Bijan Stephen

Bijan Stephen is a music critic for The Nation. He lives in New York and his other work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New Republic, Esquire, and elsewhere.  

Laura Les of 100 Gecs

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 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 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’ 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

The Magic of Megan Thee Stallion and Jai Paul

The Magic of Megan Thee Stallion and Jai Paul The Magic of Megan Thee Stallion and Jai Paul

Two distinct artists defined the sound of this summer. 

Aug 27, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

Vampire Weekend Grows Up

Vampire Weekend Grows Up Vampire Weekend Grows Up

Over a decade since its debut, the band that soundtracked the Great Recession returns with one of its most ambitious albums. 

May 6, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

The Weight and Power of Kiese Laymon’s ‘Heavy’

The Weight and Power of Kiese Laymon’s ‘Heavy’ The Weight and Power of Kiese Laymon’s ‘Heavy’

His memoir is an affecting chronicle of both hope and despair in the American South.

Feb 7, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

SOPHIE and Blood Orange’s Thrilling Transformations

SOPHIE and Blood Orange’s Thrilling Transformations SOPHIE and Blood Orange’s Thrilling Transformations

SOPHIE’s Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides and Blood Orange’s Negro Swan capture two high-wire acts of musical reinvention.

Oct 10, 2018 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

The Rise and Fall of Kanye and Drake

The Rise and Fall of Kanye and Drake The Rise and Fall of Kanye and Drake

The genres that West and Drake once defined are now the domain of a new generation of musicians.

Jul 19, 2018 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

Moby’s Relentless Pursuit of Authenticity

Moby’s Relentless Pursuit of Authenticity Moby’s Relentless Pursuit of Authenticity

His new album, Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt, sounds teleported directly from 1999.

May 3, 2018 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

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