Music

Canceled concerts, lawsuits, existential turmoil. As Russia has cracked down on anti-war speech, the country's music scene reaches a particularly high pitch.

A new exhibition at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts offers a rare glimpse into the archives of the late songwriter Lou Reed.

The Italian composer Caterina Barbieri's euphoric new album Spirit Exit was made in pandemic isolation but longs for "the outside world," in all of its imperfections and wonder.

Played on three string instruments, this music was the country's soundtrack from the turn of the 20th century to the 1940s.

Lilith Fair brought an eclectic array of women's music to millions of fans and was the top grossing music festival of the 1990s.

Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber wrote hit songs for Elvis, along with a whos-who of other artists including Big Mama Thornton, Ben E. King, and more.

JetLAG bills itself as the largest festival of Russian, Slavic and East European musicians in the U.S. But its organizers almost canceled it this summer because of the war in Ukraine.

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with NPR music critic Ann Powers and music scholar Shana Redmond about how old and new protest music reflects political moments, following the Supreme Court overturning Roe.

Although inducted into the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, her contributions haven't always been properly acknowledged.

The best albums from the first half of the year include sprawling offerings from Big Thief and Bad Bunny, works of fiery introspection from Kendrick Lamar and S.G. Goodman and an abundance in between.