Chance the Rapper’s Tedious Benediction Chance the Rapper’s Tedious Benediction
On The Big Day, Chance gets swallowed up by the pomp, circumstance, and symbolism of his long-awaited debut album.
Aug 7, 2019 / Stephen Kearse
This Indie Band Has Beyoncé’s Seal of Approval This Indie Band Has Beyoncé’s Seal of Approval
Folk rock group Florist’s poetic new LP, Emily Alone, is quietly showstopping.
Jul 31, 2019 / Ann-Derrick Gaillot
Caroline Shaw and the Shock of the New Caroline Shaw and the Shock of the New
The Pulitzer Prize–winning composer turns the history of the string quartet upside down, turning a once fusty form into something adventurous.
Jul 18, 2019 / David Hajdu
Half a Century Before Colin Kaepernick, Jackie Robinson Said, ‘I Cannot Stand and Sing the Anthem.’ Half a Century Before Colin Kaepernick, Jackie Robinson Said, ‘I Cannot Stand and Sing the Anthem.’
A segregationist senator tried to use Robinson to destroy Paul Robeson. Instead, Robinson called out racism.
Jul 18, 2019 / Peter Dreier
The Never-Ending Story of Bill Callahan’s Existential Americana The Never-Ending Story of Bill Callahan’s Existential Americana
His latest album, Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest, tells the tale of the singer-songwriter’s complicated middle age.
Jul 9, 2019 / Joe Bucciero
South Korean Protest Music Is Inspiring Hong Kong’s Demonstrators South Korean Protest Music Is Inspiring Hong Kong’s Demonstrators
Music has been an integral part of Korea’s long march toward democracy. Today, it’s an inspiration for freedom throughout Asia.
Jul 3, 2019 / T.K. Park
Amid US-Cuba Tensions, Cimafunk Bridges a Cultural Divide Amid US-Cuba Tensions, Cimafunk Bridges a Cultural Divide
The breakout Cuban star combines his roots with American funk rhythms.
Jun 18, 2019 / Michel Hernandez and Isabel Albee
A Short History of Country Music’s Multicultural Mishmash A Short History of Country Music’s Multicultural Mishmash
Or everything that came before Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus walked down that “Old Town Road.”
Jun 7, 2019 / David Hajdu
‘Blood,’ the Anthem of Sudan’s Revolution, Takes on New Meaning Amid Violent Repression ‘Blood,’ the Anthem of Sudan’s Revolution, Takes on New Meaning Amid Violent Repression
A new generation of musicians and artists has been inspired by—and is inspiring—the uprising.
Jun 4, 2019 / Isma’il Kushkush
There’s No Band Quite Like Big Thief There’s No Band Quite Like Big Thief
Wrapped into its new album U.F.O.F.’s delicate folds are fragility and resilience, love and trauma, nature and ether, enclosure and space, light and dark.
Jun 4, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Olivia Horn