music


Playlist 346

All the music from episode 346.


Jay Som DJs an Anachronistic Get-Together

Jay Som first gained attention with songs she wrote in her bedroom and posted online. Not long after, revered indie label Polyvinyl signed her and her debut album of smart lyrics and pop hooks called "Everybody Works," comes out on March 10. She spins a few familiar tracks by Death Cab for Cutie, Debra Laws, and more.


Shugo Tokumaru – ‘Lita Ruta’

Shugo Tokumaru is an experimental musician and he has a new album coming out this April. It's called "Toss." Here's a track from it called "Lita-Ruta."


Rhiannon Giddens Blends Blues and Opera for Your Next Party

Rhiannon Giddens is singer, songwriter, fiddler, and banjo maestro. And if that wasn't enough, you can see her flex her acting muscles on the TV show "Nashville." Her second solo album comes out this week Here she is with a playlist that mixes blues, opera, satire, and more.


Kevin Abstract Bends Time and Space With His Party Playlist

Ian Simpson, better known by his stage name Kevin Abstract, is a Texas native won a diehard following online with a series of confessional hip-hop mixtapes. His new album "American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story" moves in a more pop direction and sees him both rapping and singing about never quite fitting in. Listen to him spin a time-hopping dinner party soundtrack featuring songs by Sunny Day Real Estate, Donell Jones and more.


Tinariwen – ‘Assawt’

Tinariwen are a group of blues-playing Tuareg musicians from the Sahara Desert region of northern Mali. The band had to flee their homeland due to political unrest and have recorded their last two albums at a studio in Joshua Tree California. The latest one is called "Elwan." It just came out. Here's a track from it called "Assawt."


Arcade Fire – ‘I Give You Power’

Never shy about addressing current events, a couple weeks back indie-music giants Arcade Fire released a new song called "I Give You Power." It features rhythm and blues great Mavis Staples.


Steve Aoki’s Hardcore Dinner Party Soundtrack

DJ Steve Aoki spins and mixes electro house music at massive parties from Las Vegas to Beijing. He collaborates with the biggest names in pop music, and a concert film about his work called "Steve Aoki: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" is up for a Grammy this year. Check out his eclectic mix of songs by Bloc Party, Refused, and more.