Ryan Adams, DJ Shadow and Zola Jesus streaming on NPR Music

NPR Music is now offering advance streams of new albums from popular artists Ryan Adams, DJ Shadow and Zola Jesus as part of the site's "First Listen" series. All of the recordings are available now, before their release dates, for free on-demand listening at www.npr.org/music




Ryan Adams: In collaboration with Member station WFUV, NPR Music presents the return of the prolific Ryan Adams after a two-year break from recording. Adams seems to be in a calmer mood post-hiatus, releasing what may be his sparest, mellowest record to date. The lean and hushed Ashes & Fire features appearances by his wife Mandy Moore, friend Norah Jones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench. Hear the more relaxed Ryan Adams now:
www.npr.org/2011/09/20/140640429/first-listen-ryan-adams-ashes-and-fire




DJ Shadow: After establishing himself as an innovator in instrumental hip-hop and electronic music early in his career, Josh "Shadow" Davis experimented with a variety of solo projects, dynamic collaborations and commercial ventures before releasing his upcoming fourth album. Describing The Less You Know, The Better as "a return to form," the artist showcases his ability to master everything from Brit-rock and heavy metal to acoustic styles. Check out the full album stream offered in conjunction with Member station KCRW at NPR Music:
www.npr.org/2011/09/20/140643384/first-listen-dj-shadow-the-less-you-know-the-better




Zola Jesus: With Midwestern roots and 10 years of opera training, singer-songwriter Nika Roza Danilova has the capacity to capture audiences with her unmistakable voice and musical range. For the 22-year-old musician, the evolution of her song structure, production and instrumentation is captured by the title of her latest album, Conatus -- the will to keep on, to move forward. NPR Music partners with Member station KEXP, who recorded the artist’s live studio session earlier this year, to provide a full stream of the upcoming album:
www.npr.org/2011/09/22/140709913/first-listen-zola-jesus-conatus




Complete track listings and album information are available at NPR Music, where there are also extensive archives of concerts, interviews and reviews of artists from all genres. NPR Music's "First Listen" series is one of the site's most popular features, and is currently featuring Wilco’s The Whole Love. The free, multimedia website at www.npr.org/music offers more than 300 new features monthly and an extensive archive, in collaboration with NPR's newsmagazines, 12 public radio member stations and the passionate NPR community. Many of the site's features are also available on the NPR Music App for the iPhone and iPod Touch.