Beyonce? Lizzo? Drake? Here are the early contenders for song of the summer
What makes a song of the summer? And are there any early contenders for 2022? NPR Music's Stephen Thompson makes his predictions.
Music
Pianist David Virelles shows off the depth and breadth of what he can do on 'Nuna'
Though he's been a New Yorker for over a decade, Virelles remains preoccupied with the rich, rhythmically charged music of his native Cuba. His new album shows where he's been — and where he's going.
Essential Voices USA: Tiny Desk Concert
Watch a world premiere performance of choral songs built on texts from important Washington women, from Kamala Harris and Condoleezza Rice to Eleanor Roosevelt, Elena Kagan and Abigail Adams.
Ondara, 'An Alien In Minneapolis'
Ondara delivers a new sonic package that embraces both his intriguing voice and a unique accent that remains present when he sings.
Post-Roe, a look at how old and new protest music reflects political moments
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with NPR music critic Ann Powers and music scholar Shana Redmond about how old and new protest music reflects political moments, following the Supreme Court overturning Roe.
Linda Ayupuka, 'Daguna'
Ayupuka's turnt-up praise music feels equally at home in church aisles and on dance floors.
Mo Willems' naked mole rats owe their rock 'n' roll sound to this composer
Composer Deborah Wicks La Puma has written music for Mo Willems' famous Pigeon, Elephant and Piggie - and now for Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed on HBO Max.
Jazz renegade Theo Croker returns to his Jacksonville roots
Jazz Night hangs with trumpeter Theo Croker in Jacksonville, Fla., where he spent his teenage years, to revisit old mentors and hear a set by his band from the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.
Alex G, 'Runner'
Among piano chords, murmurs and a single wail, Alex G gives us an unlikely summer anthem that reveals the seedy underbelly of the idyllic season.
What did 1997 sound like? These albums have been around for 25 years.
Here at World Cafe, we're celebrating music that's been around for a quarter-century, including a landmark release from Radiohead, a seminal song from The Verve and a comeback from Bob Dylan.