First Listen: Diane Cluck, ‘Boneset’
Cluck’s songs unfurl in curlicues, not straight lines, as her voice contorts to mystical effect. On Boneset, she frequently channels the deified California songwriter Judee Sill.
Category: Sounds
First Listen: Nothing, ‘Guilty Of Everything’
The Philadelphia noise-rock band’s debut full-length hits like a profoundly thoughtful, beautifully crushing wave of droning distortion.
Megaband Formed On Craigslist Becomes The Family Crest
There are big bands and then there are really big bands, like The Family Crest, which features around 300 players. NPR’s Rachel Martin speaks with lead vocalist Liam McCormick about the band.
Hurray For The Riff Raff On World Cafe
From the Bronx to the French Quarter, here’s a singer that represents the outsiders and underdogs.
How Hip-Hop Changed Latin Music Forever
Alt.Latino sits down with rapper Bocafloja and blogger Juan Data to discuss the many ways hip-hop has trickled into Latin America and its music scene.
New Mix: Sisyphus, Avey Tare, Nothing, More
This week’s mix from All Songs Considered includes a genre-bending project from Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux and Serengeti they’re calling Sisyphus. Plus psychedelic solo music from Animal Collective’s Avey Tare, one-of-a-kind folk from Diane Cluck and more.
First Listen: The Notwist, ‘Close To The Glass’
The German band’s collage-based sound brims over with buzzing, springy, playful urgency. Bathed in electronics, Markus Acher’s softly accented vocals land like late-night affirmations from a trusted friend.
First Listen: Death Vessel, ‘Island Intervals’
Joel Thibodeau’s eerily high voice sounds equally suited to basement-bound laments and celestial explorations. Island Intervals finds him splitting the difference and exploring the tension between those extremes.
Heavy Rotation: 10 Love Songs Public Radio Can’t Stop Playing
Download a Valentine’s Day edition of Heavy Rotation, featuring world premieres from R&B star Jeremih and dance duo The Juan Maclean, as well as music from Mary Lambert, Vampire Weekend and more.
Lake Street Dive: ‘Portraits’ Of Heartache
The band prides itself on technique over originality, but is nonetheless passionate about its craft.
Viking’s Choice: Psalm Zero Masters Its Own ‘Undoing’
One of the most oddly compelling heavy music albums of the year, so far, comes from an unlikely duo.
The Other Guys: 5 Bands Missing From The British Invasion
The Beatles may have opened the gates for British acts to find success on the American charts — but Lenny Kaye, guitarist of the Patti Smith Group and curator of the legendary ’60s rock compilation Nuggets, says plenty of worthy groups simply never made the trip.
Before He Joined Congress, A South African Janitor’s Disco Past
Penny Penny put down his broom and picked up a mic for his 1994 debut, now reissued.
First Listen: Cibo Matto, ‘Hotel Valentine’
Cibo Matto has always been skilled at Trojan-horsing weird art within glossy, goofy songs (often about food), but the new Hotel Valentine isn’t so concerned with disguising its intentions. For their first album together in 14 years, Miho Hatori and Yuka C. Honda showcase their evolution.
Dumpstaphunk On World Cafe
Dumpstaphunk has thrived in the New Orleans funk scene alongside some of the best in the business.
Angélique Kidjo Shouts Out Africa’s Women With Funk And Fire
Kidjo’s latest album, Eve, started when she was swept into a group of singing women in Kenya. She then took her music to Benin, traveling its width and breadth and recording nine different choral groups to back up her own lead vocals.
Gregory Alan Isakov on World Cafe
The musician and farmer discusses the controversy behind his song’s appearance in a fast-food ad.
Potty Mouth On World Cafe
Potty Mouth formed in Northampton, Mass., in 2011. The band released a vinyl EP in 2012, and last year put out a full-length record called Hell Bent. With a name inspired by the title of a Bratmobile album, Potty Mouth revels in the sheer volume and eager, youthful enthusiasm of punk.
5 Pete Seeger Songs To Sing Together
The American folk icon sang many inspirational songs during his 94 years. Kim Ruehl of FolkAlley.com looks at the career of Pete Seeger through five songs that characterize his most lasting legacy.
Recommended Dose: The Best Dance Tracks Of The Month
Recommended Dose is a round-up of some of the best new electronic dance songs, presented in a monthly mix. Our inaugural installment includes music from Disclosure, Detroit legends Theo Parrish and Moodymann and more.