Mariah is back; Aretha Franklin documentary premieres; boygenius Tiny Desk

Plus, some holiday spirit from Tyler, the Christmas Caroler. [NPR Music]( Cameron Pollack/NPR Dear Prudence, I’m So Tired. It’s been a Long, Long, Long year and I feel like Mother Nature’s Son. Will I ever get some rest? Hopefully, While My Guitar Gently Weeps. In the midst of this season’s first snow, I could use a Wild Honey Pie or a Glass Onion. Don't Pass Me By or I Will Cry Baby Cry. Enough “White Album” Mad Libs. Our minds are still on this week’s [All Songs Considered]( a conversation between Bob Boilen and Giles Martin, who produced the new deluxe version of the Beatles’ 1968 classic. His father, George Martin, produced "The White Album" back in 1968; with his remix, he says he’s trying to bring us closer to the band. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, Marissa Lorusso, Sidney Madden and Lyndsey McKenna --------------------------------------------------------------- New Music - Anderson. Paak [calls out President Trump]( there’s a new posthumous Chris Cornell compilation and Mariah “[I don’t know her]( Carey has given us (yet another) instant-classic album: These, plus more of this week’s [new releases]( you need to hear now. - In the words of our friend and colleague Lars Gotrich, “We are all Viola Davis, staring out of a window, [crying and listening to Sade]( - [“Movement,” the new single from Hozier]( is a brooding track that swells with just enough restraint to leave you wanting more. Good thing he’s got an as-yet untitled record, the follow-up to his self-titled debut, coming next year. --------------------------------------------------------------- Tiny Desk - Roughly 12 minutes passed between NPR Music learning that Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus would be releasing an EP together as boygenius and Bob Boilen booking the group for a Tiny Desk concert. And yet somehow, the three musicians — each of whom has already played at least one Tiny Desk on her own —put on a performance that [surpassed our expectations](. - Bernie and the Believers’ story is one of [hope, love and compassion](. When their Tiny Desk ended, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. --------------------------------------------------------------- To Read Kevin Winter/Getty Images and Angela Hsieh/NPR - After 46 years, Amazing Grace, the [fabled documentary on Aretha Franklin]( has finally seen the light of day. And what a glorious day it is. - This week, our [Turning the Tables]( series on the most influential women and non-binary artists of the 21st century celebrated Janelle Monáe’s [Afrofuturistic, time-traveling songwriting](. - This year’s Kennedy Center honorees include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Philip Glass and Cher. For the second time running, President Trump and first lady Melania Trump [don’t plan to attend]( the Dec. 2 ceremony. - [Roy Clark]( an ambassador of country music beloved by generations for his work on the TV show Hee Haw, died Thursday. The multi-instrumentalist and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry was 85. --------------------------------------------------------------- Incoming - Earlier this week, Kacey Musgraves took home the CMA album of the year award for Golden Hour. You can hear her talk about that record, including why she secretly considers herself a lyrics snob, next week on World Cafe. --------------------------------------------------------------- One More Thing - You’re a mean one, Tyler, the Creator. The rapper plays naughty and nice ahead of the holidays, dropping a [six-song EP]( devoted to America’s resident cuddly-as-a-cactus Christmas killjoy. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( You received this message because you're subscribed to our NPR Music emails. | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002 [NPR]