NPR Classical

Heavy Rotation: Public Radio's Songs Of 2013

Published December 12, 2013 at 8:00 AM EST

British songwriter Laura Mvula was a favorite on public radio stations around the country.

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Our friends in the public radio system are some of the most open-minded listeners we know. Each month, our Heavy Rotation series brings you free downloads of what our fellow programmers and producers are experiencing on repeat.

1 of 13 — Chris Thile.

2 of 13 — Jason Isbell was previously a member of Drive-By Truckers. His solo albums include Sirens of the Ditch and Here We Rest.

3 of 13 — Gregory Porter: NPR Music Field Recording.

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4 of 13 — James Blake performs live at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.

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5 of 13 — Parquet Courts.

6 of 13 — Janelle Monáe's new album, The Electric Lady, features collaborations with Prince, Erykah Badu, Miguel and Esperanza Spaldin

7 of 13 — Phosphorescent.

8 of 13 — Kronos Quartet's Aheym was composed by Bryce Dessner (center) of the indie-rock group, The National.

9 of 13 — Neko Case's new album is titled The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You.

10 of 13 — Miami-born CÃ©cile McLorin Salvant learned about improvisation and sang with her first band after moving to France in 200

11 of 13 — Trumpeter Avishai Cohen changed his flight itinerary to make the session.

12 of 13 — The Lone Bellow.

13 of 13 — Bill Callahan.

To celebrate the best music of 2013, we've created a continuous playlist of songs compiled from Top 10s from around the country. Sample rock from KEXP in Seattle and World Cafe, jazz from New Jersey's WBGO and avant-garde classical music from New York's Q2, among others. Whether it's electronic music, country or a string quartet, you're sure to hear something you haven't heard before — which in turn ought to help you discover even more music in 2014.

Heavy Rotation is a monthly sampler of public radio hosts' favorite songs. Check out past editions here.