All Songs Considered Since launching in 2000, All Songs Considered has been NPR's flagship program for music discovery, artist interviews and conversations with friends and fellow music lovers about the really big questions, like what was the best decade for music, are there albums everyone can agree on, and what do you put on when you need a good cry? Weekly, with host Robin Hilton and the NPR Music family.

All Songs Considered

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Since launching in 2000, All Songs Considered has been NPR's flagship program for music discovery, artist interviews and conversations with friends and fellow music lovers about the really big questions, like what was the best decade for music, are there albums everyone can agree on, and what do you put on when you need a good cry? Weekly, with host Robin Hilton and the NPR Music family.

Most Recent Episodes

The shoegaze artist known as Wisp Chandler Kennedy/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Chandler Kennedy/Courtesy of the artist

The Contenders, Vol. 7: The songs we can't stop playing this week

This week's update to our list of the year's best songs includes thunderous shoegaze from Wisp, a classic Cuban piano piece from Dánae Olano, a deeply moving story from Pedro The Lion and more.

The Contenders, Vol. 7: The songs we can't stop playing this week

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Shabaka Hutchings has released a fantastic new album under his first name titled Perceive its Beauty, Acknowledge its Grace. Atiba Jefferson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Atiba Jefferson/Courtesy of the artist

New Music Friday: The best albums out April 12

NPR Music's Sheldon Pearce and WRTI's Nate Chinen take you through the biggest new releases of the week, including Maggie Rogers, Shabaka Hutchings and more.

New Music Friday: The best albums out April 12

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Kyle Gass and Jack Black of Tenacious D performing live. Paul McConnell/Getty Images hide caption

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Paul McConnell/Getty Images

Songs to make you laugh, with 'Weird Al' Yankovic

"Weird Al" Yankovic helps curate a mix of some of the funniest songs of all time, from classics like Tom Lehrer's "The Elements," to more fringe discoveries from The Hazzards, Tonio K. and more.

Songs to make you laugh, with 'Weird Al' Yankovic

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Texas funk trio Khruangbin are back with A La Sala this week. David Black/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David Black/Courtesy of the artist

New Music Friday: The best albums out April 5

It's a big week for fans of early aughts rock bands, with new releases from The Black Keys and Vampire Weekend hitting streaming services. Kick back with NPR Music's Stephen Thompson and World Cafe host Raina Douris as they run through the new albums you need to know about.

New Music Friday: The best albums out April 5

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On this week's Alt.Latino, a discussion of Latin artists in country music. Photo by Medios y Media/Getty Images hide caption

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Photo by Medios y Media/Getty Images

Tracing the history of Latino artists making country music

The release of Beyoncés Cowboy Carter has sparked a national conversation about who gets to sing country music and the complex roots of the genre. Which got Alt.Latino thinking — what about the Latinos in country?

Tracing the history of Latino artists making country music

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Beyoncé returns with her highly anticipated new album Cowboy Carter. Blair Caldwell/Parkwood Entertainment /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Blair Caldwell/Parkwood Entertainment /Courtesy of the artist

Everything you need to know about Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter'

Our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour dig into the highly anticipated Cowboy Carter and consider whether Beyoncé is knocking down the doors of the country establishment, or looking for validation.

Everything you need to know about Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter'

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Gary Clark Jr. Mike Miller/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mike Miller/Courtesy of the artist

The Contenders Vol. 6: The songs we can't stop playing this week

We update our running list of the year's best songs with Charlotte Day Wilson's beguiling "Canopy," wry punk from Gustaf, a breathtaking new solo work from Adrianne Lenker and more.

The Contenders Vol. 6: The songs we can't stop playing this week

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On this week's Alt.Latino, an assessment of Shakira's current career after Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images hide caption

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Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

What do we really want from Shakira?

Shakira just released her first album in seven years, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, and most listeners and critics have high praise. But this episode of Alt.Latino puts the record to the test.

What do we really want from Shakira?

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New Music Friday: The best albums out March 29

Beyoncé's breathlessly-anticipated Act II: Cowboy Carter is finally here, and NPR Music's Sheldon Pearce shares his initial reactions after staying up late to listen to the album as soon as it hit streaming services.

New Music Friday: The best albums out March 29

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Image from the cover to Laraaji's 2023 album, Segue to Infinity. Illustration by Jackie Lay/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Illustration by Jackie Lay/Courtesy of the artist

Relax: Songs to calm the nerves

It's music to the rescue on this week's All Songs Considered, with a mix of songs to slow the blood, including the one track scientists believe can reduce anxiety by up to 65%.

Relax: Songs to calm the nerves

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