Songs of Aggression Songs of Aggression
A review of popular music reveals striking and distressing similarities in the way men talk about and deal with women in today’s society.
Dec 8, 2017 / David Hajdu
Shamir’s Reinvention Shamir’s Reinvention
On Revelations, he trades the glitz and brashness of his early work for a more ruminative and uncertain sound.
Nov 17, 2017 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen
The Satisfactions of St. Vincent The Satisfactions of St. Vincent
There’s a full band’s worth of talent in that name.
Nov 1, 2017 / David Hajdu
In Search of Joni Mitchell In Search of Joni Mitchell
David Yaffe’s new biography doesn’t reach as far into the horizon as Mitchell’s music.
Oct 26, 2017 / Books & the Arts / Rachel Syme
From Jazz Clubs to Classrooms From Jazz Clubs to Classrooms
Recent releases by two jazz-program graduates, Ryan Keberle and Tyshawn Sorey, make potent cases for whatever educational methods work.
Aug 31, 2017 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Letters From the September 11-18, 2017, Issue Letters From the September 11-18, 2017, Issue
Hacking democracy… Make America democratic… Dems: remember the base… Action and words… In defense of prog rock…
Aug 24, 2017 / Our Readers
Lorde Grows Up Lorde Grows Up
In her new album, Lorde captures a generation struggling for independence.
Aug 23, 2017 / Books & the Arts / Stephanie Burt
Wired Up and Let Loose Wired Up and Let Loose
Two new releases bring to light the remarkable prescience of Raymond Scott’s sonic experimentation.
Jul 31, 2017 / David Hajdu
Mal Waldron’s Ecstatic Minimalism Mal Waldron’s Ecstatic Minimalism
The jazz pianist’s style was simple, but the themes that gave shape to his music were not.
Jul 26, 2017 / Books & the Arts / Adam Shatz
The Poetics of Jazz The Poetics of Jazz
A new book presents an alternative aesthetic history of jazz—and is also a challenge to all music critics.
Jul 20, 2017 / David B. Hobbs