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.

NPR Music's critics discuss potential music stories of 2024. Could Usher's Super Bowl performance or Dua Lipa's new sound steal the spotlight? They explore the potential of Rihanna's success and speculate on upcoming breakthrough artists, including a London band with a gothic rock aesthetic and jazz singer Samara Joy. The rise of women in hip-hop, particularly underground rapper Rhapsody, is also discussed.

NPR Music's hip-hop experts delve into 21 Savage's new album and his ICE arrest, discussing the shifting American Dream, the artist's expectations and challenges, the ambiguity in his immigration case, and his mysterious image in his music. The hosts also provide insights into various new music releases.