Ann Powers appears in the following:
Inspiration or theft? The rise of interpolation in the music industry
Thursday, May 11, 2023
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with NPR music critic Ann Powers on the rise of interpolation in the increasingly litigious music industry and the line between nostalgia and theft.
Margo Price, Emmylou Harris & friends, 'I Shall Be Released'
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
At the reinstatement of expelled Tennessee lawmaker Justin Jones, a small gathering of Nashville musicians opened up the People's Songbook for a musically imperfect yet unforgettable Bob Dylan cover.
Visibility, with the volume up loud, in Tennessee
Sunday, March 26, 2023
A pop critic looks at two benefit shows in Nashville that put a rainbow-hued spotlight on the way a buzzword like "visibility" can become more than symbolic, especially in moments of crisis.
The Oscars are getting the best song category all wrong
Sunday, March 12, 2023
In filmmaking, placing a song in just the right context and letting it cast its spell is an art — one that many films in 2022 mastered. What if we gave that achievement its own award?
Mya Byrne, 'Come On'
Friday, March 03, 2023
In light of proposed (and passed) bills to legislate gender expression, Byrne's rocker resonates as a declaration of rage and a pledge to fight.
Silver Liner Notes: Madonna's 'Ray of Light' Turns 25
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
"Ray of Light," Madonna's foray into electronic dance music, turns 25 this week. We look back at its impact and legacy with NPR Music's Ann Powers and take listener calls.
Indigo Girls: Tiny Desk Concert
Tuesday, February 07, 2023
Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have been offering life lessons to their fervent fans for nearly four decades; here, they play a set of stone-cold classics, including "Closer to Fine."
All eyes will be on Beyoncé at tonight's Grammy Awards
Sunday, February 05, 2023
Tonight's Grammy Awards may be big for Beyoncé and her album "Renaissance." The new artist category is also one to watch with bluegrass, jazz and hip-hop - even a rock band from Italy.
2023 Grammy Awards: The Beyoncé paradox
Friday, February 03, 2023
At this year's awards on Sunday night, Beyoncé could become the artist with the most Grammys ever. She could also go down in history as the most snubbed.
Lankum, 'Go Dig My Grave'
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
The gale force of a stirring afterlife echoes through the Irish experimental folk band's version of this traditional song.
Zach Bryan (feat. Maggie Rogers), 'Dawns'
Friday, January 27, 2023
Maggie Rogers' voice allows the duo to play with perspective and, in doing so, refreshes the template of Zach Bryan's laments.
Rickie Lee Jones, 'Just in Time'
Friday, January 20, 2023
Jones lets the sun shine in on this jazz standard, but maintains a pensive undertone.
boygenius, 'Emily I'm Sorry'
Thursday, January 19, 2023
One of three new boygenius tracks, this Phoebe Bridgers-led song captures the feeling of being both carried forward and entrapped by love.
Civil Rights Music For King's Time, And Ours
Monday, January 16, 2023
Ann Powers on music for racial justice.
Iris DeMent, 'Workin' on a World'
Thursday, January 12, 2023
DeMent contemplates her powerlessness in the face of her own mortality — she won't be around to see the changes today's climate activism might accomplish.
NPR Music 2022 Staff Picks: Ann Powers
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
NPR's pop critic shares her favorite albums of 2022.
Beyoncé's 'RENAISSANCE' is the No. 1 Album of 2022
Monday, December 12, 2022
Her album-as-Sistine Chapel: awe-inspiring from a distance and glittering with detail, a star-filled imaginary sky and an origin myth that comes to life through its brilliant brush strokes.
Ann Powers' Top 20 Albums Of 2022
Tuesday, December 06, 2022
NPR's pop critic and correspondent shares her favorite albums of this year.
Taylor Swift's 'Midnights' Breaks Billboard Records. But Is It Any Good?
Thursday, November 10, 2022
We discuss Taylor Swift's new album Midnights
Terre & Maggie Roche, 'Moonruns'
Thursday, November 03, 2022
The Roches' blend of distinctly slanted harmonies, vaudevillian humor and poignancy can all be heard in this Seductive Reasoning outtake.
