Mika Delivers Undeniably Catchy Hooks on 'My Name Is Michael Holbrook'
Mika's My Name Is Michael Holbrook contains some of his sharpest lyrical conceits and catchiest hooks, but is often undercut by its too-glossy production.
17h
Music
Lindstrøm's 'On a Clear Day I Can See You Forever' Free Floats Clear of Place and Time
Each listen of Lindstrøm's On a Clear Day I Can See You Forever reveals a fresh, sensory experience. Each track provides the soundtrack to whatever new feeling, memory, or experience you want.
18h
Wilco Builds 'Ode to Joy' on Durable Structures Worthy of Focus
Wilco's Ode to Joy shows a band invigorated by studio flourishes and unexpected complications.
18h
PopMatters Seeks Music Critics and Essayists
If you're a smart, historically-minded music critic or essayist, let your voice be heard by the quality readership that you deserve.
07 October
Rebelling Against the Rebellion: British Punk's Second Coming
Louder, faster, angrier, and harder than punk had every sounded, second wave punk in 1979 Britain kept the core instrumental ingredients but used and produced them in ways that boiled off any subtleties or sophistication.
10s
New Order in Berlin: Timeless and Timely
In Berlin, dance-rock legends New Order prove once again why their music draws attention nearly 40 years on.
16h
Andrea von Kampen Crafts Reflective, Picturesque Folk on 'Twilight & Evening Bell' (EP stream) (premiere)
Singer-songwriter Andrea von Kampen's new EP, Twilight & Evening Bell, regales in traditional folk melodies that draw naturalistic pictures.
16h
John Salaway Celebrates "The Beauty That Surrounds Us" (premiere)
Keeping in mind classic folk sounds of the '60s and '70s while marching straight into the future, Nashville's John Salaway impresses on "The Beauty That Surrounds Us" from Americana Dreams.
17h
Deep Tan Amplify the Groove on New Single "Shimmer" (premiere)
London's deep tan further their distinctive electropop/alt-pop sound on new single, "Shimmer". Fans of Foals, the XX, Maribou State, and Beach House listen up.
20h
Signe Marie Rustad Finds Companionship In "A Thousand Lights" (premiere + interview)
Norwegian-American Signe Marie Rustad gazes into the lights of Oslo and finds hope after a long streak of writer's block. The result: "In a Thousand Lights", premiered with this interview.
Jedd Beaudoin
Mixed Media
14 October
'Closer Than Together' Is Up and Down for the Avett Brothers
The good outweighs the not so good on the Avett Brothers' Closer Than Together, but not by a lot. Is it time for producer Rick Rubin to move on?
14 October
Boris's 'LφVE & EVφL' Rolls You within Its Slow, Tumultuous Dreamscape
New Boris album LφVE & EVφL is heavy, dreamy, and constantly in slow motion.
14 October
Daedelus Concludes His 'End of Empire' Trilogy in Exquisite Fashion with 'The Bittereinders'
By abstracting the sounds and ideas of his earlier work, electronic/hip-hop producer Daedelus has created one of his most challenging works to date with The Bittereinders.
14 October
Chicago Artist Emily Blue Unveils "17", Merging Electropop and Hair Metal Ahead of Collaborative Tour (premiere + interview)
Chicago avant-pop artist Emily Blue merges electropop and hair metal into a synergy that sounds like they were destined to become entwined.
14 October
The Drunken Hearts Roll Up Their Sleeves for Wild Ride on 'Wheels of the City' (premiere + interview)
After stirring up a blend of bluegrass, outlaw country and hardscrabble Americana at their Denver-based outpost, the Drunken Hearts go for broke on Wheels of the City and discover more daring influences on the way to their desired destination.
14 October
Nobody's Girl Sparks New Life into Old Classic, "Merry Christmas, Baby" (premiere)
Austin trio Nobody's Girl gives a freewheeling, late night holiday party atmosphere to the holiday classic, "Merry Christmas, Baby".
Jedd Beaudoin
Music
14 October
Ethio-jazz's Anbessa Orchestra Aim For a Better Day on "Tch'elema" (premiere)
Urgent new track "Tch'elema" sees Brooklyn's Anbessa Orchestra expressing a chaotic moment through Ethio-jazz sounds.
14 October
Bobby Hawk Keeps It Simple on "Salt and Liquor" (premiere)
Americana artist, Bobby Hawk's "Salt and Liquor" is a sprawling reflection featuring "ten thousand violins and a tuned down guitar in an Irish pub as big as the Grand Canyon".
14 October
Broke Royals Have an Encounter With "Saint Luxury" (premiere)
Washington DC's Broke Royals return with another hook-laden slice of arena-ready pop, "Saint Luxury". "So often, the people promising answers are just trying to sell you something or make a power grab."
14 October
The 10 Best Indie Pop Albums of 2009
Indie pop in 2009 was about all young energy and autumnal melancholy, about the rush you feel when you first hear an exciting new band, and the bittersweet feeling you get when your favorite band calls it quits.
11 October
Only Connect: An Interview With Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia
Italian gothic metal outfit, Lacuna Coil return with their ninth and heaviest album to date. Co-lead vocalist Cristina Scabbia reflects on the album's inspirations: "This record is basically us saying that it is OK not to be OK."
Jedd Beaudoin
Music
11 October
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: Souvenir [40th Anniversary Box Set]
British synthpop pioneers, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark mark 40 great years with a singles collection and vault-emptying box set.
11 October
DIIV's 'Deceiver' Is a Marked Change From Their Established Brand of Shoegaze
Expanding their sound and lyrical intensity, DIIV feel heavier and darker on their third album, Deceiver.
11 October
Darrin Bradbury Finds the Connections Between 'Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs'
For 26 minutes, folk's Darrin Bradbury creatively mines the preposterous to show the benefits of mentally coping with life's problems. Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs provides a kind of talk therapy for our collective disorders.
11 October
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