Trump’s Phony Trade Wars Are Evidence of American Imperial Decline Trump’s Phony Trade Wars Are Evidence of American Imperial Decline
President’s bullying of allies yields symbolic results—but betrays substantive weakness.
Feb 5, 2025 / Jeet Heer
The Dubious Return of the Brutalists The Dubious Return of the Brutalists
Why the stark 20th-century architectural style is back in vogue.
Feb 3, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Brook
CNN Surrenders to Trump CNN Surrenders to Trump
The corporate media’s commitment to fighting autocracy proves fickle.
David Lynch’s Guts David Lynch’s Guts
His visceral films, which reflect the best and worst of American life, affected viewers in realms both conscious and unconscious.
Jan 22, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
On TikTok, the Supreme Court Did the Right Thing On TikTok, the Supreme Court Did the Right Thing
And while the “I was for it before I was against it” crowd opposing the ban now stretches from Chuck Schumer to Donald Trump, that doesn’t mean they're right.
Jan 20, 2025 / Zephyr Teachout
Inauguration Day 2: The Call Is Coming From Inside The Building Inauguration Day 2: The Call Is Coming From Inside The Building
In 2020, after losing his bid for reelection to Joe Biden, Donald Trump summoned a mob to the Capitol. Today, as we mark the peaceful transfer of power, we offer this reminder.
Jan 20, 2025 / Feature / Steve Brodner
The Unsettling Genius of David Lynch The Unsettling Genius of David Lynch
In his films, his TV shows, and his paintings, Lynch reminded us that all art gestures toward a world beyond the familiar and comforting.
Jan 17, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Madeleine Baker
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
Can “Babygirl” Breathe New Life Into a Retrograde Genre? Can “Babygirl” Breathe New Life Into a Retrograde Genre?
The movie, starring Nicole Kidman, operates at the level of the female gaze. Its inversion of erotic thriller tropes leads to fascinating but, at times, tepid results.
Jan 16, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Erin Schwartz
A Listener’s Guide to Jazz From 1964–1972 A Listener’s Guide to Jazz From 1964–1972
A selection of the best recorded examples of the otherwise mostly undocumented music heard in jazz clubs like Slugs’.
Jan 14, 2025 / Feature / Ethan Iverson