Music Lists

Music & Culture

The World Of Celia Cruz: A Turning The Tables Playlist

4:54pm September 16, 2019

by Stefanie Fernández

Cruz remains matchless in meeting the pain of exile and immigration with as full and joyous a song as she sang. Hear a playlist of her best songs, plus music by the artists she inspired.

British R&B singer Mahalia. Her debut full-length Love and Compromise is on our shortlist for the best new albums out on Sep. 6.

Music & Culture

New Music Friday: Our Top 8 Albums Out Sep. 6

8:27am September 06, 2019

Our list of the best albums out this week includes The Highwomen's self-titled release, R&B singer Mahalia's remarkable Love and Compromise, new Frankie Cosmos, MUNA, Lower Dens and more.

Thundercat performs at City Plaza in September 2018.

Music & Culture

City Scenes: 5 Festivals You Have To See In Raleigh Durham

3:11pm September 04, 2019

by Allison Hussey

Whether your taste adheres to folk traditions, electronic explorations, the next generation of hip-hop or all of the above, these North Carolina festivals have something for everybody.

Veronica Swift's "Forget About the Boy" is included in this month's Heavy Rotation.

Music & Culture

Heavy Rotation: Summer Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing

7:01am August 31, 2019

On this month's Heavy Rotation, hear music from Raphael Saadiq, Nick Lowe, Veronica Swift and more.

Music & Culture

NPR Music's Top 12 Albums Of August

2:22pm August 30, 2019

Lana Del Rey balanced bleak beauty with real insight, Young Thug's So Much Fun culminated his influence and Bon Iver offered an album just in time for autumn.

Hey majesty Missy Elliot returned with Iconology in August.

Music & Culture

NPR Music's Top 16 Songs Of August

8:46am August 30, 2019

Missy Elliott reminded us just how vital and future-seeking she continues to be, Normani offered a late-summer dominator and Big Thief got raw.

Boston rapper Cousin Stizz. His latest release, Searching For My Next Thrill, is on our shortlist for the best new albums out this week.

Music & Culture

New Music Friday: Our Top 8 Albums Out On Aug. 16

5:00am August 16, 2019

Our sprint through the best new albums out this week include Sleater-Kinney's The Center Won't Hold, Boston rapper Cousin Stizz, R&B singer Snoh Aalegra, the country singer Lillie Mae and more.

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Music & Culture

NPR Music's Top 10 Albums Of July

8:58am July 31, 2019

In the sweaty month of July, we turned to Cuco's Para Mí, Burna Boy's African Giant and J. Cole's homie-gathering compilation Revenge of the Dreamers III.

The Highwomen's "Crowded Table" is one of NPR Music's best songs of July.

Music & Culture

NPR Music's Top 20 Songs Of July

7:21am July 31, 2019

In July, The Highwomen offered a mission statement singalong, Chance the Rapper spit brotherly love and Rosalía reminded us why she deserves to be named this summer's MVP.

Music & Culture

Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing

5:00am July 27, 2019

There are some new-comers on the music scene, and our NPR Music member stations have curated a list of some highlights for your playlists.