Music & Culture

Music & Culture

Encore: On 'Seeking Thrills,' Georgia Channels A Lifetime On The Dance Floor

4:05pm February 18, 2020

British musician Georgia has a new album out full of throwback dance beats and stripped-back vocals. It's called Seeking Thrills. She speaks with NPR's Ari Shapiro.

The Kraken Quartet collaborates with Hikes singer/guitarist Nay Wilkins on a lily-pad-jumping post-rock EP.

Music & Culture

Viking's Choice: Ancient Metal, Soft Synths, The Perfect Choogle

3:49pm February 18, 2020

by Lars Gotrich

On this week's playlist, a doomy and gorgeous incantation from Psalm Zero featuring Lingua Ignota, Pulse Emitter's emotionally rich synths and guitarist Chris Forsyth's ultimate form.

Rachael & Vilray first met in 2003 when they were students at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, but didn't begin performing together until 2015.

Music & Culture

Rachael & Vilray Share A Mic — And A Love Of Old Swing Standards

1:31pm February 18, 2020

by Sam Briger

The music duo perform songs from their self-titled debut album, which draws on the music of the '30s and '40s. "There is a timeless quality to these old standards," Vilray says.

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Justin Bieber, photographed with fans at the premiere of his self-produced YouTube documentary series Seasons, on Jan. 27, 2020 in Los Angeles. The pop star released his first album in five years, Changes, on Feb. 14.

Music & Culture

Justin Bieber Finds His Bliss

1:21pm February 18, 2020

by Lindsay Zoladz

On Changes, his first studio album in five years — after a trying decade-plus of growing up in the digital spotlight — Justin Bieber sounds reinvigorated.

Snoh Aalegra plays a Tiny Desk Concert (Laura Beltran Villamizar/NPR).

Music & Culture

Snoh Aalegra: Tiny Desk Concert

12:45pm February 18, 2020

by Sidney Madden

The Iranian-Swedish singer draws her musical cues from Brandy and Sade while racking up a list of collaborators such as Vince Staples, James Fauntleroy and, most recently, Pharrell Williams.

Arlo Parks' "Eugene" spins a stinging reminder of getting left for convention.

Music & Culture

Heat Check: Répéter, Répéter

10:04am February 18, 2020

Nigerian trap, New York drill, London soul, Chicago dance — this week's Heat Check playlist switches up quick, but keeps the trance consistent.

Music & Culture

Jazz Trio's 'Pearls' Puts New-As-Can-Be Improvisations On Golden Oldies

4:22pm February 17, 2020

by Kevin Whitehead

American saxophonist Ellery Eskelin, Swiss bassist Christian Weber and German drummer Michael Griener reach back in time on their new album, improvising their way from Scott Joplin to Sweets Edison.

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Tania León speaks at the premiere of her piece "Stride," one of 19 pieces composed by women that the New York Philharmonic commissioned to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

Music & Culture

19th Amendment, 19 Women: NY Philharmonic's 2020 Program Celebrates Suffragists

9:14pm February 16, 2020

by Jeff Lunden

The NY Philharmonic has commissioned 19 women to create new works to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment. It's called Project 19.

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Elton John performs at the Academy Awards on Feb. 9 in Los Angeles. He had to end a show in New Zealand early. He told his fans: "I gave it all I had."

Pneumonia Forces Early End To Elton John Concert On His Farewell Tour

7:38pm February 16, 2020

by James Doubek

The legendary showman didn't want to cancel his show in New Zealand despite a pneumonia diagnosis earlier in the day. "I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no more," he wrote.

"I feel like I've always been referencing back to those dark childlike adventure stories," Natasha Khan says of the '80s films that inspired the latest Bat for Lashes album, Lost Girls.

Music & Culture

On 'Lost Girls,' Bat For Lashes Spins A Vampire Fairy Tale With Synth-Pop

6:08pm February 16, 2020

After her 2016 release, The Bride, Natasha Khan didn't know if she'd make another album. But she moved to LA, starting working on a script for a vampire film and found herself writing a concept album.