After taking a break to go back to school, do some acting and become a mom, Sharon Van Etten has just released her first new album in five years. Ryan Pfluger/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Maggie Rogers' Heard It In A Past Life is on our short list for the best albums out on Jan. 18. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Clockwise from upper left: Stella Donnelly, Telekinesis, Lana Del Rey, The Wild Reeds Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Jawbox. Shane Gardner/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

"Siren 042" marks WHY? and Lala Lala's first in-studio collaboration after touring together. Katie Hogan/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

James Blake's new album, Assume Form, comes out Jan. 18. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Steve Earle & The Dukes photo by Tom Bejgrowicz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Sleater-Kinney and St. Vincent in the studio. Jonny Cournoyer/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Clockwise from upper left: Orquesta Akokán, Dakh Daughters, Combo Chimbita, Debashish Bhattacharya, Gato Preto Bob Boilen/for NPR Music hide caption

Clockwise from top left: Heather Leigh, Messa, Lonely Leary and Kate Carr. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

Soul singer Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait in 1964. Michael Ochs Archives/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

Lucy Dacus' sophomore album, Historian, tops the list of Bob Boilen's favorite albums in 2018. Dustin Condren/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

NPR Music has compiled a list of great headphones at different price points — covering everything from casual listening to professional mixing and mastering. Deborah Lee/NPR hide caption

This winter, think pink (and red and green and white). Morgan Noelle Smith & Kaylee Domzalski/NPR hide caption