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.
pop rock
Kerrin Connolly Swings for the Fences on Brilliant LP
Kerrin Connolly has stepped up her game, with smart, sophisticated arrangements and an arsenal of pop songs that are a quantum leap from earlier music.
Col Gerrard’s Debut Grasps for Clarity Amidst Miscommunication
Col Gerrard rejuvenates 1990s and early 2000s pop-rock on his debut album, and the London-based musician muses tenderly on the mishaps of a love-filled life.
The Beatles Transformed with a Little Help From Their Friends
This music is a testament to the pleasures of pop, where the Beatles’ peerless melodies shine through in every number, making for very entertaining listening.
Thomas Raggi Rocks Out with ‘Masquerade’
Rebellion, the fuel that raises any artist from amateur to professional, is on full display for all the world to witness on Thomas Raggi’s new album.
Elton John’s Best Album ‘Captain Fantastic’ Is 50
A well-curated reissue celebrates Elton John’s best album, Captain Fantastic, a half-century after its release.
Fame Is the New Muse of 5 Seconds of Summer
5 Seconds of Summer add a new dimension to their reliable pop-punk formula by analyzing their own fame on Everyone’s a Star.
Twen Create One of 2025’s Best Rock Albums
Melding late 1960s and early 2000s pop/rock, Twen slide under the wire with one of 2025’s finest rock records, Fate Euphoric.
Gen X’s Nostalgia for 1980s Music Is a Memory Problem
Gen X nostalgia for 1980s music like Starship’s “We Built This City” and Toto’s “Africa” is built on old forgotten words and ancient melodies – and faulty memory.
Naked Eyes’ 1983 Debut Delivers Sincerity in an Ironic World
Naked Eyes’ 1983 debut, Burning Bridges, is a good album for reflecting on our ironic modern world, as it can’t help but wax nostalgic for the sincerity of the past.
Lindsay Ell Reinvents Herself in Nashville’s Risky Business
Lindsay Ell was chosen as one of the “Next Women in Country” in 2014, but she has other ambitions and questions to explore after making her new EP.
Charlie Kaplan Wrings a Masterpiece Out of Love, Pain, and Loss
Charlie Kaplan has always been a master of creating the perfect arrangement around his engaging, deeply felt compositions, but this time around, he’s at his absolute peak.