Music Reviews : NPR

Benny Sings' City Pop comes out Feb. 22 via Stones Throw. Takuroh Oyama/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Takuroh Oyama/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Benny Sings, 'City Pop'

February 14, 2019 • You've heard the Dutch pop and R&B singer's music before and probably didn't know it. Now, he makes a perfectly timed bid for stardom.

City Pop

32:12

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Song
City Pop
Album
City Pop
Artist
Benny Sings
Label
Stones Throw
Released
2019

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First Listen: Our Native Daughters, 'Songs Of Our Native Daughters'

Our Native Daughters' Songs Of Our Native Daughters comes out Feb. 22 via Smithsonian Folkways. Terri Fensel/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Terri Fensel/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Our Native Daughters, 'Songs Of Our Native Daughters'

February 14, 2019 • Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Allison Russell and Leyla McCalla form a banjo-wielding supergroup dedicated to the history of both string-band music and black women in America.

Songs Of Our Native Daughters

49:33

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Song
Songs Of Our Native Daughters
Album
Songs Of Our Native Daughters
Artist
Our Native Daughters
Label
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Released
2019

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- Amazon
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Julia Jacklin's Crushing comes out Feb. 22 via Polyvinyl. Nick Mckk/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Nick Mckk/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Julia Jacklin, 'Crushing'

opbmusic.org

February 14, 2019 • A breakup inspired the Australian singer-songwriter to make a powerful record about intimacy, chaos, loneliness and sense of self.

Crushing

39:29

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Song
Crushing
Album
Crushing
Artist
Julia Jacklin
Label
Polyvinyl Records
Released
2019

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- iTunes

First Listen: Ray Charles, 'Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music Vol. 1 & 2'

Ray Charles' Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Vol. 1 & 2 is due out Feb. 22 on Concord Music Group. Courtesy of The Ray Charles Foundation hide caption

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Courtesy of The Ray Charles Foundation

First Listen

First Listen: Ray Charles, 'Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music Vol. 1 & 2'

February 14, 2019 • Charles laid claim to the center of American popular music on these 1962 classics, and ended up with some of the brashest and best-selling music of his career.

Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music Vol 1 & 2

1:14:02

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Song
Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music Vol 1 & 2
Album
Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music Vol 1 & 2
Artist
Ray Charles
Label
Concord Records
Released
2019

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- Amazon
- iTunes

Adia Victoria's Silences is out Feb. 22 on Atlantic. Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Adia Victoria, 'Silences'

February 14, 2019 • For Adia Victoria, the role of Southern blueswoman is wily, radical, thoroughly contemporary and rife with real darkness.

Silences

42:15

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Song
Silences
Album
Silences
Artist
Adia Victoria
Label
Atlantic
Released
2019

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- Amazon
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Yola's Walk Through Fire comes out Feb. 22 via Easy Eye Sound. Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Alysse Gafkjen/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Yola, 'Walk Through Fire'

February 14, 2019 • Two and a half years ago, the British singer had a career-sparking moment at a music festival. Now, she's releasing her powerful debut with the help of producer Dan Auerbach.

Walk Through Fire

39:08

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Song
Walk Through Fire
Album
Walk Through Fire
Artist
Yola Carter
Label
Easy Eye Sound
Released
2019

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- Amazon

Hayes Carll Crafts Wry Songs For These Trying Times On 'What It Is'

Hayes Carll's What It Is is due out Feb. 15 on Dualtone. David McClister/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David McClister/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Hayes Carll Crafts Wry Songs For These Trying Times On 'What It Is'

February 7, 2019 • On the Americana singer-songwriter's sixth album, Carll unburdens his mind about the volatility of our time so unassumingly, he never comes close to overburdening his songs.

Tedeschi Trucks Band Transform Grief Into Impassioned Musical 'Signs'

Tedeschi Trucks Band's Signs is out Feb. 15 on FanTasy. Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Tedeschi Trucks Band Transform Grief Into Impassioned Musical 'Signs'

February 7, 2019 • Veteran blues-rock powerhouses Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks return with an impassioned new album, informed by the deaths of several mentors and family members.

Ladytron Returns With A Hopeful Apocalyptic Message On Its First Album In 8 Years

Ladytron's new, self-titled album comes out Feb. 15 via !K7. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Ladytron Returns With A Hopeful Apocalyptic Message On Its First Album In 8 Years

February 7, 2019 • The veteran group's long-awaited new songs sound right at home alongside fellow conceptual electronic pop artists like SOPHIE, Robyn and Christine & The Queens.

With 'Fyah,' Theon Cross Makes An Electric Statement From London's Jazz Underground

Theon Cross' Fyah is due out Feb. 14 on Gearbox. Andy Earl/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Andy Earl/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

With 'Fyah,' Theon Cross Makes An Electric Statement From London's Jazz Underground

February 7, 2019 • The rambunctious, indefatigable tuba player and composer makes a lot of joyful noise on London's jazz scene — part heavy anchor, part combustion engine, with a will to set any groove aflame.

Alfonso Cuarón Offers a Powerful Collection of 'Music Inspired By The Film ROMA'

Music Inspired by the Film ROMA comes out Feb. 8 via Sony Music. Courtesy of Netflix hide caption

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Courtesy of Netflix

First Listen

Alfonso Cuarón Offers a Powerful Collection of 'Music Inspired By The Film ROMA'

January 31, 2019 • Roma director Alfonso Cuarón reached out to some of his favorite artists — including Patti Smith, Ibeyi and Beck — to create songs inspired by the film.

Cass McCombs Embodies the Absurdity of Western Cinema on 'Tip Of The Sphere'

Cass McCombs' Tip of the Sphere comes out Feb. 8 via ANTI-. Silvia Grav/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Silvia Grav/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Cass McCombs Embodies the Absurdity of Western Cinema on 'Tip Of The Sphere'

January 31, 2019 • The rangy and enigmatic singer-songwriter is fully indifferent to fitting anywhere specific on the canvas of American folk — or, really, anywhere.

Jessica Pratt Sends Out 'Quiet Signs' of Cosmic Brilliance

Jessica Pratt's Quiet Signs comes out Feb. 8 via Mexican Summer. Saamuel Richard/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Saamuel Richard/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Jessica Pratt Sends Out 'Quiet Signs' of Cosmic Brilliance

January 31, 2019 • Pratt's music has an idyllic, tranquil, elusive quality. In her realm, the smallest sighs or vocal gestures can unlock alternate narratives, meanings, implications.

Jeremy Denk Maps Centuries of Music History on 'c.1300-c.2000'

Jeremy Denk's c.1300-c.2000 comes out Feb. 8 on Nonesuch. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Jeremy Denk Maps Centuries of Music History on 'c.1300-c.2000'

January 31, 2019 • Hear the resourceful pianist trace 700 years of Western music, from the delicate medieval counterpoint of Guillaume de Machaut to the minimalism of Philip Glass.

On 'What Chaos Is Imaginary,' Girlpool Commits To Restless Growth

Girlpool's What Chaos Is Imaginary comes out Feb. 1 via Anti-. Gina Canavan/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Gina Canavan/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

On 'What Chaos Is Imaginary,' Girlpool Commits To Restless Growth

January 24, 2019 • The ever-evolving duo's meditative, expansive new album showcases a restless desire for growth in songs that tackle thorny and complex realities.

Be 'Careful': Boy Harsher Pushes its Darkwave Sound to Thrilling Ends

Boy Harsher's Careful comes out Feb. 1 via Nude Club. Nedda Afsari/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Nedda Afsari/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Be 'Careful': Boy Harsher Pushes its Darkwave Sound to Thrilling Ends

January 24, 2019 • Immersed in sounds both unnerving and velvety, the darkwave duo is at its most intensely physical and sensual on Careful.

Alfredo Rodríguez & Pedrito Martinez Share a 'Duologue' of Afro-Cuban Delights

Alfredo Rodríguez and Pedrito Martinez's Duologue comes out Feb. 1 via Mack Avenue. Anna Webber/Courtesy of the label hide caption

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Anna Webber/Courtesy of the label

First Listen

Alfredo Rodríguez & Pedrito Martinez Share a 'Duologue' of Afro-Cuban Delights

January 24, 2019 • The pianist and the percussionist/vocalist combine their talents in a playful and innovative collaboration, produced by Quincy Jones.

Put Your Mind at Ease with Mandolin Orange's Comforting 'Tides of a Teardrop'

Mandolin Orange's Tides of a Teardrop comes out Feb. 1 via Yep Roc. Kendall Bailey Atwater/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Kendall Bailey Atwater/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Put Your Mind at Ease with Mandolin Orange's Comforting 'Tides of a Teardrop'

January 24, 2019 • The North Carolina folk-pop duo dispenses maximum comfort in songs engineered to settle worried minds, slow the blood and lend an empathetic ear.

Emily King's Latest Album Is a Sweeping Coming-of-Age Tale

Emily King's new album, Scenery, comes out Feb. 1 via ATO. Bao Ngo/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Bao Ngo/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

Emily King's Latest Album Is a Sweeping Coming-of-Age Tale

January 24, 2019 • On her new album, King has further honed her '80s-colored pop, rock and R&B sound. What's changed is the scenery.

Revisiting The Pioneering Composer Florence Price

Florence Price was the first African-American woman to have her music performed by a major symphony orchestra. Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries hide caption

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Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries

Revisiting The Pioneering Composer Florence Price

January 21, 2019 • A new recording spotlights the tenacious composer, who was the first African-American woman to have her work performed by a major symphony orchestra.

Revisiting The Pioneering Composer Florence Price

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