Explore every episode of the podcast All Songs Considered

We celebrate spring and new beginnings with a perfect mix of songs for starting over.  This can take many forms: songs that spark a good, cleansing cry; songs that offer wisdom, or just a sure-fire jolt of adrenaline. But in the end, all of the tracks can help reconfigure your mood, your day or even your life.   

Host Robin Hilton is joined by NPR Music’s Noah Caldwell and Dora Levite.

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(02:05) Nina Simone: “Feelin’ Good” from I Put a Spell on You

(06:02) Cassandra Jenkins: “Hard Drive” from An Overview of Phenomenal Nature

(10:29) Cajmere: “Brighter Days” from Brighter Days

(15:42) Beastie Boys: “Sabotage” from Ill Communication

(18:54) Wednesday: “Reality TV Argument Bleeds” from Bleeds

(22:43) Gregory Alan Isakov: “Second Chances” from The Weatherman

(27:09) Bob Marley: “Three Little Birds” from Exodus

(30:56) LCD Soundsystem: “Oh Baby” from American Dream

(35:18) Ryuichi Sakamoto: “Zure” from async

(41:02) Amy Shark: “Amy Shark” from Cry Forever

(45:26) Sluice: “Beadie” from Companion

(50:05) The Allman Brothers Band: “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” from Eat a Peach

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

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We talk with Beck about his gauzy new song, "Ride Lonesome," what he’s been up to since releasing his last album seven years ago, and what he (maybe?) has planned for the coming year.

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Our latest mix of the best new tracks this week includes a massive eye-roll from Charli xcx, the first-ever solo music from Mike D of the Beastie Boys, another surprise drop from electronic music icons Boards of Canada, and more.


NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host Robin Hilton.

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

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(01:18) Charli xcx: “Rock Music” (Single)

(07:30) Starflyer 59: “I’m Disappointed” from Disappointed EP

(12:22) Mike D: “Switch Up” (Single)

(19:53) Black Swan Network: “The Shell” from The Early Music, Vol. 1

(25:30) Hannah Cohen: “Golden Chain” (Single)

(31:55) Boards of Canada: “Introit/Prophecy At 1420 MHz” from Inferno

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With Mother’s Day nearing, listeners share the songs that remind them of their moms and the deeply moving stories behind them.

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

Note: A version of this episode originally ran in 2024

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro / “Stardust Memories” by Hoagey Carmichael

(01:52) Christina Aguilera: “Beautiful”

(06:06) Jeannie C. Riley: “Harper Valley P.T.A.”

(10:09) Kermit the Frog: “Rainbow Connection”

(13:50) Phyllis Hyman: “You Know How To Love Me”

(17:16) MILCK: “Oh, Mother”

(21:58) Christina Perri: “You Are My Sunshine”

(25:33) The Tokens: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”

(29:16) Four Tops: “Reach Out I’ll Be There”

(33:43) Sweet Honey In The Rock: “Wanting Memories”


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Our latest picks for the week’s best new songs include Olivia Rodrigo’s head-over-heels earworm “Drop Dead,” a stunning bonus cut from Rosalía’s LUX album, a surprising pop turn from Peter Gabriel, twisted dance beats from Nine Inch Nails, Rostam and more.

NPR Music’s Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hiton.

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

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(01:49) Olivia Rodrigo: “drop dead” from you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love

(09:50) Peter Gabriel: “Till Your Mind Is Shining (Bright-Side Mix)” from o\i

(20:23) Nine Inch Nails, Boys Noize: “Heresy” from Nine Inch Noize

(28:47) Rosalía: “Focu ‘Ranni” from LUX (Complete Works)

(36:21) Rostam: “Like a Spark” from American Stories

(42:51) Gregory Uhlmann: “Days” from Extra Stars


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Our latest mix of the best new songs out now includes a scorching new cut from Jack White, a surprise (and breathtaking) return of electronic legends Boards of Canada, outlaw country from Charley Crockett and more.  

NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton.

Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend!

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

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(01:22) Jack White: “G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs” (Single)

(08:38) Kelela: “idea 1” (Single)

(16:13) mary in the junkyard: “Crash Landing” from Role Model Hermit

(24:59) Charley Crockett: “Kentucky Too Long” from Age of the Ram

(32:33) Boards of Canada: “Tape 05” (Single)

(40:09) Purity Ring: “lemonlime” (Single)


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Our latest mix of the week’s best new songs includes a moody reflection on burnout from Gracie Abrams, rising L.A. duo Evening Elephants, the elusive electronic collagists Ear and more.  

NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.

Please leave a glowing review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!

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

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro
(01:45) Gracie Abrams: “Hit the Wall”
(08:10) Zoh Amba: “Eyes Full"
(14:18) Jazmin Bean: “Darling”
(21:57) Ear: “Ne Plus Ultra”
(27:46) Evening Elephants: “A Digital Touch”
(33:07) Knats: “Carpet Doctor (feat. Geordie Greep)”


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We weigh the options and attempt to pick the one song that best captures the Millennial generation's experience, from the dizzying highs of the dot-com boom, when anything seemed possible, to the post-9-11 bust, the hope of the Obama years, and prolonged period of generational disillusionment.

NPR Music millennials Hazel Cills and Sheldon Pearce join host Robin Hilton.

A good review helps! So, leave us one on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!

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

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It’s the season of road trips -- and nothing goes better with those long and winding roads than music.  This week we share our picks for the perfect playlist, breakdown what works best when, and consider some ground rules -- does the driver always have the final say?

Reviews help!  Leave us one on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. 

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

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Eric Burdon and War: “Spill the Wine”
(03:09) Stromae: “Santé”
(04:57) Broadway Cast: “Alexander Hamilton”
(07:53) Joe Iconis / Broadway Cast: “Michael in the Bathroom”
(10:14) Abiotic: “Vermosapien”
(12:02) Wipers: “Mystery”
(13:36) Steely Dan: “My Old School”
(17:28) Tunde Olaniran: “Namesake”
(19:54) Shania Twain: “Man, I Feel Like a Woman!”
(22:37) Pat Travers: “Amgwanna Kick Booty”
(26:27) Anthrax & Public Enemy: “Bring The Noise”
(27:49) Unwed Sailor: “Monster Collecting”
(29:46) The Allman Brothers Band: “Midnight Rider” and “Southbound”
(33:12) Lakestreet Dive: “You Go Down Smooth”
(35:41) Black Sabbath: “Turn Up The Night”
(37:19) Simple Minds: “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”

Note: A version of this episode originally posted in August 2025.


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NPR listeners share the songs they reach for when they need to reset the mood, their day or even their life.

This is a followup to our April episode on songs for starting over.  NPR’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.

A good review helps! Leave us one on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!

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

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(01:13) Quincy Jones: “Dead End”

(02:12) Bill Withers: “Lovely Day”

(04:51) Florence + the Machine: “Shake It Out”

(08:06) Jacob Collier: “Something Heavy”

(11:24) Des’ree: “You Gotta Be”

(16:32) Peter Gabriel: “Washing Of The Water”

(19:57) Cat Power: “Nothin But Time”

(23:02) John Denver: “Sweet Surrender”

(27:46) Isley Brothers: “Summer Breeze”

(31:22) Green Day: “Still Breathing”

(34:10) Vienna Teng: “Level Up”


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Our latest picks for the best new tracks of the week include a raging, dancefloor remix of Wet Leg’s “Catch These Fists,” a touch of vintage soul from rapper and singer Vince Staples, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien channels Kentucky poet Wendell Berry who says, “to know the dark, go dark,” and more.

NPR Music’s Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton.

A good review helps! So, leave us one on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen!

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

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(01:03) Wet Leg: “catch these fists (FDC DJs remix)” from moisturizer deluxe

(07:05) Katie & Marielle Labèque: “The Somnambulist”  (Phillip Glass) from 55

(15:23) Balming Tiger: “Home” from Gongbu

(22:42) Wild Up: “No. 8, Always Making New Inversions” from Julius Eastman Vol. 5: Gay Guerrilla

(31:00) Vince Staples: “White Flag” from Cry Baby

(36:06) Ed O’Brien: “Blue Morpho” from Blue Morpho


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Roséwave is a feeling more than a singular sound or genre. It’s the kind of sweetness and sadness that underscores the long, languid days of summer.  Long drives with old friends, watching your kids at the pool, backyard barbecues while the sun slowly sets.  On this episode we share a mix of songs that offer the perfect soundtrack for your roséwave days and nights, from Linda Ronstadt’s “How Do I Make You” and Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t That Peculiar,” to Katie Gavin’s “Aftertaste,” Waxahatchee’s “Much Ado About Nothing” and more.

NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich and contributor Marissa Lorusso join host Robin Hilton.

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro and “Summertime, Summertime” by The Jamies

(01:57) Wednesday: "Elderberry Wine"

(04:34) The Lijadu Sisters: "Come on Home"

(07:35) Katie Gavin: "Aftertaste”

(12:17) Marvin Gaye: "Ain't That Peculiar"

(15:46) Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra: “Gayane Ballet Suite: Adagio”

(17:02) Haku.: "Looking Through My Subtle Double Eyelids"

(19:46) Labi Siffre: "My Song"

(22:45) Azymuth: "Faça de Conta"

(25:09) Waxahatchee: "Much Ado About Nothing"

(27:35) Linda Ronstadt: "How Do I Make You"

(30:29) Addison Rae: "Diet Pepsi," from 'Addison'

(34:56) Amerie: "Why Don't We Fall in Love"

Reviews help!  Leave us one on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. 

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

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


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Consensus has been hard to find in 2026, but we’ve assembled our top-ten list of the most memorable songs of the year at this midway point, from the outlaw country of Charley Crockett to the glam rock of Friko, Lana Del Rey’s twisted ode to love, Vince Staples’ “White Flag” and more.

NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton.

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(01:38) Mandy, Indiana: “try saying”

(05:09) Aldous Harding: “Coats”

(09:28) Vince Staples: “White Flag”

(14:25) Yebba: “Yellow Eyes”

(18:04) Friko: “Seven Degrees”

(22:01) Charley Crockett: “Kentucky Too Long”

(26:03) Lana Del Rey: “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter”

(32:07) Baby Rose: “Friends Again (feat. Leon Thomas)”

(37:59) Mumford & Sons: “Rubber Band Man (with Hozier)”

(42:58) Irreversible Entanglements: “Don’t Lose Your Head (feat. MOTHERBOARD)”

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


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We share our picks for the best new tracks of the week, including Mitski’s surprising cover of One Direction’s “Fireproof.” But first, we remember Beck’s still-mind-blowing Odelay, which just celebrated its 30th anniversary. 

NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host Robin Hilton.

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Beck’s Odelay at 30

(03:39) Perennial: “What’s New On The Beat Scene”

(08:55) Mitski: “Fireproof”

(13:50) Sarah Davachi: “Songs of the Smile’s Fig: III. Follies”

(21:56) Shearwater: “Daydream Unbeliever”

(32:33) Sleep: “Have Spacesuit Will Travel”

(41:39) L’Rain: “soulless cycle”

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


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On her stellar new single, “Switchblade,” beabadoobee shreds ‘90s style. The Rolling Stones have still got it on their latest album, Foreign Tongues. And Four Tet surprises us with a new “wingdings” project. We’ve got all that and more as we share our picks for the best new songs of the week.

NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton.

Featured artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(01:20) beabadoobee: “Switchblade” from Pylon

(08:31) Bonobo & Arooj Aftab: “Fire on the Water” from Distance in Static

(15:09) The Rolling Stones: “Ringing Hollow” from Foreign Tongues

(25:31) L’rain: “borderline” from fata morgana

(33:02) Four Tet: "track 3"

(40:35) Ela Minus, Nick León: “espiral” from qué les pasó a mis amigos?

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


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We share our picks for the best new tracks out now, including the laid-back dystopia of Sylvan Esso’s “Concrete Glen,” an acoustic take on Phoebe Bridgers’ “Lost Boys,” the glitched-out chaos of feeble little horse and more.

NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.

Support the show with 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 artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(01:28) Sylvan Esso: “Concrete Glen”

(07:49) feeble little horse: “DMT”

(14:07) Phoebe Bridgers: “Lost Boys (Acoustic)”

(22:15) Snõõper: “RECESS”

(26:50) The Olivia Tremor Control: “Garden of Light”

(33:53) @: “Autosmile”   


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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest places, if you look at it right. And if you get confused, just listen to the music play. This week, resident Deadheads Isabella Gomez Sarmiento and Felix Contreras help host Robin Hilton hear what he’s been missing in the music of the Grateful Dead.

Are you a Deadhead? Share your memories of the Grateful Dead and we may include them in a big series we're launching about the band on Aug. 1.

Support the show with 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:

(00:00) Intro and “King Solomon’s Marbles”

(08:54) “China Cat Sunflower / I Know You Rider” Alpine Valley, WI 7.17.89

(11:03) “Help On the Way / Slipknot / Franklin’s Tower”

(16:39) “Ripple”

(23:34) “Morning Dew (Europe ‘72)”

(26:17) “I Shall Be Released (Live)” 

(30:05) “Black Muddy River”

(31:34) “One More Saturday Night”

(32:09) “Sunrise”

(33:21) “Shady Grove”

(39:14) “Birdsong”

(41:45) “Uncle John’s Band”


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We open this week’s show by reflecting on the loss of Glen Hansard, an artist who was critical to shaping the sound and spirit of All Songs Considered in its earliest days. We then share some of our favorite new tracks of the week, including a King Princess cover of Neil Young’s “Helpless,” cheeky pop from Coco & Clair Clair, a stunning ambient track from Adam Wiltzie and the late composer Jóhann Jóhannsson and more.

NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.

Support the show with 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 artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro and remembering Glen Hansard

(03:24) Coco & Clair Clair: “Coldplay”

(08:34) Claudia Isaki: “Origami”

(15:30) Slayyyter: “brand new chanel$”

(23:17) King Princess: “Helpless”

(31:01) Dawuna: “I am a woman too...”

(36:50) Adam Wiltzie & Jóhann Jóhannsson: “White Gloves & Turtlenecks”


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Sometimes a cover song is so good, so singular that it completely eclipses the original version.  Think Sinéad O'Connor doing The Family's “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Jimmy Hendrix lighting up Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” or, of course, Whitney Houston’s defining take on Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”  On this week’s show, we share some of our picks for cover songs that are better than the originals, talk about why, and what, exactly, a cover song needs to become a classic.

NPR Music’s Dora Levite 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 artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro and the G.O.A.T.s 

(06:06) Al Green: “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”

(09:58) Björk: “It’s Oh So Quiet”

(12:28) Aretha Franklin: “Respect”

(16:22) Low: “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me”

(19:45) Andrew Paul Woodworth: “Fight For Your Right to Party”

(25:10) Yaeji: “Passionfruit”

(28:13) Shonen Knife: “Top of the World”

(32:06) Wednesday: “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Double)”

(34:54) Low: “Fearless”

(36:37) Harry Nilsson: “Without You”

(39:57) Beyonce: “Before I Let Go (Homecoming Live Bonus Track)”

(42:35) Gary Jules: “Mad World”

(49:19) Chaka Khan: “I Feel For You”


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On this week’s show, Weezer gives the people what they want, plus a breathless “dirt dance” from saxophonist Colin Stetson and bagpiper Brìghde Chaimbeul, the scruffy cello-pop of yeemz, works by composer and vocalist Meredith Monk, electronic artist Jlin and more.  

NPR Music’s Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton as we share our picks for the best new songs of the week.

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 artists and songs:

(00:00) Intro

(00:51) Weezer: “C.E.O.”

(08:24) Colin Stetson, Brìghde Chaimbeul: “Dirt dance”

(18:16) slimdan: “Let’s Start A Cult!”

(25:09) Phaedra Ensemble: “Phantom Strings” (Meredith Monk)

(31:43) yeemz: “Brace for Impact” (single)

(37:36) PUBLIQuartet: “Baobab” (Jlin)


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