Lars Gotrich

In some ways, COVID shrank the distance between musicians and listeners. But then, it also threw nearly everything about the industry into disarray, and for many, things have never been the same.

The vibraphonist, composer and jazz-funk pioneer helped inspire the neo-soul movement, and his best-known song was sampled over 100 times.

It takes a village to make the music we love. We remember the singers, songwriters, composers, instrumentalists, producers and journalists that we lost in 2024.

The shoegaze scene never made another record like Starflyer 59’s surfy bummer Gold… until now. A new album inspires this playlist of artists returning to old bands, former sounds and beloved songs.

On Thursday morning, Mike Mills said that it would take "a comet" for R.E.M. to get back together. But on Thursday night, R.E.M. got back together to perform the band's unexpected 1991 hit at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

There are so many ways and places to dance — in the club, in your kitchen, on the streets and, as NPR Music's Lars Gotrich argues, in the mosh pit — so let's showcase its multitudes.

Luiza Brina spent 10 years developing an album of nonreligious prayers. NPR Music's Lars Gotrich dives into newly released music from Brazil, featuring Milton Nascimento, Amaro Freitas and Anitta.

Albini led the abrasive underground rock bands Big Black and Shellac and recorded — by his own estimate — thousands of albums, including classics like Nirvana's In Utero and the Pixies' Surfer Rosa.

Madlib's music feels like a magic trick. On this edition of 8 Tracks, we bow down to Madlib's mastery, plus check out new music by Charly Bliss, Fana Hues and reminisce on an old Ted Leo record.

Thursday's first song in 13 years leads off this edition of 8 Tracks, which we'll have to call 10 Tracks because there's been too much good music lately.