These lists highlight the best in music, film, books, television, and games.
Of all the dozens of artists at FME 2025, a few stood out more than others, many of whom showcased just how strong the Québec music scene is right now.
In September’s best metal, Paradise Lost remain a solid force, Gjendød honor the black metal heritage, and Igorrr continue their avant march.
The future is not a horizon waiting to arrive. It’s already here, scattered across beats, refrains, and voices bold enough to claim it. These futuristic albums will transport you.
With St George flags currently lining the streets of England, it must be time to celebrate the country’s most stylistically diverse and cosmopolitan records.
We have yet to hear a pop song played at a funeral, let alone 25 of them. What’s the last song you want to hear… forever? These funeral songs suit the moment.
Despite a characterization of grunge as “complaining set to a drop-D tuning”, the musicians from the Seattle scene covered a lot of ground. Here are ten highlights.
In August’s best metal, Malthusian focus on death metal, Kayo Dot continue to wander through the cosmos, and Catharsis return in fierce fashion.
With the benefit of hindsight and wanting a bit of nostalgia, PopMatters travel back to the 2000s in search of the decade’s best albums.
The 2025 Newport Folk Festival had so many superb artists to catch, old favorites, rising musicians, and surprise collaborations. Here are a few highlights.
Persona, the “I” of the song, has evolved and expanded to more fully represent a diversity of experiences and emotional, political, and cultural orientations.
In July’s best metal, Dephosphorus look to the stars, Wytch Hazel’s heavy metal anachronism remains delightful, and Hell keep raging with drone/doom malice.
In June’s best metal, Cryptosy reconquer brutal death metal heights, Anfauglir’s symphonic black metal returns, and Hexvessel offer mystique and bleakness.
