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 on All Songs Considered; there’s off-the-rails conversations (and chisme!) about Latin music on Alt.Latino. The NPR Music channel is your hub for new records, iconic artists and cult heroes, free of algorithms and full of surprises.

NPR Music

Charli xcx. Tyla. Shania Twain. Guest host Ann Powers chats with Nastia Voynovskaya of member station KQED in San Francisco about their favorite albums out Friday, July 24. Plus, some NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.
The Starting 5
(02:06) Album No. 1
- Charli xcx, 'Music, Fashion, Film'
(08:16) Album No. 2
- Willow, 'The Thread'
(14:59) Album No. 3
- Tyla, 'A*Pop'
(20:39) Album No. 4
- Shania Twain, 'Little Miss Twain'
(27:50) Album No. 5
- Portraits Of Tracy: 'Q: From Where Do Our Primal Instincts Originate? A: MTV!'

(33:23) The Lightning Round
- Creekbed Carter Hogan, 'PEASANTS REVOLT!'
- Rico Nasty, 'RX'
- Amy Shark, 'soft pop'
- Josaleigh Pollett, 'If I Let It Quiet'
Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org.
Credits
Host: Ann Powers
Guest: Nastia Voynovskaya, KQED
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion, Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Stephen Thompson and Lars Gotrich
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

New Music Friday: The best albums out July 24

We'll take any excuse to talk about the insane quality of music coming out of Spain these days. This week, we got one: Spain defeated Argentina on Sunday to win the 2026 World Cup Final. So, this episode is a celebration of the multitude of music scenes across Spain that we can't get enough of. Catch boundary-pushing electronic and hip hop producers in Madrid, indie rockers and songwriters in Barcelona, and some old favorites whose voices never stop (looking at you, Buika!). 
Artists featured in this episode:
(01:22) C. Tangana
(04:19) Ralphie Choo
(06:28) Mora
(10:10) Bikôkô
(13:52) Buika
(16:04) Repion
(20:42) Lucia Fumero
(23:12) Maestro Espada
This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.
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

Alt.Latino: Spain wins (at music, too)

We share our picks for the best new tracks out now, including the laid-back dystopia of Sylvan Esso’s “Concrete Glen,” an acoustic take on Phoebe Bridgers’ “Lost Boys,” the glitched-out chaos of feeble little horse and more.
NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.
Support the show with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. 
Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org
Featured artists and songs:
(00:00) Intro
(01:28) Sylvan Esso: “Concrete Glen”
(07:49) feeble little horse: “DMT”
(14:07) Phoebe Bridgers: “Lost Boys (acoustic)”
(22:15) Snõõper: “RECESS”
(26:50) The Olivia Tremor Control: “Garden of Light”
(33:53) @: “Autosmile”   

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

Sylvan Esso, Phoebe Bridgers, feeble little horse, more

Gracie Abrams. Nia Archives. Steve Lacy. On a release day full of catchy earworms, host Stephen Thompson chats with Tshego Letsoalo of KALW in San Francisco about their favorite albums out Friday, July 17. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.
The Starting 5
(00:58) Album No. 1
- Gracie Abrams, 'Daughter from Hell'
(08:13) Album No. 2
- Steve Lacy, 'Oh Yeah?'
(16:38) Album No. 3
- Nia Archives, 'Emotional Junglist'
(22:27) Album No. 4
- Lido Pimienta, 'Caribenya'
(28:04) Album No. 5
- Swapmeet, 'Mount Zero'

(33:13) The Lightning Round
- Catherine Moan, 'CM Ultra'
- Helado Tropical, 'Helado Tropical'
- Orquesta Akokán, 'América!'
- Nao Yoshioka, 'Self'
- Quicksand, 'Bring On The Psychics'
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: Tshego Letsoalo, KALW
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Elle Mannion, Otis Hart
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Felix Contreras, Lars Gotrich and Ann Powers
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

New Music Friday: The best albums out July 17

With last week's best-of show behind us, we've got a clean slate to dive into our favorite new music kicking off the second half of the year. Felix brings a batch of country tracks, while Ana -- to absolutely no one's surprise -- continues her exploration of Brazil's endless supply of captivating music. Catch a mesmerizing indie-ambient album from João Carvalho, some posthumous crooning from Raul Malo, the twangy return of Oklahoma's rising star Wyatt Flores, and much more.
Artists and albums featured in this episode:
(01:13) Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies, 'Gold and Roses (Live)'
(06:15) João Carvalho, 'Uma Festa no Centro do Vazio'
(13:02) Raul Malo, 'Bella Ciao: Raul Malo Live In Nashville'
(17:14) Rincon Sapiência, 'Um Corpo Preto'
(24:13) Wyatt Flores, 'Scared of Heights'
(27:50) Cupido, 'Maldito Cupido'
This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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

Alt.Latino: Country twang, Brazilian flow

On her stellar new single, “Switchblade,” beabadoobee shreds ‘90s style. The Rolling Stones have still got it on their latest album, Foreign Tongues. And Four Tet surprises us with a new “wingdings” project. We’ve got all that and more as we share our picks for the best new songs of the week.
NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton.
Featured artists and songs:
(00:00) Intro
(01:20) beabadoobee: “Switchblade” 
(08:31) Bonobo & Arooj Aftab: “Fire on the Water”
(15:09) The Rolling Stones: “Ringing Hollow” 
(25:31) L’rain: “borderline”
(33:02) Four Tet: "track 3"
(40:35) Ela Minus and Nick León: “espiral”
Support the show with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. 
Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@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

beabadoobee, The Rolling Stones, Four Tet, more

Jack White. Baby Rose. Suki Waterhouse. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Maggie Brennan of WCBE in Ohio about their favorite albums out Friday, July 10. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.
The Starting 5
(02:00) Album No. 1
- Jack White, 'Frozen Charlotte'
(07:28) Album No. 2
- Baby Rose, 'YEARNALISM'
(15:23) Album No. 3
- Suki Waterhouse, 'Loveland'
(22:17) Album No. 4
- Allison Russell, 'In the Hour of Chaos'
(28:22) Album No. 5
- Houndmouth, 'Lordy'
(32:46) The Lightning Round
- Bella Kay, 'My Reckless Abandon'
- Luluc, 'Sweet Thief'
- The Temper Trap, 'Sungazer'
- Kelela, 'new avatar'
- Tracey Nelson, 'Hercules'
- Ultra Lights, 'Pleasure's All Yours'
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: Maggie Brennan, WCBE
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Daoud Tyler-Ameen, Elle Mannion, Otis Hart
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Sheldon Pearce and Lars Gotrich
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

New Music Friday: The best albums out July 10

It’s that time of the year again: a mix between Christmas and Halloween for me and Felix. We gift you our best album picks of the year so far — and there’s nothing spookier for us than having to choose. So here it is, the music we’ve loved and listened to the most in the first half of 2026, some of the best (in our opinion) from all of Latin America and its diaspora. — Anamaria Sayre
Artist and albums featured in this episode:
(02:15) Trueno - 'TURR4ZO'
(07:06) Jonathan Suazo - 'Ricano Vol. 2: Fruto de mi Corazón'
(11:16) Broke Carrey - 'HIJO DEL PAÍS'
(15:48) X Alfonso - 'AIRE'
(22:28) Silvia Pérez Cruz - 'Oral_Abisal'
(29:30) Nuevos Rios - 'Nuevos Rios'
(32:17) Criolo, Amaro Freitas & Dino d'Santiago - 'CRIOLO, AMARO E DINO'
(37:33) Sofia Rei - 'Antónima'
This episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.
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

Alt.Latino: The best Latin music of 2026 (so far)

Roséwave is a feeling more than a singular sound or genre. It’s the kind of sweetness and sadness that underscores the long, languid days of summer.  Long drives with old friends, watching your kids at the pool, backyard barbecues while the sun slowly sets.  On this episode we share a mix of songs that offer the perfect soundtrack for your roséwave days and nights, from Linda Ronstadt’s “How Do I Make You” and Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t That Peculiar,” to Katie Gavin’s “Aftertaste,” Waxahatchee’s “Much Ado About Nothing” and more.
NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich and contributor Marissa Lorusso join host Robin Hilton.
(00:00) Intro and “Summertime, Summertime” by The Jamies
(01:57) Wednesday: "Elderberry Wine"
(04:34) The Lijadu Sisters: "Come on Home"
(07:35) Katie Gavin: "Aftertaste”
(12:17) Marvin Gaye: "Ain't That Peculiar"
(15:46) Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra: “Gayane Ballet Suite: Adagio”
(17:02) Haku.: "Looking Through My Subtle Double Eyelids"
(19:46) Labi Siffre: "My Song"
(22:45) Azymuth: "Faça de Conta"
(25:09) Waxahatchee: "Much Ado About Nothing"
(27:35) Linda Ronstadt: "How Do I Make You"
(30:29) Addison Rae: "Diet Pepsi," from 'Addison'
(34:56) Amerie: "Why Don't We Fall in Love"
Reviews help!  Leave us one on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. 
Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org
Note: A version of this episode originally ran in July 2025.

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

Summer’s simple pleasures: Roséwave

On a special mid-year episode of New Music Friday, host Stephen Thompson and a lineup of NPR Music writers and critics reflect on their favorite albums of the year so far. 
Albums featured in this episode:
(01:14) Album No. 1
- Noah Kahan, 'The Great Divide'
(07:16) Album No. 2
- underscores, 'U'
(14:00) Album No. 3
- Cécile McLorin Salvant, 'With Every Breath I Take'
(20:13) Album No. 4
- Neurosis, 'An Undying Love For A Burning World'
(27:18) Album No. 5
- Tiffany Day, 'HALO'
(33:46) Album No. 6
- Metropolis Ensemble, Erik Hall & Sandbox Percussion, 'Canto Ostinato'
Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guests: Hazel Cills, Ann Powers, Lars Gotrich, Sheldon Pearce, Tom Huizenga
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Otis Hart, Elle Mannion
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
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