NPR Music

Alabama Shakes. Mike D. Interpol. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Sean Carolan of WBJB in New Jersey about their favorite albums out Friday, August 28. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. 

The Starting 5

(03:37) Album No. 1
- Mastodon, 'Marrow Deep'

(08:56) Album No. 2
- Mike D 5D, 'Thank You'

(15:41) Album No. 3
- Alabama Shakes, 'I Must Be Dreaming'

(21:43) Album No. 4
- Interpol, 'This Mirror Weighs a Ton'

(27:47) Album No. 5
- The Linda Lindas, 'Gotta Get Out'

(33:37) The Lightning Round

- Billy Strings, 'So Much For Goodbyes'
- Elephant Stone, 'ASHA'
- Tiny Habits, 'Keepers'
- Saul Williams, 'Leap Life'
- Liim, 'A Sunflower Garden In Harlem Is Hard To Find'

Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org

Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Sean Carolan, WBJB 
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Elle Mannion, Otis Hart
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Ann Powers and Rodney Carmichael

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Latin identity has been at the core of Cypress Hill's music from the very beginning -- their 1991 track "Latin Lingo" gave voice to the Latin roots of hip hop with its funky Spanglish callouts. But it took the band thirty-five more years to make an album of original songs written in Spanish: 'Dios Bendiga,' which was just released. In this episode, Felix chats with the band -- B-Real, Sen Dog and Eric Bobo -- about the influences behind the album, and why this moment felt right to finally make it. Plus, a cameo from the band's longtime producer and turntablist, DJ Lord. 

This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music.

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Dolly Parton was more than just a country music superstar. She was a songwriter for others, a philanthropist, a businesswoman, an actress and more. As a pop icon across seven decades, Parton sat down with a number of NPR hosts to tell the stories of her life and art. In this episode, NPR Music’s Ann Powers takes listeners through a number of those interviews to hear Parton tell her story, in her own words.

Want more Dolly? Head to the NPR app’s music tab for a Dolly Parton playlist from our archives. Download the app at npr.org/gettheapp. And read Ann Powers’ remembrance of Dolly Parton here.

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This episode was produced by Otis Hart, Suraya Mohamed and Noah Caldwell. It was edited by Hazel Cills. Sonali Mehta is the executive director of NPR Music.

Image courtesy of the Michael Ochs Archives.

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Is Sunday morning the best time for music? Whether you prefer solitude, get-togethers with family or friends, or steeling yourself for the week to come, we’ve got the perfect album to score your early hours.  

NPR Music’s Hazel Cills and Lars Gotrich join host Robin Hilton.

Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

Featured songs and artists:

(00:00) Intro / Miles Davis: “So What”

(02:32) Astrud Gilberto: “Once I Loved”

(06:29) The Congos: “Fisherman”

(08:48) Madredeus: “Três Ilusoses - Amargura”

(13:02) Laurie Spiegel: “Patchwork”

(17:03) BAD OPERATION: “Bagel Rooks”

(20:10) Django Reinhardt: “Exactly Like You”

(24:05) Tirzah: “Holding On”

(28:13) Margo Guryan: “Sunday Morning”

(33:32) Ishman Williams & the William Singers: “The Old Ship Zion”

(37:42) Electrelane: “Gone Under Sea”

(41:35) Woo: “Make Me Tea”

(45:17) St. Germain: “So Flute”

Note: A version of this episode originally ran in 2025.

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Brennan Wedl. Jorja Smith. Brandon Flowers. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville about their favorite albums out Friday, August 21. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.

The Starting 5

(01:23) Album No. 1
- Brennan Wedl, 'Brennan Wedl'

(08:34) Album No. 2
- Squirrel Flower, 'Say a Prayer to the Gods of Getting Going'

(16:07) Album No. 3
- Westside Cowboy, 'It Goes On'

(22:45) Album No. 4
- Brandon Flowers, 'THRASHER'

(28:50) Album No. 5
- Jorja Smith, 'What Are The Odds'

(34:27) The Lightning Round

- Rapsody, 'God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops'
- OK Cowgirl, 'Rhinestone Cowgirl'
- Elanor Moss, 'The Knife, The Needle'
- Julia Holter, 'Materia'
- The Cramps, 'Gravest Gravy'

Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist and see our Long List of notable releases on NPR.org

Credits:
Host: Stephen Thompson
Guest: Celia Gregory, WNXP
Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell
Digital Producer: Dora Levite
Editors: Elle Mannion, Otis Hart
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Special thanks to Ann Powers, Sheldon Pearce and Lars Gotrich

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

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