The Earliest Days of Talking Heads Are a Revelation
A new Talking Heads compilation acts like a scrapbook, looking at their early years as a trio before they exploded onto the New York scene and around the world.
post-punk
Ora Cogan Is a ‘Hard Hearted Woman’
With Hard Hearted Woman, Ora Cogan showcases that, in a patriarchal world, you have to be literally and figuratively ready to fight, body and soul.
Leisure Process Deliver Treasure From the Vaults
Skittering post-disco rhythms, slap-bass riffs, synth-lines, the ebbs and flows of sax, and declamatory soaring vocals make up the sound of post-punk’s Leisure Process.
‘The Return of the Durutti Column’ Is Long Overdue
Listening to The Return of the Durutti Column is like being given the key to a world that, while not as secret as before, is well worth exploring.
Slow Crush’s ‘Thirst’ Proves They Are Aptly Named
Slow Crush’s Thirst has scattered interesting musical moments, but much of it is buried under constant guitar noise and not enough melody.
SPRINTS’ New LP ‘Swimming’ Reaches for the Stars
SPRINTS remain emotive but more polished and reflective, questioning rather than acting—though often admitting defeat as the songs grow louder.
Shudder to Think – “Thirst Walk”/”Playback”
Shudder to Think pick up where they left off with two new singles.
Snooper Find Form and Focus on ‘Worldwide’
On Worldwide, Nashville egg-punks Snooper hatch from chaotic oddity into a fully realized band, channeling frenzy into sharp, urgent songs.
Nation of Language Create a ‘Dance Called Memory’
Dance Called Memory is something of a pivotal album in its own modest way. It’s Nation of Language’s most introspective and darkest record.
The Pale Fountains Practically Invented Twee Pop
For the Pale Fountains, The Complete Virgin Years is evidence of a group that had more ideas than two studio albums would allow. A few of those ideas were sublime.
The Sick Man of Europe’s Music Is Succour for the Soul
The Sick Man of Europe highlights the adverse effects of complicity in the digital age, resulting in a Kafkaesque nightmare; this record serves as a clarion call.
Music/Feature Sub Head/Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Music Features/Music Reviews/PopMatters Picks/Reviews
The B-52’s Created Some of the Finest Queer Pop Music
The B-52’s often get relegated as a “party-pop” outfit, but their subversive legacy runs deeper and stranger than any casual fan would know.