Cher Predicted Her Comeback with the Underrated ‘It’s a Man’s World’
‘It’s a Man’s World’ is one of the least characteristically Cher albums in the singer’s discography in that it’s surprisingly restrained and subtle.
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Spice Girls Looked to ‘Forever’ to Extend Their Pop Dominance
Forever was released in 2000 and saw the Spice Girls – Mel B, Emma Bunton, Melanie C, and Victoria Beckham – enter the new millennium on shaky ground.
Ruthie Foster Sings to the Choir and with Them on ‘Healing Time’
The desire for personal love, secular community, and religious redemption make for a powerful package on Ruthie Foster’s Healing Time.
Meghan Trainor Looks Back and Forth with ‘Takin’ It Back’
When Meghan Trainor digs deeper into her pool of talent to write something more substantial, the results are stunning and give us a glimpse of what she can do.
Parliament’s Peak: ‘Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome’ Turns 45
The climactic album in Parliament’s space opera about Starchild, Dr. Funkenstein, and Sir Nose d’Voidoffunk, Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome, remains their best work.
British Jazz Artists Offer Takes on Blue Note Catalog with ‘Blue Note Re:imagined II’
Blue Note Re:imagined II 2022 showcases a diverse cast of young British soul, R&B, and jazz artists drawing inspiration from past masterworks.
Pushin’ a Rock: Catching Up with John Oates of Hall & Oates
John Oates of Hall & Oates talks about “Pushin’ a Rock” and his other new music, men’s health charity work with Movember, and the film Gringa
Bruce Springsteen Goes Soul Searching on ‘Only the Strong Survive’
On Only the Strong Survive, Bruce Springsteen places his voice front and center, and his love for this timeless, joyous soul music is jubilant and infectious.
The Pinnacle of Soul: Al Green’s ‘I’m Still in Love With You’ at 50
Al Green in his prime was the greatest soul singer alive. He released I’m Still in Love with You 50 years ago in the middle of his trifecta of soul perfection.
Blond Contrition: Madonna’s Musical Response to the 1990s Culture Wars
Both Erotica and Bedtime Stories represent critical periods in Madonna’s career. They were autumn releases and saw Madonna recalibrating her career in the face of rampant criticism.
Charlotte Dos Santos Unfurls Her Wings on the Exquisite ‘Morfo’
Morfo is an amplification of everything making Charlotte Dos Santos an entrancing artist: gossamer voice, luscious atmosphere, and a pervasive sense of wonder.
Janet Jackson Created a Queer Pop Classic with ‘The Velvet Rope’ 25 Years ago
By evoking disco and queer dance culture, Janet Jackson subverted her grief over AIDS deaths by turning it into pop joy on The Velvet Rope 25 years ago.
