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Farai Chideya pays tribute to Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs, who died Friday at his Detroit home. He was 72 years old.

The World Cafe host's favorite albums from this year abide by his mantra: they put good songs first, and present them simply and authentically.

The co-host for NPR Music's All Songs Considered shares the albums he returned to the most in 2013.

It was an unusually strong year for great unknown artists. While bigger, more established bands continued to attract the most attention, smaller, lesser-known acts made the most memorable music of 2008. All of the great unknown artists featured here made music that was inspired, original and heartfelt.

The All Songs Considered and Tiny Desk host shares his favorite recordings of the year.

The city of Chicago has one more thing to boast about: Its hometown orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, has been named America's top orchestra in a new critics' poll published in the venerable British magazine Gramophone.

Five out of these 10 records are debuts — a statistic that fits perfectly in the spirit of finding new music to fall in love with this year.

Albums are still events for us, even and especially as we shelter in place. Lido Pimienta, Fiona Apple and Sam Hunt released music that we held close to the chest.

The best albums of 2013 stand as album-length statements rather than mere collections of good songs. Each captures a powerful songwriting voice and, just as important, a central philosophy.

It was a tremendous year for upbeat music that reflected on aging and ennui in wise, wonderful ways.