Music

University student Miles Sutton plays jazz for his audition to busk on the London subway.

Music & Culture

London Underground Calling: Buskers Audition To Play On The Tube

7:56am August 31, 2017

by Frank Langfitt

Some famous British musicians — George Michael, Rod Stewart, Ed Sheeran — started as buskers. So it's no wonder hundreds of hopefuls are auditioning for a coveted license to play on London's tube.

Queue Listen Now

Chucho Valdés and Arturo O'Farrill pay tribute to their historic fathers on Familia: Tribute to Bebo and Chico.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Arturo O'Farrill & Chucho Valdés, 'Familia: Tribute To Bebo & Chico'

5:00am August 31, 2017

by Felix Contreras

The progeny of Bébo Valdes and Chico O'Farrill pay tribute on this family affair.

Julie & The Wrong Guys' self-titled debut album is out Sept. 8.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Julie & The Wrong Guys, 'Julie & The Wrong Guys'

5:00am August 31, 2017

by Stephen Thompson

After a prolific solo career, Julie Doiron heads up a new band, whose sound blends summery sweetness with grit and gristle.

The new album from Alvvays, Antisocialites, is out Sep. 8.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Alvvays, 'Antisocialites'

5:00am August 31, 2017

by Mike Katzif

The Toronto indie-rock band's sophomore album builds on the promise of its celebrated debut.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Neil Young, 'Hitchhiker'

5:00am August 31, 2017

by Tom Moon

Neil Young's storied acoustic recordings from 1976 finally see release as an official album. Stream early versions of "Pocahontas," "Powderfinger," "Ride My Llama," and much more.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Kip Moore, 'Slowheart'

5:00am August 31, 2017

by Jewly Hight

The Nashville singer and songwriter filters elements of heartland rock, heroic rebellion and heart-on-sleeve emo through a soulful, solitary misfit persona.

Gregg Allman's posthumous album, Southern Blood, is out Sept. 8.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Gregg Allman, 'Southern Blood'

5:00am August 31, 2017

by Jim Allen

A rock 'n' roll lifer says goodbye on his own terms.

Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz performs onstage during the 2016 BET Experience in Los Angeles.

Music & Culture

Love In A Time Of Urbanization: The Twofold Vulnerability Of An East African Pop Hit

11:30pm August 30, 2017

by Eyder Peralta

"I Miss You" is a love song by Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz. This song of the summer touches on a big social problem for a booming part of the African continent.

Queue Listen Now

'What's Good': Bobbito Describes How Stevie Wonder 'Speaks To One's Soul'

4:31pm August 30, 2017

Stevie Wonder brought his A game to the newest episode of NPR's "What's Good" podcast. Co-host Robert "Bobbito" Garcia talks to NPR's Ari Shapiro about what it was like talking with one of America's most creative and prolific musicians.

U2 premiered "The Blackout" from Songs Of Experience via Facebook Live.

Music & Culture

U2 Performs New Song 'The Blackout' From Its Upcoming Album 'Songs Of Experience'

3:34pm August 30, 2017

by Benjamin Naddaff-Hafrey

U2 unveils the latest from Songs of Experience -- a characteristically buoyant, but worryingly saccharine, cut of shivering guitar, bass punch and end-times reckoning.