Aimee Mann's songs may shine with sadness on the outside, but as ever, they bristle with smart observations & intriguing perspectives. She plays songs from "Mental Illness" in-studio.

This week: Elvis Costello, The Reverend Shawn Amos, and dance music from Mali by Rokia Koné, Colombia via Combo Chimbita, and the 80s in music by Mitski. Plus, composer Emily Wells. 

Beirut-based band Mashrou’ Leila tackles taboo topics - political corruption, same-sex love, & Middle Eastern feminism. They play music from their 2015 album, 'Ibn el Leil', in-studio.

Mexican songwriter Silvana Estrada plays haunting songs of love and loss on the Venezuelan cuatro; it’s a small sound, with a big impact. She performs onstage at The Greene Space. 

This week, a premiere from Brittany Davis, The Weeknd’s End-Times Radio Station, and a Celebration of New Orleans Hip Hop and Jazz. Plus, new music from Black Country, New Road. 

Guitarist Margaret Glaspy packs a walloping punch atop crunchy, snarly guitar in her grunge-torch-rock. She & her trio play live in the studio. 

Co-founding member and frontman of L.A. punk band X, John Doe, brings his tough folk & twang songs which span country, punk and rockabilly to play solo, in-studio. (Archives, 2017.)

Cellist Kate Ellis and violinist Laura Cannell offer a seasonal gift from Glasgow; a rare, old salsa tune gets a modern remix; and Virginia guitarist Daniel Bachman's comforting blues.

Synthesist, producer and composer Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith sculpts her psychedelic synthesizer and vocals-based electronica live in-studio. (From the Archives, 2017.)