Press Pause And Hit Play: The Best New Songs You Missed In 2021
A regularly updated playlist that keeps track of new songs deemed absolutely essential by the NPR Music staff.
Music & Culture
The Voices Of Black Women Were Essential To Phil Spector's Wall Of Sound
The full impact of Spector's musical legacy is impossible to measure without accounting for the creative labor of singers like Darlene Love and the damage Spector's manipulations did to their careers.
Thistle & Shamrock: Wintersong
Listen to Fiona Ritchie's hour-long curation of winter songs featuring artists Maddy Prior, Atwater Donelly and Kim Robertson.
PUP: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
The Canadian punk band might have generated a noise complaint with this Tiny Desk quarantine performance.
John Legend, Garth Brooks, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake And More To Perform
Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez will co-headline the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday. The day features a variety of performances from other musical artists.
12-Year-Old Trumpeter From Georgia Will Play In Virtual Inauguration Parade
For 100 straight days, Jason Zgonc played his trumpet outside Emory Decatur Hospital near Atlanta to cheer up exhausted health care workers, who were caring for COVID-19 patients.
Trump Pardons Steve Bannon, Lil Wayne In Final Clemency Flurry
Bannon and Lil Wayne were two of dozens of people granted clemency by Trump just hours before his terms comes to a close.
Foo Fighters Are Among Musicians Participating In Inaugural Festivities
Many musicians will perform in a celebration of Joe Biden's inauguration, including the Foo Fighters. Band leader Dave Grohl explains how he got involved, and how he picked the song they will perform.
Lila Downs' New Song Is About Indigenous Workers' Invisible Labor
Downs speaks with Rachel Martin about "Dark Eyes," a song inspired by essential workers from Native American communities who are often overlooked.
Gabriel Garzón-Montano: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
An eight-piece backing band, dressed almost entirely in white, helps Garzón-Montano bring the music of his latest album, Agüita, to life.