The Retro Pop of Lady Gaga and Baths The Retro Pop of Lady Gaga and Baths
In their new albums, the musicians look backward as much as forward.
May 15, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen
The Introspective Club Hits of Jamie xx The Introspective Club Hits of Jamie xx
With In Waves, Jamie xx—whose real name is James Smith—has perfected what he explored in In Colour: an album full of searching tunes that can double as dance songs.
Jan 16, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen
Questlove’s Personal History of Hip-Hop Questlove’s Personal History of Hip-Hop
An elegiac retelling of rap's origins, Hip-Hop Is History also ends with a sense of hope.
Aug 27, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen
Philip Glass, Solo Artist Philip Glass, Solo Artist
In his most recent album, the composer marks a new turn in his style.
Jun 5, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen
The Many Evolutions of Kid Cudi The Many Evolutions of Kid Cudi
In Insano, the rapper and hip-hop artist comes back down to earth.
Apr 17, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen
The Era of Nicki Minaj The Era of Nicki Minaj
How the queen of rap revolutionized American music.
Feb 21, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen
The Playful Pop of 100 gecs The Playful Pop of 100 gecs
The band’s new album is absurd but that is part of the point.
May 11, 2023 / Bijan Stephen
A Soundtrack for the American Subconscious A Soundtrack for the American Subconscious
Oneohtrix Point Never’s latest album is not unlike a radio broadcast from another reality.
Jan 13, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen
Sufjan Stevens’s Lullabies for the Apocalypse Sufjan Stevens’s Lullabies for the Apocalypse
His new album’s gentle pessimism about our state of affairs makes for a weirdly soothing musical experience.
Oct 1, 2020 / Bijan Stephen
Kaytranada Captures an Entire Party’s Worth of Sound on ‘Bubba’ Kaytranada Captures an Entire Party’s Worth of Sound on ‘Bubba’
The electronic producer’s new album feels like the full flowering of a major talent.
Feb 4, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen