Songs For Summer’s End; World Cafe In London

Plus, the can't-miss artists at AmericanaFest.

Emily Bogle/NPR It’s Labor Day weekend, which, by some accounts, marks the unofficial end of summer. But we think this weekend is the perfect time to listen like summer vacation never ends — even if your days of laying on the beach and visiting far-off friends (or calming your screaming child in an airport) are far in the rearview. I asked some colleagues what their go-to songs were on their days off this summer. Otis Hart, who recently spent some time “driving the interstates and backroads of Vermont with two toddlers,” recommends the first track on Brian Eno’s Music for Airports.  His trip required “music that didn't call attention to itself, lest the boys remember the car was capable of playing music and that their music wasn't playing,” he says. “Little did I know that my 1-year-old son would adapt the song's opening motif as his catchphrase: ‘Bom-bom-bom-bom-bom-bom!’” And Daoud Tyler-Ameen says he’s grateful for a new single from Tegan and Sara that “appeared on the last day of a brief beach trip, as if to take the edge off heading back to work,” adding that “it’s been a while since Tegan and Sara sounded as relaxed and scrappy as they do on ‘ I’ll Be Back Someday.’” Our friends from NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest team had some thoughts, too. Elle Mannion says she’s been listening to Mitski’s “Strawberry Blond,” which “paints a jubilant, sweet summer scene complete with bare feet, bumble bees, rolling fields and longing love. It’s perfect for a summer road trip.” And Pilar Fitzgerald says Beyoncé’s Lion King-inspired collection The Gift “definitely dominated my summer listening catalogue. ' BROWN SKIN GIRL,' her love letter to black women, is guaranteed to put a smile on my face every time I hear it.” Plus, writer and producer Lars Gotrich recently put together the perfect playlist for just this moment: a collection of “bittersweet bops for summer’s end,” including Kacey Musgraves, Chance the Rapper, Robyn and more. Everyday is a winding road, Marissa Lorusso P.S.: My newsletter copilot, Lyndsey McKenna, is currently on her own summer vacation; she checked in to recommend “Cruel Summer” from the new Taylor Swift album.  New Music This week’s episode of New Music Friday from All Songs Considered recaps the records you need to hear now, including a highly-anticipated release from Lana Del Rey, a celebration of friendship from Black Belt Eagle Scout and what Sheryl Crow says will be her final album. On her new album, Fire in My Mouth, Pulitzer-winning composer Julia Wolfe documents the tragedy behind New York City's 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. The album, centered on one of the most tragic and deadly workplace disasters in American history, is also among the most arresting and cinematic she's composed. AmericanaFest will take place in Nashville in September, with lots of performances, panels and special events. It’s a great week of music discovery, and Member station WMOT has a list of the 12 Nashville-based up-and-comers you don’t want to miss Featuring Our friends at World Cafe recently traveled to London to spend some time with the “Beatles Brain of Britain,” listen to early Bowie demos with Nile Rodgers and hang out in Hendrix and Handel ’s old haunts. "We gon' be alright," the hook from Kendrick Lamar's "Alright," turned into a protest chant against police violence. But the song's sound is a balancing act: There's hope and despair. There's the ideal world, and there's the real one. This week, Turning the Tables honored famed contralto Marian Anderson. We have a deep dive into the legacy of the fur coat she wore at her iconic 1939 Lincoln Memorial performance, a reflection on her presence in the past and present, a playlist of her greatest recordings and more. The non-profit Shine MSD was started by students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It promotes healing through the arts, and it's getting help from a special trumpet called "The Instrument of Hope." Tiny Desk Bob Boilen/NPR If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “It’s about time we had some traditional Middle Eastern dabke dancing on top of the Tiny Desk,” you’re in luck. 47SOUL, a band formed in Amman, Jordan, brought its unique spin on Arab roots music — and some dancing — to the Tiny Desk.  One More Thing Cellos: No longer an endangered species.  What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprmusic@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Books, Pop Culture, Health and more! Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on Spotify and Apple Music! You received this message because you're subscribed to NPR Music emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy