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Madonna's new single, "4 Minutes," is an airtight, spit-polished production loaded with current stars, designed to send the message that Madonna still matters. Music critic Tom Moon reviews the pop icon's latest album, Hard Candy.

On Brighter Than Creation's Dark, Drive-By Truckers offers an epic and emotional 19-song rock statement. The roots-music powerhouse knows its way around thundering Southern rockers, country ballads and, lately, Stax-inspired soul. Hear an interview and performance from WXPN.

For the work of an artist best known for the symphonic, soul-baring "Breathe Me," Sia's punchy "Buttons" seems like an odd fit. A hidden track on her new album, the hooky "Buttons" nevertheless runs the risk of defining its album in spite of itself.

The 1949 musical is getting its first Broadway remount, and its creative team says the story — about culture, life in wartime and the impact of American power abroad — resonates as profoundly as ever.

Back after a 16-year hiatus from recording, the cheerfully hedonistic party band The B-52s returned to the public eye last month, releasing the appropriately titled Funplex. Hear the band perform a concert from WXPN and the Electric Factory in Philadelphia.

R.E.M. isn't exactly religious, but spiritual themes do creep into its music. Singer Michael Stipe says he comes from a "place of faith," and that generations of men in the Stipe family have been Methodist ministers. Widely billed as R.E.M.'s best album in ages, Accelerate takes inspiration from religious issues.

After years of census meddling by former President Donald Trump's administration, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., has introduced a bill that could help protect future counts from interference.

Fresh Air's world-music critic reviews The Mande Variations, the new CD from Malian kora player Toumani Diabate. Diabate says he descends from 71 generations of griots, or traditional song-storytellers.

Propelled by Malkmus' characteristically thoughtful words, in-unison rock riffs and thundering drums, the upbeat and surprisingly poppy song "Cold Son" toys with dynamics to a surprising degree.

Lizzie Goodman from Blender magazine discusses new releases from Gnarls Barkley, The Raconteurs, The B-52's, and Madonna.