Nicole Saphos Rocks With Determination
Nicole Saphos’ music grapples with heavy emotions and the buzz of nostalgia, yet never seems derivative. Her songs are fresh, unique, and able to walk through fire.
alternative pop
Britpop Pioneers Squeeze Bring Out the Fun on ‘Trixies’
Squeeze were always ambitious, although never at the expense of fun. Trixies is imaginative, impressive, and most importantly, fun.
The Red Universe of Mari Jasca: Song, Circus, and Soul
Brazilian singer-songwriter and circus performer Mari Jasca is a lover of the Latin American song ideal. She discusses her musical inspirations and songwriting.
Charli XCX Brilliantly Channels Kate Bush and Emily Brontë
Kate Bush and Charli XCX, in their own ways, challenge the vernacular of contemporary songcraft, a commitment that paid off for both women.
Jenny on Holiday’s ‘Quicksand Heart’ Is As Good As Pop Gets
Let’s Eat Grandma’s Jenny on Holiday captures love’s emotions on an intimate, confessional record wrapped in a glossy, pretty synthpop package.
Georgia Knight Is Caught in Desire
What makes Georgia Knight stand out lies in the trip-hop-laced numbers, wherein pulsive and gothic loops are set against breathy vocals and diaristic lyrics.
The Complete Oral History of Caravan Palace’s <|°_°|>
Ten years ago, electro swingers Caravan Palace released a masterpiece that defied even their own fans. <|°_°|> (Robot Face) is what their legacy hangs on.
The Ruen Brothers Keep It Dark on ‘Awooo’
While nothing on the Ruen Brothers’ Awooo sounds explicitly like bluegrass, it’s infused with a dark mood that could clearly have been influenced by Appalachia.
No One Is Crushed in Water From Your Eyes’ Beautiful World
Water From Your Eyes captivate with genre-defying songs sculpted in a utopian sci-fi vein that envision a more hopeful universe.
Audrey Hobert IS a Pop Star on Her Astonishing Debut
Audrey Hobert’s loosely autobiographical, offbeat pop on Who’s the Clown? sets the tone for a new generation of mainstream music.
U.S. Girls Merge the Geography of Sound and Soul
On Scratch It, U.S. Girls experiment with the sonic topography of Nashville to further explore the emotional landscape of vulnerability and materiality.
Julian Cubillos Unleashes Warm, Lo-Fi Bedroom Pop
Julian Cubillos’ new self-titled album finds him working on a slightly smaller scale, yet with compositions and melodies that are bright, complex, and intelligent.