Music & Culture

After re-releasing three of his earlier mixtapes to streaming services last month, Future released High Off Life, his first new album of 2020, Friday.

Music & Culture

Future Releases 'High Off Life,' His First New Album Of 2020

12:10pm May 15, 2020

by Jon Lewis

After adding three mid-2010s mixtapes to streaming services for the first time last month, the trap superstar released his first full-length project of the year on Friday.

Music & Culture

Hear A New Song From Sarah Jarosz, Plus Her Sourdough Baking Recommendations

10:00am May 15, 2020

by Sarah Jarosz

In Our Daily Breather, we ask writers and artists to recommend ways to find calm in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Sarah Jarosz has been baking sourdough bread.

Music & Culture

Ludacris And Nelly To Face Off In Virtual Hip-Hop Battle

8:08am May 15, 2020

This weekend, Ludacris and Nelly will be the latest to battle on Instagram Live's Verzuz series. NPR's Rachel Martin talks to reporter William E. Ketchum III about the popularity of the series.

Queue Listen Now

Regina Carter and Alvester Garnett perform at home.

Music & Culture

Regina Carter And Alvester Garnett: Alone Together Duets

8:00am May 15, 2020

Watch violinist Regina Carter and drummer Alvester Garnett perform a duet from their home in New Jersey.

Alex Isley plays a Tiny Desk (Home) concert.

Music & Culture

Alex Isley: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

5:00am May 15, 2020

by Bobby Carter

The R&B singer, whose music appeared on Season 4 of Insecure, performs four songs for our Tiny Desk quarantine series.

Music & Culture

Join NPR Music's Listening Party For Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit's 'Reunions'

4:30pm May 14, 2020

by Lars Gotrich

Friday at 3 p.m. ET, NPR Music will host an online listening party for Isbell's first album in three years. Join the chat room, ask our expert panel questions and shout your love.

The Bengsons entered the song "Pulls Out" to the 2020 Tiny Desk Contest.

Music & Culture

The Best 2020 Tiny Desk Contest Entries We Saw This Week: Volume 8

4:01pm May 14, 2020

While our judges search for the 2020 Tiny Desk Contest winner, we're sharing even more entries we love. This week's selection includes songs perfect for reflection, daydreaming and solo dance parties.

Music & Culture

Perfume Genius Expands Rock's Body Language

2:48pm May 14, 2020

Ahead of the release of Perfume Genius' fifth studio album, two NPR Music writers discuss how Mike Hadreas' career has helped set a new standard for the exploration of movement and identity in rock.

Remembering Ian Whitcomb, An Eccentric Singer-Songwriter Who Became An Author

1:45pm May 14, 2020

by Terry Gross

Whitcomb, who died April 19, had the 1965 novelty hit, "You Turn Me On," but soon after devoted himself to writing books about early American popular music. Originally broadcast in 1988.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

New Takes On Bach And Handel Delight The Ears During The Pandemic

1:45pm May 14, 2020

by Lloyd Schwartz

Two new CDs of serious music feels just right: Johnny Gandelsman plays violin transcriptions of Bach's Complete Cello Suites, and Kate Lindsey sings arias by Handel, Haydn, and Scarlatti on Arianna.

Queue Listen Now