All Music
Valerie June鈥檚 new music embraces joy and the healing power of soulful musicWith the arrival of Valerie June鈥檚 latest album comes a chance for the singer to reflect on her artistic journey 鈥� and how music fuels her, and the world.
Move over, Vikings. Sweden鈥檚 new seafaring heroes are knitting grannies.What better way to tell a true holiday story than with singing 鈥� and knitting? In Sweden, an island choir comes together to celebrate community.
Want to hear the latest country music? Try Broadway.鈥淢usic City,鈥� which opened off-Broadway this month, is the latest show to embrace the country genre. Can Nashville music make it in New York?
Musician Fantastic Negrito wants to spread the light. He first had to face his past.With 鈥淪on of a Broken Man,鈥� Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito tackles his relationship with his father, and considers how to overcome the darkness in our lives.
People turn to 鈥楥ircleSinging鈥� to raise their voices 鈥� and joyBelting out a tune in front of strangers is a big ask for most people. CircleSinging participants regularly take that risk, and among their rewards are friendship and acceptance.
Cover StoryHe hears America singing. Jake Xerxes Fussell brings new life to folk music.Jake Xerxes Fussell has been seeking forgotten American folk songs his entire life. His fifth album, 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 Called,鈥� releases July 12.
With hit 鈥楪irl, So Confusing,鈥� pop stars offer a model of conflict resolutionMusic history is full of feuds between musicians. But pop singers Charli XCX and Lorde just released a hit that opts for reconciliation over vitriol.
First LookWynton Marsalis and Bryan Stevenson fuse jazz, protest, and justice on Juneteenth albumCivil rights lawyer and jazz pianist Bryan Stevenson and Pulitzer-winning jazz artist Wynton Marsalis collaborated on a聽new live performance album of historic jazz records to honor Juneteenth and Black history.
Ann Powers was writing Joni Mitchell鈥檚 life story. She found her own.With her new biography about Joni Mitchell, NPR music critic Ann Powers says she wanted to challenge the idea that there鈥檚 only one definitive story of a life.聽
First LookDOJ sues Live Nation for muscling out competition in ticket salesThe U.S. Department of Justice announced an antitrust lawsuit against the entertainment company Live Nation. Ticketmaster, which merged with Live Nation in 2010, has been blamed for inflated ticket prices by both consumers and artists.
First LookOnce a 鈥榖edroom pop鈥� crooner, Billie Eilish is wide awake on her latest albumA once-in-a-generation performer, Billie Eilish rewrites the rules yet again on 鈥淗it Me Hard and Soft,鈥� her ambitious third release. It鈥檚 a project meant to be enjoyed in full, rich with sonic depth and emotional maturity.
First LookNemo, Eurovision鈥檚 first nonbinary winner, gets a hero鈥檚 welcome in SwitzerlandEurovision has long been embraced as a haven for the LGBTQ+ community. This year鈥檚 competition struck a particular victory for acceptance, crowning the contest鈥檚 first nonbinary winner with an eclectic anthem about being true to oneself.
First LookMamma Mia! Here we go again. Eurovision wraps up in Sweden with pomp and protests.Eurovision鈥檚 2024 competition is bringing flashy and theatrical pop music to Malmo, Sweden. It鈥檚 also bringing thousands of protesters who are criticizing Israel鈥檚 participation in the contest.
Singer Laura Veirs finds creativity everywhere 鈥� bikes, skates, power sawsFor some artists, inspiration comes when ideas flow naturally, rather than being demanded. With the release of her latest album, songwriter Laura Veirs reflects on how creativity manifests itself.
OK, she鈥檚 worth $1 billion, but can Taylor Swift write poetry? We ask the experts.Taylor Swift鈥檚 new album, 鈥淭he Tortured Poets Department,鈥� will be released on April 19. In advance, we asked poets what they think of the pop star鈥檚 wordsmithing.
Andr茅 3000 trades hip-hop for the flute 鈥撀燼nd still resonates with listenersOur commentator says that even if the artist, one-half of the hit duo Outkast, doesn鈥檛 say a word in his new music, he鈥檚 still able to impact culture in a way that invokes creativity and healing.聽
Not 鈥榗ountry enough鈥�? Beyonc茅 proudly proclaims her Texas roots in 鈥楥owboy Carter.鈥�Houston native Beyonc茅 offers her takes on everybody from the Beatles to Dolly Parton in a clarion call of an album, 鈥淐owboy Carter.鈥�
First LookConductor Seiji Ozawa remembered as a kind and thoughtful humanitarianSeiji Ozawa, who died Feb. 6 in his native Japan, was a world-renowned conductor with a 29-year career with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The BSO described Mr. Ozawa as 鈥渁 musical genius鈥� with 鈥渁 balletic grace at the podium.鈥澛�
First LookTikTok and a major label are in a standoff. How does this song end?TikTok videos featuring major artists鈥� music are being muted after Universal Music Group terminated its licensing deal on the platform. It鈥檚 part of a larger conflict over fair compensation for creators鈥� work 鈥� as well as questions about the use of AI.
First LookWomen win big at Grammy Awards: Swift, Cyrus, EilishThe Grammy Awards showcased wins for women, including Taylor Swift鈥檚 fourth album of the year, Miley Cyrus鈥檚 record of the year, and Victoria Mon茅t as best new artist. The stage was lit up with performances by Tracy Chapman and Billy Joel, among others.
