NPR Music’s Favorite Songs And Albums From February
Plus, appreciations of André Previn and Mark Hollis.
Jon Kopaloff / Marc Grimwade / Rich Fury / Getty Images
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it also managed to pack in a ton of great new music. From Chaka Khan’s thrilling and danceable “Too Hot” to Jessie Ware’s intimate and dizzying “Adore You” to Offset’s mature solo spinoff, Father of 4, to the collaborative tapestry of Songs Of Our Native Daughters, NPR Music has rounded up the best songs and albums we heard in February.
And March isn’t off to a bad start, either. In this week’s newsletter, we’re sharing even more new music, plus a Tiny Desk concert from an artist who managed to save the day when things went south.
Keep looking on the bright side, Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna
New Music
Surprise! There’s a new Solange album, and it’s excellent: When I Get Home is a 19-track exploration of origin with an accompanying film.
Big Thief (who made our favorite song and one of our favorite albums of 2017) has announced its new album, U.F.O.F., and released the title track: a strangely beautiful and intimate song about a friendly alien abduction.
Also out this week: Weezer’s self-titled “Black Album,” the stark new album from UK rapper Little Simz and the return of Irish singer Hozier. Hear about those and more on New Music Friday from All Songs Considered.
Featuring
Mark Hollis led Talk Talk away from the '80s pop-rock that had made them and got weird; then he ditched the machine altogether. Critic Simon Reynolds remembers the musician who died earlier this week.
During their earliest years together, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks played in separate bands; in the long-running Tedeschi Trucks Band, they've pursued a distinctly traditionalist style while raising a family, too.
Musical polymath André Previn composed chamber music, concertos and operas, including the 1998 setting of A Streetcar Named Desire and the score for the film version of My Fair Lady. He died Thursday in Manhattan at the age of 89.
Tiny Desk
Amr Alifky/NPR
The winter blues are no match for Richmond, Va. songwriter (and roséwave icon) Natalie Prass and her band: Dressed in matching cobalt blue, they brought a breezy set of songs to the Tiny Desk.
Last month, prolific producer Zaytoven arrived at Bob Boilen's desk with a full band in tow to back Atlanta rapper Future's set. Future didn't make it, but Zaytoven didn't let it stop the show; instead, he treated the office to an outstanding Tiny Desk set of his own.
Incoming
March can mean only one thing: The Austin 100 is coming. Next week, we’re sharing 100 songs you’re sure to love from artists playing SXSW.
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