Courtesy of the artist First Watch: Wild Moccasins, 'Eye Makeup' November 6, 2014 The new video for "Eye Makeup" honors the wigged-out, sequin-flashing drag goddesses who helped the punk and New Wave scenes tear apart fundamental ideas of identity and power. Listen Loading… 5:01 Playlist
José González returns with his first new solo album in seven years. Vestiges And Claws is due out Feb. 17. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist All Songs Considered José González, 'Every Age' November 5, 2014 Hear a beautifully spare, existential meditation from González's first new solo album in seven years. Listen Loading… 3:11 Playlist
Chaz Bundick, known for his work as Toro Y Moi, assumes the name Les Sins for his latest, dance beat project. Angel Ceballos hide caption itoggle caption Angel Ceballos Les Sins, 'Talk About' November 3, 2014 "Talk About" is both wry and wicked, a sly mix of both the comical and profound. But really, all Les Sins really wants you to do is dance. Listen Loading… 3:56 Playlist
Courtesy of the artist Shamir, 'On The Regular' October 30, 2014 The song is the exuberant sound of a novice exploring the possibilities of alternative electronic dance music with no real rule book or manual at his disposal. Listen Loading… 2:57 Playlist
Wade Bowen's song "Long Enough To Be A Memory" is a favorite of NPR music critic Ann Powers. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist Wade Bowen, 'Long Enough To Be A Memory' October 30, 2014 The Texas singer-songwriter revives the country archetype of the drifter in this reflective, gentle song about being in between homes. Listen Loading… 4:30 Playlist
Elvis Costello, Rhiannon Giddens, Taylor Goldsmith, Jim James and Marcus Mumford are The New Basement Tapes. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist The New Basement Tapes, 'When I Get My Hands On You' WFUV-FM October 29, 2014 With Marcus Mumford singing lead, a supergroup breathes new life into an old Bob Dylan lyric.
Kelly Giarrocco/Courtesy of the artist All Songs Considered Angel Olsen, 'May As Well' October 29, 2014 "May As Well" is a bonus track on the deluxe edition of Burn Your Fire For No Witness, an album that started as one of Bob Boilen's favorites of the year and has only gotten better with time. Listen Loading… 2:40 Playlist
Son Little's new song "The River" is a favorite on WFUV in New York City. Todd Cooper/Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Todd Cooper/Courtesy of the artist Son Little, 'The River' WFUV-FM October 29, 2014 Aaron Livingston made his name as a collaborator with The Roots and RJD2. Listen Loading… 3:32 Playlist
Crying, mostly not crying. Courtesy of the artist hide caption itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist Crying, 'War Of Attrition' October 29, 2014 As outrageous power-pop hooks go note-for-note with a series of ecstatic 8-bit blips, the soulful coo of Elaiza Santos nicely offsets Crying's penchant for playful excess. Listen Loading… 2:33 Playlist
Grouper's new album, Ruins, comes out Oct. 31 Jason Bokros/Courtesy of the artist. hide caption itoggle caption Jason Bokros/Courtesy of the artist. Grouper, 'Clearing' October 24, 2014 For all the credit given to Harris' gorgeous voice and enveloping beds of sound, the first song on her new album Ruins highlights her talents as a lyricist. Listen Loading… 4:41 Playlist