The Chicks

The Chicks — formerly known as The Dixie Chicks — will sing "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night. That performance, and the group's presence, will provide the latest chapter in The Chicks' long and complicated political history.

Every year, the Library of Congress names 25 "audio treasures" to be preserved permanently. This year's selections range from ABBA and Green Day to World War I-era jazz pioneer James Reese Europe.

Think of these 100 songs (Nos. 40-21 here) as a silver linings playlist for the worst year of our collective lives.

Follow live updates and analysis of the Democratic National Convention.

Gaslighter is country trio The Chicks' (formerly Dixie Chicks) first new album in 14 years. In some ways, the world has finally caught up to the band since it fell out of public favor in 2003.

The country trio has changed the band's name to The Chicks in an apparent distancing from its association with racism in the South. The move was accompanied by a new song, "March March."

Dolly Parton, Carla Thomas, Fanny, The Runaways and Salt n Pepa are just some of the women who should be in the Hall by now.

NPR Music's Ann Powers and Rodney Carmichael discuss albums they're looking forward to, as well as the artists they're begging to come back.

Missy Elliott reminded us just how vital and future-seeking she continues to be, Normani offered a late-summer dominator and Big Thief got raw.

A host of pop and rock musicians — including Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper and Beyoncé — took turns down country roads this year. Fans both old and new seem happy to follow them there.