Colin McGuire

Colin McGuire is music reviewer PopMatters, as well as an award-winning blogger and copy editor for the Frederick News-Post in Frederick, Maryland. He has worked in newspapers for five years, writing columns, editing stories and trying to make sure the medium doesn't completely fall off the Earth anytime soon. You can follow him on Twitter @colinpadraic.
Jenny Lewis Lets Loose on Excellent, Raw ‘Joy’all’

Jenny Lewis Lets Loose on Excellent, Raw ‘Joy’all’

Jenny Lewis has never sounded like she’s had more fun making music than she does on Joy’all. It’s haunting, inspiring, and uniquely complicated.

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats’ ‘What If I’ Is a Mixed Bag

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats’ ‘What If I’ Is a Mixed Bag

Two years after The Future, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats offer up an EP of leftovers that leave listeners wanting more.

Lady Wray’s ‘Piece of Me’ Fondly Recalls 1970s Soul Music

Lady Wray’s ‘Piece of Me’ Fondly Recalls 1970s Soul Music

Filled with hardship, heartbreak, and occasional hope, Lady Wray said she wants to write music to help people heal and Piece of Me‘s 12 songs accomplish that.

Our Lady Peace Successfully Evolve Their Sound on ‘Spiritual Machines 2’

Our Lady Peace Successfully Evolve Their Sound on ‘Spiritual Machines 2’

With Spiritual Machines 2, Our Lady Peace drew back all the curtains. And they did it while dancing squarely into the future as it’s a successful evolution.

The 20 Best Jay-Z Songs

The 20 Best Jay-Z Songs

Jay-Z has set himself apart in hip-hop by making forward-looking, awe-inspiring, never-been-done-before revelatory choices. These are his best songs.

Rostam Attempts to Close the Vampire Weekend Chapter of His Life on ‘Changephobia’

Rostam Attempts to Close the Vampire Weekend Chapter of His Life on ‘Changephobia’

Is it a rebirth Rostam seeks in his solo ventures? Or is he more interested in closing a chapter? If Changephobia has a say, it’s the latter.

You’re Everything: An Interview with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey

You’re Everything: An Interview with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey

Earth, Wind & Fire singer, Philip Bailey says his most recent solo LP speaks "to a lot of the same issues that we were dealing with in the 1960s." Bailey discusses this and more in a new interview.

Bryony Jarman-Pinto Dazzles with Genre-Bending Debut ‘Cage and Aviary’

Bryony Jarman-Pinto Dazzles with Genre-Bending Debut ‘Cage and Aviary’

London's Bryony Jarman-Pinto explores R&B, jazz, and Afropop in exhilarating fashion to create her unforgettable debut, Cage and Aviary.

Lighting a Fire in the Rain: An Interview with Travis

Lighting a Fire in the Rain: An Interview with Travis

Two decades on, lauded Scottish rockers Travis reflect on the re-issue of their masterpiece The Man Who along with their pivotal Glastonbury performance, which launched the group to new heights.

Starsailor: All This Life

Starsailor: All This Life

After an eight-year hiatus, Starsailor returns with their best album yet.
Christian Lopez: Red Arrow

Christian Lopez: Red Arrow

With Red Arrow Christian Lopez proves that his sights are set far beyond the parameters of Americana.
The Sweet Spot Between Expression and Familiarity: An Interview with Becca Stevens

The Sweet Spot Between Expression and Familiarity: An Interview with Becca Stevens

Jazz-pop great Becca Stevens is breaking from being billed as a band to craft a progressive solo effort that will take many of her fans into new and fascinating places.