When parts of reality seem unfathomable, music always makes sense. New music from Alex Isley, Childish Gambino, Melanie Faye and more on this week's Heat Check.

For your at-home workout. For you stress baking. For avoiding your kids. We're not here to judge, just to help.

Lil Uzi Vert's audible adrenaline, Stove God Cooks' anamorphic flow, Emma-Jean Thackray's jazz shade and Megan Thee Stallion's savage sass. Heat Check doesn't let up.

With angsty, urgent new tracks from Young Nudy, Kenny Mason, Diana Gordon and more, Heat Check will help you bulldoze pas procrastination.

There's an unexpected jolt of energy that comes with getting caught up — whether you're ready for it or not. This week's picks from Linda Diaz, Dua Saleh, Tame Impala and more explore the gamet.

Brooklyn-born rapper Pop Smoke, who was born Bashar Barakah Jackson, died Wednesday morning, according to his record label. He was 20 years old.

Nigerian trap, New York drill, London soul, Chicago dance — this week's Heat Check playlist switches up quick, but keeps the trance consistent.

The Iranian-Swedish singer draws her musical cues from Brandy and Sade while racking up a list of collaborators such as Vince Staples, James Fauntleroy and, most recently, Pharrell Williams.

The slow asphyxiation of heartache. The deep resonance of bravado. Heat Check's playlist returns with Victoria Monét, Denzel Curry and Kayla Steen.

After first premiering the song exclusively at NPR Music's Tiny Desk, Phony Ppl has finally decided to bless fans with "Fkn Around," a grooving, sorry-not-sorry romp.

The fast-rising teenager from Jamaica just won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album, making her the first woman and youngest artist to ever win in the category.

Don't say she didn't warn you! Megan Thee Stallion shares her first solo single of 2020 and debuts a fresh alter ego named Suga.

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.