Gathering 25 of our favorite releases so far in a year of pain, growth and unity.
2020 Mid-Year Roundup
Sam Valdez – “Clean”
The L.A. up and comer's latest track is subtle in sound yet intensely reflective.
Katie Wood – “Uh Huh Yeah”
Wood's big sound echoes ’80s giants like The Cure and Kate Bush, but the playful sarcasm embedded in her lyrics is a product of her eccentric individuality.
HAIM – Women In Music Pt. III
The sister trio's latest album shows off their well-developed pop-rock skill set and a newfound musical curiosity.
A Conversation Starring Ray Wylie Hubbard
We linked up with the ramblin' roots legend to talk about the release of his new album, CO-STARRING, songwriting greats, and a lifetime of making music.
Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher
On her sophomore effort, Bridgers perfectly captures the essence of millennial diffidence, along with our eternal need for intimacy.
ENGINE Details Their New Psychedelic, Dance Floor-Ready Single “Solitary Moods”
The new single from the Leeds-based electronic outfit arrives next Friday.
Drew Kelly – “Seaside”
The simplicity of the Atlanta-based artist's second single captures the perpetual longing most of us are feeling this summer.
Henry Derek Elis – All The Pretty Little Horses
The powerhouse Los Angeles guitarist returns with a four-track EP of cleverly reimagined covers.
Neil Young – Homegrown
Homegrown is the work of a mercurial poet finding hope in his darkest hour.
idols
I was too young to see my favourite band when they were my favourite band. I look back with fondness on that youthful obsession, but will I ever be that invested in a band again?
Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist – Alfredo
The new collaboration from Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist is another slick and assertive offering in the coke-rap canon.
Norway’s Malin Pettersen on Her Brilliant New Album and the Challenges Facing International Artists During America’s Live Music Lockdown
The Oslo native's new record, Wildhorse, is due out this October. We chatted about playing live streams, staying creative during quarantine and the bustling Norwegian country scene.
Run the Jewels – RTJ4
The fourth installment in the duo’s essential self-titled series is as vital and of the moment as anything in their increasingly historic catalog.
Three words, three albums.
Their music will do far more than my words ever will.
Andrea & Mud – Bad News Darlin’
The Atlanta duo's lonesome twang evokes the feeling of trekking through a barren and rugged landscape in search of an oasis: the perfect soundtrack for a horseback-riding, gun-slinging adventure on the big screen.
Lyric of the Week: The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses
Released nearly two years after its initial recording, "Wild Horses" emerged as a magical moment in The Rolling Stones' vast catalog.
Ten seconds of song
Thanks to the advent of Zoom pub quizzes, I hear most of my music nowadays in ten-second snippets, tiny baited hooks for the fish who work in my brain’s sound archives.
New Music Roundup: April
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Lucinda Williams, Quelle Chris, Rina Sawayama and more.
ALITA – “Too Close”
On her latest single, the Seattle songstress takes her sound to cinematic new heights.
Lyric of the Week: Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire
Perhaps Johnny Cash’s most famous song, “Ring of Fire” was first released by the Man in Black on his 1963 record 'Ring Of Fire: The Best Of Johnny Cash.'
Carly Shea – “Forever” (Music Video)
Sporting an irresistible bubblegum bassline and a pulsating drum beat, the track conjures up a spacey and sensual longing for everlasting love.
On festivals
This week, writing a music column is an unwelcome reminder of things I enjoyed doing before the world went into lockdown. And yet, people are finding ingenious ways of getting by.
Playboi Carti – “@ MEH”
Playboi Carti's new single is a colorful response to his haters.
Lyric of the Week: Marianne Faithfull – Rich Kid Blues
Recorded in 1971, Marianne Faithfull's long sought-after Stones-era album didn't come to full fruition until nearly a decade and a half later.
Top 10 Turnpike Troubadours Songs
Turnpike Troubadours are dearly missed in country music. We rank the cherished red dirt band's best songs.
Little Shrine’s Jade Shipman on Creativity During Social Distancing, Songwriting Process and Her Band’s New Album
Little Shrine's debut album arrives this Friday. Read about their new record and more in our chat with lead songwriter and bassist Jade Shipman.
New Music Roundup: March
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Don Toliver, Jesse Daniel, U.S. Girls and more.
Lil Uzi Vert – Eternal Atake / LUV vs. The World 2
Last month, Lil Uzi Vert shocked the rap community by finally releasing his long-anticipated, leak-plagued sophomore album, Eternal Atake. As if that weren't enough, he followed that up with another project, LUV vs. The World 2, the following Friday.
Cave Flowers are Bringing California Country-Rock Into the New Decade with a Purpose
We spoke with Cave Flowers' Andy McCallister and Ben Coil about their new album, country music on the West Coast, the spirit of collaboration and more.
Riffs & Rhymes 