Music

Jenny Hval's new album, Blood Bitch, comes out Sept. 30.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Jenny Hval, 'Blood Bitch'

7:00am September 22, 2016

by Katie Presley

On her sixth album, the Norwegian singer Jenny Hval aims for impact, surrounding her vulnerable voice with spiky, disarming instrumentation that bolsters the intensity and intimacy of her songs.

Bob Weir's new album, Blue Mountain, comes out Sept. 30.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Bob Weir, 'Blue Mountain'

7:00am September 22, 2016

by Felix Contreras

On this long-awaited solo album, the Grateful Dead veteran showcases his songwriting gifts with the aid of collaborators such as Josh Ritter and The National's Bryce and Aaron Dessner.

John Prine's new album, For Better, Or Worse, comes out Sept. 30.

Music & Culture

First Listen: John Prine, 'For Better, Or Worse'

7:00am September 22, 2016

by Jim Allen

On the cusp of his 70th birthday, the revered singer-songwriter sets down his pen to explore country classics with some stellar duet partners.

"I wanted it to be so long that the audience is falling apart," Taylor Mac says. "I'm falling apart. We're all falling apart."

Music & Culture

A Musical History Of The U.S., With An Extra Dose Of Glitter

5:55pm September 21, 2016

by Ari Shapiro

In an extravagant, 24-hour journey through American popular music, performance artist Taylor Mac tells the story of communities who have built themselves through falling apart.

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On his new album, pianist Pavel Kolesnikov arranges Chopin's Mazurkas like a mixtape.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Pavel Kolesnikov, Chopin: 'Mazurka In A Minor, Op. 17, No. 4'

9:00am September 21, 2016

by Tom Huizenga

Everything about this Mazurka is dreamy, floating along as if Chopin made up the music on the spot in a great opium cloud.

Leonard Cohen's 14th studio album, You Want It Darker, will be out Oct. 21.

Music & Culture

It's Leonard Cohen's Birthday. The Present Is Dark

8:49am September 21, 2016

by Bob Boilen

On his 82nd birthday, Leonard Cohen has released a new song, the title track to his forthcoming album, You Want It Darker.

In his new album, Latin American Songbook, jazz pianist Edward Simon offers a new take on some of his favorite Latin standards.

Music & Culture

In 'Latin American Songbook,' Edward Simon Rethinks The American Jazz Standard

4:35pm September 20, 2016

by Michelle Mercer

The pianist's new album places Latin standards at the center of instrumental jazz and offers creative experimentation with harmony and meter.

Clockwise from upper left: Front Country, John Paul White, CW Stoneking, Yola Carter

Music & Culture

Nine Artists To Watch For At AmericanaFest 2016

2:52pm September 20, 2016

by Bob Boilen

NPR Music is headed to Nashville for this week's AmericanaFest where we'll be checking out some of the newest and most promising voices in roots music, along with a few veterans.

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'Sing For Your Life' Recounts A Journey From Juvenile Detention To The Opera House

2:40pm September 20, 2016

Ryan Speedo Green grew up in a trailer park and did time in juvenile detention before discovering he had a unique singing voice. He now performs at New York's Metropolitan Opera.

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"Jack [Rose] transcended the shadow of [John] Fahey, and I think that's really difficult to do," Steve Gunn says. "It was undeniable when he played — people paid attention."

Music & Culture

'A Real Little Taste Of Heaven': Visionary Guitarist Jack Rose In 11 Songs

9:40am September 20, 2016

by Laura Snapes

To celebrate new reissues of his work, friends, fans and peers share favorite songs and memories of the musician whose influence on American Primitive Guitar has grown to monumental heights.