Musicians Pay Tribute to Gang of Four on ‘The Problem of Leisure’
Post-punk pioneers Gang of Four get the tribute they deserve on The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four.
PopMatters Picks
James Brandon Lewis and Red Lily Wagon Explore George Washington Carver’s Legacy Through Heartfelt Improvisation
James Brandon Lewis, a highly expressive young saxophonist, explores the meaning of George Washington Carver through a fresh quintet, earthy and free at once.
Dean Blunt Crafts Another Confounding Work of Avant-Indie Weirdness on ‘Black Metal 2’
Slight but rich in tonal complexities, Dean Blunt’s Black Metal 2 is another musical puzzle box from the enigmatic London musician.
Dawn Richard’s ‘Second Line’ Is a Triumphant Tribute to Her Musical Roots
Dawn Richard’s Second Line is a gorgeous record featuring fantastic, strange, esoteric sounds playing with house and club conventions. It’s a pioneering record and easily one of the best of the year.
PM Picks: The Best New Songs – 11 June 2021
The PM Picks playlist features the best new songs. Today, we feature Butterfly Ali, Elina, W.H. Lung, Reliant Tom, and Luna Morgenstern.
Melvin Gibbs Breathes New Life Into Protest Music on ‘4 + 1 Equals 5 for May 25’
Long-time New York jazz sideman Melvin Gibbs breathes new life into protest music on the short but highly potent EP, 4 + 1 Equals 5 for May 25.
Joe Pug’s ‘The Diving Sun:’ A Sublime Dive Into the Deep End
Joe Pug’s latest album, The Diving Sun, is filled with songs of desperate inspiration, marking some of the finest work in the singer-songwriter’s career.
Lorde’s “Solar Power” Is Fresh and Nostalgic at the Same Time
Even if “Solar Power” might be Lorde’s happiest song to date, the track isn’t as vibrant as the name suggests. And that’s exactly why it’s perfect.
Fiddlehead Deliver Hearty Post-Hardcore with ‘Between the Richness’
Fiddlehead’s Between the Richness takes from post-hardcore, punk, and emo and skips the boyish flourishes. Although it could benefit from being longer, it’s precise and vigorous.
PM Picks: The Best New Songs – 10 June 2021
The PM Picks playlist features the best new songs. Today, we feature Dylan Cartlidge, Lenka, Tilda Allie, Beharie, and Ana De Llor.
Brad Mehldau Pushes Forward on ‘Variations on a Melancholy Theme’
The truly great thing about Brad Mehldau’s Variations on a Melancholy Theme is that it rewards casual as well as careful listening.