There's 177 new special edition physical releases out today, so go support your local music purveyor. On this abbreviated version of 'New Music Friday,' host Stephen Thompson shares a taste of what's waiting for you.

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Hosts Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson share stories and songs of gratitude from NPR listeners.

Note: This is an encore presentation that originally ran in 2024

Featured songs and artists:

1. Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss: "Simple Gifts," from Classic Yo-Yo
2. Bill Withers: "Lean On Me," from Still Bill
3. The Mountain Goats: "This Year," from The Sunset Tree
4. Crosby, Stills & Nash: "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," from Crosby, Stills & Nash
5. Louis Armstrong: "What A Wonderful World"
6. John Williams: "End Credits," from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
7. Blackalicious: "Make You Feel That Way," from Blazing Arrow
8. Tyler Childers: "Space and Time," from Rustin' in the Rain
9. Nina Simone: "Isn't It A Pity," from Emergency Ward! (Live)
10. Bob Marley & The Wailers: "Three Little Birds," from Exodus

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We bury a friend, visit the School of Design, and gather around a crowded table to remember the songs that take us back to 2019.

Note: This is a recurring series in celebration of All Songs Considered’s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year.

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Odeal. Snarky Puppy. The return of Tobias Jesso Jr. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Justus Sanchez from KNKX in Seattle and Tacoma to chat about their favorite new albums out Friday, Nov. 21.


The Starting 5:

- Tobias Jesso Jr., 's h i n e'
- Haley Heynderickx and Max Garcia Conover, 'What of Our Nature'
- SHOLTO, 'The Sirens'
- Snarky Puppy with Metropole Orkest, 'Somni'
- Odeal, 'The Fall That Saved Us'


The Lightning Round:

- Keaton Henson, 'Parader'
- John Scofield and Dave Holland, 'Memories of Home'
- Fabiano do Nascimento, 'Cavejaz'
- Magic Fig, 'Valerian Tea'
- Max Richter, 'Hamnet (OST)'


See the long list of albums out Nov. 21 and sample what’s out via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org.


Credits:

Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Justus Sanchez, KNKX
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Elle Mannion
Editor: Otis Hart 
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed


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The annual Latin Grammy awards are always full of glamour and glitz. But they're also an ideal time to take the pulse of the industry - which is exactly what Anamaria Sayre did this year, perusing the red carpet to talk with the most exciting names in Latin music. 

In this episode, Ana brings Felix her report from Las Vegas, where Bad Bunny won Album of the Year, the independent Brazilian music scene made a splash, and the whole industry seemed to be saying: "Show us where you're from."

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed.

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In our final contenders episode of 2025, we’ve got some late additions to our running list of the year’s best songs, including Robyn’s first new release in seven years, the return of the existential shoegaze band Nothing and, of course, we’ve gotta include Rosalía.

NPR Music editor Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hilton.

Featured artists and songs:

Robyn: “Dopamine” (single)
Rosalía: “Divinize,” from 'LUX'
Snocaps: “Over Our Heads,” from ‘Snocaps’
Bassvictim: “Mr. President,” from ‘Forever’
Lola Young: “SPIDERS,” from ‘I’m Only F****** Myself’
Nothing: “cannibal world,” from ‘a short history of decay’

Weekly reset: Walking through Nara Park (the deer park) in Nara, Japan, on an autumn afternoon.

Enjoy the show? Send it to a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

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An Afro-futurist universe with funk and lots of theater (and a big nod to Prince), a potent, political gut punch from a beloved actor and comedian, era-defining protest anthems and more.
 
Note: This is a recurring series in celebration of All Songs Considered’s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year.

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FKA twigs. The Avett Brothers. Madi Diaz covering blink-182. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Liz Warner from WDET in Detroit to chat about their favorite albums out Friday, Nov. 14. 

The Starting 5:

- FKA twigs, 'EUSEXUA Afterglow' (Stream)
- The Avett Brothers & Mike Patton, 'AVTT/PTTN' (Stream)
- Gabriel Jacoby, 'gutta child' EP (Stream)
- K-LONE, 'sorry i thought you were someone else' (Stream)
- Sword II, 'Electric Hour' (Stream)


The Lightning Round:

- Summer Walker, 'Finally Over It'
- V/A, 'DJ-Kicks: Eris Drew'
- Austra, 'Chin Up Buttercup'
- Everything But the Girl, 'The Best of Everything But the Girl'
- Tony Molina, 'On This Day'


See the long list of albums out Nov. 14 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org.


Credits:

Host: Stephen Thompson

Guest: Liz Warner, WDET

Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell

Digital Producer: Elle Mannion

Editor: Otis Hart

Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed


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Spanish vocalist and composer Rosalía has been a major presence in Spanish language music since she released her first album, "El Mal Querer," in 2018. She started by leaning into her flamenco roots, but since then she has expanded her musical vision to become one of those musicians who defies category.

Her new album "LUX" stretches that descriptor to its limit. Her musical tools this time include the London Symphony Orchestra, singing in 13 languages, guests like Icelandic performer Björk, and her own vocals that hit operatic heights. This week, Ana and Felix dissect the album and play excerpts from Ana's interview with Rosalía. How can you go wrong?

You can read extended highlights of Ana's interview with Rosalía at NPR.org

This episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed.


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With the end of 2025 in sight, we pause to update our running list of the year’s best songs. Our latest adds include the (possibly twisted) dance pop of JADE, a brutal but affecting story song from S.G. Goodman, power pop from the band Liquid Mike and more. But we open with a question: Benson Boone... kinda awesome?

Featured artists and songs:

1. Liquid Mike: “Double Dutch,” from ‘Hell Is An Airport’

2. Cleo Reed: “Always the Horse, Never the Jockey (feat. IWEWE),” from ‘C**try’

3. JADE: “Plastic Box,” from ‘THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!’

4. S.G. Goodman: “Snapping Turtle," from 'Planting by the Signs’

5. Ken Pomeroy: “Stranger,” from ‘Cruel Joke’

Weekly reset: A breezy, Sunday morning in a small town

Enjoy the show? Send it to a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 


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