Reviews
- Nick Jonas
Spaceman
To cut through and leave a lasting impression of Nick Jonas, the artist, would require a vision much bolder than what this album has to offer.
- ZULI
All Caps EP
The Egyptian producer’s music is forceful, corrosive, unstable-sounding. His latest EP, a collection of six unrelenting club cuts, is his heaviest record yet.
- Infinite Aziz
Lost Navigator
Filled with sampled ephemera and vintage television clips, the rapper’s latest EP looks to science fiction for a pessimistic, paranoid vision of the present.
- Various Artists
J Jazz Volume 3: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan
On the third release from its ongoing reissue series, the BBE label continues to excavate the hidden wonders of Japan’s post-WWII jazz scene.
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
- Gang of Four
Gang of Four: 77-81
The UK post-punk pioneers’ influence always outshone their popularity, but a new box set makes a convincing case that stardom actually was within their reach.
- Irena and Vojtěch Havlovi
Melodies in the Sand
Fusing early music, ambient, and folk, the Czech couple’s work has entranced fans like Sufjan Stevens and Bryce Dessner for decades. This collection is an enchanting portal into their furtive soundworld.
- Arm’s Length
Everything Nice EP
The Ontario band arrive full-formed on a musically polished, emotionally ragged mini-album that testifies to the enduring potency of emo and pop-punk symbiosis.
- Mr. Mitch
Lazy
The London producer and label boss’ third album responds to a year of uncertainty with a mixture of club-friendly styles and melancholic touches for the lonely wee hours.