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New Music Friday: Our Top 7 Albums Out On May 24

Compton rapper YG. His latest release, 4REAL 4REAL, is on our short list for the best new albums dropping on May 24. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: Our Top 7 Albums Out On May 24

May 24, 2019 • The best new albums out this week include a stirring call for social justice from soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples, rapper YG's remembrance of Nipsey Hussle, lo-fi rock veterans Sebadoh and more.

New Music Friday: Our Top 7 Albums Out On May 24

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Justin Townes Earle's 'The Saint Of Lost Causes' Looks Through The Eyes Of America

Justin Townes Earle's The Saint of Lost Causes comes out May 24. Joshua Black Wilkins/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Review

First Listen

Justin Townes Earle's 'The Saint Of Lost Causes' Looks Through The Eyes Of America

May 16, 2019 • Cradled in his homespun warmth, Justin Townes Earle's husky drawl feels like the darkness before the dawn.

Review: Justin Townes Earle, 'Kids In The Street'

Justin Townes Earle's new album, Kids In The Street, is out May 26. Joshua Black Wilkins/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Review

First Listen

Review: Justin Townes Earle, 'Kids In The Street'

May 18, 2017 • Kids In The Street is the veteran songwriter's most pleasing and playful effort to date.

Justin Townes Earle performs live at WXPN in Philadelphia. Brittany Salerno/WXPN hide caption

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World Cafe

Justin Townes Earle On World Cafe

XPN

October 13, 2014 • The Americana songwriter is back with a new album on a new label. He spoke with World Cafe's David Dye and performed live in our studio.

Justin Townes Earle On World Cafe

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Justin Townes Earle performs a Tiny Desk Concert. Colin Marshall/NPR hide caption

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Tiny Desk

Justin Townes Earle: Tiny Desk Concert

September 8, 2014 • In advance of his new album Single Mothers, the singer performs two new songs and an old favorite.

Justin Townes Earle: Tiny Desk Concert

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First Listen: Justin Townes Earle, 'Single Mothers'

Justin Townes Earle's new album, Single Mothers, comes out Sept. 9. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

First Listen: Justin Townes Earle, 'Single Mothers'

August 31, 2014 • Earle's latest songs have a new angle on the mercurial nature of infatuation; he's acknowledging how taxing it can be to live through youthful cycles of passion that flare up and flame out so quickly.

Single Mothers

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

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Mountain Stage

Justin Townes Earle On Mountain Stage

April 22, 2014 • The decorated Americana musician returns to Mountain Stage to play songs from his upcoming album, Single Mothers.

Justin Townes Earle On Mountain Stage

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Newport Folk Festival

Justin Townes Earle, Live In Concert

July 28, 2013 • Having marinated in country music his whole life, the son of Steve Earle has increasingly broadened his roots-country sound. Hear Justin Townes Earle perform as part of the 2013 Newport Folk Festival.

Justin Townes Earle, Live In Concert

Audio for this story is unavailable.

Justin Townes Earle performs on Mountain Stage. Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage hide caption

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Mountain Stage

Justin Townes Earle On Mountain Stage

February 25, 2013 • The singer puts the blues back in country on his new album, which he recorded in an old church.

Justin Townes Earle On Mountain Stage

29:30

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Justin Townes Earle: Tear For Tear, Without Peer

Justin Townes Earle's "Look the Other Way" is a decidedly funky evocation of misery. Joshua Black Wilkins hide caption

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Review

Song Of The Day

Justin Townes Earle: Tear For Tear, Without Peer

April 17, 2012 • Earle's "Look the Other Way" is a funky evocation of misery — blues for driving with the top down.

'Look the Other Way' by Justin Townes Earle

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Justin Townes Earle's latest release highlights his strength as a captivating storyteller. Joshua Black Wilkins/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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World Cafe

Justin Townes Earle On World Cafe

XPN

April 10, 2012 • Listen to the singer perform his Memphis-inspired songs full of captivating storytelling.

Justin Townes Earle On World Cafe

22:46

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Justin Townes Earle performs at the 2011 Newport Folk Festival. Shantel Mitchell for NPR hide caption

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Newport Folk Festival

Justin Townes Earle: Newport Folk 2011

July 31, 2011 • The young singer explores the sounds of gospel and stark folk music in a concert from Newport.

Justin Townes Earle: Newport Folk 2011

Audio for this story is unavailable.

Justin Townes Earle recently performed songs from his latest record Harlem River Blues on World Cafe. Joshua Black Wilkins hide caption

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World Cafe

Justin Townes Earle On World Cafe

XPN

February 8, 2011 • Continuing his prolific streak, singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle recently released his third album in three years. Listen to Earle talk with World Cafe host David Dye about his troubled past, his songwriting and his latest record, Harlem River Blues.

Listen Now

19:52

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Justin Townes Earle: From Nashville To New York City

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Review

Music Reviews

Justin Townes Earle: From Nashville To New York City

September 15, 2010 • On Harlem River Blues, the singer-songwriter puts the staples of American music in the context of his adopted home. He infuses country, blues, soul and folk with the highs and lows for which New York is known -- inspiration and desperation, energy and exhaustion, working too much and great temptation.

Justin Townes Earle: From Nashville To New York City

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First Listen: Justin Townes Earle, 'Harlem River Blues'

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First Listen

First Listen: Justin Townes Earle, 'Harlem River Blues'

Folk Alley

August 29, 2010 • For a guy who grew up in a sort of musical royal family, it's surprising that Earle has only been making music publicly for a little more than two years. On Sept. 14, he'll release his third recording, Harlem River Blues. Until then, hear it here in its entirety.

Concerts

Justin Townes Earle And Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros In Concert

XPN

August 7, 2009 • Two wildly different approaches to roots music are on display here, as outlaw-country singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle opens for the 10-piece L.A. band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, live in concert from WXPN and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.

Justin Townes Earle And Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros In Concert

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World Cafe

Justin Townes Earle: American Music

XPN

June 2, 2009 • Since Earle arrived on the scene, the singer-songwriter has scarcely had a moment's rest. Appearing less than a year after his debut, Midnight at the Movies shows Earle seamlessly integrating a variety of American musical styles, from bluegrass and blues to indie-rock and folk.

Justin Townes Earle: American Music

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Music Interviews

Steve And Justin Townes Earle: Life Lessons

December 29, 2008 • Justin Townes Earle went into the same business as his father, country-rock singer-songwriter Steve Earle, who taught his son a lot about rebellion and making music. Together, they talk about the parallels between their lives growing up.

Steve And Justin Townes Earle: Life Lessons

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World Cafe

Justin Townes Earle: Living 'The Good Life'

XPN

May 6, 2008 • Named for both singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt and his father, Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle makes music that's a credit to his roots. The Good Life references a wide array of musical influences with a style that sounds at once old and new.

Justin Townes Earle: Living 'The Good Life'

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Studio Sessions

Justin Townes Earle: Sobering Up to Music

April 28, 2008 • The Nashville singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle is trying to make his own career in music. But it comes with some history: His father is the outspoken Steve Earle, and at 25, Justin has already fought off a powerful drug habit that nearly killed him.

Justin Townes Earle: Sobering Up to Music

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