Music

Music & Culture

Gonzalo Rubalcaba's trio finds that swinging sweet spot on 'Skyline'

2:05pm October 27, 2021

by Kevin Whitehead

The Cuban piano whiz teams up with American jazz greats Jack DeJohnette and Ron Carter on a new album. Skyline is three masters enjoying each other's company, with us listeners as lucky eavesdroppers.

Queue Listen Now

Neffy, 2021 Tiny Desk Contest winner performs a Tiny Desk concert.

Music & Culture

Neffy: Tiny Desk Concert

12:21pm October 27, 2021

by Bob Boilen

It felt good to be at the Tiny Desk, if only for one night. Tiny Desk Contest winner Neffy plays her winning song, "Wait Up," plus three more in the first Tiny Desk concert since March 2020.

On ALPHA, her debut album, K-pop artist CL sounds determined and confident despite years of industry setbacks.

Music & Culture

On 'ALPHA,' CL finishes what she started

6:00am October 27, 2021

by Christina Lee

The member of K-pop girl group 2NE1 was poised to be a breakout star, until plans for her solo debut fell apart. Now, on the long-awaited album, her confidence and ambition feel more earned than ever.

'Sellout' explores how anti-establishment views in punk puts bands in a tough spot

6:23pm October 26, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

In his new book Sellout, Dan Ozzi explores the punk phenomenon where anti-establishment clout is currency and while it's hard to pay your bills on principles, selling out often led to buyer's remorse.

Music & Culture

Béla Fleck goes back to bluegrass, his first musical love

3:54pm October 26, 2021

For the first time in over two decades, Fleck has returned to the genre with My Bluegrass Heart, an ambitious double album.

Music & Culture

'Feel Flows' captures the Beach Boys at the peak of their artistry

1:29pm October 26, 2021

by Ken Tucker

A new 5-disc reissue of the 1970 and 1971 albums Sunflower and Surf's Up reveals the Beach Boys at a crossroads, having moved beyond surf-music pop hits, and shooting for more mainstream success.

Queue Listen Now

Ed Sheeran performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Ed Sheeran: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

12:29pm October 26, 2021

by Bobby Carter

Ed Sheeran performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert surrounded by bookshelves and a host of world-class musicians.

Prince performs in Paris at the Grand Palais on Oct. 11, 2009. The musician died in 2016.

Lawmakers may honor Prince with a Congressional Gold Medal

11:16am October 26, 2021

by Jaclyn Diaz

Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Ilhan Omar introduced the bill calling for Prince to posthumously receive the award. The Congressional Gold Medal has been awarded to only 163 people since 1776.

Bruce Springsteen, Michelle Obama and Barack Obama in the Blue Room before the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony on Nov. 22, 2016. It's one of many photos featured in the Renegades book.

In a new book, Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen envision a more unified America

4:59pm October 25, 2021

In an NPR interview, the former president and the iconic musician speak about spreading hope amid widespread division and about the "critical patriotism" of Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A."

Ed Sheeran, pictured in 2018 at the Berlin International Film Festival, says he has tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 just days ahead of the release of his fourth album.

Ed Sheeran tests positive for the coronavirus, which may mean he won't perform on SNL

4:52pm October 25, 2021

by Nell Clark

The singer said he'll do as many planned interviews and performances from home as possible, but it's unclear what that means for his just-announced gig as Saturday Night Live musical guest on Nov. 6.