Reviews
- Perfume Genius
Immediately Remixes
A carefully curated set of reworks filters last year’s Set My Heart on Fire Immediately through synth pop, techno, and other electronic lenses, giving Mike Hadreas’ grit a blast of glitter.
- Really From
Really From
Fusing bookish indie jazz with emo and math rock, the Boston quartet explores the complications of identity while dismantling stale indie-rock paradigms.
- Pino Palladino
- Blake Mills
Notes With Attachments
Two notable sidemen collaborate on an elusive instrumental album inspired by funk, West African, and Cuban music. The melodies are fleeting and the arrangements ever-shifting.
- Another Michael
New Music and Big Pop
The Philadelphia indie rock trio’s debut is gentle in both sound and spirit. Singer Michael Doherty can turn simple moments of reflection into marquee statements with his outstanding voice.
The Latest
Features & Videos
Cassandra Jenkins’ Hypnotic Folk Music Turns Everyday Moments Into Monuments
In this Rising interview, the New York singer-songwriter talks about making art out of interactions with strangers and how her experiences with the late indie legend David Berman inspired her brilliant new album.
The Endless Life Cycle of Japanese City Pop
Boosted by the YouTube recommendations algorithm, and now TikTok memes, an American-influenced strain of vintage Japanese music has become a perennial cult hit online. The trend says more about Western perceptions of the East than the other way around.
Kurt Vile Explains How He Builds His Songs
In this episode of Critical Breakthroughs, Kurt Vile takes us into his head, detailing his creative process, the challenges, and even the migraines that inspire some of his lyrics in songs like “Freeway,” “Dust Bunnies,” and more.
Lists & Guides
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More Recent Reviews
- Arab Strap
As Days Get Dark
On their first album in 16 years, the Scottish duo situates themselves in the current moment, teasing out new modes of songwriting while remaining as wry, dark, and self-lacerating as ever.
- Mavi
End of the Earth EP
One of hip-hop’s brightest young minds finds himself in a state of deep reflection, maturing into adulthood in real time on his latest EP.
- Shordie Shordie
- Murda Beatz
Memory Lane
The Baltimore rapper continues to earn his “Captain Hook” nickname on an album full of Murda Beatz’s sometimes too-spare production.
- dltzk
Teen Week
The 17-year-old digicore producer’s debut centers them as a vocalist and songwriter, mapping out feelings of insecurity and loneliness against production that is perpetually in motion.