Dove Ellis. Melody's Echo Chamber. Editors' Tom Smith. Erin Wolf of Radio Milwaukee joins Stephen Thompson to discuss those albums and more on our last episode of New Music Friday this year. The Starting 5: Dove Ellis, Blizzard Melody's Echo Chamber, Unclouded Tom Smith, There Is Nothing In The Dark That Isn’t There In The Light TEED, Always With Me Voices from the Lake, II The Lightning Round: HTRK, String of Hearts (Songs of HTRK) Ben Marc, Who Cares Wins Isobel Waller-Bridge, Objects Mother Soki, Fantasy EP Prins Thomas, Thomas Moen Hermansen See our long list of albums out December 5 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on npr.org. Credits: Host: Stephen Thompson Guest: Erin Wolf, Radio Milwaukee Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell Digital Producer: Elle Mannion Editor: Otis Hart Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Some folks think by December all the releases for the year are complete. Not quite. This week's Alt.Latino episode features a new music show with albums that should be considered along with the year’s best.   We've got pop and alternative from Mexico, funk from Colombia, rock and ambient from New York, and a Tejano master celebrated by his fellow Texans. Plus, Felix brings the zen.  Artists and songs featured in this episode:  - Diles que no me maten, 'Manos de Piedra - Revisitada' - Dianna Lopez, 'Sun Frequencies (Renewal)' - HUMBE, 'fantasmas' - Rene Lopez, 'Any Chance' - Duplat, 'Vete del País' - Ruben Ramos. 'El Año Viejo (ft. Gaby Moreno)' This podcast was produced by Noah Caldwell. The executive producer of NPR Music is Suraya Mohamed. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We look back at the year’s most defining moments in music, from the Trump administration’s takeover of the Kennedy Center to Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance, the Sean Combs trial, the 'Sinners' phenomenon, artists we loved and lost and more. But we begin with a question: Was it an unusually great year for music, unusually bad or par for the course? Check back for more year-end coverage from NPR Music and All Songs Considered, including our picks for best songs, best albums and more. Vote for your favorite albums of 2025. Enjoy the show? Send it to a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We make some bad moves, start over, and take a day off in Kyoto as we look back at the songs we loved most from 2020. 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. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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 Enjoy the show? Send it to a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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 Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by Julie Bee of Marfa Public Radio to talk through the best albums released on May 2. Featured albums: • Car Seat Headrest, 'The Scholars' (Stream) • Samantha Crain, 'Gumshoe' (Stream) • PUP, 'Who Will Look After The Dogs?' (Stream) • Jenny Hval, 'Iris Silver Mist' (Stream) • Jolie Laide, 'Creatures' (Stream) See the long list of albums out May 2 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at npr.org/music. Credits Host: Stephen Thompson Guest: Julie Bernal, Marfa Public Radio Producer: Simon Rentner Editors: Otis Hart and Elle Mannion Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Vice President, Music and Visuals: Keith Jenkins Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Japanese Breakfast. My Morning Jacket. Greentea Peng. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Izzi Bavis from Baltimore public radio station WTMD to run through their favorite albums out today. Featured albums: • Japanese Breakfast, 'For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)' • Greentea Peng, 'TELL DEM IT'S SUNNY' • Tamino, 'Every Dawn's a Mountain' • My Morning Jacket, 'is' • YHWH Nailgun, '45 Pounds' Read our long list of albums out March 21 and stream our New Music Friday playlist at npr.org/music. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy