All Songs Considered
Episodes
New Music Friday: The best albums out Aug. 8
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ethel Cain. Charley Crockett. J.I.D. Plug in to the week's top new releases with NPR Music's Stephen Thompson and guest DeShun Nance of WJSU's The Sip...
Alt.Latino: Sofia Kourtesis, Lucrecia Dalt, more
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Some might call it whiplash, the way we sometimes zip from one genre of Latin music to another in our New Music shows. But I like to think of it as an...
The Contenders, Vol. 17: Keaton Henson, Arvo Pärt, Julia Hamos, more
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We update our list of the year’s best songs with new obsessions from The Antlers, polymath Keaton Henson, pianist Julia Hamos, Estonian composer Arv...
New Music Friday: The best albums out Aug. 1
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Newcomer Emily Hines. Hardcore collective The Armed. A Susumu Yokota boxset. WDET's Liz Warner joins NPR Music's Stephen Thompson to dive into their f...
Alt.Latino: It's a Bad Bunny summer in Puerto Rico: Ana recaps 2 of his shows
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Global superstar Bad Bunny is hosting an unprecedented 30 concert residency in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fans are calling it a defining cultural moment f...
Roséwave: Summer's Simple Pleasures
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You asked, we listened: Roséwave is back! Our summer playlist series returns with syrupy sweet songs from the likes of Amerie, Wednesday, Addison Rae...
New Music Friday: The best albums out July 25
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tyler Childers. Patty Griffin. Indigo De Souza. Joe Kendrick of WNCW in North Carolina joins us to discuss the best albums out on July 25.Intro:• Ty...
Alt.Latino: Bad Bunny residency prep, new guitar tracks and Latin genre benders
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before Ana heads off to see Bad Bunny's unprecedented residency in Puerto Rico, we chat a little about why the celebration is significant to the islan...
The Contenders, Vol. 16: Jay Som, Jeff Tweedy, Kassa Overall, more
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can music save the world? The songs in this week's mix consider the power of creativity as we update our running list of the year's best tracks, with ...
Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit d...
New Music Friday: The best albums out July 18
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alex G. Paramore's Zac Farro. Lord Huron. It's a packed release week, and we've got Chelsea O from Buffalo/Toronto Public Media on the show to unpack ...
Alt.Latino: Joy and resistance, plus Felix shares some of his favorite playlists
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week Ana and I share some of our long time favorites. While Ana leans into music discovery, I tend to bring more of the classics. In fact, I buil...
What makes for a summer song?
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Robin Hilton, Anamaria Sayre and Hazel Cills gather to share songs that feel like summer — and that means staying indoors to avoid the heat as well ...
Is John Williams the GOAT?
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With strains of John Williams' music once again animating and inspiring the summer blockbuster season — as heard in Jurassic World Rebirth, the new...
New Music Friday: The best albums out July 11
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is back with Celia Gregory of Nashville public radio station WXPN to talk through this week's best new music.Intro:- The ...
Alt.Latino: Bad Bunny gets political, Brazilian grooves from Brooklyn and more
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ana and Felix break down Bad Bunny's latest political video. Hear their failed attempt at a blindfold listening game.Artists and songs featured in thi...
The Contenders, Vol. 15: Wisp, Blonde Redhead, Sherelle, more
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brittany Luse, host of NPR's It's Been A Minute, joins us to update our running list of the year's best songs, including new shoegaze from Wisp, heart...
New Music Friday: The best albums out July 4
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kesha. Kae Tempest. Nilüfer Yanya. It's an abbreviated Independence Day edition of New Music Friday.Featured albums:• Kesha, '.'• Kae Tempest, 'S...
Alt.Latino: Isabella Lovestory, Vicente García, more
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our selections this week feature a crate diggers' delight from Colombia and the sound of modern rap in Mexico.Featured artists and songs:• Óscar Ag...
2025's best songs (so far)
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we share our wildly incomplete list of the year's best tracks so far, including bangers from PinkPantheress and HAIM, a slow-burner from Lan...
New Music Friday: The best albums out June 27
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Madison McFerrin. Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas. Durand Jones & The Indications. KALW's Wonway Posibul joins NPR Music's Stephen Thompson to share the...
Alt.Latino: Karol G's 'Tropicoqueta'
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Karol G leans into a Pan-Latin approach on her latest album. Jazz vocalist Roxana Amed reimagines classic rock from her native Argentina. And more.Art...
The Contenders, Vol. 14: Upchuck, Just Mustard, Brandon Woody, more
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's update to our running list of the year's best songs includes some scorchers from Atlanta's Upchuck, the shoegaze group Just Mustard, jazz ...
New Music Friday: The best albums out June 20
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
HAIM. Hotline TNT. Yaya Bey. World Cafe's Raina Douris joins Stephen Thompson to give you a quick tour through the best records out this week.Featured...
Alt.Latino's Favorite music of 2025 (so far)
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A look at some of the most intriguing music released during the first six months of the year.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices....
Fever Ray, The Beaches, Patrick Watson, more: The Contenders, Vol. 13
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The latest additions to our list of the year's best songs include a joyful new banger from The Beaches, a wondrous tapestry of sounds from singer Patr...
New Music Friday: The best new albums out June 13
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brandee Younger. The Cure. Annahstasia. WRTI's Nate Chinen joins Stephen Thompson to discuss our favorite albums of the week.Featured albums:• Annah...
Alt.Latino: Bruce Springsteen, Louie TheSinger, more
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week Anamaria Sayre continues to scour her part of the internet for great new tracks that will impress Felix Contreras, while he continues to exp...
Summer '25 Album Preview
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We look at the most anticipated albums coming this summer, from Wet Leg, Big Thief, Superchunk, Lucrecia Dalt and more. WNXP's Celia Gregory joins NPR...
New Music Friday: The best albums out June 6
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pulp. Turnstile. Little Simz. It's a packed release week, and NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is here to walk you through it, along with friend of the pr...
Alt.Latino: Accordions!
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The influence of Eastern Europe immigration in Latin America can be heard in the way the accordion was adapted and adopted in countries like Mexico, C...
Little Simz, Ty Segall, yeule, more: The Contenders, Vol. 12
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We update our running list of the year's best songs with old-school guitar rock from Ty Segall, a playful left turn for rapper Little Simz, yeule's po...
New Music Friday: The best albums out May 30
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The National's Matt Berninger. Low's Alan Sparhawk. yeule. KXT's Jackson Wisdorf joins NPR Music's Stephen Thompson to talk about their favorite recor...
Alt.Latino: Our favorite Latin bands from the Tiny Desk Contest
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras was a Tiny Desk Contest judge this year, and on this episode, he brings six of his favorite entries to the show. Artis...
10 years later, Sufjan Stevens offers a startling reevaluation of 'Carrie & Lowell'
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a conversation with All Songs Considered's Robin Hilton, Stevens shares a complex and conflicted view of the album he wrote about his mother in the...
New Music Friday: The best albums out May 23
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stereolab. Ganavya. Marc Ribot. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Robert Moore, host of 'Sonic Spectrum' on 90.9 The Bridge in Kansas City, to the...
Alt.Latino: Paloma Morphy, rusowsky, Pachyman
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre share six new songs from across the spectrum of Latin music.Featured artists and songs:• Paloma Morphy, "1 tipo n...
Laufey, Fiona Apple, Lord Huron, more: The Contenders, Vol. 11
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We've got another update to our running list of the year's best songs with the return of Fiona Apple, Laufey, deep reflections from Lord Huron and mor...
New Music Friday: The best albums out May 16
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tune-Yards. Aminé. Lido Pimienta. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson and KCRW's Ro "Wyldeflower" Contreras give you a quick roundup of the most exciting al...
Alt.Latino: Guitarricadelafuente, Lido Pimienta, more
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host Anamaria Sayre finally gets to share the new Guitarricadelafuente album with the world, and catch the NPR audience on the viral sensation Maca...
Natalia Lafourcade, Chris Staples, more: The Contenders, Vol. 10
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We update our running list of the year's best songs with a plainspoken but moving story from Chris Staples, a wildly unpredictable piece from soprano ...
New Music Friday: The best albums out May 9
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes WXPN's John Morrison to discuss billy woods, Thom Yorke, PinkPantheress and more.Featured albums: • billy wood...
Alt.Latino: The Mars Volta, Argentine Beatles covers, and more
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The music this week comes from a variety of countries and genres, some of it sounds like music you've heard ... while others sound like nothing you've...
Perfect Sunday morning albums
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 you...
New Music Friday: The best albums out May 2
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Se...
Alt.Latino: Rapper PJ Sin Suela on Puerto Rican hip-hop and more
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anamaria Sayre talks about the history of Puerto Rican hip-hop with rapper PJ Sin Suela. Featured artists and songs:• PJ Sin Suela & Chuwi, "Escúch...
The music of 'Sinners,' hyper-pop and more: The Contenders, Vol. 9
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We update our running list of the year's best songs with a staggering cut from the new 'Sinners' film, hyperpop from Jane Remover, the return of Foxwa...
New Music Friday: The best albums out April 25
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Coco Jones. Samia. Fly Anakin. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Ayana Contreras from Denver public radio stations KUVO Jazz and The Drop to discu...
Alt.Latino: Natalia Lafourcade, Eladio Carrión, more
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre talk artistic growth and precocious talent.Featured artists and songs:• Natalia Lafourcade, "Can...
Songs that hit you hard
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We asked listeners to tell us about the one song they couldn't stop listening to because of how it made them feel. On this episode we share some of th...
New Music Friday: The best albums out April 18
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Julien Baker & Torres. Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson. TV On The Radio's Tunde Adebimpe. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Brian Burns of Nort...
Alt.Latino: A Banjo, Bomba, Bardo y Más
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anamaria continues to impress Felix with new female voices, while he shares more jazz and Puerto Rican bomba fusion.Featured artists and songs:• Que...
Stereolab returns and more: The Contenders, Vol. 8
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stereolab is back with its first new music in 15 years. We give it a spin on this week's show, along with the scorched rock of feeble little horse, a ...
New Music Friday: The best albums out April 11
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bon Iver returns. Valerie June branches out. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Erin Wolf of Radio Milwaukee's 88Nine to the show for a quick run-t...
Alt.Latino: Bad Bunny's Tiny Desk
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bad Bunny's Tiny Desk concert was the most watched premiere in the series' history. In this episode, Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre speaks with the super...
Even more songs to calm the nerves
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our third installment of calming songs includes Max Richter's tribute to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ambient sounds from Ryuichi Sakamo...
New Music Friday: The best albums out April 4
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Hold Steady's Craig Finn. Momma. Newcomers Lily Seabird and duendita. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson teamed up with Zach McCormick of Minnesota Publ...
Alt.Latino: New music and a psicodélico explainer
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre play the new music that caught their ears this week, plus Felix delivers a deep dive into the root...
New Wet Leg, Sufjan Stevens, more: The Contenders, Vol. 7
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wet Leg is back with another burst of wildly infectious, frenetic rock. We've got that, the original version of an Oscar-worthy Sufjan Stevens song, a...
Special announcement
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A quick note about today's episode from All Songs Considered.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
New Music Friday: The best records out March 28
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lucy Dacus. Perfume Genius. Destroyer. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Colorado Public Radio's Alisha Sweeney of Indie 102.3 to guide you throug...
Alt.Latino: Songs To Move By
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hosts Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras discuss the best music Felix unearthed while moving out of his apartment.Learn more about sponsor message cho...
Saying 'goodbye' to SXSW Music
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We look at how and why SXSW, once the world's largest music festival, is being scaled back to a shell of itself, what was so special about it, and wha...
New Music Friday: The best albums out March 21
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Japanese Breakfast. My Morning Jacket. Greentea Peng. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Izzi Bavis from Baltimore public radio station WTMD to run...
The most anticipated spring albums
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We look ahead to the most anticipated albums due out this spring, including Rico Nasty's LETHAL, the return of Car Seat Headrest and Lucius, the exist...
New Music Friday: The best albums out March 14
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Charley Crockett. Twin Shadow. Throwing Muses. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by Matt Reilly of Austin public radio station KUTX to discuss th...
Alt.Latino: A Latin Jazz survey, plus Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alt.Latino hosts share six songs that they've had on repeat over the past month.Featured artists and songs:• Edison Machado & Boa Nova, "Naquela Bas...
The Contenders, Vol. 6: The songs we can't stop playing this week
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We've got just what you need for that stubborn case of existential dread in a looming dystopia as we update our running list of the year's best songs,...
New Music Friday: The best albums out March 7
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lady Gaga. Jason Isbell. Newcomer Annie DiRusso. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Celia Gregory from Nashville public radio station WNXP to discu...
Alt.Latino: New Music + Violeta Parra
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre balance their passion for new discoveries with reissued music from an iconic Latin Ameri...
All Songs Considered At 25
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we celebrate a quarter century of music nerdom and buffoonery, we remember the songs that shaped the show and our lives, with 25 No. 1 tracks from ...
New Music Friday: The best albums out Feb. 28
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Animal Collective's Panda Bear. Nicolás Jaar's DARKSIDE. Newcomer Hope Tala. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson discusses these albums and more with KCRW's...
Alt.Latino celebrates Black History Month
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras speaks with Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican saxophonist Miguel Zenón about the Afro-Latino legacy on the island.Lea...
The Contenders, Vol. 5: The songs we can't stop playing this week
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We update our running list of the year's best songs with the cinematic pop of Oklou, Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, the experimental hip-hop...
New Music Friday: The best albums out Feb. 21
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Fender. The Drive-By Truckers' Patterson Hood. Jesse Welles. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson discussed these new albums and more with country star Ka...
And the Oscar for Original Song goes to...
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With Oscar season here, we review the nominees for Original Song and Original Score, prognosticate who will win the statues on March 2, and look at th...
New Music Friday: The best albums out Feb. 14
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bartees Strange. Denison Witmer. The Sun Ra Arkestra's Marshall Allen. NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Nate Chinen of Philadelphia's WRTI to dis...
Alt.Latino: New Music Roundup
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
'Alt.Latino' hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are back with six new songs that span the spectrum of Latinidad.Featured artists and songs:• C...
The Contenders, Vol. 4: The songs we can't stop playing this week
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The latest update to our running list of the year's best songs includes the shredded guitars of girlpuppy, solo material from from TV On The Radio's T...
New Music Friday: The best albums out Feb. 7
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sharon Van Etten headlines this week's new releases, but she's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. On this episode, NPR Music's Stephen Thompson w...
Alt.Latino's best new music round-up: Jessie Reyez, Arturo O'Farrill and Astropical
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we hear from a Colombian-Venezuelan super group, a new Afro-Brazilian band, and Ana gets another jazz lesson from a Latin jazz orchestra.So...
Lesser-known love songs
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Making a playlist or mixtape for that special someone? We've got you covered this Valentine's Day with these off-the-radar love songs.Featured artists...
2025 Grammys Recap
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We break down the winners, surprise shutouts and more from what's billed as "music's biggest night," courtesy of our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour...
New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 31
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Weeknd may be the biggest release of the week, but is it the best? We run down five other albums you should hear, with NPR Music's Stephen Thompso...
Alt.Latino: Why we love Joaquina. Plus, Felix is chismeless
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do not come on Alt.Latino if you don't have good chisme! Ana and Felix talk about their favorite songs of the week, including some psychedelic cumbia,...
The Contenders, Vol. 3: The songs we can't stop playing this week
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We update our list of the year's best songs with a Tamino-Mitski collaboration, Son Lux's first new music since scoring Everything Everywhere All At O...
New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 24
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
FKA twigs. Central Cee. It's a big week for new releases, and we've got you covered. Host Stephen Thompson welcomes Desiré Moses of Virginia public r...
Alt.Latino: New songs for New Year's resolutions
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras share their goals for 2025 and the new songs that reflect them.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastcho...
2025's most-anticipated albums
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We highlight some of the most anticipated albums of the year, including upcoming ones from Perfume Genius, Lucy Dacus, serpentwithfeet and more.Featur...
New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 17
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes aboard Kara Manning of New York City public radio station WFUV to discuss the best new albums hitting streaming ...
A moment for Los Angeles
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Los Angeles is home for me and always in my heart. Watching the fires from afar in my current city, New York, has me thinking a lot about what makes m...
The Contenders, Vol. 2: The songs we can't stop playing this week
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Japanese Breakfast (Michelle Zauner) is back with her first new album since her memoir, Crying in H Mart, blew up. We've got the first single from it,...
New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 10
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NPR Music's Stephen Thompson is joined by KCRW's Travis Holcombe to run down their four favorite albums out today, as well as the revamped version of ...
Bad Bunny's 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos,' Explained
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alt.Latino hosts Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras, and NPR reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento break down what exactly makes the record so Puerto Rica...
The Contenders, Vol. 1: The songs we can't stop playing this week
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new year means a new running list of our favorite songs, from the transfixing voice of Anna B Savage and FKA Twigs' moody club beats to the '80s-inf...
New Music Friday: The best albums you missed from December
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's been some great music released since the last New Music Friday episode in late November. So, on this slow January release day, NPR Music's Ste...
Viking's Choice: The year in catharsis and calm
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
NPR Music producer Lars Gotrich turns us on to lesser known corners of music from 2024: blooming drone-folk, richly textured jazz, Somali garage-rock,...
Songs that hit hard in 2024
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We asked listeners to tell us about the one song they couldn't stop listening to in 2024 because of how it made them feel. On this episode we share so...
Secret Santa Song Exchange
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to music, December is overflowing with gifts, but we aren't quite done with the presents. This time, the NPR Music team is giving ... to...
Alt.Latino's 'Music We Missed In 2024'
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
'Alt.Latino' hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre do their best to keep up with new releases, but sometimes great music evades their radar. On thi...