Jody Denberg – Host M-Th. 5p-8p, Fri. 12n-4p

Alejandro Escovedo – “Sonica USA”

A standout track from his timely concept album – “The Crossing” – featuring the Italian band Don Antonio. Looking forward to seeing them perform it in its entirety January 5th at the Paramount.

Black Pumas – “Black Moon Rising”

Another timely entry, with the amazing Eric Burton’s vocals and  Austin’s Adrian Quesada anchoring this new band. Anxiously awaiting the rest of the collection…

Erika Wennerstrom – “Extraordinary Love”

From the Heartless Bastards’ frontwoman’s solo debut, a recording that actually manages to capture the grandness of its title. Pass the Ayahuasca (carefully).

Kacey Musgraves – “Slow Burn”

I love the line “grandma cried when I pierced my nose” from this song by the Golden, Texas native. Even the CMA’s got it right when they named her “Golden Hour” album of the year. Think Neil Young as a 30-year-old Texas woman.

Childish Gambino – “This Is America”

Where have all the protest songs gone? Not sure, but this one captures the frenetic atmosphere of modern-day USA. Even without the incredible video this performance stands on its own.

Elizabeth McQueen – Producer/Host of This Song podcast, On-Air host Sat. 10a-2

Anderson Paak – “Til It’s Over”

I think this song is one of the more perfectly constructed songs I’ve ever experienced. The verse sounds just like the inside of your head when you’re debating getting involved in something you know can’t last. It sets you up perfectly for the chorus, which posits the only solution to such a situation — ride it ’til it’s over.  Though this song is about a romantic relationship, I’ve been using it to remind me of all the beauty we can experience in the world, as long as we allow ourselves to make peace with impermanence and potential heartbreak.

Michael Crockett – “Horizontes” Sun. 7p-10p

Rosalía (Spain) – “Malamente”

 Rosalía blends traditional flamenco singing with trap and electronic music and lyrics based on a 13^th century manuscript. It is a seductive and mysterious sound that has now spread from her native Spain to Latin America and the rest of the world thanks to her several recent Latin Grammy nominations and awards. (The album, “El Mal Querer”,  even made NPR’s Top 10 for the year)

 Santiago Cruz (Colombia) & Vicente Garcia (Dominican Republic) – “Vida De Mis Vidas”

Colombian singer Santiago Cruz wrote and released this lovely, poetic song as a ballad, but Dominican singer Vicente Garcia gave it new live with a danceable bachata rhythm which he sings with Cruz as a duet.

Natalia Lafourcade (Mexico) –“Danza De Gardenias”

 This year Mexican pop singer, Natalia Lafourcade,  released a follow-up (Musas II) to her successful  acoustic/traditional album from last year and included this beautiful música tropical song she wrote of learning to reflorecer, or bloom again from a wilted love.

Gepe (Chile) –“Joane”

 Chilean singer-songwriter Gepe pays homage to a Haitian immigrant woman, who died on the streets in his country,  giving voice to the current plight of immigrants in many parts of the world.

 Maria Rita (Brazil) –“Reza Pra Agradecer”

A beautiful prayer of thanks in a song to the Afro-Brazilian goddess of the sea, Iemanjá,  from Brazilian singer Maria Rita’s new album “Amor É Música”

Art Levy – Host Sun. 10a-2p

Matt Muñoz’s Top 5

Shame – “Concrete ”

Soccer Mommy – “Cool”

Western Youth – “Lost The War”

Snail Mail – “Heat Wave”