The Beating Heart of Yo La Tengo’s Discography Turns 25
A quarter of a decade later, Yo La Tengo’s game-changing genre-bender continues to invite listeners into its cozy little corner of the world.
All Things Reconsidered
Amadou & Mariam’s 10-Year-Old ‘Folila’ Has Always Been a Masterpiece
In collaborating with hip indie acts, Amadou & Mariam met with critical rebuke. Ten years on, Folila is a masterpiece that bridges the gap between two sonic worlds.
Excavating Sleater-Kinney’s ‘Dig Me Out’ on Its 25th Anniversary
Sleater-Kinney’s Dig Me Out proved the third time’s the charm, as it took them from coffee houses and record shops to packed houses across the country.
30 Years Ago Annie Lennox Created a Pop-Soul Classic with Debut LP ‘Diva’
Thirty years ago, Annie Lennox’s Diva set a new standard for blue-eyed soul because she approached the style with depth, understanding, humility, and respect.
30 Years Ago Wynonna Found Her Voice and Sound on Her Self-Titled Debut
Wynonna captured country star Wynonna Judd’s specific brilliance wonderfully, so it’s no wonder she once called the debut solo EP her favorite.
Suzanne Vega’s Minimalist Masterwork ‘Solitude Standing’ Turns 35
Thirty-five years after its premiere, Suzanne Vega’s literate, minimalist gem Solitude Standing is fresh and worth revisiting. It’s essential work from one of popular music’s most gifted artists.
When Nerd Rock Explored Outer Space: They Might Be Giants’ ‘Apollo 18’ at 30
Thirty years on, They Might Be Giants Apollo 18 prevails as an eclectically nerdy collage of accordion ballads, college-rock anthems, and found soundbites.
Ending Monoculture: Céline Dion’s ‘A New Day Has Come’ at 20
Céline Dion’s quintessential A New Day Has Come presents an interesting transition from the era of ’90s superstar divas to something more fractured and niched.
The Dark Parts: Perfume Genius’ ‘Put Your Back N 2 It’ at 10
Perfume Genius’ 2012 album Put Your Back N 2 It offers a bleak yet comforting unpacking of sexual identity, addiction, physical abuse, and family trauma.
10 Years Later Has Katy Perry’s ‘Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection’ Outlived Its Shelf-Life?
Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection was the ultimate blend of pop culture and capitalism—that is until she woke up from the dream.
10 Years Later, Odd Future’s ‘The OF Tape Vol.2’ Is a Cringeworthy, Captivating Curiosity
Over a decade after Odd Future permanently altered the rap landscape, the group’s gleefully offensive debut shines in certain places and falters in others.