The songs we love from the first half of the year span a wide emotional and musical range, from wild percussive romps to raw pleas for empathy to Beyoncé's command to leave it all on the dance floor.

The songs we love from the first half of the year span a wide emotional and musical range, from wild percussive romps to raw pleas for empathy to Beyoncé's command to leave it all on the dance floor.

The songs we love from the first half of the year span a wide emotional and musical range, from wild percussive romps to raw pleas for empathy to Beyoncé's command to leave it all on the dance floor.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Naomi McPherson, Katie Gavin and Josette Maskin of the band MUNA about their third album: MUNA.

In an interview with Morning Edition, rapper Logic explains the central message of his new album, Vinyl Days: "I rap good! Let's just be honest here."

In an interview with Morning Edition, rapper Logic explains the central message of his new album, Vinyl Days: "I rap good! Let's just be honest here."

The Queen is back.

The Queen is back.

In an interview with Morning Edition's Leila Fadel, the fast-rising artist talks about a life path as winding and varied as his music.

The former frontperson of punk band Priests delivers an equally jarring and lush solo debut album.

The former frontperson of punk band Priests delivers an equally jarring and lush solo debut album.

The boy band announced their break during a dinner filmed for social media. The group officially debuted in 2013.

NPR Music staffers convene to offer up the Kate Bush tracks we think deserve a powerful, paradigm-shifting sync in a television show or movie.

NPR Music staffers convene to offer up the Kate Bush tracks we think deserve a powerful, paradigm-shifting sync in a television show or movie.

Cruise's instrument, a voice of such intense calm it could be unsettling, made her a natural collaborator of director David Lynch — and, later, new-wave icons The B-52s.