The Ferocious Beauty of Cowboy Junkies
In processing the final years and passing of this family band’s father, Cowboy Junkies return with a heart-wrenching exploration of grief (set to a beat).
folk rock
Soulful Americana Duo Fox and Bones Build Their “House By the River” (premiere)
Portland Americana group Fox and Bones take a turn into textured indie rock with their soulful new single, “House by the River”.
Del Barber Understands the Value of Having an ‘Almanac’
Del Barber’s sense of humor and wordplay reveals how well-crafted his material is. His willingness to be funny shows his confidence in sensitive topics.
In the Aeroplane Over the Meme with Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel’s ambiguous 1988 album, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, suffered a memeified atrocity. But the tides of public opinion rise and fall, and memes come and go.
Laura Nyro’s Springtime Gem ‘Nested’ at 45
Recorded while pregnant with her only child, Laura Nyro’s Nested is an unabashedly feminist and feminine work of laid-back, springtime bliss.
Is Ryan Adams’ Music Redeemable?
Whether one will still listen to the work of a musician who has done egregious harm to others is a personal choice. I still listen to Ryan Adams because “Desire” from Demolition is a stirring song I need to hear.
The Resistant Joy of Boygenius Rocks ‘The Record’
The sound of joy as resistance on Boygenius’ The Record is as radical a statement as London Calling or Nevermind. It’s one of the more significant statements of our time.
Fruit Bats Rest Easy on ‘A River Running to Your Heart’
At their best, Fruit Bats tap into the SoCal world and song tradition of Joni Mitchell, Aimee Mann, and Warren Zevon. This LP has a few of these moments.
Angel Olsen’s EP ‘Forever Means’ Provides a Coda for ‘Big Time’
Angel Olsen’s Forever Means reaffirms her rising status as a worthy successor to esteemed figures like Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, and Iris DeMent.
A Lost Revolution? 35 Years of ‘Tracy Chapman’
Today’s world needs a revolution. If Tracy Chapman teaches us anything, it’s that we need fundamental change to reckon with the issues she writes about.
Boygenius Celebrate Art, Friendship, and Creative Chemistry on ‘The Record’
Democratically curated and enthusiastic, Boygenius’ The Record is a testimony to friendship, the power of aesthetic commonality, and the magic of teamwork.
Nickel Creek Repeat Themselves Anew on ‘Celebrants’
Celebrants finds Nickel Creek returning after nearly a decade. Sean and Sara Watkins tell PopMatters about finding creativity in repetition and their ambitious new album.
