John Schaefer

This week, Taylor Swift goes to Florida, Dhani Harrison goes to Tuva, and Jake Xerxes Fussell goes to Georgia. Plus dark songs by Arooj Aftab and Kira McSpice.

This week, producer, singer, songwriter Nia Archives’ raving debut, Leyla McCalla’s African journey, and Shabaka Hutchings’ unlikely flute club. Plus Alice Merton and Lizz Wright. 

This week, Beyoncé’s “country album” drops; John Cale unveils a new single; and Camilo Cabello leaves “Havana” behind. Also new songs by Ceu and Arab Strap. 

This week, long-awaited returns for Shakira, Gossip, and Bat For Lashes. Also, Tanzanian pop, Manchester grooves from elbow, and a new take on a Sondheim classic.

Brian Eno looks back, Philly rapper Tierra Whack returns, and a Neneh Cherry 80s hit gets a total remake. Plus solo outings by Fabi Reyna (She Shreds) and Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief. 

Moor Mother finds history repeating; Eels mark the passage of time; and Ledisi considers the “Good Life.” Also, new music from John Lurie, Kinky, and Las Cafeteras.

There's seafaring music from Bruce Hornsby & yMusic; Julia Holter in an evening mood; and the inventive Brazilian pianist Amaro Freitas. Plus, Ani DiFranco’s urgent, rocking “Baby Doe.”

American musician PJ Morton (keyboards in Maroon 5) goes to Africa, Combo Chimbita goes back to their cumbia roots, and British singer-songwriter Nadine Shah comes back from the brink.

This week, Beyoncé's big surprise, James Brown’s even bigger surprise, and S. Raekwon’s sinister smile. Plus, Nathalie Joachim and the American Patchwork Quartet.

This week, Usher and the American indie rock band the Decemberists; the studio project Church Chords and Ugandan singer/guitarist Jon Muq, and a avant-pop from Angelica Garcia.  

The Last Dinner Party is invited to the States and bassist Mali Obomsawin makes a musical pivot. Plus, a tribute to Nashville songwriter Alice Randall, Ibibio Sound Machine, and more. 

This week, new singles from guitarist and bandleader Brittany Howard and the rapper Heems; returns for The Smile and The Staves, and a bass summit with a sense of humor.   

Helado Negro ponders a breakup; Kaia Kater trashes the internet; and Big Brave offers a metal-adjacent take on Emily Dickinson. Plus, Les Amazones d’Afrique and Alejandro Escovedo. 

This week, previews of 2024 releases by Nathalie Joachim and Erick the Architect, plus Bela Fleck’s Rhapsody in Blue(grass). Also, Sprints’ debut LP and an Anne Briggs cover.

For the final episode from the Artist Propulsion Lab class of 2023, cellist Zlatomir Fung wrote a new Christmas audio drama, The Elves and the Cello Maker, based on the Brothers' Grim...

New this week: a film and song by John Legend; a thought-provoking track by Jason Isbell; trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire’s new trio; and songs by Lau Noah, Emel, and Hermanos Gutierrez. 

This week, the debut of New Orleans singer Britti; Nicki Minaj channels Cyndi Lauper; IDLES channels The Beatles; and Lara Downes gets a jump on a big anniversary. 

This week, Peter Gabriel’s new album i/o, finally; plus Czarface returns; Nailah Hunter previews her debut LP, and Montreal-based vocalist and composer Erika Angell's solo album.  

There's a protest song from Björk, featuring Rosalia, a “Fashionable” single by RZA, and a post-classical take on Radiohead. Plus, Amos Lee covers Lucinda Williams, and more.