Nate Chinen’s Daring New History of Modern Jazz Nate Chinen’s Daring New History of Modern Jazz
Nate Chinen’s new book confronts the contemporary jazz moment with clarity and authority.
Oct 6, 2018 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
William Parker’s Late-Career Bloom William Parker’s Late-Career Bloom
After a 45-year-long career, the jazz bassist is still creating experimental music pulsing with humanity.
Aug 16, 2018 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Kanye’s Discontents Kanye’s Discontents
At his best, Kanye West could be something of a Walt Whitman with Pro Tools. His new album, Ye, sadly feels like something halted in mid-sentence.
Jun 8, 2018 / David Hajdu
Mary Halvorson’s Kinetic Improvisation Mary Halvorson’s Kinetic Improvisation
The guitarist’s music is exhilarating, unapologetically smart, and unspoiled by phoniness or pretense.
May 10, 2018 / David Hajdu
Behind Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Selection Behind Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Selection
Our charge as the jury was pretty much the same as my job as a critic: to listen carefully, with open ears and an equally open mind.
Apr 23, 2018 / David Hajdu
The Genre of Post-Genre The Genre of Post-Genre
William Brittelle has drawn from classical music, punk rock, and electronica to produce music that is at once free-ranging and a thrill to experience.
Mar 13, 2018 / David Hajdu
David Lang’s Collaborators David Lang’s Collaborators
Many musicians have mined the Internet for lyrics—what Lang has done with The Day is make it memorable.
Feb 26, 2018 / David Hajdu
The Marvel of Cécile McLorin Salvant The Marvel of Cécile McLorin Salvant
How wonderful, and strange, that a jazz singer can achieve such stardom nowadays.
Dec 26, 2017 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
The Best Albums of 2017 The Best Albums of 2017
This year, no common thread unifies all the albums of high quality—except for the obvious fact that they were released at a time of profound anxiety, looming danger, and enveloping...
Dec 20, 2017 / David Hajdu
Songs of Aggression Songs of Aggression
A review of popular music reveals striking and distressing similarities in the way men talk about and deal with women in today’s society.
Dec 8, 2017 / David Hajdu