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More than any song we’ve covered yet in this series about songs that persist in culture, "Crimson and Clover" is a stealth classic. Maybe you heard it in 1968 after its rough mix was leaked by a radio station and it became a top-40 hit. Maybe you only know it from a popular rock ’n’ roll cover in 1980s, or when it became a singalong in an emo song in the 2000s. Maybe it’s not even the lyrics that you recognize, but those three heavy, insistent chords. But it’s a song that’s stuck around, that feels endlessly replayable, and that helped inspire the new name for this NPR Music series: “Over and Over.”  This week on Over and Over, NPR Music critic Ann Powers and editor Daoud Tyler-Ameen discuss “Crimson and Clover” by Tommy James and the Shondells, from 1968.  Check out more episodes on songs that keep coming back by looking for “Over and Over” in the NPR Music podcast feed. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one by signing up at plus.npr.org. Follow NPR Music coverage and the Tiny Desk Concerts at npr.org/music. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Last week we published a Tiny Desk Concert that ended up being unusual for a few reasons. First of all, it was the final production of our sixth annual El Tiny series. This was a very emotional moment for a lot of reasons. People really love Los Tigres del Norte, to the point that playing their albums feels like sitting with family. And if you’ve seen the introduction I gave the band just before they played at the desk you can see that I wasn’t embarrassed to get emotional when I talked about what the band means to me.  That emotional intro led to some changes in our process and format that resulted in a huge response from the audience that went viral. The result was a messy moment behind the scenes here at NPR and more than a little confusion for a lot of you. This week’s episode looks back at last week.  First we want to share with you, directly from us, an explanation of what happened. But mostly we want to put the spotlight back on the band and their music because for decades they have been bringing out the kind emotions that got this whole thing started. Give it a listen and enjoy the music. Again. - Felix This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell and edited by Jacob Ganz and Otis Hart. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

With the arrival of the first new Olivia Tremor Control album in nearly 30 years, we attempt to make sense of the sprawling, enigmatic collective behind it known as Elephant 6. NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich joins host Robin Hilton. Special thanks to Greenwich Entertainment, C.B. Stockfleth and Rob Hatch-Miller for use of audio featured in the 2022 documentary, The Elephant 6 Recording Co.  Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro with “A New Day” by The Olivia Tremor Control(03:00) The Elephant 6 story in 60 seconds with “Black Foliage (Animation 2)” by The Olivia Tremor Control(04:28) The Apples In Stereo: “Tidal Wave”(07:34) Robert Schneider on the creative process, from the documentary ‘The Elephant 6 Recording Co.’(12:39) The Olivia Tremor Control: “Love Athena”(16:17) The Apples In Stereo: “Glowworm”(18:14) Neutral Milk Hotel: “Ghost”(22:13) Elf Power: “Embrace The Crimson Tide”(26:08) of Montreal: “Gallery Piece”(29:25) The Gerbils: “Glue”(33:54) The Instruments: “Song for Thomas”(37:01) Beulah: “Score From Augusta”(39:35) Great Lakes: “A Little Touched”(41:21) Dressy Bessy: “I’m Still Here”(51:12) The Olivia Tremor Control: “Meeting Ourselves”(53:39) The Olivia Tremor Control: “Path of the Parallels VI - Last Occupants”(55:15) The Olivia Tremor Control: “Leaf”(57:41) The Olivia Tremor Control: “Begin Now!” Tell us what you think with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Fontaines D.C. Sophia Stel. The Avalanches. Host Stephen Thompson breaks down the best albums out Friday, Oct. 16 with DJs from around the NPR Music network: Celia Gregory from WNXP in Nashville, Skylar Rochelle from 90.9 The Bridge in Kansas City and Andrew Brown from KUTX in Austin. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.  The Starting 5 (02:23) Album No. 1- Fontaines D.C., 'Dopamine Chamber' (09:30) Album No. 2- @, 'Autosmile' (16:34) Album No. 3- Sophia Stel, 'the greatest album of all time' (23:05) Album No. 4- June McDoom, 'Follow the Light' (28:32) Album No. 5- The Avalanches, 'No Bad Memories' (35:53) The Lightning Round - N8NOFACE, 'Tomorrow's World'- Richard Thompson, 'Hippies, Thugs and Heroes'- Max Richter, 'While The Flood Rages'- Chuwi, 'Libertad'- Flora Hibberd, 'Mammoth' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist. Credits:Host: Stephen ThompsonGuests: Celia Gregory, Skylar Rochelle, Andrew BrownAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Elle Mannion, Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Ann Powers, Anamaria Sayre and Tom Huizenga Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

The Tiny Desk’s magnetism is its intimacy. We strip back lights and a big stage and get to see artists speak honestly about who they are directly to an audience around the world. This becomes all the more profound during our El Tiny takeover of Latin Music Month, where artists whisper truths and share secrets about community, country, pain and family. Often on production days, artists share with us the importance of each individual song — the stories behind them and why they needed to be played in such an honest space. So, this week on Alt.Latino we wanted to let you all in on the secrets. Alex Ferreira, Draco Rosa and Los Tigres del Norte shared in their own words, what their Tiny Desk songs meant to them. Hopefully, learning what’s behind the songs will help each show mean a little bit more for all of you, too. Artists and songs featured in this episode: Mon Laferte, "No Le Regales Tu Corazón"Alex Ferreira, "Monte Adentro"Draco Rosa, "Vagabundo"Los Tigres del Norte, "Somos Más Americanos"You can watch the Tiny Desk Concerts featured in this episode here. This podcast was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Who’s the Mariah Carey of Halloween? Labels and artists are trying to capitalize on spooky season, but these are the songs that belong in the creepy canon, from the truly terrifying to simply seasonal and nostalgic. Note: An earlier version of this episode appeared on All Songs Considered in 2025. Tell us what you think with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] Featured artists and songs: Phoebe Bridgers: “Killer” from ‘Stranger in the Alps’Fever Ray: “If I Had A Heart,” from ‘Fever Ray’Sufjan Stevens: “John Wayne Gacy, Jr” from ‘Illinois’Jack Lenz: “Goosebumps” (theme from the TV show)Disneyland Records: “Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House”Alice Cooper: “Welcome to My Nightmare,” from ‘Welcome to My Nightmare’Oksana Linde: “Horizontes lejanos,” from ‘Travesias’Florence + the Machine: “Everybody Scream,” from ‘Everybody Scream’Ethel Cain: “Housofpsychoticwomn,” from ‘Perverts’girl in red: “We Fell In Love In October” (single)Mimicking Birds: “Bloodlines,” from ‘EONS’Van Morrison: “Moondance,” from ‘Moondance’The Cramps: “I Was A Teenage Werewolf,” from ‘Songs the Lord Taught Us’Dead Man’s Bones: “My Bodies a Zombie for You,” from ‘Dead Man’s Bones’Vince Guaraldi: “The Great Pumpkin Waltz,” from ‘The Great Pumpkin’ Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

At almost exactly the midpoint of our conversation about the fifth album made by his band, Fontaines D.C., Grian Chatten told me, “It's an interesting time to be a self.” We'd been talking about the themes on 'Dopamine Chamber,' which comes out on Oct. 16, and could serve as a soundtrack to the era we live in now, what Chatten calls our “glorious age of distraction.” It's also an interesting time to be a rock band in the mainstream, and that’s where Fontaines D.C., which formed in 2014, definitely lives these days. The Irish quintet’s next tour has them in stadiums and arenas, and the one guest on 'Dopamine Chamber' is pop's universal “it” girl, the Spanish singer Rosalía. The 2024 album Romance took Fontaines to another level, earning them two Grammy nominations and their best sales ever, with hits like the sweet and earnest “Favourite.” Following it up, Fontaines didn't take the easy way. Instead, they explored new sounds to create a captivating sonic travelogue that somehow connects the decadent beauty of old Europe with the narcotic ethereality of cyberspace. Things really gel for Fontaines on 'Dopamine Chamber.' Using vintage synthesizers and studio effects, the band builds on the hypnotic energy that's always been its calling card to make something huge and seductive and haunting. I was lucky to speak with Chatten about his evolution as a storyteller and his place within a band that's always growing, but which remains utterly true to itself. When they were making 'Dopamine Chamber,' Chatten’s bandmates recorded the instrumental parts of the songs first, and then Chatten went off on his own to write and record lyrics. This interview worked the same way — I talked with Chatten on his own, and with bassist Conor Deegan (who goes by “Deego”) about how guys who have been playing together since college have taken their bashing punk sound all the way to the stratosphere.   - Ann Powers Credits:Host: Ann PowersAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellEditor: Jacob GanzExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedExecutive Director: Sonali Mehta Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Troye Sivan’s 2023 album, 'Something to Give Each Other,' marked a turning point in the Australian singer-songwriter’s career. Its choreo-driven singles “Rush” and “Got Me Started” became viral hits, earned Sivan his first Grammy nominations and even spawned a Timothée Chalamet and boygenius spoof on Saturday Night Live. Soon after came the Sweat tour with friend and peer Charli xcx amid the hype of “Brat” summer.  But while Sivan says it was a thrilling moment in his career, it also didn’t paint a full picture of what he was going through at the end of his 20s. His new album, 'She’s the Best,' gives the artist breathing room to dig into some darker feelings. Sivan sat down with NPR Music reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento to talk about honoring the women in his life, moving away from perfect pop music and making an “unsexy” album that reflects his true feelings.  This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell and edited by Hazel Cills. NPR Music’s chief editor is Jacob Ganz. Our executive producer is Suraya Mohamed. Our executive director is Sonali Mehta.  Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Cameron Winter. Troye Sivan. Remi Wolf. Host Stephen Thompson breaks down the best albums out Friday, Oct. 9 with DJs from around the NPR Music network: Tshego Letsoalo from KALW in San Francisco, Aurora McGuckin from MVYRADIO in Massachusetts and Jewly Hight from WPLN in Nashville. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (00:39) Album No. 1- Cameron Winter, 'Live at Carnegie Hall' (07:30) Album No. 2- Troye Sivan, 'She's the Best' (14:45) Album No. 3- Remi Wolf, 'Mud' (21:11) Album No. 4- Jess Williamson, 'A Mile South of Heaven' (27:20) Album No. 5- Danielle Ponder, 'Everything Has Changed' (34:40) The Lightning Round - Dawn Richard, 'creole culture'- Margo Cilker, 'Little White Cross'- Imperial Teen, 'All Over You'- heavensouls, 'cantu of the sower'- Joyce Wrice, 'Machiko' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist. Credits:Host: Stephen ThompsonGuests: Tshego Letsoalo, Aurora McGuckin, Jewly HightAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Elle Mannion, Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Ann Powers and Sheldon Pearce Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

When TV on the Radio emerged from Brooklyn just after 9/11 and as the “indie sleaze” scene began taking hold, no one was quite sure what to make of them. But with razor-sharp instrumentation, cleverly seductive lyrics and a standout live performance on 'Letterman,' one song catapulted them to legendary status.  This week, NPR Music critic Ann Powers and editor Daoud Tyler-Ameen discuss “Wolf Like Me” by TV on the Radio, from 2006.  Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. Follow NPR Music coverage and the Tiny Desk Concerts at npr.org/music

The music of Tim Bernardes fits as easily in the poetry of the cosmos as it does in the songwriting canon of his country. Brazil has a legacy of some of the greatest most intricate, emotional songwriting there is, and if you ask me, I’d argue Tim fits right into it. So, I invited him in to play a Tiny Desk for our annual El Tiny takeover. And, of course, I took the opportunity to pull him into the studio after – I absolutely needed to know what he’s been listening to. So, here we are again playing my latest and greatest new game: a special version of our typical guest DJ episode, where I ask them to recall different parts of their lives and themselves through music. No prepared songs or ideas. Let’s call this episode a musical tapestry painted by one of the greatest Brazilian singer-songwriters of this era.  - Anamaria Sayre Artists and songs mentioned in this episode: - The Beatles, 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'- Os Mutantes, 'Caminhante Noturno'- Milton Nascimento, 'Nuvem Cigana'- Nelson Cavaquinho, 'Eu E As Flores'- Gilberto Gil, 'Luzia Luluza'- Antônio Carlos Jobim, 'Saudade Do Brasil,' 'O Boto'- Caetano Veloso, 'Minha Mulher'- Tim Bernardes, 'Realmente Lindo' This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

A super deluxe box set of The Beatles' legendary 1965 album Rubber Soul has just been released with brand new mixes, demos and outtakes that show The Beatles breaking up with the past, their fans and everything people knew and loved about the band.  In this conversation with All Songs Considered host Robin Hilton, Giles Martin, the producer behind the new mixes and son of late Beatles producer George Martin, talks about why Rubber Soul was such a pivotal album for the band, how the music was changing, and why it sounds “reasonably bleak.”  Martin also explains how the AI tools he used to update the mixes work, how he preserved the original spirit of Rubber Soul and more. Tell us what you think with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Victoria Monét. Meshell Ndegeocello. Sons of Sevilla. Host Stephen Thompson breaks down the best albums out Friday, Oct. 2, with DJs from around the NPR Music network: Ayana Contreras from KUVO in Denver, Evan Miller from WYSO in Ohio and DJ Llu from Vermont Public. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round. The Starting 5 (01:53) Album No. 1- Victoria Monét, 'Frequency Of Love' (08:40) Album No. 2- Meshell Ndegeocello, 'Synonym' (15:28) Album No.3 - Helen, 'Linda's Head' (22:09) Album No. 4- Wishy, 'Nature's Pill' (28:36) Album No. 5- Sons of Sevilla, 'It Could Be Today' (34:27 The Lightning Round - Greg Freeman, 'All Set the Bone'- Miranda Lambert, 'Crisco'- Allison de Groot & Rich Ruth, 'Allison de Groot & Rich Ruth'- Lalah Hathaway, 'Made in Chicago'- Beth Taylor, 'The Deeps Have Music' Sample the albums via our New Music Friday playlist. Credits:Host: Stephen ThompsonGuests: Ayana Contreras, Evan Miller, DJ LluAudio Producer: Noah CaldwellDigital Producer: Dora LeviteEditors: Elle Mannion, Otis HartExecutive Producer: Suraya MohamedSpecial thanks to Lars Gotrich, Ann Powers and Tom Huizenga Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Jazz has often been called America's musical gift to the world. This week's guests remind us not only of the well-documented ways that Cuba revolutionized that gift, but also how it blossomed in South America. Chilean tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana and Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba stopped by after their recent Tiny Desk performance to chat about their own personal histories with jazz and its lineage in their respective countries. The memories Rubalcaba shares about Havana's jazz scene in the 1980s adds another layer to a story we've talked a lot about on Alt.Latino. And Aldana looks back on her youth learning music from her father and grandfather, both of whom were Chilean jazz pioneers. The conversation also covers the music they played at the Tiny Desk, which comes from their recent album, 'Filin,' a reexamination of a Cuban musical movement that lasted from the 1940s through the '60s. Ultimately, this week's episode is time spent with two master musicians to hear how their lives and experiences contribute to their mutual appreciation and love of jazz. Check out Melissa Aldana and Gonzalo Rubalcaba's Tiny Desk Concert here. This podcast episode was produced by Noah Caldwell. Suraya Mohamed is the executive producer of NPR Music. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

We get big and loud this week with a surprise drop from Phoebe Bridgers and her song “On Video,” from the Primetime soundtrack; the monstrously disjointed “Placeholder” from Gilla Band; widescreened shoegaze from the Danish artist Trentemøller and more.   NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton as they share their picks for the best new songs out now. Tell us what you think with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts.  Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] Featured artists and songs: (00:00) Intro (03:22) Phoebe Bridgers: “On Video” (10:26) Gilla Band: “Placeholder” (17:25) Trentemøller: “Swerve” (23:31) Wednesday: “Carolina Murder Suicide (Avey Tare Remix)” (30:29) serpentwithfeet: “sentinel” (36:37) Lily Konigsberg: “Free Byrd” Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy