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 run through 12 dazzling albums that stuck with the NPR Music team this year. And for an even deeper exploration, check out the full lists of our critics' best albums of 2025 here.

Artists and albums featured on this episode:

- Rosalía, 'LUX'
- Wednesday, 'Bleeds'
- Nourished by Time, 'The Passionate Ones'
- Daniel Caesar, 'Son of Spergy'
- Dave, 'The Boy Who Played the Harp'
- Clarice Jensen, 'In holiday clothing, out of the great darkness'
- Gwenifer Raymond, 'Last Night I Heard the Dog Star Bark'
- Kal Banx, 'RHODA'
- Mary Halvorson, 'About Ghosts'
- Annie DiRusso, 'Super Pedestrian'
- Queralt Lahoz, '9:30 PM'
- Patrick Watson, 'Uh Oh'

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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-show residency in Puerto Rico over the summer. Then, in November, the Spanish vocalist Rosalía released her genre-defying masterpiece LUX, which sent legions of music lovers scrambling to try to grasp the magnitude of an album performed in 13 different languages.

But they were only the tip of the iceberg of yet another year of mind-bending creativity in Spanish language music. This week on Alt.Latino, Felix and Ana look back at some of the other artists and recordings that made 2025 another year of adventurous and rewarding listening. These six artists made only a fraction of music that caught our attention. But we only have so much time on these podcasts! Use this as a starting point to explore the year that was on your own. And check out more of NPR Music's coverage of the best music of 2025 here. Enjoy!


Artists and albums featured in this episode:

- Bad Bunny, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
- Rosalía, LUX
- Queralt Lahoz, 9:30 PM
- Roxana Amed, Todos los Fuegos
- Arath Herce, Musas en Mi
- Mon Laferte, Femme Fatal
- rusowsky, DAISY
- Lido Pimienta, La Belleza

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

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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 the best tracks of the year.

What you'll hear in this episode is an incredibly incomplete list that obviously just scratches the surface of all the incredible music that came out this year. For a more comprehensive breakdown of what we loved in 2025, check out NPR Music?s list of the 125 best songs. 

Artists and songs featured on this episode:
1. Dijon: ?Yamaha,? from ?Baby?
2. Nourished By Time: ?Max Potential,? from ?The Passionate Ones?
3. Patrick Watson: ?Peter and the Wolf,? from ?Uh Oh?
4. FKA twigs: ?Room of Fools,? from ?EUSEXUA?
5. PinkPantheress: ?Stateside,? from ?Fancy That?
6. Asher White: ?Beers with my name on them,? from ?8 Tips for Full Catastrophe Living?
7. Wednesday: ?Townies,? from ?Bleeds?
8. Gabriel Jacoby: ?the one,? from ?gutta child?
9. Olafur Arnalds & Talos: ?We Didn?t Know We Were Ready (feat. Niamh Regan & Ye Vagabonds),? from ?A Dawning?

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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 celebration of All Songs Considered?s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year.

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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

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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.

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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. 


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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.


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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.

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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: [email protected]

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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.

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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


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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 exactly what Anamaria Sayre did this year, perusing the red carpet to talk with the most exciting names in Latin music. 

In this episode, Ana brings Felix her report from Las Vegas, where Bad Bunny won Album of the Year, the independent Brazilian music scene made a splash, and the whole industry seemed to be saying: "Show us where you're from."

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

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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 release in seven years, the return of the existential shoegaze band Nothing and, of course, we?ve gotta include Rosalía.

NPR Music editor Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hilton.

Featured artists and songs:

Robyn: ?Dopamine? (single)
Rosalía: ?Divinize,? from 'LUX'
Snocaps: ?Over Our Heads,? from ?Snocaps?
Bassvictim: ?Mr. President,? from ?Forever?
Lola Young: ?SPIDERS,? from ?I?m Only F****** Myself?
Nothing: ?cannibal world,? from ?a short history of decay?

Weekly reset: Walking through Nara Park (the deer park) in Nara, Japan, on an autumn afternoon.

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: [email protected]


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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, era-defining protest anthems and more.
 
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.

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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 about their favorite albums out Friday, Nov. 14. 

The Starting 5:

- FKA twigs, 'EUSEXUA Afterglow' (Stream)
- The Avett Brothers & Mike Patton, 'AVTT/PTTN' (Stream)
- Gabriel Jacoby, 'gutta child' EP (Stream)
- K-LONE, 'sorry i thought you were someone else' (Stream)
- Sword II, 'Electric Hour' (Stream)


The Lightning Round:

- Summer Walker, 'Finally Over It'
- V/A, 'DJ-Kicks: Eris Drew'
- Austra, 'Chin Up Buttercup'
- Everything But the Girl, 'The Best of Everything But the Girl'
- Tony Molina, 'On This Day'


See the long list of albums out Nov. 14 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org.


Credits:

Host: Stephen Thompson

Guest: Liz Warner, WDET

Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell

Digital Producer: Elle Mannion

Editor: Otis Hart

Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed


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Spanish vocalist and composer Rosalía has been a major presence in Spanish language music since she released her 2018 album, "El Mal Querer." She started by leaning into her flamenco roots, but since then she has expanded her musical vision to become one of those musicians who defies category.

Her new album "LUX" stretches that descriptor to its limit. Her musical tools this time include the London Symphony Orchestra, singing in 13 languages, guests like Icelandic performer Björk, and her own vocals that hit operatic heights. This week, Ana and Felix dissect the album and play excerpts from Ana's interview with Rosalía. How can you go wrong?

You can read extended highlights of Ana's interview with Rosalía at NPR.org

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


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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 pop of JADE, a brutal but affecting story song from S.G. Goodman, power pop from the band Liquid Mike and more. But we open with a question: Benson Boone... kinda awesome?

Featured artists and songs:

1. Liquid Mike: ?Double Dutch,? from ?Hell Is An Airport?

2. Cleo Reed: ?Always the Horse, Never the Jockey (feat. IWEWE),? from ?C**try?

3. JADE: ?Plastic Box,? from ?THAT?S SHOWBIZ BABY!?

4. S.G. Goodman: ?Snapping Turtle," from 'Planting by the Signs?

5. Ken Pomeroy: ?Stranger,? from ?Cruel Joke?

Weekly reset: A breezy, Sunday morning in a small town

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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 recurring series in celebration of All Songs Considered?s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year.


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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 from WYEP in Pittsburgh to discuss their favorite new albums out November 7.

The Starting 5:

- Rosalía, 'Lux'
- Young Miko, 'Do Not Disturb'
- Various Artists, 'All Things Go: 10 Years'
- Portugal. The Man, 'Shish'
- Mavis Staples, 'Sad and Beautiful World'


The Lightning Round:

- Juana Molina, 'DOGA'
- Liam Kazar, 'Pilot Light'
- The Mountain Goats, 'Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan'
- The Cranberries, 'MTV Unplugged'
- Sarathy Korwar, 'There Is Beauty, There Already'


See the long list of albums out Nov. 7 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org


Credits:

Host: Stephen Thompson

Guests: Anamaria Sayre and Liz Felix, WYEP

Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell

Digital Producer: Elle Mannion

Editor: Otis Hart

Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed

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

Lately there seems to be a strong showing of contemporary musicians from various Latin American countries who not only play jazz but also mix certain Latin American folk traditions into their sound.

So, this week I spoke with six of them: vocalist Claudia Acuña from Chile, Argentine vocalists Sofia Rei and Roxana Amed, Mexican vocalist Magos Herrera, guitarist/vocalist Camila Meza and tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana.

Each has a story about identity, living the jazz dream and how they came to jazz.

Hopefully you?ll use this roadmap to start your own journey into jazz, if you haven?t already.

- Felix

Music heard in this episode:

Claudia Acuña - ?Prelude To A Kiss?
Sofia Rei - ?El Gavilán?
Gato Barieri - ?To Be Continued?
Roxana Amed - ?Corazón delator?
Mangos Herrera - ?Luz de Luna?
Camila Meza - ?Utopia?
Melissa Aldana - ?A Purpose?

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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 Klein to the hope, optimism and good company found in the music of Samia, Hand Habits, KeiyaA and more.

NPR Music?s Dora Levite and Sheldon Pearce join host Robin Hilton.

Featured songs and artists:

1. Kieren Hebden & William Tyler: ?Secret City,? from ?41 Longfield Street Late ?80s?
2. Cassandra Jenkins: ?Only Relaxation,? from ?My Light, My Massage Parlor?
3. David Cordero & anthené: ?Humedal,? from ?Let One Bird Sing?
4. KeiyaA: ?stupid prizes,? from ?hooke?s law?
5. Annahstasia: Unrest,? from ?Tether?
6. Klein: ?it is what it is in d minor,? from ?sleep with a cane?
7. Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke: ?The Spirit,? from ?Tall Tales?
8. Hand Habits: ?Jasmine Blossoms,? from ?Blue Reminder?
9. Ozbolt: ?Harkerville Coastal Trail,? from ?Chasyng Drakens?
10. Samia: ?Pool (Stripped),? from ?The Baby (5th Anniversary Edition)?
11. The Armed: ?I Steal What I Want,? from ?The Future Is Here And Everything Needs To Be Destroyed?
12. Stars of the Lid: ?Goodnight,? from ?Music for Nitrous Oxide (30 Year Anniversary 2025 Remaster)'

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: [email protected]

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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, including Beyonce?s 'Lemonade' and a mountain-sized rock anthem from Mitski.


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.

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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 out on Halloween.

The Starting 5:

- Snocaps (Katie and Allison Crutchfield), s/t (Stream)

- Guided By Voices, Thick Rich and Delicious (Stream)

- Chat Pile & Hayden Pedigo, In The Earth Again (Stream)

- keiyaA, hooke's law (Stream)

- Anna von Hausswolff, Iconoclasts (Stream)

The Lightning Round:

- Florence + The Machine, Everybody Scream

- The Charlatans, We Are Love

- Saintsenaca, Highwalllow & Supermoon Songs

- Hilary Woods, Night CRIÚ

- Lily Lyons, Re-Open The World

See the long list of albums out Oct. 31 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org.


Follow Julie Bee's weekly Marfa Public Radio show on Mixcloud.

Credits:

Host: Stephen Thompson

Guest: Julie Bee, Marfa Public Radio

Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell

Digital Producer: Elle Mannion

Editor: Otis Hart

Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed


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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 to astound me.

From the bossa nova-by-way-of-Guatemala of Fabuloso and Los Skeepers, to the evolving torch singing of the Chilean-via-Mexico vocalist Mon Laferte, to the ?Western noir? of California singer Andrés Miguel Cervantes, to Nathy Peluso?s Argentine take on Seventies New York City salsa, to jazz from southern Spain?s Chano Domínguez... how do we even try to keep up with this kind of output?

Someone has to do it, and we?re glad it?s us. 

Featured artists and songs:

- Milo J, 'OLIMPO', 'Bajo De La Piel', 'Jangadero'

- Fabuloso & Los Skeepers, 'Si Te Gusta'

- Mon Laferte, 'Las Flores Que Dejaste En La Mesa', '1:30'

- Chano Domínguez & Emaginario, 'March Of The Siguiriyas'

- Nathy Peluso, 'ÁNGEL'

- Andrés Miguel Cervantes, 'Dreams of Jacumba'


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

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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 Brandi Carlile drops a stunning, stadium-sized rock anthem.

NPR Music editor Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton.

Featured artists and songs:

1. Brandi Carlile: ?Church & State,? from ?Returning to Myself?
2. Hannah Frances: ?The Space Between (feat. Daniel Rossen),? from ?Nested in Tangles?
3. Kelly Moran: ?Don?t Trust Mirrors,? from ?Don?t Trust Mirrors?
4. Blood Orange: ?The Last of England,? from ?Essex Honey?
5. Magdalena Bay: ?Second Sleep? (single)

Weekly reset: A family of bears rummage through a forest on an autumn afternoon.

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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 celebration of All Songs Considered?s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year.

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

The Starting 5:

- Brandi Carlile, 'Returning To Myself'
- Miguel, 'Caos'
- Tortoise, 'Touch'
- Daniel Caesar, 'Son Of Spergy'
- Yazmin Lacey, 'Teal Dreams

The Lightning Round:

- iLe, 'Como Las Canto Yo'
- Natural Information Society, 'Perseverance Flow'
- Hannah Jadagu, 'Describe'
- Hether, 'Holy Water'
- Joyer, 'On the Other End of the Line'

See the long list of albums out Oct. 24 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org.

Credits:

Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Ayana Contreras, KUVO
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Elle Mannion
Editor: Otis Hart
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed


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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 you hear on All Songs is focused on new music, but now, every other Thursday, Ann and Daoud will pick an old song and discuss how it has managed to stand the test of time and why we still care about it. This week?s song: ?I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)? by Stevie Wonder, from 1972.

This episode is available for everyone, but upcoming episodes in this series will be just for NPR Music+ supporters. NPR Music+ is a new way to support NPR and public radio. When you join, you?ll get access to every episode in this new series, and you?ll get to hear every episode of All Songs Considered and Alt.Latino sponsor-free. Sign up at plus.npr.org/nprmusic

Follow Ann and Daoud's work at NPR Music
Subscribe to the NPR Music newsletter
Follow NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts

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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, of course, puppets! So, for today's episode, we emerge from the craziness and dig into our neglected mailbag, which is brimming with new music. What did we find? Simple beauty. A young songwriter from Veracruz whose spare compositions have wowed his elders. An offbeat producer from Madrid. And, a joyful ode to a city half a millennium old. 

Featured artists and songs:

- Arath Herce, "Musas en Mi" and "Quien Pensaría"

- iLe, "Si Te Contara"

- TRISTAN!, "Voyage" and "Ártico"

- Venezonix ft. Pahua, "La Soledad"

- Meme de Real, "Estaba Sentado" and "Embeces"

- Bomba Estereo ft. Carlos Vives, "La Samaria"


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

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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, from the truly terrifying to autumnal and nostalgic.

Featured songs:
1. Phoebe Bridgers: ?Killer? from ?Stranger in the Alps?
2. Fever Ray: ?If I Had A Heart,? from ?Fever Ray?
3. Sufjan Stevens: ?John Wayne Gacy, Jr? from ?Illinois?
4. Jack Lenz: ?Goosebumps? (theme from the TV show)
5. Disneyland Records: ?Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House?
6. Alice Cooper: ?Welcome to My Nightmare,? from ?Welcome to My Nightmare?
7. Oksana Linde: ?Horizontes lejanos,? from ?Travesias?
8. Florence + the Machine: ?Everybody Scream,? from ?Everybody Scream?
9. Ethel Cain: ?Housofpsychoticwomn,? from ?Perverts?
10. girl in red: ?We Fell In Love In October? (single)
11. Mimicking Birds: ?Bloodlines,? from ?EONS?
12. Van Morrison: ?Moondance,? from ?Moondance?
13. The Cramps: ?I Was A Teenage Werewolf,? from ?Songs the Lord Taught Us?
14. Dead Man?s Bones: ?My Bodies a Zombie for You,? from ?Dead Man?s Bones?
15. Vince Guaraldi: ?The Great Pumpkin Waltz,? from ?The Great Pumpkin?

Weekly reset: Chilling, thrilling sounds from the haunted house

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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 the year.

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.

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Tame Impala. Silvana Estrada. Soulwax! Guest host Anamaria Sayre is joined by Travis Holcombe of KCRW in Los Angeles to chat about their favorite albums out Friday, Oct. 17.

The Starting 5: 

- Tame Impala, 'Deadbeat' (Stream)
- Silvana Estrada, 'Vendrán Suaves Lluvias' (Stream)
- Soulwax, 'All Systems Are Lying' (Stream)
- Meme del Real, 'La Montaña Encendida' (Stream)
- Clarice Jensen, 'In holiday clothing, out of the great darkness' (Stream)

**Read our review of Clarice Jensen's album on NPR.org.**


The Lightning Round:

- Nathy Peluso, 'MALPORTADA' EP
- Sudan Archives, 'The BPM'
- Skullcrusher, 'And Your Song Is Like a Circle'
- C.Y.M., 'C.Y.M'
- Sam Wilkes, 'Public Records Performance'

See the long list of albums out Oct. 17 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on NPR.org.

Credits:

Host: Anamaria Sayre
Guest: Travis Holcombe, KCRW
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Elle Mannion
Editor: Otis Hart
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed

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There is no question that Mexican vocalist and composer Silvana Estrada is special to Alt.Latino. Ever since she launched her 2022 album "Marchita" with a series of revelatory singles, she seemingly spoke directly to Alt.Latino co-host Anamaria Sayre.

Since those earliest days, the two have been able to spend quite a bit of time together in interviews and other public gatherings, which only brought them closer on a personal level. Now, as Estrada releases her new album, "Vendrán Suaves Lluvias," and celebrates the publication of her Tiny Desk Concert, it seemed like a good time to sit in on the ever-flowing conversations between the two of them.

The result is a conversation that is probably a lot more personal than you?re used to. And that?s OK. Because Silvana is a performer of complex emotions, and while you can experience those emotions through songs, sometimes you have to hear things for yourself. Enjoy.

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

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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 and more.  NPR Music?s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton as we update our running list of the year?s best songs.

Featured artists and songs:
1. Geese: ?Islands of Men,? from ?Getting Killed?
2. Juana Molina: ?Siestas ahí,? from ?DOGA?
3. Dijon: ?Yamaha,? from ?Baby?
4. Devin Shaffer: ?All My Dreams Are Coming True,? from ?Patience?
5. Agriculture: ?Hallelujah,? from ?The Spiritual Sound?
6. Alien Boy: ?Cold Air,? from ?You Wanna Fade??

Weekly reset: A pixilated afternoon in the Minecraft universe.

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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 celebration of All Songs Considered?s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year.

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Madi Diaz. Madison Cunningham. The return of Mobb Deep. Guest host Rodney Carmichael chats with Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, Oct. 10.

Intro:

- Patti Smith, 'Horses (50th Anniversary)'


The Starting 5:

- Madi Diaz, 'Fatal Optimist' (Stream)

- Princess Nokia, 'Girls' (Stream)

- Madison Cunningham, 'Ace' (Stream)

- Makaya McCraven, 'Off The Record' (Stream the singles)

- Mobb Deep, 'Infinite' (Stream)


The Lightning Round:

- NoSo, 'When Are You Leaving?'

- Jay Som, 'Belong'

- Amber Mark, 'Pretty Idea'

- Black Eyes, 'Hostile Design'

- Gabriel Kahane, 'Heirloom'


See the long list of albums out Oct. 10 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on npr.org.


Credits:

Host: Rodney Carmichael

Guest: Celia Gregory, WNXP

Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell

Digital Producer: Elle Mannion

Editor: Otis Hart

Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed

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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?s ?song of summer,? and more.

Note: This is a recurring feature in celebration of the show?s 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year.

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Gloria Estefan is one of those musicians whose work and mere presence in the record industry deserves without question platitudes like ?pioneering? or ?ground breaking.? In fact, we have often mentioned her in that light throughout the fifteen years of Alt.Latino. So it was a thrill to invite her to chat with us once again, this time immediately after a stunning Tiny Desk performance that will publish on October 13th. She gives serious Favorite Tiá vibes, and since she and Felix are close in age, it felt like a conversation with a good friend with a fascinating life story - who just happens to have one of the richest song catalogs in Latin music history.

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

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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 release Luck And Strange, and more.

Weekly Reset: Rowing on an autumn lake.

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

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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, normalcy, the Internet, and a simmering beef with a fellow pop star. Our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour unpack all the songs on this special episode, including ?Actually Romantic,? ?Eldest Daughter,? ?CANCELLED!?, and ?Ruin The Friendship.?

Note: Look for our No. 1 songs of 2012 this Thursday, Oct. 9.


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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 Taylor Swift.

The Starting 5:

? dodie, 'Not For Lack Of Trying'
? Blue Lake, 'The Animal'
? Snõõper, 'Worldwide'
? Molly Nilsson, 'Amateur'
? Leon Vynehall, 'In Daytona Yellow'

The Lightning Round:

? S. Carey, 'Watercress' (EP)
? Ledisi, 'For Dinah' (A Tribute to Dinah Washington)
? Alfa Mist, 'Roulette'
? Prewn, 'System'
? Upchuck, 'I'm Nice Now'

View our long list of new albums out on Oct. 3 and sample more than 50 of them via our New Music Friday playlists on npr.org.

Credits

Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Skylar Rochelle, 90.9 The Bridge
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Elle Mannion
Editor: Otis Hart
Production Assistant: Dora Levite
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed


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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. So, this week Felix and Ana run through this year's El Tiny lineup and listen to performances from Fito Paez, Carlos Vives, Chuwi and more. Plus, a conversation about the news that Bad Bunny will perform at next year's Super Bowl LX.

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

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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 Amber Mark and more.

Featured artists and tracks:

1. Tame Impala: ?Dracula,? from ?Deadbeat?
2. Gabriel Jacoby: ?The One? (single)
3. Dominic Fike: ?Quite The Opposite,? from ?Rocket?
4. NewDad: ?Misery,? from ?Altar?
5. Madi Diaz: ?Heavy Metal,? from ?Fatal Optimist?
6. Amber Mark: ?Too Much,? from ?Pretty Idea?

Weekly reset:  A flamenco performance in Barcelona, circa 1999.

Enjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

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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 is a recurring feature in celebration of the show's 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year.

Tell us what you think: [email protected]


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Neko Case. Jeff Tweedy. Amanda Shires' divorce album. Evan Miller from member station WYSO in Ohio joins Lars Gotrich to talk about their favorite albums out Sept. 26.

The Starting 5
- Neko Case, 'Neon Grey Midnight Green'
- Jeff Tweedy, 'Twilight Override'
- Robert Plant, 'Saving Grace'
- Amanda Shires, 'Nobody's Girl'
- Cate Le Bon, 'Michelangelo Dying'

The Lightning Round
- Geese, 'Getting Killed'
- Josie, 'A Life of Sweets Alone'
- Bitchin Bajas, 'Inland See'
- M. Sage, 'Tender / Wading' 
- Lady Wray, 'Cover Girl'
 
Credits
Host: Lars Gotrich
Guest: Evan Miller, WYSO
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Elle Mannion
Editor: Otis Hart
Production Assistant: Dora Levite
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed


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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 music file sent via email. Ana is constantly playing me audio files she gets vial email or texts from her new music sources, very rarely on CD. So while we were busy putting the finishing touches on our fist annual El Tiny takeover of the Tiny Desk Concert series, our mail piled up. Which means we had lots to choose from for this week's new music episode. There's bound to be something that catches your ear and makes you think: 'How did I live without that in my life?"

Featured artists and songs:

- Making Movies, ?La Marea? ft. Mireya Ramos

- Teo Planell, ?El Mundo Delante de Ti?, ?Como Pensarte Mal?

- Ramona and the Holy Smokes, ?Esta Herida?, ?I Want You To Be My Man?

- Lorea, ?Se me ve la cabeza?, ?Mi alma sobre la mesa?

- Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yainer Horta and Joey Calveiro, ?Quizás, Quizás, Quizás?

- Martox, ?Enganchao de Ti?

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


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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 get enough of it, even when everything seems bad.

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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 25th anniversary. A shorter version of this episode ran earlier in the year.

Tell us what you think: [email protected]

Share this show with a friend and leave us a review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Joan Shelley, Lola Young and the return of Sarah McLachlan. Kyle Meredith from WFPK in Louisville joins Stephen Thompson to chat about their favorite albums out Friday, Sept. 19.

The Starting 5:

- Joan Shelley, 'Real Warmth' (Stream)

- Lola Young, 'I'm Only F****** Myself' (Stream)

- Wednesday, 'Bleeds' (Stream)

- Sarah McLachlan, 'Better Broken' (Stream)

- Yasmine Hamdan, 'I remember I forget ???? ??????' (Stream)


The Lightning Round:

- Kieran Hebden & William Tyler, '41 Longfield Street Late '80s'

- Nine Inch Nails, 'Tron: Ares (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)'

- Lawrence Matthews, 'Between Mortal Reach & Posthumous Grip'

- Joy Crookes, 'Juniper'

- Joanne Robertson, 'Blurrr'


See the long list of albums out Sept. 12 and sample dozens of them via our New Music Friday playlist on npr.org.


Credits

Host: Stephen Thompson

Guest: Kyle Meredith, WFPK

Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell

Digital Producer: Elle Mannion

Editor: Otis Hart

Production Assistant: Dora Levite

Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed

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