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.
Pop Past
10 Years Later Demi Lovato’s ‘Unbroken’ Is Still Some of Their Best Work
Even as Unbroken remains some of Demi Lovato’s best work, the artist would come to outgrow the sounds they experimented with on their third album.
How the Beach Boys Went Political in the Early ’70s
For a brief period in the early ’70s, the Beach Boys went political and gained relevance in the tumult of the “Me Decade”. If only it had lasted.
Mariah Carey’s ‘Glitter’ Is One of the Best Dance-Pop Albums of the Last 20 Years
A smart, loving paean to 1980s dance-pop, post-disco, synthpop, and pop-funk, Mariah Carey’s Glitter is a brilliant work of genius released 20 years ago.
Diana Ross’ Grand Pop Comeback with 1991’s ‘The Force Behind the Power’
What The Force Behind the Power did, more than any other album, is re-establish Diana Ross as a major global recording star 30 years ago.
Diana Ross Bid for Independence with ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’ 40 Years Ago
Why Do Fools Fall in Love started Diana Ross’ tenure at RCA with a considerable commercial bang after she left Motown Records in a bid for musical independence.
R.E.M.’s ‘New Adventures in Hi-Fi’ Looks Back While Always Moving Forward
R.E.M.’s New Adventures in Hi-Fi was released 25 years ago and was a deviation for the band. By writing and recording during an arduous tour, they rose to the occasion.
Queen Latifah Declared Her Feminism on ‘Nature of a Sista’ 30 Years Ago
Nature of a Sista’ is an integral part of Queen Latifah’s legacy and influence. It highlights the brilliance, intellectualism, and ambition of a dazzling original.
20 Years of Converge’s Magnum Opus ‘Jane Doe’
Massachusetts metallic hardcore band Converge solidified their legacy with the release of their seminal 2001 album, Jane Doe.
Slipknot Transformed Modern Metal with ‘Iowa’ 20 Years Ago
Slipknot’s boundary-pushing second album Iowa changed the trajectory of heavy music 20 years ago. Its influence rings through many corners of the metal scene.
‘Ten’ at 30: How Pearl Jam’s Iconic Debut Became a Massive Hit
Thirty years on, Pearl Jam’s debut album Ten feels more like a traditional classic rock album than many of its early 1990s peers.