All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best albums out Feb. 13

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

August Ponthier. Brent Faiyaz. Jill Scott's first album in more than a decade. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by Nastia Voynovskaya from KQED...

Alt.Latino: Puerto Rico takes the field at the Bad Bunny Super Bowl

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was many things: a time-traveling journey through the history of Puerto Rico, a statement of pan-American unity, ...

Why everyone is still talking about Geese

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With the arrival of the Geese Tiny Desk, we thought we’d try to break down what it is about this band that has made them one of the most talked abou...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Feb. 6

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ratboys. Beverly Glenn-Copeland. Caribou's club alter-ego. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music chats with Erin Wolf from Radio Milwaukee about their favor...

Alt.Latino: Bad Bunny makes history at the Grammys. Up next, the Super BBowl

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Last Sunday, Bad Bunny's DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS became the first exclusively Spanish language album to win Album Of The Year at the Grammys. This comi...

Beck, Asher White, Friko and more of the week’s best new songs

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Beck rarity “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime” has officially hit streaming services and we can’t get enough of it. We’ve also got new (...

Recapping a historic Grammys night

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Enjoy Pop Culture Happy Hour's late-night recap of the 2026 Grammy Awards, featuring NPR Music's Stephen Thompson and Hazel Cills, as well as pop cult...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 30

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon. Emily Scott Robinson. Blood harmonies from Irish brothers Ye Vagabonds. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music chats with Dre Castillo ...

Alt.Latino: Venezuelan producer Ella Bric spins songs with a 'teardrop of optimism'

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This month Alt.Latino's been looking at the music of Venezuela from a lot of different angles. For this episode, we’ve invited trumpet player and pr...

Best new songs: Mitski, Father John Misty, Kim Gordon, more

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're obsessing over the hilarious and harrowing “Where’s My Phone?” from Mitski, a slightly softer solo cut from Sonic Youth’s Kim ...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 23

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Lucinda Williams. Julian Lage. The debut from rising Americana star Kashus Culpepper. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music chats with Jessie Scott from WMO...

Alt.Latino: Rawayana on their new album and a changing Venezuela

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes life imitates art - or at least the two can seem eerily connected. On Jan. 1, the Venezuelan band Rawayana released a new album, '¿Dónde E...

What are the greatest videos of MTV’s golden era?

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Reports from late last year about the demise of MTV were overstated; but it got us thinking about the network’s legacy and most memorable moments. S...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 16

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ya Tseen. The Sha La Das. A mesmerizing collaboration between Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Alex N...

Alt.Latino: Our Love Letter to Bob Weir

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Over the weekend, we lost a musician who shaped the lives of countless people: the late, great Bob Weir. He was a founding member of the Grateful Dead...

Big Thief’s Buck Meek, Joji and more of the week's best songs

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

NPR’s classical critic Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton for our first spin of the best songs we’re hearing in 2026, including new ones from Bi...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 9

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dry Cleaning. Jenny on Holiday. An introspective debut from Mon Rovîa. Stephen Thompson from NPR Music is joined by Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashv...

Alt.Latino: Music as protest in Venezuela

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Venezuela has a deep tradition of reflecting political change through music. This week, as the country reels from the seizure of its president by Amer...

The best 2026 albums we've heard so far

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We look ahead to some of the albums we’re most excited about for the new year, from sure bets like Dry Cleaning and Beverly Glenn-Copeland to rumore...

New Music Friday: A roundup of December albums

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's a slow release day to start the new year, so this week NPR Music's Stephen Thompson brings us an abbreviated episode highlighting a few of the ne...

Viking's Choice 2025: The Guitar

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On the last episode of All Songs Considered for 2025, NPR Music producer Lars Gotrich takes host Robin Hilton through an exceptional year in guitar mu...

Our no. 1 songs: 2024

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In our final look back at our number one songs from the past 25 years, we visit Modesto, take an existential stroll through Petco, and find it all so ...

A very tolerable Christmas, 2025

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We take a motorcycle road trip to Wisconsin in our annual search for the true spirit of the season. And, of course, we meet some special guests along ...

Our No. 1 songs: 2023

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We get in our fast car, drive like a red wine supernova, and run into Kristine from the 7th grade.  Bad idea, right?Enjoy the show? Share it with a f...

Listener Poll: Your Favorite Albums of 2025

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We asked and you answered. Earlier this month, we opened the polls and invited All Songs Considered's listeners to tell us their top 5 records of the ...

Alt.Latino: What We Missed In 2025

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The sheer volume and variety of Spanish-language music released every year is breathtaking. Even those of us with our ears to the ground are bound to ...

Songs that hit hard in 2025

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

NPR listeners share the one song that hit them the hardest this year, and tell us why they laughed, cried, or simply couldn’t stop listening to it.F...

Our No. 1 songs: 2022

14 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We go to college and get the “big D,” hit the dance floor and do what we want, then head back to the radio. Is this a life filled with every possi...

The Best Albums of 2025

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If we needed any more proof that the album isn't dead, 2025 was it. On this episode, Stephen Thompson is joined by Ann Powers and Daoud Tyler-Ameen to...

Alt.Latino: What Were Felix and Ana's 2025 Favorites?

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This year was bookended by two major statements in Latin music. In January, Bad Bunny released DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, and followed that up with a 31...

The Best Songs of 2025

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When the dust settles on 2025, what songs will remain in heavy rotation? We look back at a dizzying amount of music and share some of our picks for th...

Our No. 1 songs: 2021

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve got a funny feeling about the times, stay indoors (together alone), and dream about life on the other side.Note: This is a recurring series in...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Dec. 5

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 las...

Alt.Latino: Zen and the art of new music

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 alb...

The year in review, 2025

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Bo...

Our no. 1 songs: 2020

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

New Music Friday: Record Store Day Black Friday 2025

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

A Thanksgiving playlist: songs of joy and gratitude

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hosts Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson share stories and songs of gratitude from NPR listeners.Note: This is an encore presentation that originally r...

Our No. 1 songs: 2019

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 recurr...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Nov. 21

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 cha...

Alt.Latino: Roots and unity at the Latin Grammys

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 exac...

The Contenders, Vol. 25: Robyn, Rosalía, Nothing, Snocaps, more

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Our no. 1 songs: 2018

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, er...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Nov. 14

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 abou...

Alt.Latino: Rosalía in her own words

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Spanish vocalist and composer Rosalía has been a major presence in Spanish language music since she released her first album, "El Mal Querer," in 201...

The Contenders, Vol. 24: JADE, S.G. Goodman, Cleo Reed, more

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 po...

Our no. 1 songs: 2017

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Pulitzer Prize-winning hip-hop album, a crushing elegy to a lost love, a reevaluation of Kesha, "melodrama" from Lorde and more.Note: This is a recu...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Nov. 7

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mavis Staples. Young Miko. A jaw-dropping project from Rosalía. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre and Liz Felix ...

Alt.Latino: Portraits of Jazz and Identity in Latin America

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever since I heard the Argentine saxophonist Gato Barbieri back in the Seventies, I’ve been fascinated by musicians from South America who found the...

New songs to calm the nerves: 2025

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our fourth installment of music to slow the blood is a mix of all-new releases from this year, from the world-building, ambient sounds of Ozbolt and K...

Our no. 1 songs: 2016

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was a year of staggering losses, from David Bowie and Prince to Leonard Cohen and George Michael. But it was also a year of monumental new music, i...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Oct. 31

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Waxahatchee side project. Guided By Voices. keiyaA. Marfa Public Radio's Julie Bee joins NPR Music's Stephen Thompson to break down the best albums...

Alt.Latino: Salsa, bossa nova, and Argentina's next big thing

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Not to sound like a broken record, but I'll say it again: the variety of creative expression in what is inadequately labeled "Latin music" continues t...

The Contenders, Vol. 23: Brandi Carlile, Blood Orange, Magdalena Bay, more

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a week of surprises as we update our running list of the year’s best music, with a mix of songs that refuse to be any one thing. Plus, singer...

Our no. 1 songs: 2015

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Guitar rock comes roaring back, a monumental tear-jerker wrecks legions of fans, hip-hop hits Broadway and more.Note: This is a recurring series in ce...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Oct. 24

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Brandi Carlile. Miguel. Tortoise. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Ayana Contreras from KUVO in Denver about their favorite albums out Friday, Oct. 24...

“I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)” by Stevie Wonder

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the first episode of a new series on All Songs Considered, hosted by NPR Music critic Ann Powers and editor Daoud Tyler-Ameen. Most of what yo...

Alt.Latino: The beauty of simplicity

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The past month has been a whirlwind. The El Tiny takeover of the Tiny Desk... interviews with some of the most exciting artists in Latin music... and,...

Redefining the Halloween canon

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Who’s the Mariah Carey of Halloween? Labels and artists are trying to capitalize on spooky season, but these are the songs that belong in the canon,...

Our no. 1 songs: 2014

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new synth-pop duo comes out of the gate with a perfect song and country gets metaphysical, but a surprise drop from the tail end of 2013 dominates t...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Oct. 17

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tame Impala. Silvana Estrada. Soulwax! Guest host Anamaria Sayre is joined by Travis Holcombe of KCRW in Los Angeles to chat about their favorite albu...

Alt.Latino: Silvana Estrada's stunning sophomore album

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There is no question that Mexican vocalist and composer Silvana Estrada is special to Alt.Latino. Ever since she launched her 2022 album "Marchita" w...

The Contenders, Vol. 22: Geese, Dijon, Juana Molina, more

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve got two of the most-talked-about albums of the year, the return of electro-folk wonder Juana Molina, guitar rock from Alien Boy, Agriculture a...

Our no. 1 songs: 2013

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A country music makeover, an electro-pop crooner inspired by Sam Cooke, the stomp-clap era continues, and more.Note: This is a recurring feature in ce...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Oct. 10

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Makaya McCraven. Madi Diaz. The return of Mobb Deep. Guest host Rodney Carmichael chats with Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville about their favorite...

Our no. 1 songs: 2012

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The flood gates open to K-Pop, plus a feel-good rock anthem (from a band that hasn’t released anything since), a pop juggernaut that became the year...

Alt.Latino: A conversation with Gloria Estefan

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gloria Estefan is one of those musicians whose work and mere presence in the record industry deserves without question platitudes like ‘pioneering’...

A conversation with David Gilmour

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Pink Floyd guitarist and singer talks about the 50th anniversary of Wish You Were Here, a new live album and concert film for his latest solo rele...

Taylor Swift: 'The Life Of A Showgirl'

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Taylor Swift just dropped her new album The Life Of A Showgirl. It touches on her relationship with fiancé Travis Kelce while reflecting on fame, nor...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Oct. 3

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

dodie. Molly Nilsson. Leon Vynehall. We welcome Skylar Rochelle of 90.9 The Bridge in Kansas City to the show to recommend five albums not made by Tay...

Alt.Latino: The return of El Tiny

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's that time of year again: NPR's Tiny Desk becomes El Tiny, featuring concerts from some of the most exciting and legendary Latin artists around. S...

The Contenders, Vol. 21: Tame Impala, Dominic Fike, Amber Mark, more

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We update our running list of the year’s best songs with club beats from Tame Impala, the fractured pop of Dominik Fike, good vibes from singer Ambe...

Our No. 1 songs: 2011

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We "wake the hell up" to pop music, Adele plays the Tiny Desk, a certain Australian artist drops the year's most infectious song, and more.Note: This ...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Sept. 26

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Neko Case. Jeff Tweedy. Amanda Shires' divorce album. Evan Miller from member station WYSO in Ohio joins Lars Gotrich to talk about their favorite alb...

Alt.Latino: New songs from Spain, the D.R. and more

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The way new music comes to Alt.Latino World Headquarters says a lot about our slight age difference. I still get CDs in the mail, with an occasional m...

How Jeff Tweedy finds joy in troubled times

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Wilco frontman talks about his new triple solo album, 'Twilight Override,' an enthralling opus on the miracle and wonder of life, and why he can't...

Our No. 1 songs: 2010

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was a year of both soaring euphoria and quiet calm, with lots of sonic adventures.Note: This is a recurring feature in celebration of the show's 25...

The best new albums out Sept. 19

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joan Shelley, Lola Young and the return of Sarah McLachlan. Kyle Meredith from WFPK in Louisville joins Stephen Thompson to chat about their favorite ...

Alt.Latino: Bad Bunny Closes Out His Residency

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bad Bunny's months-long residency in Puerto Rico is coming to an end. The shows brought in hundreds of millions of dollars to the island, and sparked ...

The Contenders, Vol. 20: The Beths, Dustin O’Halloran, Nicholas Payton, more

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve got six must-hear songs to add to our running list of the year’s best tracks, including some shredding from The Beths, a gorgeous solo piano...

Our No. 1 songs: 2009

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We enter the stomp-clap era as we look back at our number one songs from 2009.Note: This is a recurring feature in celebration of the show's 25th anni...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Sept. 12

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Guerilla Toss. Die Spitz. The return of Spinal Tap. Raina Douris from WXPN's World Cafe joins Stephen Thompson to discuss their favorite albums out Fr...

Alt.Latino: A Tribute to Felix

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode of Alt.Latino is a tribute to host Felix Contreras, who just received the Hispanic Heritage Award for Journalism from the Hispanic...

The Contenders, Vol. 19: Neko Case, Asher White, caroline, more

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hear the songs we just had to share this week. NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton to update our running list of the year’s best songs...

Our No. 1 songs: 2008

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What songs take us back to 2008? Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson recall a pretty folk-heavy year with lots of groundbreaking debuts.Note: This is a ...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Sept. 5

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Big Thief. David Byrne. El Michels Affair. WFUV's Alisa Ali joins Stephen Thompson to discuss their favorite albums coming out Friday, Sept. 5.The Sta...

Alt.Latino: Tim Bernardes, Mabe Fratti, more

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Felix shares the music that's helped him recover from a serious illness. Anamaria shares some new exquisite (and, in one case, slightly toxic) love so...

The most anticipated fall '25 albums

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We get a jump on the upcoming fall releases we’re most excited about, including new ones from Skullcrusher, S. Carey, Silvana Estrada and more. Feat...

Our No. 1 songs: 2007

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The songs that take us back to 2007, the golden age of indie pop and rock.Note: This is a recurring feature in celebration of the show's 25th annivers...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Aug. 29

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sabrina Carpenter. The Beaches. Margo Price. This week, Stephen Thompson chats with NPR Music's Hazel Cills and WMOT's Jessie Scott about the best new...

Alt.Latino: Omar Apollo, Mon Laferte, Mabe Fratti

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, NPR Music reporter Isabella Gomez-Sarmiento is back on the mic, bringing host Anamaria Sayre new music in the vein of her 2010s Tumblr era....

The Contenders, Vol. 18: Disiniblud, Anamanaguchi, more

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We update our running list of the year’s best songs with a bunch of glitched-out ear candy, raging rock, and tracks that seek real, human connection...

Our No. 1 songs: 2006

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The songs that take us back to 2006.Note: This is a recurring feature in celebration of the show’s 25th anniversary. A shortened version of this epi...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Aug. 22

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nourished By Time. Mac Demarco. Earl Sweatshirt. Stephen Thompson and Vermont Public's Tad Cautious discuss the best new albums out this new music Fri...

Our No. 1 songs: 2005

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What songs take us back to 2005?Note: This is a recurring feature in celebration of the show’s 25th anniversary. A shortened version of this episode...

Flaco Jimenez and Eddie Palmieri: Why Their Music Mattered

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On Alt.Latino we often discuss the way that traditions are recognized and expanded upon. Usually it’s when we’re talking about new artists. But t...

Our No. 1 songs: 2000-2004

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A nostalgic look back at the most memorable songs that defined All Songs Considered in its first five years. Note: This is a recurring feature in cele...

New Music Friday: The best albums out Aug. 15

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

KAYTRANADA. Dijon. Molly Tuttle. We discuss the best new albums of the week with arts critic Amelia Mason from WBUR in Boston.Intro• KAYTRANADA, 'AI...

Alt.Latino: Xavi, Simon Grossmann, more

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alt.Latino host Anamaria Sayre and frequent guest Isabella Gomez Sarmiento share their favorite Latin pop earworms of the moment. Featured artists an...

What's the perfect road trip playlist?

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Before summer disappears, we share our favorite songs for your long and winding drives, plus a list of ground rules (does the driver always have final...