Ann Powers is a Critic and Correspondent at NPR. She focuses on the intersections of music genres, pop culture, and cultural movements, exploring themes within arts and entertainment, theater, and society. Ann's insights and critiques have been featured in numerous outlets, including KCLU 88.3 FM, The Washington Post, and WAMU 88.5.
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The latest revival of “The Rocky Horror Show,” which first appeared on stage in London in 1973 and later became a cult movie classic, is nominated for nine
By: Jobi Riccio, Isaiah Beard, Kelly Clarkson, Ann Powers, Natalie Weiner, David Cantwell, Shakey Graves, John Craigie
LISTEN TO RICCIO’S NEW ALBUM FACE THE FEELING OUT NOW VIA YEP ROC RECORDS
With the summer solstice upon us, we’re looking back at a song that really nails the season in the opposite way that you’d expect. It’s a song about how summer is not always fun and why that's the case—and it’s since inspired dozens of high-profile covers and influenced a trove of other summer bummer songs. This week, NPR Music critic Ann Powers and editor Daoud Tyler-Ameen discuss “Summertime Blues” by Eddie Cochran, from 1958. To access this episode, sign up for NPR+ at plus.npr.org. NPR+ helps support public media. Follow NPR Music coverage and the Tiny Desk Concerts at npr.org/music
Musician Ben Gibbard of the band The Postal Service performs onstage during day 2 of the 2013 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 13, 2013 in Indio, California.
By: Tom Huizenga, Sheldon Pearce, Ann Powers, Hazel Cills, Stephen Thompson, Lars Gotrich
The best albums of 2026 (so far) Tiffany Day. Ally Wei hide caption toggle caption
By: Ann Powers
With the release of the Rolling Stones' latest studio effort, "Foreign Tongues," NPR Music's Ann Powers reviews that album and makes the case for Mick and Keith to keep going as long as they want.
By: Ann Powers
With the release of the Rolling Stones' latest studio effort, "Foreign Tongues," NPR Music's Ann Powers reviews that album and makes the case for Mick and Keith to keep going as long as they want.
Singer Frank Ocean performs at Terminal 5 on July 26, 2012 in New York City. Jason Kempin/Getty Images hide caption
With the release of the Rolling Stones' latest studio effort, "Foreign Tongues," NPR Music's Ann Powers reviews that album and makes the case for Mick and Keith to keep going as long as they want.
This essay first appeared in the NPR Music newsletter. Sign up for early access to articles like this one, listening recommendations and more.
