Music & Culture

Rihanna poses at the album artwork reveal for ANTI in Los Angeles.

Music & Culture

Just What Is An Album? In 2016, That Was An Open Question

6:15pm December 14, 2016

by NPR Staff

This year, major pop artists changed the definition of an album with unconventional releases. NPR Music's Daoud Tyler-Ameen joined host Audie Cornish to discuss this phenomenon.

Queue Listen Now

Malmark handbells on the left and Schulmerich bells on the right.

Episode 592: Bell Wars

4:30pm December 14, 2016

A special holiday episode about the epic, decades-long feud between the two companies that make just about every handbell in the world.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Alt.Latino Picks The Best Latin Music Of 2016

3:26pm December 14, 2016

by Felix Contreras

This was a year for redefining expectations and defying conventions in Latin music. Hear 10 songs that represent just some of the highlights.

Queue Listen Now

Alia Shawkat stars as Dory in the TBS comedy Search Party.

A Critic's Year-End 'Ghost File': Books, Movies And TV Shows He Didn't Review

2:44pm December 14, 2016

by John Powers

Every year, Fresh Air critic John Powers is haunted by all the terrific things he didn't get a chance to talk about on air. As 2016 winds down, he "un-haunts" himself with these six recommendations.

Queue Listen Now

Eskimeaux performs live in Lars Gotrich's Washington, D.C., living room.

Music & Culture

Watch Eskimeaux Play Two New Songs Live

2:41pm December 14, 2016

by Lars Gotrich

Before making a pot of black sesame porridge, Eskimeaux performed "Tour Mate Sex Dream" and "Rearview" live for #WAXnEGGS. Watch that and a set from Japanese Breakfast, filmed in a D.C. home.

Joe Ligon of The Mighty Clouds of Joy performs in Nashville in 2013. "He was the type of singer that would never sit down until he had torn the house up," says gospel singer Pastor Shirley Caesar.

Music & Culture

'He Was Just That Anointed': Remembering Gospel Star Joe Ligon

12:49pm December 14, 2016

by Andrew Limbong

Ligon, a co-founder of the influential group the Mighty Clouds of Joy, died Sunday. He was part of a movement toward contemporary gospel, which incorporated elements of R&B and pop.

Queue Listen Now

A man holds on for dear life in an alien abduction scene, from DJ Shadow's new video for the song "Bergschrund."

Music & Culture

First Watch: DJ Shadow, 'Bergschrund (Feat. Nils Frahm)'

11:21am December 14, 2016

by Robin Hilton

Aliens are bent on abducting a drunk man in the middle of the night. But, with a six-pack of beer tucked under his arm, he doesn't go quietly.

Dori Freeman performs live for Folkadelphia at the WXPN performance studio in Philadelphia.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Dori Freeman, 'Go On Lovin" (Live At Folkadelphia)

10:00am December 14, 2016

by Rachel Horn

In an intimate studio session, the Americana singer sounds like she could be sitting cross-legged in a lonely bedroom, a diary of still-fresh heartbreak falling open by her knee.

iLe performs live at Nuevofest 2016 in Philadelphia.

Music & Culture

Latin Roots: iLe

8:00am December 14, 2016

by Talia Schlanger

Calle 13 singer and rapper Ileana Cabra has gone solo. Hear a live set recorded at Philadelphia's NuevoFest.

Enter NPR Music's third Tiny Desk Contest between Jan. 13 and 29, 2017!

Music & Culture

The Tiny Desk Contest Is Back!

6:07pm December 13, 2016

by Bob Boilen

Send us a video of you or your band playing an original song behind a desk of your choosing. You could win a chance to play your own Tiny Desk concert.

Queue Listen Now