All Songs Considered

The year’s best songs so far

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

Jun 30, 2026

Beck's 'Odelay' at 30, Mitski covers One Direction, more

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”Reviews help! L

Jun 23, 2026

Songs for any road trip

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.orgFeatured 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 / Broad

Jun 16, 2026

11 more songs to reset your mood

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:

Jun 9, 2026

Wet Leg, Vince Staples, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien

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

Jun 2, 2026

What’s the defining Millennial song?

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 See pcm.adswizz.com

May 26, 2026

Gracie Abrams hits a wall, and more of the week's best new songs

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.orgFeatured 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”

May 19, 2026

Charli xcx, Beastie Boys' Mike D, Boards of Canada and the week's best new songs

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.Leave us 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.orgFeatured artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(01:18) Charli xcx: “Rock Music” (Single)(07:30) Starflyer 59: “I’m Disappointed” fr

May 12, 2026

Call your mom

With Mother’s Day nearing, listeners share the songs that remind them of their moms and the deeply moving stories behind them.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.orgNote: A version of this episode originally ran in 2024Featured 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) Phyl

May 5, 2026

Peter Gabriel goes pop, Olivia Rodrigo might drop dead, more

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.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.orgFeatured artists and songs:(00:00) Intro(01:49) Olivia Rodrigo: “drop dead” from you seem pretty sad for

Apr 28, 2026

Jack White shreds, Boards of Canada split the universe, more

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.orgFeatured 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) mar

Apr 21, 2026

Interview: Beck returns, rides lonesome on new song

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.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.orgSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 20, 2026

Need a reset?

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

Apr 14, 2026

José González studies hope, Jungle brings the sunshine, more

The British act Jungle had a big hit with “Back on 74” — and its unforgettable dance video — in 2023. Now, the group is back with “Carry On,” a breezy, sun-dappled song about surviving a broken heart. We give it a spin to open the show, along with a study on optimism from one of José González’s best albums, a celestial ambient cut from throat singer Tanya Tagaq and more.NPR classical critic Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton as they update their running list of the year’s best songs.(00:00) Intro(01:03) Jungle: “Carry On” from ‘SUNSHINE’(07:42) Gabriel Kahane & Roomful of Teeth: “Not Even th

Apr 7, 2026

The best Tiny Desk Contest entries we saw

More than 6,000 artists entered this year’s Tiny Desk Contest, hoping to win their very own performance behind the actual Desk. We’ll announce the winner soon, but in the meantime, we’re sharing some of our favorite entries, from the riff-rock group Pump Action, to soul singer Les Greene, loop artist Jackie Marchal, singer-songwriter Yuri Shin and more.Tiny Desk series producer Bobby Carter joins All Songs Considered host Robin Hilton. (They’re also the two lead judges for the Contest.)Featured entries:(00:00) Intro(00:51) Pump Action: “Supernova”(03:34) Lily Talmers: “Big Idea”(07:18) Walker

Mar 31, 2026