Universal Songs? Interpreting Stevie Wonder’s ‘Songs in the Key of Life’
Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life is 45 years old. It’s a towering masterpiece in the histories of soul, pop, American music, and Black music worldwide.
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When Golden Age TV Films Screamed About Gender Roles
In these three restored Gothic films from Kino Lorber, gender roles and their social undertones feed into the template of paranoid thrillers.
The Near-Death Inspiration Behind Yann Tiersen’s Life-Affirming New Work
“It’s really simple,” Yann Tiersen explains. “There is no inspiration out of [the location], there is no deeper meaning than to just juxtapose music and places.”
Marvel’s ‘WandaVision’ Echos Our Lasting Pandemic Grief
Addressing pandemic-induced topics such as loss, grief, and mental illness, Marvel’s ‘WandaVision’ serves as a metaphor for life in the time of COVID.
How the Post-Britpop Era Influenced Saint Etienne’s New Album
Saint Etienne’s Bob Stanley talks about their new LP I’ve Been Trying to Tell You, vaporwave, and how to be cool in your middle age.
Simone de Beauvoir’s ‘Inseparable’ Resonates in Our Times
Simone de Beauvoir’s Inseparable reveals the devastating consequences of succumbing to conventions at the expense of one’s own autonomy and well-being.
The 15 Best Judas Priest Songs
Presenting the 15 best songs by Judas Priest, expanded from the original idea of ten choices simply because the band’s legacy is too important.
The Lasting Legacy of Weezer’s Now-Beloved Commercial Flop ‘Pinkerton’
Weezer’s Pinkerton was released 25 years ago today and it was a critical and commercial flop. But in the intervening years, it’s become a beloved emo rock classic.
Janet Jackson Attempted a Restart with ’20 Y.O.’ 15 Years Ago
Janet Jackson’s 20 Y.O. became emblematic of the excesses of sexism, misogyny, and racism when looking at the reach of powerful, successful white men.
The Big Sky Sound of Mercy Bell an Unlikely Outlaw
Country music’s Mercy Bell talks about finding a home in Nashville, the need for queer and nonwhite perspectives, and the transformative power of storytelling.
The Effect of the Beatles’ White Album on 1988-1995’s US Alt-Rock Explosion
The Beatles’ White Album was the single biggest influence on US alternative rock as it burst into the mainstream in the late ’80s and early ’90s.