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Every episode
All Songs Considered
20 episodes
Cover songs that are better than the originals
Aug 11, 2026 · 52 min
Sometimes a cover song is so good, so singular that it completely eclipses the original version. Think Sinéad O'Connor doing The Family's “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Jimmy Hendrix lighting up Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” or, of course, Whitney Houston’s defining take on Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” On this week’s show, we share some of our picks for cover songs that are better than the originals, talk about why, and what, exactly, a cover song needs to become a classic. NPR Mus…
Remembering Glen Hansard, plus Slayyyter, King Princess covers Neil Young, more
Aug 4, 2026 · 41 min
We open this week’s show by reflecting on the loss of Glen Hansard, an artist who was critical to shaping the sound and spirit of All Songs Considered in its earliest days. We then share some of our favorite new tracks of the week, including a King Princess cover of Neil Young’s “Helpless,” cheeky pop from Coco & Clair Clair, a stunning ambient track from Adam Wiltzie and the late composer Jóhann Jóhannsson and more. NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton. Support the show with a review…
How to love the Grateful Dead
Jul 28, 2026 · 46 min
Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest places, if you look at it right. And if you get confused, just listen to the music play. This week, resident Deadheads Isabella Gomez Sarmiento and Felix Contreras help host Robin Hilton hear what he’s been missing in the music of the Grateful Dead. Are you a Deadhead? Share your memories of the Grateful Dead and we may include them in a big series we're launching about the band on Aug. 1. Support the show with a review on Apple or Spotify…
Sylvan Esso, Phoebe Bridgers, feeble little horse, more
Jul 21, 2026 · 42 min
We share our picks for the best new tracks out now, including the laid-back dystopia of Sylvan Esso’s “Concrete Glen,” an acoustic take on Phoebe Bridgers’ “Lost Boys,” the glitched-out chaos of feeble little horse and more. NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton. Support the show with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (01:28) Sy…
beabadoobee, The Rolling Stones, Four Tet, more
Jul 14, 2026 · 46 min
On her stellar new single, “Switchblade,” beabadoobee shreds ‘90s style. The Rolling Stones have still got it on their latest album, Foreign Tongues. And Four Tet surprises us with a new “wingdings” project. We’ve got all that and more as we share our picks for the best new songs of the week. NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton. Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (01:20) beabadoobee: “Switchblade” from Pylon (08:31) Bonobo & Arooj Aftab: “Fire on the Water” from Distance in…
Summer’s simple pleasures: Roséwave
Jul 7, 2026 · 37 min
Roséwave is a feeling more than a singular sound or genre. It’s the kind of sweetness and sadness that underscores the long, languid days of summer. Long drives with old friends, watching your kids at the pool, backyard barbecues while the sun slowly sets. On this episode we share a mix of songs that offer the perfect soundtrack for your roséwave days and nights, from Linda Ronstadt’s “How Do I Make You” and Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t That Peculiar,” to Katie Gavin’s “Aftertaste,” Waxahatchee’s “Much…
The year’s best songs so far
Jun 30, 2026 · 47 min
Consensus has been hard to find in 2026, but we’ve assembled our top-ten list of the most memorable songs of the year at this midway point, from the outlaw country of Charley Crockett to the glam rock of Friko, Lana Del Rey’s twisted ode to love, Vince Staples’ “White Flag” and more. NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton. Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (01:38) Mandy, Indiana: “try saying” (05:09) Aldous Harding: “Coats” (09:28) Vince Staples: “White Flag” (14:25) Yebba: “…
Beck's 'Odelay' at 30, Mitski covers One Direction, more
Jun 23, 2026 · 47 min
We share our picks for the best new tracks of the week, including Mitski’s surprising cover of One Direction’s “Fireproof.” But first, we remember Beck’s still-mind-blowing Odelay, which just celebrated its 30th anniversary. NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host Robin Hilton. Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Beck’s Odelay at 30 (03:39) Perennial: “What’s New On The Beat Scene” (08:55) Mitski: “Fireproof” (13:50) Sarah Davachi: “Songs of the Smile’s Fig: III. Follies” (21:56) Shearwater: “Daydre…
Songs for any road trip
Jun 16, 2026 · 41 min
It’s the season of road trips -- and nothing goes better with those long and winding roads than music. This week we share our picks for the perfect playlist, breakdown what works best when, and consider some ground rules -- does the driver always have the final say? Reviews help! Leave us one on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Eric Burdon and War: “Spill…
11 more songs to reset your mood
Jun 9, 2026 · 37 min
NPR listeners share the songs they reach for when they need to reset the mood, their day or even their life. This is a followup to our April episode on songs for starting over. NPR’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton. A good review helps! Leave us one on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (01:13) Quincy Jones: “Dead En…
Wet Leg, Vince Staples, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien
Jun 2, 2026 · 44 min
Our latest picks for the best new tracks of the week include a raging, dancefloor remix of Wet Leg’s “Catch These Fists,” a touch of vintage soul from rapper and singer Vince Staples, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien channels Kentucky poet Wendell Berry who says, “to know the dark, go dark,” and more. NPR Music’s Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton. A good review helps! So, leave us one on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen! Questions, comments, sugges…
What’s the defining Millennial song?
May 26, 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
We weigh the options and attempt to pick the one song that best captures the Millennial generation's experience, from the dizzying highs of the dot-com boom, when anything seemed possible, to the post-9-11 bust, the hope of the Obama years, and prolonged period of generational disillusionment. NPR Music millennials Hazel Cills and Sheldon Pearce join host Robin Hilton. A good review helps! So, leave us one on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen! Questi…
Gracie Abrams hits a wall, and more of the week's best new songs
May 19, 2026 · 39 min
Our latest mix of the week’s best new songs includes a moody reflection on burnout from Gracie Abrams, rising L.A. duo Evening Elephants, the elusive electronic collagists Ear and more. NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton. Please leave a glowing review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (01:45) Gracie Abra…
Charli xcx, Beastie Boys' Mike D, Boards of Canada and the week's best new songs
May 12, 2026 · 39 min
Our latest mix of the best new tracks this week includes a massive eye-roll from Charli xcx, the first-ever solo music from Mike D of the Beastie Boys, another surprise drop from electronic music icons Boards of Canada, and more. NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host Robin Hilton. Leave us a glowing review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend to listen! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and…
Call your mom
May 5, 2026 · 36 min
With Mother’s Day nearing, listeners share the songs that remind them of their moms and the deeply moving stories behind them. Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Note: A version of this episode originally ran in 2024 Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro / “Stardust Memories” by Hoagey Carmichael (01:52) Christina Aguilera: “Beautiful…
Peter Gabriel goes pop, Olivia Rodrigo might drop dead, more
Apr 28, 2026 · 51 min
Our latest picks for the week’s best new songs include Olivia Rodrigo’s head-over-heels earworm “Drop Dead,” a stunning bonus cut from Rosalía’s LUX album, a surprising pop turn from Peter Gabriel, twisted dance beats from Nine Inch Nails, Rostam and more. NPR Music’s Hazel Cills joins host Robin Hiton. Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org…
Jack White shreds, Boards of Canada split the universe, more
Apr 21, 2026 · 45 min
Our latest mix of the best new songs out now includes a scorching new cut from Jack White, a surprise (and breathtaking) return of electronic legends Boards of Canada, outlaw country from Charley Crockett and more. NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton. Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Featured artists and songs: (00:00) In…
Interview: Beck returns, rides lonesome on new song
Apr 20, 2026 · 22 min
We talk with Beck about his gauzy new song, "Ride Lonesome," what he’s been up to since releasing his last album seven years ago, and what he (maybe?) has planned for the coming year. Support the show with a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell a friend! Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podc…
Need a reset?
Apr 14, 2026 · 53 min
We celebrate spring and new beginnings with a perfect mix of songs for starting over. This can take many forms: songs that spark a good, cleansing cry; songs that offer wisdom, or just a sure-fire jolt of adrenaline. But in the end, all of the tracks can help reconfigure your mood, your day or even your life. Host Robin Hilton is joined by NPR Music’s Noah Caldwell and Dora Levite. Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (02:05) Nina Simone: “Feelin’ Good” from I Put a Spell on You (06:02) Cas…
José González studies hope, Jungle brings the sunshine, more
Apr 7, 2026 · 45 min
The British act Jungle had a big hit with “Back on 74” — and its unforgettable dance video — in 2023. Now, the group is back with “Carry On,” a breezy, sun-dappled song about surviving a broken heart. We give it a spin to open the show, along with a study on optimism from one of José González’s best albums, a celestial ambient cut from throat singer Tanya Tagaq and more. NPR classical critic Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton as they update their running list of the year’s best songs. (00:00)…
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