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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.

Chairman Bennie Thompson's letter to Jordan asks for information and an interview to discuss his conversations with President Donald Trump on Jan. 6.

NPR music reviewer Meredith Ochs shares her picks for the year's best CDs. Ochs is host of Sirius Satellite Radio's "Outlaw Country" channel, a contributing editor for Guitar World magazine and a regular contributor to NPR's All Things Considered. She's also the vocalist and guitarist for the rock band The Damn Lovelys.

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.

Reports vary as to whether al-Shabab's Zakariye Ismail Ahmed Hersi turned himself in or was captured in a raid. The U.S. had placed a $3 million bounty on the leading Islamist extremist.

British forces capture an Iraqi general in the southern city of Basra. A spokesperson says the general is the highest-ranking Iraqi prisoner of war thus far. Meanwhile, U.S.-led warplanes strike facilities in Baghdad, including a presidential palace, a military intelligence complex and the barracks of a paramilitary training center. Hear NPR News.

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.

Peso Pluma is YouTube's most viewed artist of the year in the U.S. The Mexican music phenom beat out Taylor Swift, Drake, YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Bad Bunny for the top spot.

In the state's 2nd Congressional District, redistricting placed two incumbent Republican congressmen in a primary battle.

Fresh Air rock critic Ken Tucker offers his picks for the best music of the year, including Fiona Apple's latest album and a Bob Dylan DVD. He also addresses the topic of women in music, and he talks about the year in hip-hop. Tucker is the film critic for New York magazine.