David Hajdu

David Hajdu is the music critic of The Nation and a professor at Columbia University.

Whistleblowers Composed

Whistleblowers Composed Whistleblowers Composed

Ted Hearne’s masterpiece The Source captures digital disorder through the sounds of Wikileaks.

Oct 6, 2015 / Dispatch / David Hajdu

Billie Holiday and Mister, circa 1946. (Credit: William P. Gottlieb / LOC)

Who Loves You? Who Loves You?

America’s ongoing fascination with Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.

Sep 10, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

Spotify

Next to Nothing: The Economics and Aesthetics of Streaming Music Next to Nothing: The Economics and Aesthetics of Streaming Music

Apps like Spotify and Apple Music haven’t just changed the way we purchase music—they've changed the way we listen.

Aug 24, 2015 / David Hajdu

U2 concert

U2 and the Art of Digital Compromise U2 and the Art of Digital Compromise

How social media brought its own set of troubles to U2’s latest tour.

Aug 7, 2015 / David Hajdu

Theo Bleckmann

Theo Bleckmann’s Bazaar Theo Bleckmann’s Bazaar

A vocalist as playfully experimental as Albert Ayler or Ornette Coleman.

Jul 1, 2015 / David Hajdu

A More Perfect Pitch

A More Perfect Pitch A More Perfect Pitch

Roomful of Teeth’s new album, Render, is music for the 21st century.

Apr 28, 2015 / David Hajdu

Words for Music Perhaps

Words for Music Perhaps Words for Music Perhaps

Warm and unaffected, Philip Glass’s memoir is nothing like his music.

Apr 14, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

The Strange Story of Hungary’s Unofficial National Anthem

The Strange Story of Hungary’s Unofficial National Anthem The Strange Story of Hungary’s Unofficial National Anthem

“Honvágy-dal,” or “The Song of Homesickness,” has roots in surprising places.

Mar 19, 2015 / David Hajdu

Some Enchanted Standards

Some Enchanted Standards Some Enchanted Standards

Singing the standards on Shadows in the Night, Bob Dylan employs his own flaws to beautiful effect.

Feb 2, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

History Re-Dressed: Taylor Mac’s Queer History of American Pop

History Re-Dressed: Taylor Mac’s Queer History of American Pop History Re-Dressed: Taylor Mac’s Queer History of American Pop

A musical project of maddening ambition unearths—and invents—a gay history of America.

Jan 21, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

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