 1- Beck, 'Ride Lonesome'(07:10) Album No. 2- beabadoobee, 'Pylon'(13:01) Album No.3- Carly Rae Jepsen, 'Day and Night'(21:32) Album No. 4- Tove Lo, 'ESTRUS'(28:22) Album No. 5- Rhiannon Giddens, 'Hope is the Thing with Feathers'(34:18) The Lightning Round- Jake Xerxes Fussell, 'The Old Beloved Path'- Jóhann Jóhannsson & Adam Wiltzie, 'Friendship Survival Guide'- YENDRY, 'Como agua'- Krallice, 'Scour Order'- Son Lux, 'Out Into'Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.orgCredits:Host: Stephen ThompsonGuests: Robert Moore, Amelia Mason, Brian BurnsAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Elle Mannion, Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Anamaria Sayre, Lars Gotrich and Robin HiltonSupport public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.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

Shortly after Los Texmaniacs did what they do best at the Tiny Desk, I pulled them into a studio to chat with them about the traditions they represent with their music. It turned into a master class on the accordion-fueled style known as conjunto, a mix of European folk music and Spanish-language storytelling. Plus, the group shared some love for one of the iconic artists who taught the world how to love conjunto, Flaco Jimenez, and how their personal connection to him also inspired them to move the music forward.  - FelixDon't miss NPR Music's full coverage of Latin Music Month, with Tiny Desk Concerts featuring Mon Laferte, Los Tigres del Norte, Tim Bernardes, Los Texmaniacs and more starting September 15 at NPR.org.This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.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

We’re back with another round of the best new songs out now, including the universe-splitting “Blister Sunrise” from M83, Shygirl’s bone-rattling, euphoric track “Alyse,” subversive funk from Asher White and more.NPR Music writer and editor Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton.Tell us what you think with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(02:02) M83: “Blister Sunrise”(07:51) Shygirl: “Alyse”(15:13) FKJ & Labrinth: “Little Little Voice”(22:21) Renny Conti: “Leaving the Zoo”(30:57) Asher White: “My Day at the Casino”(38:36) Rachel Chinouriri: “Make Believe”Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.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

Sylvan Esso. This Is Lorelei. Ezra Collective. Host Stephen Thompson breaks down the best albums out Friday, Sept. 11 with DJs from around the NPR Music network: Brian Burns from WUNC in Chapel Hill, Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville, and John Morrison from WXPN in Philadelphia. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.The Starting 5(00:35) Album No. 1- Sylvan Esso, 'Ow 8'(06:57) Album No. 2- Ezra Collective, 'Here Because of Hope'(13:36) Album No. 3- This Is Lorelei, 'The Singer in My Band'(20:05) Album No. 4- The Tubs, 'Hard Life'(27:15) Album No. 5- Haruomi Hosono, 'Yours Sincerely'(33:00) The Lightning Round- Funkadelic, 'Maggot Brain (2026 Remastered)'- Locust, 'Spectral+'- Standing On The Corner, 'SOTC II'- Bri`ghde Chaimbeul & Colin Stetson, 'All the light in the world'- Angela Autumn, 'Believer'Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.orgCredits:Host: Stephen ThompsonGuests: Brian Burns, Celia Gregory, John MorrisonAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Elle Mannion, Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Sheldon Pearce, Lars Gotrich and Ann PowersSupport public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.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

This week Ana features two very different Brazilian artists that both draw heavily on the '60s and '70s Tropicália genre. Felix presents two very different approaches to Colombian folkloric music and a new Spanish-language singer-songwriter who turns sadness into light.Artists and albums featured in this episode:(01:52) Maglore, 'Fluxo Natural'(07:13) Indus, 'El Mangle'(12:42) Candelabro, 'Deseo, Carne y Voluntad'(17:11) Araña, 'Araña'(21:07) Lucas Bezerra, 'EU MANDEI MEU AMOR PRO ESPAÇO'(25:21) Luca de Dios, 'De Amor y DesamorThis podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.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

We share more reimagined and reinterpreted songs that rival the originals, including Janis Joplin’s iconic take on Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” a reggae version of The Beatles' “Don’t Let Me Down,” and more.NPR Music’s Dora Levite and Lars Gotrich rejoin host Robin Hilton for another round.Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(04:30) Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris: Neil Young’s “After the Gold Rush”(09:31) Frodus: Devo’s “Explosions” (12:58) Janis Joplin: Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee”(17:12) Jai Paul: Jennifer Paige’s “Crush”(22:26) Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey: Lionel Richie & Diana Ross's “Endless Love”(27:40) Nico: Jackson Browne’s “These Days”(32:34) Tricky: Public Enemy’s “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”(35:29) Cassandra Wilson: Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon”(40:04) Phoebe Bridgers: The Cure’s “Friday I’m In Love”(43:56) Marcia Griffiths: The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down”Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.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