NPR Music

Sylvan Esso. This Is Lorelei. Ezra Collective. Host Stephen Thompson breaks down the best albums out Friday, Sept. 11 with DJs from around the NPR Music network: Brian Burns from WUNC in Chapel Hill, Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville, and John Morrison from WXPN in Philadelphia. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.

The Starting 5

(00:35) Album No. 1
- Sylvan Esso, 'Ow 8'

(06:57) Album No. 2
- Ezra Collective, 'Here Because of Hope'

(13:36) Album No. 3
- This Is Lorelei, 'The Singer in My Band'

(20:05) Album No. 4
- The Tubs, 'Hard Life'

(27:15) Album No. 5
- Haruomi Hosono, 'Yours Sincerely'

(33:00) The Lightning Round

- Funkadelic, 'Maggot Brain (2026 Remastered)'
- Locust, 'Spectral+'
- Standing On The Corner, 'SOTC II'
- Bri`ghde Chaimbeul & Colin Stetson, 'All the light in the world'
- Angela Autumn, 'Believer'

Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org

Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guests: Brian Burns, Celia Gregory, John Morrison
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Elle Mannion, Otis Hart
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Sheldon Pearce, Lars Gotrich and Ann Powers

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This week Ana features two very different Brazilian artists that both draw heavily on the '60s and '70s Tropicália genre. Felix presents two very different approaches to Colombian folkloric music and a new Spanish-language singer-songwriter who turns sadness into light.

Artists and albums featured in this episode:

(01:52) Maglore, 'Fluxo Natural'
(07:13) Indus, 'El Mangle'
(12:42) Candelabro, 'Deseo, Carne y Voluntad'
(17:11) Araña, 'Araña'
(21:07) Lucas Bezerra, 'EU MANDEI MEU AMOR PRO ESPAÇO'
(25:21) Luca de Dios, 'De Amor y Desamor

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

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We share more reimagined and reinterpreted songs that rival the originals, including Janis Joplin’s iconic take on Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” a reggae version of The Beatles' “Don’t Let Me Down,” and more.

NPR Music’s Dora Levite and Lars Gotrich rejoin host Robin Hilton for another round.

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 artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(04:30) Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris: Neil Young’s “After the Gold Rush”

(09:31) Frodus: Devo’s “Explosions” 

(12:58) Janis Joplin: Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee”

(17:12) Jai Paul: Jennifer Paige’s “Crush”

(22:26) Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey: Lionel Richie & Diana Ross's “Endless Love”

(27:40) Nico: Jackson Browne’s “These Days”

(32:34) Tricky: Public Enemy’s “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”

(35:29) Cassandra Wilson: Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon”

(40:04) Phoebe Bridgers: The Cure’s “Friday I’m In Love”

(43:56) Marcia Griffiths: The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down”

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Rebecca Black. Paris Paloma. Button Masher. Host Stephen Thompson breaks down the best albums out Friday, Sept. 4 with DJs from around the NPR Music network: Nastia Voynovskaya from KQED in San Francisco, Julie Bee from Marfa Public Radio in west Texas, and DeShun Nance from WJSU in Jackson, Miss. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.

The Starting 5

(01:55) Album No. 1
- Rebecca Black, 'Age of the Exhibitionist'

(08:26) Album No. 2
- Paris Paloma, 'The Fatal Flaw'

(16:40) Album No. 3
- Sharp Pins, 'Mod Mayday 23'

(23:06) Album No.4
- 1-800-Mikey, 'In Yun'

(29:25) Album No. 5
- Button Masher, 'Super Button Masher'

(36:20) The Lightning Round

- Senri Oe, 'Homework'
- Madi Diaz, 'Fatal Optimist UN-unplugged'
- Medium Build, 'King of Having Fun'
- Chat Pile, 'Who Loves The Sun'
- Steven R. Smith, 'Half Light Unfolding'

Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org

Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guests: Nastia Voynovskaya, Julie Bee, DeShun Nance
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Audio Engineer: Cena Loffredo
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Elle Mannion, Otis Hart
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Lars Gotrich and Ann Powers

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I like to think I’m the one who keeps things fresh on the show — or at least that’s what I tell everyone. But this week Felix once again proved that false, bringing in a fresh corridos tumbados duo from Guadalajara who takes a something-old-turned-new genre and smashes it together with metal. It's something I’ve never heard before. What can I say, Felix keeps us all young. I went back to Brazil with some up-and-coming artists whose albums I’ve been excitedly awaiting. And, of course, Felix had to balance things out with one of his favorite jazz vocalists. As per usual, we’re all about whiplash here at Alt.Latino, but in a way that hopefully will make you the favorite DJ at your next fiesta. — Ana

Artists and albums featured in this episode

(03:52) Cultura Profética, 'En bucle'
(09:53) Claudia Acuna, 'Ave de Luz: Chilean Jazz & Soul'
(13:52) Mari Froes, 'Esquina do Sol'
(17:36) Valeria Stewart, 'On A Wing'
(21:17) Raquel Dimantas, 'Cosmo Dorme'
(24:37) Ladrones, 'Arriba La L'

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

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After nearly two decades of producing works by other musicians, including Kendrick Lamar and Vampire Weekend, the artist known as Dahi has just released his debut solo album. He describes it as “African Radiohead,” with kaleidoscopic soundscapes, intricate polyrhythms and a breathtaking list of collaborators. We open this week’s show with the song “How to Pray,” featuring both Kendrick Lamar and singer Amber Mark.

Our other picks for the best new tracks of the week include Dominic Fike’s heady “Wallflower,” dancefloor beats from singer Jorja Smith, an 8-bit instrumental from composer Emily A. Sprague and more.

NPR Music writer and editor Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton.

Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected]

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(02:00) Dahi, Kenrick Lamar & Amber Mark: “How To Pray”

(10:08) OHMA: “Ever Expanding”

(18:46) Dominic Fike: “Wallflower”

(25:20) Jorja Smith: “I Lied, You Lied”

(33:20) Emily A. Sprague: “Noon Liquid Ore”

(41:50) Osamu Fukuzawa & IYAMAH: “Butterflies (feat. edbl)”

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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.

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Latin identity has been at the core of Cypress Hill's music from the very beginning -- their 1991 track "Latin Lingo" gave voice to the Latin roots of hip hop with its funky Spanglish callouts. But it took the band thirty-five more years to make an album of original songs written in Spanish: 'Dios Bendiga,' which was just released. In this episode, Felix chats with the band -- B-Real, Sen Dog and Eric Bobo -- about the influences behind the album, and why this moment felt right to finally make it. Plus, a cameo from the band's longtime producer and turntablist, DJ Lord. 

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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