Nate Chinen, NPR's jazz critic and editorial director at WRTI, shares his insights into the latest music scene. He highlights the emotional depth of Ab-Soul's new work, reflecting on themes like loss and mental health. He also discusses Jamey Johnson’s artistic journey back to country music and the creative evolution of the British band Our Girl. The conversation touches on the tribute album honoring Margot Gurian, exploring identity, vulnerability, and the richness of contemporary sounds in today’s music landscape.

Rodney Carmichael, Nate Chinen, and Ann Powers discuss the best albums of 2023. They explore the association between intimacy and rawness in music, dissect an album with jazz influences, and highlight surprising departures by artists. The hosts also delve into Corin Bailey Ray's impactful album and a record with dirty southern sounds. The podcast concludes with reflections on the year and upcoming content.

Music critics Hazel Cills and Nate Chinen review Dua Lipa's 'Radical Optimism' album. They discuss surprising artistic developments in her sound, along with new albums by Jessica Pratt and Kamasi Washington. Other notable albums out include 'empathogen' by Willow, 'Funeral for Justice' by Mdou Moctar, and 'Power Vibe' by Steph Richards.

Nate Chinen, a music critic from WRTI in Philadelphia, joins the discussion on the best albums released in December. They dive into ROSÉ's catchy new collaboration with Bruno Mars and explore the thematic depth of Lauren Mayberry's solo work. Chinen highlights the enduring impact of The Innocence Mission's latest album while reminiscing about the emotional reunion of supergroup MTB. They also celebrate new sounds in R&B, gospel, and soul, encouraging listeners to discover the vibrant music landscape.

NPR Music's Felix Contreras and WRTI's Nate Chinen discuss new albums by Gaby Mareno and Les Amazones d'Afrique. They also delve into the legacy and controversy surrounding George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," highlighting its cultural significance and fusion of jazz and classical music.