John Schaefer

Video Christmas gifts from Joni Mitchell and Mary J Blige; and festive dance music, Balkan-style. Plus, Ed Sheeran a cappella, and radical Jewish music meets Afrobeat in Zion80.

WNYC's John Schaefer brings us the sounds of Christmas from around the world. 

Week of Dec. 20: This week, Pom Pom Squad covers a popular 90s tune; Mireya Ramos sends mariachi-reggae from New Zealand; and a hip hop tribute to Quentin Tarantino.

Alicia Keys releases a new album, twice; Leon Bridges and Khruangbin are together again; and a posthumous film/score by Jóhann Jóhannsson. Plus, avant-dance music by Tyondai Braxton. 

This week, Arca “queering the void,” Tom Morello still raging, and a Nina Simone cover. Plus, French singer Quinquis, singer Aoife O’Donovan, and Mexican folk singer Silvana Estrada.

Week of Nov. 29: This week, The Flaming Lips present a new, young singer; Abdullah Ibrahim looks back; and RIP Stephen Sondheim.

This week, Adele’s record-breaking record, a James Bond-style song from FKA twigs, and arty chamber-rock from elbow. Plus, new music by Ibeyi, and Mexico City-based shoegazers Howless.

This week, a duet from Rosalia and The Weeknd, musical reassurance from Courtney Barnett, and Emily Wells recalls an earlier epidemic. Plus, Tuareg guitar magic from Etran De L’Aïr.

Hear songs that blur old and new from Robert Plant & Alison Kraus, ÌFÉ, and Doran. Also, poet and composer JJJJJerome Ellis, UK soul singer Emeli Sandé, and cavern music by Sloppy Jane.

This week, Ed Sheeran’s calculating single, Spoon’s edgy new song, and Mavis Staples joins Valerie June. Plus, Chile’s Mon Laferte and Sons of Kemet tuba player Theon Cross. 

This week, David Keenan, Imarhan, and Cate Le Bon all release new music in Adele’s enormous shadow. Plus, electro-acoustic songs by Lotic and serpentwithfeet.

This week, a shiny new song from Robert Glasper and eagerly-awaited returns for Cat Power and Mitski. Plus, Spanish rapper Tangana on belief and miracles.

This week, a cross-cultural premiere, a new elbow song with an old elbow title, and a stunning soul revue from the Apollo featuring Charles Bradley. Plus, new Susana Baca, and more.

WNYC’s John Schaefer walked through the Lab with Tim McHenry of the Rubin Museum and composer Bora Yoon. 

This week, echoes of summer from Alt-J and Ben LaMar Gay feat. Ohmme; a video game soundtrack from Japanese Breakfast; and South African electronic music producers Native Soul. 

The Buena Vista Social Club keeps on giving; orchestral blues-rock from Larkin Poe; and music for autumn in New York by Makaya McCraven. Plus, brass band hijinks from Fanfare Ciocarlia.

ABBA is just as ABBA as ever; Afro-Cuban futurism from ÌFÉ; and Curtis Harding’s vintage soul. Plus, Brooklyn singer and rapper Spencer., and a tongue-in-cheeky love song by Sean Rowe.

This week, premieres of Latin folk-fusion from Baracutanga and Carolina soul from Big James Barrett and the Golden Jubilees, plus Kanye and Drake race to the bottom. 

This week, a subversive murder ballad from Marissa Nadler, an answer song to all those internet cat videos from Caribou, and the loss of Jamaican music legend, Lee "Scratch" Perry.

A re-air of our evening special from last summer, 'WNYC At Curfew,' amidst the racial justice protests. Alison discusses the history of protest music with WNYC's John Schaefer.