From Kirby and Hope Tala to Odunsi The Engine and BEAM, these are the artists who dropped the surprises that stuck this year.

"I just want you to know," Raveena told the NPR office, "that in this space that we're in, you're extremely, extremely loved."

Balancing glitchy, pithy pop with raucous reggae, trap and R&B, these Heat Check picks from The Weeknd and Koffee give us a moment's escape from the ordinary.

The budding superstar debuted a new song with Phony Ppl and performed hits from Fever and Tina Snow during the first night of NPR's Tiny Desk Fest.

This week, we're thankful for new songs by PARTYNEXTDOOR, Girl Ultra, K. Roosevelt, Elah Hale and more.

Featuring Jhené Aiko, Denzel Curry, Ambré and more, this week's Heat Check selects come from artists who don't entertain the haters or mutter their feelings.

New music from Lil Baby, duendita, Ayoni and FKJ gives this Heat Check playlist a homey vibe.

The 34-year old R&B mainstay used his moment at the desk to fit in as many of his most cherished songs as possible — Nine songs in 17 minutes to be exact.

From a surprisingly sinister Frank Ocean freebie to a new direction for the normally airy and joyful April + VISTA, these Heat Check selections give you space to suspend yourself.

"I'd twerk to Mozart!" is the type of bold thinking we need these days. The picks on this week's Heat Check subvert the norm and take you to unexpected places.

The secret's out! One of 2019's brightest new stars peformed a live show at the Tiny Desk.

After some confusion, mixed messaging and conflicting timelines, Kanye West's ninth studio album, Jesus Is King, has arrived.

From a raunchy, R&B label debut by TeaMarrr to Vagabon's atmospheric music, these immersive songs command you to stop, listen and let go.

With new music from Wale, Swsh, Mahalia and more, these songs of catharsis are just what you need to disconnect.

They were always stars to us. But some Tiny Desk alums just happened to stop by shortly before their careers really took off.

From Empress Of to Poundside Pop, this week's Heat Check selects reflect a brain refreshed.

Tyler, The Creator's alter ego spirals into a clothes-throwing, lawn-sprinting, bubble-bath-soaking mess — you know, as you do during a breakup.

Like most things in our century, nostalgia has caught up with us at a bewildering rate. This week's additions to the Heat Check playlist take you back while they push you forward.

This week's motivating playlist additions from all across the culture map — from hip-hop to pop to Jersey club — carry the essence of the hustle. Playtime is over.

Our list of the best albums out this week includes The Highwomen's self-titled release, R&B singer Mahalia's remarkable Love and Compromise, new Frankie Cosmos, MUNA, Lower Dens and more.