The magic of boygenius is the way its songs don't force the three songwriters to conform to a single vision, but synthesizes their strengths.

The band channels a country-rock sound that lends a wistful sweetness to Karly Hartzman's admissions of youthful recklessness.

The NPR Music editor shares her favorite albums and songs of 2022.

The cult-beloved Philly singer-songwriter plays a handful of stripped-down songs from across his vast discography, including songs from this year's God Save The Animals.

In times of crisis, we're grateful for music that speaks to the current moment. So we asked a handful of visionary artists: Who taught you that music could be a vehicle for political expression?

Pile has spent the past couple years in a reflective state, but the rock band's new single is no less ferocious.

The Pittsburgh band makes noisy, catchy pop songs filled with crunchy textures and delightful little moments of tension.

The experimental shoegaze band submerges Douglas Dulgarian's vocals under a Jenga tower of noise that threatens to topple.

Philadelphia's Knifeplay mixes twangy confessionals, bruising shoegaze and sprawling slowcore in its intricate and majestic sound.

Plains' I Walked With You A Ways, the collaborative debut from the Waxahatchee singer-songwriter and Williamson, combines wry wisdom with a classic country sound.

On Write Your Name In Pink, the Alaskan singer-songwriter turns a compassionate eye towards his memories, threading together small moments to reveal moving stories about love, addiction and growth.

Rather than a tribute to the beloved Canadian diva, "Celine" is actually a touching ode to Quinn Christopherson's mother.

Palm's inventive art rock is dizzying, unpredictable and, especially in its live incarnation, occasionally transcendent – in the band's best moments, it makes discordance sound sublime.

The beloved Boston indie-rock band has remastered Alam No Hris for a 10-year anniversary reissue. "Solitaire," a fan favorite, is song about malaise feel nearly anthemic.

A song about a monumental loss, "Witness" starts off languid and pensive before the desperation ratchets up, its beautifully tangled guitars turning menacing.

NPR Music staffers convene to offer up the Kate Bush tracks we think deserve a powerful, paradigm-shifting sync in a television show or movie.

Delightfully weird, minimalist and dark, Alex G's got a knack for making good fortune sound dangerous.

In her Tiny Desk (home) concert, Ada Lea performs four sharply detailed and dreamy songs.

Rina Sawayama packs a Shania Twain reference, an over-the-top guitar solo, a rebuke of paparazzi callousness and a kiss-off into the space of a glammy, country-pop inspired banger.

On her new album, We've Been Going About This All Wrong, Van Etten turns her steady gaze towards the wreckage of the last few years and still finds a way to prioritize compassion.