Happy Music

Global collaborations, impromptu public performances, and the creators using their craft as a social force. This section covers the universal language of music and the uplifting moments that connect strangers across the world.

Because the world has enough bad news
Marshmello, Kelsea Ballerini - Another Drink

July 12, 2026

A bar anthem that cuts straight to the point: she is not there for the

Editorial Desk

: A Singer Crashed a Venice Pop-Up Unannounced to Debut 'In Your Eyes' Live and the Crowd Had No Idea

July 12, 2026

A performer walked into a Venice pop-up unannounced and debuted 'In Your Eyes,' a new

Editorial Desk

: Break Up in Reverse: A Song That Imagines Love Healing Itself Backward

July 12, 2026

A song built on one of the most quietly painful ideas in popular music: what

Editorial Desk

: Mano Ling Closes a Live Set With Two Songs and a View the Crowd Never Gets to See

July 12, 2026

Mano Ling paused mid-set to tell the crowd they looked amazing from where she was

Editorial Desk

: Dua Lipa Brings 'Radical Optimism' to NPR's Tiny Desk and the Room Has Never Been Louder

July 12, 2026

Dua Lipa performed songs from her album 'Radical Optimism' at NPR's Tiny Desk, opening with

Editorial Desk

: A Dog's Best Day: The Joyful Anthem That Starts With a Pant and Ends With the Sky

July 12, 2026

It starts with a dog panting and ends with the sky. The anthem that refuses

Editorial Desk

: Safe and Sound: A Live Performance That Brought an Entire Crowd to Its Feet

July 12, 2026

A live performance of 'Safe and Sound' turned a single repeated promise into a room-wide

Editorial Desk

: Yuja Wang Plays Flight of the Bumblebee So Fast the Camera Can't Keep Up

July 12, 2026

Yuja Wang, the Chinese pianist trained at the Curtis Institute, performs Cziffra's arrangement of Flight

Editorial Desk

: A Colorado Singer Named J Mo Came Back to New York Looking for Inspiration and Found It Under the Arch

July 12, 2026

J Mo, a singer and songwriter from Colorado, came back to his New York hometown

Editorial Desk

: The Lumineers Play 'Cleopatra' and Dedicate a Song to KEXP's John Richards in a Raw, Kitchen-Recorded Set

July 12, 2026

The Lumineers returned to KEXP and dedicated a song to DJ John Richards, who played

Editorial Desk

: Portugal. The Man's 'Feel It Still' Keeps Audiences on Their Feet Years After Its Release

July 12, 2026

Portugal. The Man's 'Feel It Still' delivered a performance that collapsed decades of restless energy

Editorial Desk

: Doggyland's Counting Song Teaches Kids 1 to 10 With Cookies, Octopus Arms, and a Little Help From Woofee

July 12, 2026

In Doggyland, a cookie-counting crisis calls in Woofee, whose lively call-and-repeat song walks Vancy and

Editorial Desk