Music & Culture

'Love For Sale': A History Of Pop Music That's As Personal As It Gets

7:57am October 15, 2016

NPR's Scott Simon talks to music critic David Hajdu about his new book, "Love For Sale," in which he chronicles the 100-plus year history of American pop music.

"From the outside, this record might feel like a kind of ethnomusicology project or some kind of polemic or political record, but it's really just very, very personal," Riz says.

Music & Culture

Heems and Riz MC On 'Rapping And Writing From A Very Personal Place'

4:38pm October 14, 2016

by NPR Staff

The debut album from their hip-hop group, Swet Shop Boys, presents layers of meaning on race and identity — what happens when, as Riz says, "you really mine the specificity of your own experience."

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Ages and Ages' latest album is Something To Ruin.

Music & Culture

Ages And Ages On World Cafe

4:12pm October 14, 2016

For its new album, the Portland band takes inspiration from ancient South American ruins and its own rapidly gentrifying hometown.

Longtime World Cafe host David Dye welcomes me to the team.

Music & Culture

On Air With Talia Schlanger, World Cafe's New Contributing Host

3:29pm October 14, 2016

by Talia Schlanger

Get to know the Toronto native as she shares stories and songs with David Dye.

Mick Jenkins' new album, The Healing Component, is out now.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Mick Jenkins, 'Angles (Feat. Noname & Xavier Omär)'

3:22pm October 14, 2016

by Jenny Gathright

The Chicago rapper insists that his core message — Love yourself! Know yourself! — is worth repeating. Noname opens her verse with a declaration: "I am absolutely, positively happy."

Music & Culture

Jackie And Roy On Piano Jazz

3:06pm October 14, 2016

Hear the husband-and-wife duo join Marian McPartland for a trio version of "Joy Spring" in a 1998 session.

Music & Culture

Across the Blue Ridge #42 - Emmylou Harris on tour to help refugees

3:00pm October 14, 2016

by Paul Brown

Country music star Emmylou Harris isn't focused solely on her art, as many musicians are. She's demonstrated a deep social conscience throughout her career, and in her life offstage. This

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Leonard Cohen's new album, You Want It Darker, comes out Oct. 21.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Leonard Cohen, 'You Want It Darker'

2:37pm October 14, 2016

by Tom Moon

The particular darkness that defines Cohen's 14th studio album is nearly inescapable, and found everywhere. It's a thick blanket of grim.

Music & Culture

What's On Alt.Latino's Playlist? The Sounds Of Cuba Today

1:34pm October 14, 2016

by Felix Contreras

Cuban musicians are mixing tradition with contemporary styles to create sounds that defy description or categorization. Hear a mix featuring more than 100 songs from today's Cuba.

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Music & Culture

RDGLDGRN: Tiny Desk Concert

12:54pm October 14, 2016

by Suraya Mohamed

The D.C.-area band crafts a striking mix of rock, hip-hop, funk, go-go and Brazilian sounds, fused with energy and humor.