New Music

Music & Culture

Brittany Howard Announces First Solo Album, Shares 'History Repeats'

9:35am June 25, 2019

by Robin Hilton

The Alabama Shakes singer will release Jaime later this summer. The first single, "History Repeats," is a punch-drunk and funk rumination on humanity's inevitable arc toward self-defeat.

Lil Nas X. His debut EP 7 is on our shortlist for the best releases out on June 21.

Music & Culture

New Music Friday: Our Top 7 Albums For June 21

10:50am June 21, 2019

It's another packed release week; Lil Nas X's debut EP is finally here, along with a posthumous release from Prince, a solo album from producer Mark Ronson, the return of The Raconteurs and more.

Queue Listen Now

"We Bangles hovered around the cassette machine... and we were smitten with the song," Bangle Susanna Hoffs says of first hearing Prince's demo of "Manic Monday."

Music & Culture

How Prince Worked His Magic On The Bangles' 'Manic Monday'

10:46am June 21, 2019

by Samantha Balaban

In the 1980s, Prince wrote one of the Bangles' biggest hits, "Manic Monday." Now, The Prince Estate has released the demo version of the track as part of the artist's posthumous album, Originals.

A still from Nicki Minaj's "MEGATRON" video.

Music & Culture

Nicki Minaj Flips A Dancehall Classic For 'MEGATRON'

10:34am June 21, 2019

by Sidney Madden

It's no coincidence Nicki Minaj dropped this dancehall-inspired track and its accompanying visual on the first official day of summer.

Hobo Johnson's Frank Lopes Jr. in a scene from his video for the song "Typical Story."

Music & Culture

Hobo Johnson Raps A 'Typical Story' For All Of The Misfits

9:56am June 21, 2019

by Robin Hilton

The comical rap-rock group from Sacramento — and former Tiny Desk Contest contender — is back with a summer anthem for all the people who never got invited to the party.

Imogen Heap plays a Tiny Desk Conert on May 4, 2019 (Colin Marshall/NPR).

Music & Culture

Imogen Heap: Tiny Desk Concert

6:59pm June 20, 2019

by Bob Boilen

Imogen Heap takes us through her many musical talents, from her Frou Frou musical partner, Guy Sigsworth — and their first new song in 17 years — to an extraordinary performance with musical gloves.

Music & Culture

Wade In The Water

3:00pm June 20, 2019

Hear the history of American gospel music and its impact on soul, jazz and R&B.

Lil Nas X has followed up his viral sensation "Old Town Road" with his latest song "Panini."

Music & Culture

Lil Nas X Proves He's Not A One-Hit Wonder With 'Panini'

2:54pm June 20, 2019

by Rosalind Faulkner

Lil Nas X's upcoming EP, 7, will aim to cement the Internet sensation as more than a flash in the pan. With "Panini," he's already proven he can be more than a one-hit wonder.

Music & Culture

NPR Classical

1:01pm June 20, 2019

by Tom Huizenga

Need a deep discovery experience? Try 1000 years of music. Our mantra: Bach, Beethoven, before and beyond.

Caro Arroba describes her music as "tech house Andino."

Music & Culture

World Cafe Latin Roots: 7 Femme-Fronted Andean Electro-Alternative Acts

10:16am June 20, 2019

by Sandra Treviño

Ranging in soundscapes that feature ethno bass, dance floor field recordings and techno, these one-of-a-kind sound artists are giving new life to often forgotten roots music.