Music

Sly Stone, 1969.

You Can’t Understand Black Music Without Sly Stone You Can’t Understand Black Music Without Sly Stone

His songs, for generations of listeners, provided community, solace, and a sense of understanding. 

Jun 13, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Marcus J. Moore

John Adams in Barcelona, Spain, 2023.

Listening Closely to John Adams Listening Closely to John Adams

The composer is an undeniable part of the classical music canon. Does that change the meaning of his radical early work?

May 29, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Chris Cohen

Bruce Springsteen/Donald Trump

Springsteen Gets America in Ways Trump Never Will Springsteen Gets America in Ways Trump Never Will

And that reality has caused the president of the United States to lose it.

May 19, 2025 / John Nichols

Bruce Springsteen performs during the first night of the “Land of Hopes and Dreams” tour at Co-op Live on May 14, 2025 in Manchester, England.

This Is the Bruce We’ve Been Waiting For This Is the Bruce We’ve Been Waiting For

Springsteen’s fans knew his politics, but he didn’t always show them off. Now he’s jumped out of the gate to stand against “dangerous times in my home.” Let freedom ring.

May 15, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Lady Gaga performing this spring.

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

Can Spotify Be Stopped?

Can Spotify Be Stopped? Can Spotify Be Stopped?

The streaming service has completely changed what it means to make and listen to music. What can be done to reverse its enormous influence?

May 6, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Mitch Therieau

Tom Morello and Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine perform as part of a free concert at Finsbury Park on June 6, 2010, in London, England.

MAGA Followers Think They’re Punk Rock—but Then Why Are They All Such Cowards? MAGA Followers Think They’re Punk Rock—but Then Why Are They All Such Cowards?

Trump supporters may think they’re hardcore, but they seem to be afraid of op-eds, books, and history they can’t even bear to read.

Apr 29, 2025 / Dave Zirin

In Fred Moten’s Music, Theory Is Put Into Practice

In Fred Moten’s Music, Theory Is Put Into Practice In Fred Moten’s Music, Theory Is Put Into Practice

In the poet’s recent musical projects, he has pushed the sonic potential of verse to its limits.

Mar 26, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Nate Wooley

Trump Took Over the Kennedy Center, but Silencing the Arts Will Not Be So Easy

Trump Took Over the Kennedy Center, but Silencing the Arts Will Not Be So Easy Trump Took Over the Kennedy Center, but Silencing the Arts Will Not Be So Easy

Our last best hope for sharing, shaping, and wrangling over independent ideas may turn out to be America’s scrappy and disparate arts spaces—if they can hang on financially.

Mar 18, 2025 / Alisa Solomon

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Voice From the Past

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Voice From the Past Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Voice From the Past

The Pakistani qawwali icon sang words written centuries ago and died decades ago. He’s got a new album out.

Mar 3, 2025 / Feature / Hasan Ali

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