Song Premiere: José González, 'Every Age'
Hear a beautifully spare, existential meditation from González's first new solo album in seven years.
Music
Songs We Love: Houndmouth, 'For No One'
The Indiana band will release its second album in 2015. This early sample is a striking, vibrating, epic folk ballad with almost surreal imagery and a story line that twists in odd directions.
Songs We Love: Nora Jane Struthers, 'The Same Road'
"The Same Road" is the first offering from Nora Jane Struthers' next album, and shows off her band's propulsive new direction. Rooted in bluegrass, Struthers is a serious woman with a light heart.
Listen To 'The Eye,' A New Song By Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile will put out her fifth album, The Firewatcher's Daughter, in March. She talks with Ann Powers about family, her new album and the necessary recklessness of first-take rock and roll.
From The Isleys To Aaliyah To Frank Ocean, The Evolution Of 'Love'
Frank Ocean's cover of The Isley Brothers' "At Your Best (You Are Love)" shows how the singer is re-imagining R&B for the future by exploding stereotypes about gender.
Why Films About Musicians Leave So Much Music Off Screen
Films about music — including documentaries about Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone and Kurt Cobain — tend to focus on everything surrounding the ineffable art without delving deeply into its core.
Grateful Dead Plays Final Shows With Record-Breaking Audiences
Music critic Will Hermes went to one of the Grateful Dead's last shows that broke all kinds of records.
Country's Kacey Musgraves Mixes Wit And Sincerity In 'Pageant Material'
The 26-year-old singer focuses on cleverly constructed lyrics — instead of rebellion — in her new record. Critic Ken Tucker says the singer falls short of creating a "sustained great album."
The Grateful Dead's Laid-Back, Yet Surprisingly Shrewd, Business Plan
Famous for its live jams, the band also benefited from spontaneity in its business dealings — especially once it realized fan loyalty could be used to create new fans.
From Jazz To Latin To R&B, NPR Music's Favorite Albums Of 2015 So Far
NPR's favorite albums of the year so far range from hip-hop to Latin music.