NPR

• NEW Billy Strings honors his late mother with his album 'So Much for Goodbyes' | NPR
NPR's A Martinez speaks with bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings about his new album So Much for Goodbyes.

• In 'Mule,' Orville Peck chronicles a year coming back from the brink : Here & Now Anytime | NPR
Country musician Orville Peck's new album "Mule" tells the story of a transformative year that began in the summer of 2023, when Peck nearly died of an overdose before a show. He tells us more. Then, Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen says her new album, "Day and Night," stands as the proudest creative achievement of her career. Jepsen discusses the influences behind her new album and the journey it takes listeners on. And, this week, the Macklemore and Ed Sheeran tour debacle highlighted the conflict between music and politics. Rolling Stone's Jon Blistein joins us.

• Carly Rae Jepsen's new album from warm and breezy day to thumping dance floor night | NPR
Carly Rae Jepsen has now been releasing critically-acclaimed pop music for more than a decade. And Friday, she's out with her eighth album, called Day and Night.

• Sara Bareilles excavates loss in all its messy forms on new album 'Good Grief' | NPR
Sara Bareilles talks to Morning Edition about grief, infertility and the experiences that shaped her new album.

• Bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings honors his late mother with new album | NPR
NPR's A Martinez speaks with folk/bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings, whose new album "So Much for Goodbyes" pays tribute to his late mother.

• This week's pop charts are all about The Weeknd — and the Grammys | NPR
This week, The Weeknd's new album Hurry Up Tomorrow debuts atop the Billboard 200 albums chart, and the biggest winners and performers from the Grammys experience big chart bumps.

• What was The Weeknd? | NPR
Abel Tesfaye's hedonistic alter-ego meets his end on Hurry Up Tomorrow, forcing listeners to ask just who we've been partying with all this time.

• On 'Small Changes,' Mercury Prize-winning artist Michael Kiwanuka lets down his guard | NPR
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Mercury Prize-winning singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka, about his latest album, "Small Changes," and his musical influences.

• Michael Kiwanuka strips back his sound on 'Small Changes' : World Cafe Words and Music Podcast | NPR
The English singer, songwriter and producer says his fourth record represents a period of big life changes.