The Joy Of Ella Fitzgerald's Accessible Elegance
"I know I'm no glamour girl," Fitzgerald reportedly once said. But generations of fans inspired by her elegant style over the years, including writer Holly Gleason, beg to differ.
Music
The Many Requirements Of Hold Music, A Genre For No One
Hold music is camouflaged sound — it needs to obviously exist, while also barely doing so. Small wonder, then, that its biggest "hit" does none of that.
Man Charged By Federal Prosecutors In Connection With Mac Miller's Death
Cameron James Pettit was arrested Wednesday morning. He was charged by federal prosecutors with supplying counterfeit oxycodone to Mac Miller shortly before the rapper's death.
Viking's Choice: Psychedelic Cumbia, String Drone, Afghan Noise
Wild combinations yield wild results. This week's playlist includes Los Pirañas' squiggly psych-cumbia, Jessica Pavone's stirring string drone and noisy Afghan jams.
City Scenes: 5 Festivals You Have To See In Raleigh Durham
Whether your taste adheres to folk traditions, electronic explorations, the next generation of hip-hop or all of the above, these North Carolina festivals have something for everybody.
Lana Del Rey Lives In America's Messy Subconscious
Over a decade, the Los Angeles-based singer has built a career — one that peaks on her new album — and a musical identity on the idea that greatness doesn't have to be emotionally tidy.
Alt.Latino Playlist: Looking Forward To Fall With New Music
From Panamanian reggaeton artist Dimelo Flow to Reyna Tropical's electro-cumbia, big names and indie stalwarts release new tracks this week.
Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Waters And The Colors Of Sound
Critics, scholars and fans are often caught up in the idea of an ideal black sound, using vocal tone to measure racial identity. What becomes of the black female singer who defies this categorization?
MUNA Might Just Save The World
The musicians of MUNA pride themselves on their ability to connect. The band's latest album, Saves the World, pays homage to that cause.
The Sisters Of A-WA 'Want To Bring Something New' To Yemen's Musical Traditions
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with the three sisters who make up the genre-defying band A-WA after they performed at NPR's Tiny Desk.