Fatoumata Diawara Creates Inspiring Pop on ‘Massa’
Fatoumata Diawara is a charismatic performer whose skill set has extraordinary breadth and depth, and Massa is her fullest demonstration of it thus far.
Music Reviews
Alden Hellmuth Excels on Her Astonishing New Album
Alden Hellmuth is both blazing trails and paying tribute to the past, resulting in what may very well be the finest jazz album of the year so far.
Mortiis’ ‘Ghosts of Europa’ Has So Many Addictive Hooks
Mortiis’ synthpop on his new LP pushes back against the industrial past. He is resurrecting an element that defined his most glorious dungeon-synth days.
“Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey Is Restored to Full Glory
Ma Rainey’s Mother of the Blues: The Complete Paramount Recordings 1923-1928 is a treasure trove that fully lives up to both of Rainey’s famous sobriquets.
Panda Bear and Sonic Boom Create Immersive Neo-Psychedelia
What feels missing from Panda Bear’s new LP is a greater willingness to let carefully chosen timbres lead to equally adventurous harmonic or structural destinations.
Olaf Rupp’s Latest Adventure in Avant-Garde Solo Guitar
Olaf Rupp’s Fuzzy Logic is yet another fascinating release in the Palilalia Records catalog, and his work here is impressive and deeply satisfying.
Xiu Xiu Successfully Evoke a David Lynchian Cinematic World
Eraserhead Xiu Xiu succeeds brilliantly as an evocation of David Lynch’s cinematic world, while proving less convincing as a recording intended to stand on its own.
Ryan Beatty Refines a Musical Language on ‘Sweet Fortune’
Country music may go in and out of style, but on Sweet Fortune, Ryan Beatty employs songwriting foundations that transcend genre.
Grey DeLisle and Les Greene Join Forces for ‘Grey & Greene’
Grey DeLisle and Les Greene create one of her most immediately exciting works, and the genre-crossing keeps it entertaining throughout.
The Rolling Stones Speak in ‘Foreign Tongues’
Foreign Tongues may please some Rolling Stones fans, as the individual members share inspired moments. One can hear their earnestness and desire to please.
Steven Bernstein Releases Brilliant Twin Albums
For all the amazing horn playing that we finally hear from Steven Bernstein these two records remind us that he remains daring and highly conceptual.
’68’s ‘They Are Survived’ Is the Sound of Two Against the End
For 13 years, ’68 made noise rock that was, essentially, about how life-affirming it is to make songs. With They Are Survived, they say goodbye at full volume.