Music & Culture

"I didn't know what I was going to do. It just happened," Maxwell says of recording his new song "Lost," which he tracked in one take.

Music & Culture

After 7 Years, Maxwell Is Back At It With 'blackSUMMERS'night'

6:38pm July 05, 2016

by NPR Staff

The R&B singer can work fast — he recorded two of the tracks on his new album totally off the cuff. So why did the album take so long to make? "Well, because you gotta live something," he says.

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Music & Culture

Los Hacheros: Tiny Desk Concert

3:31pm July 05, 2016

by Felix Contreras

Sometimes it's necessary to get back to basics. In the case of Los Hacheros, that means returning to the deep groove of Afro-Caribbean music that provides the source material for modern salsa.

Music & Culture

Darrell Scott On World Cafe

3:19pm July 05, 2016

One of Nashville's most in-demand session musicians explains why he revived decade-old recordings for a new solo album.

Devonté Hynes on stage in March 2016. Hynes' third album as Blood Orange, Freetown Sound, was released on June 28.

Music & Culture

Dev Hynes Wants To Know What It Feels Like To Be Free

3:04pm July 05, 2016

by Barry Walters

On Freetown Sound, his latest album as Blood Orange, the producer and singer Devonté Hynes has crafted an artistic persona that knits together the complications of an uncommon star.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra's song "First World Problem" is featured on this week's episode of Metropolis.

Music & Culture

Metropolis: 07/02/2016

2:49pm July 05, 2016

KCRW's Jason Bentley spins music by Andy Shauf, M83, James Blake and more on this week's episode.

Aurora, in a scene from the video for "I Went Too Far."

Music & Culture

Aurora Shares A Breathtaking Video For 'I Went Too Far'

2:41pm July 05, 2016

by Sophie Kemp

The 20-year-old Norwegian synth-pop artist grieves and soars in her latest work.

Clockwise from upper left: Daniel Lanois, Deap Vally, Nonkeen

Music & Culture

New Mix: Daniel Lanois, Deap Vally, Nonkeen, Pinegrove, More

2:20pm July 05, 2016

On this week's All Songs Considered: Shout-alongs and ambient tracks from both brand new artists and industry veterans.

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Concertgoers use their cellphones during a Fifth Harmony concert March 23, 2015, in New York. The company Yondr created a locking pouch to hold phones during performances, creating a "phone-free zone."

Lock Screen: At These Music Shows, Phones Go In A Pouch And Don't Come Out

9:48am July 05, 2016

by NPR Staff

The Lumineers are among many artists frustrated by people on their mobile devices during performances. Their singer explains why they're asking fans to lock up their phones with a new technology.

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Music & Culture

A Spicey British Invasion Began 20 Years Ago This Week

7:59am July 05, 2016

Renee Montagne and David Greene remember when the Spice Girls released their debut single in Europe. Scary, Posh, Baby, Sporty and Ginger would soon spice up the American music industry.

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A Tribute To The Late American Composer Eubie Blake

9:00am July 04, 2016

Blake's music is featured in the Broadway revival, Shuffle Along. Our tribute features live performances of his songs and interviews with pianist Dick Hyman, among others. Originally broadcast in '98.