NPR Music

By NPR

Welcome to your all-in-one destination for every NPR Music podcast. We break down the best new albums to hit streaming each week on New Music Friday; we share the latest songs worthy of your playlists... more

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The podcast currently has 1,308 episodes available.

Best of NPR Music

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Number 1: Dolly Parton in her own words
Dolly Parton was more than just a country music superstar. She was a songwriter for others, a philanthropist, a businesswoman, an actress and more. As a pop icon across seven decades, Parton sat down with a number of NPR hosts to tell the stories of her life and art. In this episode, NPR Music’s Ann Powers takes listeners through a number of those interviews to hear Parton tell her story, in her own words. Want more Dolly? Head to the NPR app’s music tab for a Dolly Parton playlist from our archives. Download the app at npr.org/gettheapp. And read Ann Powers’ remembrance of Dolly Parton here. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. This episode was produced by Otis Hart, Suraya Mohamed and Noah Caldwell. It was edited by Hazel Cills. Sonali Mehta is the executive director of NPR Music. Image courtesy of the Michael Ochs Archives. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
August 26, 202628min
Number 2: New Music Friday: The best albums out Aug. 21
Brennan Wedl. Jorja Smith. Brandon Flowers. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, August 21. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (01:23) Album No. 1 - Brennan Wedl, 'Brennan Wedl' (08:34) Album No. 2 - Squirrel Flower, 'Say a Prayer to the Gods of Getting Going' (16:07) Album No. 3 - Westside Cowboy, 'It Goes On' (22:45) Album No. 4 - Brandon Flowers, 'THRASHER' (28:50) Album No. 5 - Jorja Smith, 'What Are The Odds' (34:27) The Lightning Round - Rapsody, 'God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops' - OK Cowgirl, 'Rhinestone Cowgirl' - Elanor Moss, 'The Knife, The Needle' - Julia Holter, 'Materia' - The Cramps, 'Gravest Gravy' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson Guest: Celia Gregory, WNXP Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Dora Levite Editors: Elle Mannion, Otis Hart Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Special thanks to Ann Powers, Sheldon Pearce and Lars Gotrich Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
August 21, 202643min
Number 3: New Music Friday: The best albums out Aug. 28
Alabama Shakes. Mike D. Interpol. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Sean Carolan of WBJB in New Jersey about their favorite albums out Friday, August 28. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (03:37) Album No. 1 - Mastodon, 'Marrow Deep' (08:56) Album No. 2 - Mike D 5D, 'Thank You' (15:41) Album No. 3 - Alabama Shakes, 'I Must Be Dreaming' (21:43) Album No. 4 - Interpol, 'This Mirror Weighs a Ton' (27:47) Album No. 5 - The Linda Lindas, 'Gotta Get Out' (33:37) The Lightning Round - Billy Strings, 'So Much For Goodbyes' - Elephant Stone, 'ASHA' - Tiny Habits, 'Keepers' - Saul Williams, 'Leap Life' - Liim, 'A Sunflower Garden In Harlem Is Hard To Find' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson Guest: Sean Carolan, WBJB Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Dora Levite Editors: Elle Mannion, Otis Hart Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Special thanks to Ann Powers and Rodney Carmichael Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
August 28, 202641min
Number 4: Cover songs that are better than the originals
Sometimes a cover song is so good, so singular that it completely eclipses the original version. Think Sinéad O'Connor doing Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Jimmy Hendrix lighting up Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” or, of course, Whitney Houston’s defining take on Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” On this week’s show, we share some of our picks for cover songs that are better than the originals, talk about why, and what, exactly, a cover song needs to become a classic. NPR Music’s Dora Levite and Lars Gotrich join host Robin Hilton. Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] (00:00) Intro and the top five G.O.A.T.s (06:06) Al Green: “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” (09:58) Björk: “It’s Oh So Quiet” (12:28) Aretha Franklin: “Respect” (16:22) Low: “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me” (19:45) Andrew Paul Woodworth: “Fight For Your Right to Party” (25:10) Yaeji: “Passionfruit” (28:13) Shonen Knife: “Top of the World” (32:06) Wednesday: “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Double)” (34:54) Low: “Fearless” (36:37) Harry Nilsson: “Without You” (39:57) Beyonce: “Before I Let Go (Homecoming Live Bonus Track)” (42:35) Gary Jules: “Mad World” (49:19) Chaka Khan: “I Feel For You” Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
August 11, 202652min
Number 5: The best Sunday morning albums
Is Sunday morning the best time for music? Whether you prefer solitude, get-togethers with family or friends, or steeling yourself for the week to come, we’ve got the perfect album to score your early hours. NPR Music’s Hazel Cills and Lars Gotrich join host Robin Hilton. Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] Featured songs and artists: (00:00) Intro / Miles Davis: “So What” (02:32) Astrud Gilberto: “Once I Loved” (06:29) The Congos: “Fisherman” (08:48) Madredeus: “Três Ilusoses - Amargura” (13:02) Laurie Spiegel: “Patchwork” (17:03) BAD OPERATION: “Bagel Rooks” (20:10) Django Reinhardt: “Exactly Like You” (24:05) Tirzah: “Holding On” (28:13) Margo Guryan: “Sunday Morning” (33:32) Ishman Williams & the William Singers: “The Old Ship Zion” (37:42) Electrelane: “Gone Under Sea” (41:35) Woo: “Make Me Tea” (45:17) St. Germain: “So Flute” Note: A version of this episode originally ran in 2025. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
August 25, 202650min