Music Reviews
Ibibio Sound Machine Elevate Their Sound on ‘Pull the Rope’
Ibibio Sound Machine have gone from exciting transcontinental party upstarts to a soulful, sophisticated phenomenon. Pull the Rope is a refreshing new chapter.
Best New Songs
Music Features
Son of Freedom: Dissident Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi
Dissident Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi – an heir to the legacies of Persian rap’s founders – carries a torch for Women, Life, Freedom as death looms.
Film
‘Sometimes I Think About Dying’ Keeps the Popcorn in the Bucket
Rachel Lambert’s sensitive and observant comedy drama Sometimes I Think About Dying isn’t a film that will turn popcorn into projectiles.
Books
‘Trash Talk’ Doesn’t Get Down and Dirty Enough
Trash Talk is a fun read, but it doesn’t get down and dirty enough to take down racism, sexism, and homophobia in sports’ verbal one-upmanship.
Television
‘Sugar’ Is an Intoxicating Celebration of Classic Hollywood
Crime thriller Sugar, starring Colin Farrell, is an intoxicating celebration of Classic Hollywood that will keep you guessing about what’s really going on.
Interviews
New Transmissions: An Interview with Brainiac’s John Schmersal
With a new book and an upcoming tour, beloved cult band Brainiac are enjoying a resurgence. Lead singer and guitarist John Schmersal discusses this and more.
Lists
The 100 Best Alternative Songs of the 1980s
The best alternative songs of the 1980s span punk, post-punk, new wave, college rock, underground, goth, new romantic, ska, power pop, hardcore, and indie rock.