John Schaefer

This week, a Kylie Minogue & Dua Lipa duet ends 2020; a Bill Callahan & Bonnie “Prince” Billy cover begins 2021; Harry Styles has an idea for the new year; and RIP MF DOOM.

Hear the definitive 2020 holiday song by Great American Canyon Band, a winter solstice blessing from Wardruna, and a choral album – in Latin – by Kanye West. Plus, Omar Sosa with Rajery.

Week of Dec. 21: This week, Paul McCartney returns, Branford Marsalis scores Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Miami shoegazey psych-rock band Jaialai scores with a new single.

This week, another Taylor Swift surprise, Natalie Bergman looks ahead to better times, and Las Palabras offer a Latin-Minimalist hybrid. Plus, a duet by Archie Shepp and Jason Moran.

Week of Dec. 7: This week, Dylan Sells Dylan; two Phoebes collaborate; and two deserts become one. Plus, new songs from The Hold Steady and The Comet Is Coming.

This week, veteran songwriter Jim Keller returns, and new recordings by Bombino and Xixa take us to the deserts of West Africa and the American Southwest, respectively. Plus, Tori Amos.

This week, nostalgia for psychedelic Turkish pop, a wide-angle view of the Black experience in The Grey Land by Joseph C. Phillips Jr, and a gothic polka about a haunted house.

This week, more is more: Loyle Carner + Madlib, Aya Nakamura + Stormzy, and Chilly Gonzalez + Jarvis Cocker + Feist. Plus, Matt Bauer + Brittain Ashford (Prairie Empire), and more.

This week, Dom La Nena’s song out of time; new music from Icelanders Olafur Arnalds and Björk; and a kora surprise from Ballaké Sissoko. Plus, Scottish singer-songwriter James Yorkston.

Week of Nov. 2: This week, calls to action from iLe, and from Alicia Keys & Brandi Carlile, and a Halloween creepfest from Danny Elfman. Plus, hazy industrial electronica from Suuns.

Week of Oct. 26: This week, electronica Santeria by ÌFÉ, orchestral Sigur Ros, and… Pelé?! Plus, a pandemic collaboration from Shara Nova, Gaby Moreno, and German choir Cantus Domus.

This week, dance music from James Blake, a classic protest song remade by the Resistance Revival Chorus, and songwriter Omar Apollo dials in Mexican sounds from Indiana. 

Week of Oct. 5: This week, Billie Eilish’s James Bond song, Emel’s Nirvana cover, and King Creosote’s Toy Camel. Plus, new music by Las Palabras and Bartees Strange.

Week of Sep. 28: This week, the next great Brooklyn soul singer Bette Smith; the return of Public Enemy, and a posthumous duet from John Prine and Kurt Vile. Plus, a huge Prince reissue.

This week, The Boss (Bruce Springsteen) is back; so is Janelle Monae; plus an indie-rock/Memphis soul collaboration from Matt Berninger of The National with Booker T. Jones.

This week, Gregory Porter takes flight; Matthew Dear takes a test drive; Death Valley Girls get airborne on Earth, and Chief Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah's live record, 'Axiom.'

Pharrell Williams celebrates Black entrepreneurs, sax player Nubya Garcia celebrates her Afro-Caribbean roots, and electro-composer Dan Deacon celebrates Extreme Dog Grooming. 

Week of August 18: This week, Emily Barker’s dystopian folk, PJ Morton’s gospel/reggae, and Jonsi’s collaboration with Elizabeth Fraser. Plus, a new album from the Mountain Goats.