Music & Culture

Music & Culture

Strand Of Oaks, 'Galacticana'

10:11am July 09, 2021

by Bruce Warren

The message at the core of "Galacticana" is universal, not only as a remembrance of all that was lost during the pandemic, but as a reflection of the joy and newfound strength we're feeling right now.

Music & Culture

Join NPR Music's Roséwave Happy Hour

10:04am July 09, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

NPR Music's summer soundtrack series celebrates living your best life. Join us for an online listening party spun by Tiny Desk producer Bobby Carter, featuring a megamix of roséwave faves.

Music & Culture

'I'm Not Trying To Fit Within Any World': Vince Staples On Newfound Creative Freedom

6:16am July 09, 2021

by Jenny Gathright

On his new record, Staples is still drawing from the same well of emotion and life experience. But his vision and his voice are clearer than ever — a sign, he says, that he's found a sense of peace.

Music & Culture

Sufjan Stevens, Angelo De Augustine, 'Reach Out'

4:22pm July 08, 2021

by Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis

One of the first releases from the new collaboration between Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine, "Reach Out" is loosely based on a 1987 German film about angels.

Music & Culture

Attacca Quartet, 'Real Life'

3:21pm July 08, 2021

by Tom Huizenga

The musicians of the versatile, Grammy-winning Attacca Quartet have transformed themselves into an electronica-dance-ambient string quartet for their new album, Real Life.

Music & Culture

Allison Ponthier, 'Hell Is A Crowded Room'

12:46pm July 08, 2021

by Ann Powers

Allison Ponthier is the latest would-be It Girl of the In-Between.

Music & Culture

Crate Digging : Mulgrew Miller And Wingspan

12:37pm July 08, 2021

by Sarah Geledi

Christian McBride uncovers a concert from his big brother, figuratively speaking: the underrated piano innovator Mulgrew Miller.

Jordan Sand submitted the song "Palm to Chest" to the 2021 Tiny Desk Contest.

Music & Culture

The Best 2021 Tiny Desk Contest Entries We Saw This Week: Viking's Choice Edition

6:38am July 08, 2021

by Lars Gotrich

Resident Viking Lars Gotrich curates a selection of standout 2021 entries from acoustic guitar fingerpicking to dark ambient and beyond.

Music & Culture

Hip-Hop Classic Is Turned Into A Pro-Vaccine Anthem

6:11am July 08, 2021

The classic song "Back That Thang Up" got a makeover for the pandemic era. In "Vax That Thang Up," Juvenile, Mannie Fresh and Mia X are telling more people to get vaccinated.

Jimmy Jam, left, and Terry Lewis stand after being acknowledged by inductee Janet Jackson during the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held at the Barclays Center on March 29, 2019 in New York.

Jimmy Jam And Terry Lewis, Legendary Hitmakers, Release Their First Album

5:58am July 08, 2021

After nearly three decades spent producing massive hits for a long list of (other) legends including Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey, the pair called in some favors for a long-belated debut.