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