"Oh, but Lover" is another lush mix of bedroom-flavored indie pop fueled by Allie Merrill's growing knack for penning sticky melodies.
Haiva Ru – “Oh, but Lover”
Author: Roberto Johnson
Writer. Content creator. Aspiring vinyl hoarder.
Bon Iver – i,i
These days, few singer-songwriters come as universally acclaimed as Wisconsin native Justin Vernon. Since debuting his now prodigious outfit Bon Iver over ten years ago with the indie folk classic For Emma, Forever Ago, Vernon has become a somewhat elusive yet widely admired figure, keen to avoid ever being in the public eye for too … Continue reading Bon Iver – i,i
Lyric of the Week: Marianne Faithfull – Guilt
A sought-after chanteuse out of the London scene during the 1960s, Marianne Faithfull is widely known for her romantic involvement with Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones, but her career as a singer-songwriter is robust and worth its own recognition.
Chance the Rapper – The Big Day
After arriving earlier this decade with two stellar mixtapes and an unmistakably charismatic persona, Chance the Rapper seemed poised to be one of the most special hip-hop artists of the 2010s. He fulfilled that promise with 2016's Coloring Book, an album that furthered his unique style of gospel-infused pop-rap and polished it enough to blow up … Continue reading Chance the Rapper – The Big Day
Leslie Stevens – “Sinner”
The highly-touted country singer's new album is out August 23.
Angel Olsen – “All Mirrors”
"All Mirrors" finds the singer-songwriter shape-shifting once again, veering her poignant life accounts in a more synthetic direction.
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana
After five years of anticipation, Gary, Indiana rapper Freddie Gibbs and Los Angeles beat maestro Madlib have returned with the follow up to their 2014 gangsta-jazz-rap masterpiece Piñata. Their new LP, Bandana, has been on the minds of critics and fans alike since it was first teased in 2016. As Gibbs has regained his footing since being … Continue reading Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana
Aim High – “Hazey Days”
On their debut single, the punk-rock outfit present themselves as both stylistically uncompromising and emotionally deranged.
Jeffrey Silverstein Hits Gold-Diggers for L.A. Stop on West Coast Run
As the thick of summer approaches, Jeffrey Silverstein is taking his atmospheric soundscapes on the road throughout the month of August.
The Shorelines – Head Arrangements
As the new decade approaches, California indie rock continues to exist in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. Out of the many coastal cities along CA's southern and central coasts, Santa Barbara's local scene is ripe with creative groups chipping away at developing something of a distinct sound. That narrative especially applies to The … Continue reading The Shorelines – Head Arrangements
L.A. Singer-Songwriter Jackie Cohen Has Arrived
In 2018, Jackie Cohen wasn't sure if she was a songwriter. 12 months later, she's toured the U.S. and Europe, and also released one of this year's most addicting debut albums. Read our in-depth Q&A with the young songwriter.
Songs of Totality: The Enduring Excellence of Tijuana Panthers
On their fifth studio album, the Long Beach rock trio infuses their signature sound with meditations on age, death, and what it means to embrace adversity.
Tyler, The Creator – IGOR
Few, if any, rappers this decade have endured as significant a personal and artistic evolution as Tyler, The Creator. His last record, 2017's Flower Boy, was a true coming-of-age album. After a half-decade of anti-establishment antics and abrasive hate-raps, Tyler's complicated persona unearthed a previously unknown side of vulnerability and openness that widely changed his public perception … Continue reading Tyler, The Creator – IGOR
The Shorelines – “Love Is Here”
"Love Is Here" packs the same energy that has fueled the band's previous output, albeit with a much more tamed demeanor.
Jackie Cohen – Zagg
The L.A. singer-songwriter's debut is a zany collage of pop, rock and country that is as inventive as it is unabashedly retro.
Alex Cameron – “Miami Memory”
The Autralian pop-rock virtuoso returned to the spotlight last week with a fiery new music video.
Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising
Natalie Mering has a track record of pushing boundaries. Thus far in her career, she's had the odd ability to always seem left-field and out of the ordinary, yet fit seamlessly into multiple indie music circles. Over time, her experimental tendencies constructed a unique discography consisting of artful fusions of chamber pop and ‘70s-inspired singer-songwriter … Continue reading Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising
Holiday Sidewinder – “Baby Oil”
Pop's favorite provocateur is back with another glitzy and futuristic tune to further build her mystique as an infinitely desirable chanteuse.
Anderson .Paak – Ventura
Largely in thanks to his undeniable talent and increasingly likable persona, Anderson .Paak's Oxnard, the third studio album from the West Coast rapper-singer-producer extraordinaire, ranked among the most highly anticipated records of 2018. Less than half a year later, Paak has returned with yet another beach-titled LP, the soul-infused Ventura. After relinquishing creative control to Dr. Dre's … Continue reading Anderson .Paak – Ventura
Jenny Lewis – On the Line
Jenny Lewis has been in the spotlight since her childhood acting days in the 1980s. Also the daughter of two Las Vegas lounge singers, you could say she was destined to be a performer. Whichever way you view Lewis, there is little debate her songs have been some of indie rock's most defining tunes over … Continue reading Jenny Lewis – On the Line
25 Most Anticipated Acts at Coachella 2019
The month of April brings the zeitgeist of all modern day American music-related gatherings, the one and only Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. While many elements of Coachella hamper the ideal quality of experiencing live music, there's something to be said for the masses of people who swarm this desert every year to partake … Continue reading 25 Most Anticipated Acts at Coachella 2019
Today or Tomorrow: Maxton Schulte’s Endless Vertigo
We sat down with the Santa Barbara multi-instrumentalist to chat about his new record, outerspace, his top underrated guitarists and more.
Ariana Grande – thank u, next
Though greatly indebted to vocal powerhouses of ‘90s soul and R&B, like Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera, Ariana Grande is undoubtedly an artist of the moment. A pop star invested in and in tune with "the now." She currently boasts the most worldwide monthly listeners on Spotify, over 60 million Twitter followers, and is a … Continue reading Ariana Grande – thank u, next
Better Oblivion Community Center – Better Oblivion Community Center
I'm of the opinion that collaboration doesn't get celebrated enough in mainstream music. Sure, there are plenty of landmark records that are a direct result of two or more amazing artistic talents linking up (DOOM and Madlib's Madvillainy, The Postal Service's Get Up, etc.) but generally speaking, I think collab records are one the more exciting … Continue reading Better Oblivion Community Center – Better Oblivion Community Center
How Potty Mouth Stayed the Course en Route to Their Self-Empowering Sophomore Record
The Los Angeles-based punk outfit's new record, Situation Normal All Fucked Up (SNAFU), is set for a March 1 release on Get Better Records.
Future – Future Hndrxx Presents: The Wizrd
Atlanta rapper Future needs little introduction. The trap-rap powerhouse has been one of the leading faces of the current rap generation for much of this decade and a highly influential figure on both the commercial and artistic fronts of mainstream hip-hop for many years now. Known for his signature auto-tune croon style of rapping, Future's … Continue reading Future – Future Hndrxx Presents: The Wizrd
Sharon Van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow
In this decade, there aren't many artists who come as praised and respected by critics, fans and musicians alike as Sharon Van Etten. Prior to her latest release, each of her four studio albums had been well received for their harrowing portrayals of the human condition and consistently stellar vocal performances. She is a champion … Continue reading Sharon Van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow
Inside the Earthy Atmospheres of Jeffrey Silverstein’s ‘How on Earth’ EP
We spoke with the Portland musician on the inspiration for his new album, the dynamic of recording solo, his favorite acts around PDX and more.
Best of 2018: Top 10 Special Releases
One of music's most transcendent qualities is its timelessness, its ability to exist outside of the parameters of minutes and hours, days and nights, years and decades. It can be as beautiful 50 years from now as it was yesterday. Equally, it can take on a completely new life of its own when absorbed in … Continue reading Best of 2018: Top 10 Special Releases
Best of 2018: Top 10 EPs
Some of my favorite music this year came in the form of EPs, which for the sake of time, I guess you could consider very efficient. Nevertheless, this year's best short albums gave us some outstanding debuts from new faces, notable sidesteps from well-established veterans and so much more. Here are 10 of my favorite … Continue reading Best of 2018: Top 10 EPs
Riffs & Rhymes 