Daily Newsletter, July 9, 2025

This year has alternately flow and dragged by. But roots artists have been steadily releasing top-notch music all year long. As we arrive at its midpoint, No Depression writers and editors reflect on their favorite albums of the year, so far. 10. Valerie June – Owls  Like an alter with mystical

Ólafur Arnalds and Talos had just started collaborating when Talos got sick. A beautiful story of community, 'A Dawning' is an album about life, not death.

Kenny Becker had an idea. Goon, his LA-based psych-pop quartet, had just released 2022’s Hour Of Green Evening, a lush live-band affair tracked together in the studio. That album was a work of placid splendor, achingly pretty but with a vaguely unsettled undercurrent, like a darker, more lysergic update on Real Estate’s pastoral sighs. It was a real achievement, one that elevated Goon’s standing within the independent music world, but Becker was feeling the urge to mess with the band’s approach next time around. He wanted to merge the pristine, straightforward, live-in-the-room qualities of Green Evening with “more of the haphazard, intuitive, 4-track cassette, homemade style” that had previously characterized the band when he began it as a home recording project a decade ago.

Acclaimed composer Michael Yezerski puts AI to the test with mixed results as the Dangerous Animals veteran details in a Deadline guest column.

The work ethic of Bruce Springsteen

Simon Jeffes described his musical pursuit of the precious irrational as “imaginary folklore.” His work intrigued Brian Eno and has lasted long beyond his lifetime. But was it prog?

A memorial to an era that was already passing, 'The Harder They Come' soundtrack is an irrepressible record that gets you on your feet.

Both Matt Cameron and Pearl Jam issued statements that will have a long-lasting effect.

As a new Glasgow scene developed in the 1990s and 2000s, bands didn't necessarily share a consistent sound, but a mindset borne from this singular music city.

Whether Nicholas Hoult like the new concept for the forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday project, or he is a big fan of Kelsey Grammer, just a nice, diplomatic guy, o

Brittany Luse, host of NPR's It's Been A Minute, joins us to update our running list of the year's best songs, including new shoegaze from Wisp, heart-thumping dance beats from Sherelle and more.Featured artists and songs:1. Sherelle & George Riley: "Freaky (Just My Type)," from 'With A Vengeance' 2. Blonde Redhead: "Rest Of Her Life (Choir Version)," from 'The Shadow Of The Guest'3. Natanya: "Moviestar," from 'Feline's Return'4. Wisp: "Save Me Now," from 'If Not Winter'5. Ekathé and El Mundo Limón: "Baba" (single)'All Songs Considered' 25th anniversary segment: Our No. 1 songs from 2019Weekly reset: Taiko and fireworks, Toyohashi, JapanEnjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: [email protected] Hear new songs from past episodes in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.