The Mountain Goats' new album, Beat the Champ, comes out April 7. Lissa Gotwals/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Waxahatchee's new album, Ivy Tripp, comes out April 7. Michael Rubenstein/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Stromae proved to the audience at Stubb's in Austin why he's a major star just about everywhere but the U.S. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

Sufjan Steven's new album, Carrie & Lowell, comes out March 31. Emmanuel Afolabi/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Death Cab For Cutie's new album, Kintsugi, comes out March 31. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Courtney Barnett performed songs from her new album, Sometimes I Think And Sit And Sometimes I Just Sit, at NPR Music's SXSW showcase on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

Laura Marling's new album, Short Movie, comes out March 24. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Even if you're missing SXSW, lots of people are taking pictures of it for you. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

Emma-Lee Moss, a.k.a. Emmy The Great. Joseph Okpako/Redferns via Getty Images hide caption

To get ready for SXSW, we listened to A LOT of music. Check out the app we made — and use it to make your own mix! NPR hide caption

Purity Ring's new album, Another Eternity, comes out March 3. Renata Raksha/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Screaming Females' new album, Rose Mountain, comes out Feb. 24. Lance Bangs/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Jeez, people. The guy with the acoustic guitar is trying to perform right behind you. Get a room, would you? iStockphoto.com hide caption

Pops Staples' new album, Don't Lose This, comes out Feb. 17. Paul Natkin/Courtesy of the artist hide caption