Bob Boilen

This week's essential mix includes songs of letting go, of healing, moving on and finding a deeper appreciation for the wonder of life.

Zach Condon, the mastermind behind Beirut, will release his fifth studio album, Gallipoli, on Feb. 1. In this conversation, he shares the title track and details how the project came together.

On this week's show, we reflect on life and death over popcorn, catch a blissful confession from SOAK, a plaintive apology sung by Miya Folick, and Sharon Van Etten's mid-career pivot to driving pop.

Out of over 100 songs submitted for a DIY musician conference, Jilian Linklater's "Break Up With Your Best Friend" stood out to NPR Music's Bob Boilen.

J.S. Ondara's "American Dream" video follows a delusional man on his journey to purchase a weapon.

In the last two years, Big Thief has released two stunning records. Now, the band's singer and songwriter Adrianne Lenker has a new album of her own that is hushed, introspective and potent.

Irish singer/songwriter Hozier sits down with NPR Music's Bob Boilen to discuss the lifetime of listening that led to his new EP, Nina Cried Power, and what American blues means to him.

On this week's mix, artists from Jeff Tweedy of Wilco to D.C. upstart Bad Moves ask big questions. Catch Irish duo Saint Sister's unnerving harp, a pure pop single from Charly Bliss and more.

The never-before-seen clip, of the two former Beatles recording Lennon's "How Do You Sleep?" in 1971, comes ahead of the Oct. 5 release of a 6-CD box set, Imagine - The Ultimate Collection.

Slovakian 7-year-old Aron Hodek loves playing along with Tiny Desk concerts. In his latest performance, he tackles Thundercat's bass line in "What's the Use?"

Julie Byrne's transporting music can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen talks with NPR Music's Ann Powers and Jewly Hight about the standout performances and surprising discoveries at this year's AMERICANAFEST.

While this Sacramento, Calif. band didn't win this year's Tiny Desk contest, their video entry, for the song "Peach Scones," was among the more memorable we've ever seen.

This week's essential mix has music from Thom Yorke's first-ever film score, a pulsing cover of Califone's "Funeral Singers" from Sylvan Esso, obliterated guitar rock from Squirrel Flower and more.

Jupiter Bokondji and his band Okwess play music that feels both African and American, with Jupiter's early musical tastes inspired by The Jackson 5, James Brown and the sounds of Motown.

The band makes life-affirming music that singer Kalmia Traver created over the past few years, filled with the triumph of being cancer free.

In this candid conversation, the singer reveals he hasn't felt compelled to write a new song in years, talks about the desire to better know himself and reflects on the very meaning of life itself.

The U.K. post-punk band's new album celebrates humanity in all its forms.

On this week's essential playlist, Cat Power teams with Lana Del Rey, Greg Laswell reflects on the devastating effects of addiction, Anna Calvi sings "Don't Beat the Girl Out of My Boy," and more.

Two classically trained pianists pick up electric guitars and dive into uncharted musical waters. Here, Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart explain their first album as Ohmme.