Cyrena Touros

On his debut solo album, Sim — best known as a member of The xx — takes inspiration from horror movie villains on songs that look for humanity in the aspects of our identity that society rejects.

The duo's fourth album is marked by experimentation and a focus on living in the present moment. Relaxed and unselfconscious, it's a testament to the ease of collaboration between longtime partners.

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Stray, Joni Mitchell, and more.

It started with a TikTok post riffing on the the lush drama series. Now, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear have received a Grammy nomination for their project, The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical.

For Jimmie Allen, what makes a country artist isn't how many fiddles and mandolins they have in a song. It's something more natural than that.

The 28-year-old rapper opens up about her two Grammy nominations, and how meditation helps her stay centered amid an increasingly busy career.

The previously unreleased track from her upcoming album, The Rarities, interpolates The Fugees' 1996 cover of "Killing Me Softly."

The LA singer-songwriter talks about her second solo album, which includes guest appearances from peers like Conor Oberst, copying ideas from her heroes and the way lyrical specificity mimics poetry.

Although sisters Este, Danielle and Alana are self-quarantining in separate residences, their Tiny Desk set from home is a reminder that California is a state of mind.

In Our Daily Breather, we ask writers and artists to recommend ways to find calm in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. NPR Music assistant editor Cyrena Touros has been re-reading a beloved book.