Music Lists Lists of top artists and top songs compiled by musicians, critics, and noted NPR hosts.

Music Lists

Twentieth Century Fox

Mix messages: Listeners share the songs that say 'I've got a crush on you'

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Ruth Anderson and Annea Lockwood's Tête-à-tête, one of 2023's most intimate records, features field recordings of their voices that span decades. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

In 2023, experimental music mapped time and space

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Durand Jones' "Wait Til I Get Over" is one of the songs that hit us hard in 2023. Rahim Fortune hide caption

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Rahim Fortune

Listeners share the songs that moved them the most in 2023

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Photo illustration by Miguel Perez/Album covers courtesy of the artists

The Culture Corner: John Morrison shares his favorite albums of 2023

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When you're hitting the books, you need the right soundtrack. Angela Hsieh for NPR hide caption

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Angela Hsieh for NPR

The record, the debut album by the indie supergroup featuring Julien Baker (left), Phoebe Bridgers (center) and Lucy Dacus, was released in March, more than four years after the trio's debut EP. Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

In 2023, pianist Awadagin Pratt released a terrific comeback album, his first in 12 years. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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The 10 Best Classical Albums of 2023

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Illustration by Jed Chisholm for NPR

The best songs of 2023

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Illustration by Jed Chisholm for NPR

Talking about the best albums of 2023

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Alt.Latino's Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras Mike Morgan/NPR hide caption

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Mike Morgan/NPR

Alt.Latino shares 4 Latinx artists you should have on your radar

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American rapper, singer and songwriter Kurtis Blow, circa 1980. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Kurtis Blow breaks hip-hop nationally with his 1980 debut

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