Songs We Love

Songs We Love

Handpicked by NPR Music staff and public radio hosts
The Tallinn Chamber Orchestra's new album, Mirror, features music by Estonian composer Tõnu Kõrvits.

The Tallinn Chamber Orchestra's new album, Mirror, features music by Estonian composer Tõnu Kõrvits. Kaupo Kikkas /ECM Records hide caption

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Deceptive Cadence

Songs We Love: Tallinn Chamber Orch., 'Plainland Song'

When the young composer Tõnu Kõrvits puts a lush, new spin on an old song by one of his compatriots, the long line of singing traditions in Estonia continues unbroken.

09Plainland Song
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    Song
    Plainland Song
    Album
    Tõnu Kõrvits: Mirror
    Artist
    Tõnu Kõrvits
    Label
    ECM New Series
    Released
    2016

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Netsky

Netsky Courtesy of the aritst hide caption

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Songs We Love: Netsky, 'TNT (Feat. Chromeo)'

Inspired by Prince's 1979 hit "I Wanna Be Your Lover," the Belgian producer takes a trip back to when dance music didn't take itself too seriously.

08TNT (Feat. Chromeo)
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    Song
    TNT (Feat. Chromeo)
    Album
    3
    Artist
    Netsky
    Label
    Hospital Records
    Released
    2016

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The Highwaymen. From left: Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson.

The Highwaymen. From left: Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. Jim McGuire/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Songs We Love: The Highwaymen, 'One Too Many Mornings'

Dylan's song of lost love surfaced again and again in Johnny Cash's career. A newly released cover by the Cash-led country supergroup reaches across decades.

46One Too Many Mornings
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    Song
    One Too Many Mornings
    Album
    Live: American Outlaws
    Artist
    The Highwaymen
    Label
    Sony Music
    Released
    2016

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"I just want to make stuff that feels humble and natural and 'right' and comes from somewhere other than just my brain," says Will Sheff of Okkervil River.

"I just want to make stuff that feels humble and natural and 'right' and comes from somewhere other than just my brain," says Will Sheff of Okkervil River. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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World Cafe

Songs We Love: Okkervil River, 'Okkervil River R.I.P.'

XPN

"I'm trying to correct mistakes I made before and do it right," Will Sheff says of his forthcoming album, Away. The opening track is a gorgeous seven-minute ride of reflection and metaphor.

Okkervil River RIP
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A still from Japanese Breakfast's "In Heaven" video.

A still from Japanese Breakfast's "In Heaven" video. hide caption

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Songs We Love: Japanese Breakfast, 'In Heaven'

The lush dream-pop gem is a testament to Michelle Zauner's ability to layer mourning and beauty seamlessly. The video features bearded studs, "an invitation to my own personal heaven," she says.

01In Heaven
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    Song
    In Heaven
    Album
    Psychopomp
    Artist
    Japanese Breakfast
    Label
    Yellow K
    Released
    2016

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Brandy Clark

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Songs We Love: Brandy Clark, 'Three Kids No Husband'

No other song released this year better encapsulates the marvel of the American mother than Clark's image-rich paean.

08Three Kids No Husband
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    Song
    Three Kids No Husband
    Album
    Big Day In A Small Town
    Artist
    Brandy Clark
    Label
    Warner Bros.
    Released
    2016

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Steve Gunn.

Steve Gunn. Constance Mensh /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Songs We Love: Steve Gunn, 'Ancient Jules'

The opening cut of Eyes On The Lines offers a chooglin' mission statement scrawled on the back of a bar receipt.

01Ancient Jules
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    Song
    Ancient Jules
    Album
    Eyes On The Lines
    Artist
    Steve Gunn
    Label
    Matador
    Released
    2016

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Pantha Du Prince.

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Songs We Love: Pantha Du Prince, 'Frau Im Mond, Sterne Laufen'

Hendrik Weber veers away from electronic music's abstraction, using analog synths and his own voice to close the distance between audience and author.

03Frau im Mond, Sterne Laufen
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    Song
    Frau im Mond, Sterne Laufen
    Album
    The Triad
    Artist
    Pantha Du Prince
    Label
    Rough Trade
    Released
    2016

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And The Kids.

And The Kids. Courtney Chavanell/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Songs We Love: And The Kids, 'Friends Share Lovers'

In an audibly collaborative, thoughtfully layered track, Hannah Mohan and company zero in on what happens when a tight-knit group gets a little too close.

05Friends Share Lovers
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    Song
    Friends Share Lovers
    Album
    Friends Share Lovers
    Artist
    And the Kids
    Label
    Signature
    Released
    2016

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