After getting help with his addiction and while pausing for the pandemic, Langhorne Slim found songs — happy, sad, anxious, joyful — to be pouring out of him like deep breaths.

2020 was set to be a fruitful year for the artist, full of travel and music. In her contribution to Morning Edition's Song Project, she faces the reality of that loss and finds hope in starting over.

DiFranco's latest album finds inspiration in a book by activist Valerie Kaur, which urges an understanding of and empathy for one's opponents.

This fall, the bluegrass supergroup Sister Sadie became the first all-female band ever to win the top prize at the International Bluegrass Music Association awards.

Congratulations! You made it! Now that 2020 is over and 2021 has begun, here's a playlist that's about the hope of a new day.

Bluegrass guitar legend Tony Rice died Christmas day, leaving behind an expansive catalogue devoted to exploring uncharted territory. Guitarist and fan Molly Tuttle picks his essential recordings.

Tony Rice first gained attention as a member of J.D. Crowe's boundary-pushing New South. Rice took it even further in the David Grisman Quintet. But the road took a toll on Rice.

Explore a playlist full of 2020 highlights, including songs by big stars (Jason Isbell, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift) and up-and-comers (Bonny Light Horseman, Arlo Parks, Devon Gilfillian).

The late John Prine was awarded artist of the year, and Black Pumas and fiddler Brittany Haas took home hardware during the abbreviated show.

The musicians who massaged our temples for us this year took more than one approach — some immersive soundscapes, some acoustic lullabies, at least one wild pop-punk experiment.

Basho helped invent the playing style known as American primitive, but his music was nearly forgotten after his death. Then a few years ago, a trove of never-before-heard recordings suddenly surfaced.

In this session, what you're going to hear are solo performances — just Pallett, using effects and looping to create layers of sound.

NPR pop critic Ann Powers highlights new songs from Brit Taylor, Molly Parden, The Brummies and C.A. Jones.

The Americana artist's new song, written for Morning Edition's Song Project, is about having to hit the brakes on life after years in constant motion.

The Third Gleam has no big band, no synths, no electric guitar. Just the brothers and their longtime bassist, Bob Crawford, for a series of songs.