From TV commercials to our social media feeds, we're being bombarded with new things to consume.

Michelle Branch's hit song "All You Wanted" released in 2001.

NPR Music culture critic and reporter Rodney Carmichael ruminates on the latest in rap culture. This week: Is the rap mogul's self-selection a crowning achievement or a final affront?

"Is it real?" is the most pressing question in music in 2026, and it's one that feels impossible to adequately answer, in almost any context.

From top to (cheeky) bottom, CMAT's Tiny Desk has it all: captivating stage presence, sharp songwriting, vocal range, a great band and comedic timing.

From an indie darling getting called a "psyop" to plagiarism allegations against a rising pop star, this year feels like an especially fraught time to bicker about authenticity in the music industry.

Controversy over an artist being fake — or someone thinking they are — is hardly new. Here are some of the craziest moments in recent music history when the boundary between real and fake collapsed.

Elizabeth McCracken's connected short stories chronicle a family's encounters with their eldest son's girlfriend and eventual wife. This slim collection is so engaging, you may want to read it twice.