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Composer Ellis Ludwig-Leone leads the chamber-pop ensemble San Fermin.

A Young Composer Steps Outside Of Himself (And Into Pop)

San Fermin's self-titled debut is an orchestral wonder, born in the shadow of looming adulthood. NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with the group's leader, 24-year-old Ellis Ludwig-Leone.

Lady Antebellum's new album is titled <em>Own the Night</em>. Left to right: Charles Kelley, Hilary Scott, Dave Haywood.

Lady Antebellum: The Kings (And Queen) Of Country Pop

In advance of its third album, the Nashville trio behind the megahit "Need You Now" discusses forming the band, picking a name and handling success and criticism.

Dwight Twilley's 'Green Blimp': Blissful, Emotive Pop

The Dwight Twilley Band scored its biggest hit, "I'm on Fire," in 1975, and then struggled for years to achieve stardom that never arrived. Now the band's lead singer, Twilley, is back. Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews his new album Green Blimp, which also features vocals by Susan Cowsill.

Audrey Kupferberg, seated at a desk in her office

Documentary captures special night in pop music history

In late 1984, Harry Belafonte foresaw the power of the American pop music scene. When he took note of a famine in Africa, with men, women, and children dying by the thousands, he took steps beyond watching the devastation on the nightly news. He pondered how he and his fellow musicians might help. Perhaps a charity concert?

Wild Nothing: Nuanced Pop At 8,500 Feet

With freezing hands and an adventurous spirit, Wild Nothing performs a stripped-down version of its song "This Chain Won't Break" on the side of the Mount San Jacinto peak near Palm Springs, Calif.

The tension between private thoughts and public personae, in a culture that forces consent to being constantly watched, feels like the guiding narrative of Yves Tumor's sonic and visual world.

Yves Tumor's disruptive pop-cultural synthesis

Rather than proclaiming the present sick on their fifth record, the sensitive Tennessean glam-punk wraps themselves up in its language — pop music.

Why was Pakistani pop culture so big in 2022?

2022 saw a rise of Pakistani pop culture worldwide, punctuated by a Grammy win, Ms. Marvel and an ovation at Cannes.

There's been discussion on social media that Democratic Albany mayoral candidate Dan Cerutti's lawn signs are sending discreet signals. The chatter is the result of a blue line. Barely noticeable at first glance, the line cuts across the middle of the otherwise orange and black signs.

Is a thin blue line on Albany Democratic mayoral candidate Dan Cerutti’s lawn sign a nod to Blue Lives Matter?

Is that political campaign sign on your neighbor's lawn sending a coded message?

For Okkervil River, a Pop Slant on Thorny Issues

Okkervil River's The Stage Names is a critically lauded album that touches on themes of a short story. But lead singer and songwriter Will Sheff says the goal is pure listening pleasure.

Singer Tom Jones performs in London in 2004.

Tom Jones, Making Unusual Pop For 40 Years

In the last 40 years of his career, singer Tom Jones, has released more than 30 hit singles and several gold and multi-platinum records. In his heyday he was famous for his live performances and for the frenzy he caused amongst his female fans — many of whom threw their underwear onstage and rushed the stage. Jones' name today has come to connote hipness and romance. (This interview originally aired on Dec. 11, 2003.)

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