Music

SOFTSPOT's new album, Clearing, is out now.

Music & Culture

A Brooklyn Band Finds Inspiration In Stormy Seas

8:06am April 08, 2017

SOFTSPOT's song "Maritime Law" originated when frontwoman Sarah Kinlaw and her dad were caught in a storm off the North Carolina coast. She says the experience made her view safety in a new way.

Zeshan Bagewadi's new album combines American funk and soul with Punjabi lyrics.

Music & Culture

The Second-Generation Soul Of Zeshan Bagewadi

8:06am April 08, 2017

The Chicago singer learned about civil-rights-era funk and soul through his Indian Muslim father's record collection. Bagewadi's new album, Vetted, is informed by his family's immigrant story.

Music & Culture

Precision Drum Company Takes On The Beatles

8:06am April 08, 2017

by Karen Michel

One of the oldest U.S. drum makers is Precision Drum Company. It's made instruments for some big names in jazz and rock. It's now making a replica of the drum on the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper album.

Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim in the studio.

Music & Culture

Revisiting A Masterpiece: When Frank Sinatra Collaborated With Antonio Carlos Jobim

3:39pm April 07, 2017

by Nate Chinen

Sinatra was well into his Rat Pack era, the reigning American embodiment of masculine suavity and aplomb, when he teamed up with the Brazilian maestro for one of the best albums of his career.

Jeremy Messersmith's new album, 11 Obscenely Optimistic Songs For Ukulele: A Micro Folk Record For The 21st Century And Beyond, comes out April 14.

Music & Culture

Start Your Weekend With An 'Obscenely Optimistic' Ukulele Jam

2:31pm April 07, 2017

by Stephen Thompson

Hear "Everything Is Magical," the first song from Jeremy Messersmith's literally titled 11 Obscenely Optimistic Songs For Ukulele: A Micro Folk Record For The 21st Century And Beyond.

Josh Tillman, as Father John Misty, isn't always easy to love. Pure Comedy knows that.

Music & Culture

The Mad Genius Of Father John Misty

2:27pm April 07, 2017

by Robin Hilton

The singer takes aim at all of humanity on his sprawling new masterwork Pure Comedy.

Tash Sultana performs a Tiny Desk Concert on Feb. 17, 2017. (Claire Harbage/NPR)

Music & Culture

Tash Sultana: Tiny Desk Concert

1:15pm April 07, 2017

by Bob Boilen

It's astonishing to watch Sultana's fluidity on her instrument, like a natural extension of her body. She also plays bass, saxophone, trumpet, flute and more, but kept it "simple" for the Tiny Desk.

Skin On Skin: The Mongo Santamaria Anthology.

Music & Culture

For Mongo Santamaria's 100th Birthday, Hear 5 Of His Best

1:03pm April 07, 2017

by Felix Contreras

The great percussionist and bandleader's former student, Dario Rosendo, selects five standout tracks to celebrate Santamaria's centennial.

The Los Angeles synth-pop duo Night Things wants to turn your dreams into songs.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Night Things, 'Cost Of The Summer'

12:26pm April 07, 2017

by Megan Buerger

The Los Angeles synth-pop duo sounds like a sunny reboot of Duran Duran, and it wants to turn your dreams into songs.

Future Islands' new fifth album is titled The Far Field.

Music & Culture

Future Islands' New Album Stays Smooth, Even As Veins Bulge

11:51am April 07, 2017

by Stephen Thompson

The band's secret weapon is a kind of fearless sincerity — in its lyrics, in its propulsive urgency and in its frontman's willingness to throw himself into performances with guileless passion.