Music Reviews

Jóhann Jóhannsson's new album, Orphée, comes out Sept. 16.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Jóhann Jóhannsson, 'Orphée'

7:00am September 08, 2016

by Mark Mobley

The Oscar-nominated Icelandic composer crafts an enveloping instrumental take on the Orpheus myth. His simple, haunting sketches use the familiar tale to comment on changes in his own life.

Music & Culture

'Musical Monsters' Revisits A 1980 Concert By Cornet Player Don Cherry

2:01pm September 07, 2016

by Kevin Whitehead

Cherry joined with four internationally known jazz improvisers for a playful session at a Swiss festival in 1980. Critic Kevin Whitehead says the music they made still sounds fresh 36 years later.

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Music & Culture

Soul Band St. Paul And The Broken Bones Returns With 'Sea Of Noise'

4:29pm September 05, 2016

by Ann Powers

NPR Music critic Ann Powers talks about her new favorite band at the moment, St. Paul and The Broken Bones. The eight-piece soul band is from Alabama and just released its second album, Sea Of Noise.

Music & Culture

Beyond 'Endless Sleep': The Life And Music Of One-Hit Wonder Jody Reynolds

1:37pm September 02, 2016

by Ed Ward

After his 1958 hit "Endless Sleep," Reynolds continued to record interesting music — though he never connected with the public in the same way again. Rock historian tells his story.

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St. Paul & The Broken Bones' new album, Sea Of Noise, comes out Sept. 9.

Music & Culture

First Listen: St. Paul & The Broken Bones, 'Sea Of Noise'

7:00am September 01, 2016

by Ann Powers

Sea Of Noise lifts this Alabama eight-piece from its spot as the nation's best young party band into headier and more exciting territory, where insights matter more than mere imitation.

Daniel Lanois' new album, Goodbye To Language, comes out Sept. 9.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Daniel Lanois, 'Goodbye To Language'

7:00am September 01, 2016

by Tom Moon

On his new solo album, the producer and multi-instrumentalist offers haunting instrumental meditations on the nature of present and future communication.

Teenage Fanclub's new album, Here, comes out Sept. 9.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Teenage Fanclub, 'Here'

7:00am September 01, 2016

by Jason Heller

Poignant and bittersweet, the Scottish pop band's 10th album captures the way things slip away — and are clutched tighter as a result.

Adam Torres' new album, Pearls To Swine, comes out Sept. 9.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Adam Torres, 'Pearls To Swine'

7:00am September 01, 2016

by Bob Boilen

After a long layoff, the Austin musician returns with a collection of intimate, personal songs, recorded with hometown musicians Thor Harris, Aisha Burns and others.

Gaby Moreno's new album, Ilusión, comes out Sept. 9.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Gaby Moreno, 'Ilusión'

7:00am September 01, 2016

by Felix Contreras

The boundary-smashing singer returns with a "Spanglish folk-soul" album about love, violence against women, and the immigrant experience.

Okkervil River's new album, Away, comes out Sept. 9.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Okkervil River, 'Away'

7:00am September 01, 2016

by Stephen Thompson

Away is a rebuilding-yourself-from-the-ground-up kind of record, and singer-songwriter Will Sheff uses the occasion to take his time and let his songs breathe.