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Our friends in the public radio system are some of the most open-minded listeners we know. Each month, our Heavy Rotation series brings you free downloads of what our fellow programmers and producers are experiencing on repeat.
2/13
Jason Isbell was previously a member of Drive-By Truckers. His solo albums include Sirens of the Ditch and Here We Rest. ( / )
3/13
Gregory Porter: NPR Music Field Recording. ( / NPR)
4/13
James Blake performs live at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. ( / NPR Music)
5/13
Parquet Courts. ( / )
6/13
Janelle Monáe's new album, The Electric Lady, features collaborations with Prince, Erykah Badu, Miguel and Esperanza Spaldin ( / )
7/13
Phosphorescent. ( / )
8/13
Kronos Quartet's Aheym was composed by Bryce Dessner (center) of the indie-rock group, The National. ( / )
9/13
Neko Case's new album is titled The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You. ( / )
10/13
Miami-born Cécile McLorin Salvant learned about improvisation and sang with her first band after moving to France in 200 ( / )
11/13
Trumpeter Avishai Cohen changed his flight itinerary to make the session. ( / )
12/13
The Lone Bellow. ( / )
13/13
Bill Callahan. ( / )
To celebrate the best music of 2013, we've created a continuous playlist of songs compiled from Top 10s from around the country. Sample rock from KEXP in Seattle and World Cafe, jazz from New Jersey's WBGO and avant-garde classical music from New York's Q2, among others. Whether it's electronic music, country or a string quartet, you're sure to hear something you haven't heard before — which in turn ought to help you discover even more music in 2014.
Heavy Rotation is a monthly sampler of public radio hosts' favorite songs. Check out past editions here.
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