2024 was a year of breakthroughs, with new stars storming the top of the charts and artists across genres making modern classics. NPR Music's list of best songs of the year has something for everyone.
You can't always know that it's a great year for new music while it's happening, but there was a sense from the very start of 2024 that we were in for a ride.
Luiza Brina spent 10 years developing an album of nonreligious prayers. NPR Music's Lars Gotrich dives into newly released music from Brazil, featuring Milton Nascimento, Amaro Freitas and Anitta.
From Billie Eilish to Bad Bunny, JT to J.Lo, boygenius to Ice Spice, here they are: the home-run performances, the solid base hits and the outright whiffs.
Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff and current composers Higdon, Schoenberg and Leshnoff round out the two-week return for the orchestra's longtime former music director.
Madlib's music feels like a magic trick. On this edition of 8 Tracks, we bow down to Madlib's mastery, plus check out new music by Charly Bliss, Fana Hues and reminisce on an old Ted Leo record.
Thursday's first song in 13 years leads off this edition of 8 Tracks, which we'll have to call 10 Tracks because there's been too much good music lately.
There are the obvious options (Soundgarden, Bonnie Tyler and Pink Floyd,) plus some celestially coded jams that are unexpectedly fitting for your viewing adventures.
What do New Jazz Underground, Black Sabbath and Remi Wolf have in common? According to NPR Music producer Lars Gotrich, they put out the best tracks of the week.
It's music to the rescue on this week's All Songs Considered, with a mix of songs to slow the blood, including the one track scientists believe can reduce anxiety by up to 65%.
Featured songs and artists: • Marconi Union: "Weightless" • Mary Lattimore: "Wawa by the Ocean" from 'Collected Pieces' • Van-Anh Nguyen and Noshika Masuda: "Spiegel im Spiegel" by Arvo Pärt • Brian McBride: "Girl Nap" from 'The Effective Disconnect' • Laraaji: "Meditation No. 1" from 'Day of Radiance' • Arooj Aftab: "Saans Lo" from 'Vulture Prince' • Eluvium: "One" from 'Talk Amongst The Trees' • Enya: "Watermark" from 'Watermark' • Adele: "Somoene Like You" from '21' • Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, John Pritchard & London • Philharmonic Orchestra: "O Mio babbino caro" from 'Kiri Te Kanawa Sings Puccini and Verdi' • Yo La Tengo: "Our Way To Fall" from 'And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out' • Cassandra Jenkins: "Hard Drive" from 'An Overview of Phenomenal Nature' • Ruth Laredo: "Clair de Lune" from 'My First Recital' • Rachika Nayar: "Our Wretched Fantasy" from 'Heaven Come Crashing' • Radiohead: "Everything in its Right Place" from 'Kid A' • Clem Snide: "Nick Drake Tape" from 'A Beautiful EP'
Visit our site to see the Top 10 songs scientists say are the most relaxing.
What would you do if your favorite artist stared you down and asked for the truth? On this 8 Tracks: Michael Knott, Rapsody and Tierra Whack offer mirrors to themselves and to anyone listening.
The directors of All Things Considered are the people who choose much of the music you hear on the show. NPR's Scott Detrow talks with director Vincent Acovino about video game music.
The best jazz albums of the year feel supercharged with the spirit of discovery, but also offer revelations — both comforting and challenging — the deeper you dig.