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The 50 Best Albums of 2019 So Far

As we head into a brief summer publication break to enjoy the summer sun for a few days, it's the perfect time to take stock of the year in music so far. PopMatters returns to our normal publishing schedule on Monday, 8 July.

Music

The National's 'I Am Easy to Find' Is a Tangle of Beautiful, Messy Humanity

The National's eighth album is not as easy to locate or to live with, as its title suggests, but it contains passages of sublime beauty and grace.

Music

The National Preview New Record During "Special Evening"

Inspired by their collaboration on Mike Mills' film I'm Still Here, the National are releasing I Am Easy to Find in May.

Events

2018 ACL Music Festival Recap – Friday, Weekend Two

Young bands like Alvvays and Hozier get their chance to shine at ACL, but it's legends like David Byrne and Paul McCartney who dazzle the most.

Music

Lollapalooza Berlin Day 1: The Weeknd Gives a Phenomenal Performance, David Guetta Conquers an Entire Stadium

The fourth installment of what is now Germany's biggest music festival, Lollapalooza Berlin, kicks off with fireworks and in great spirits, with loads of great pop performances.

Music

Lollapalooza Berlin Is Ready for the Big Leagues

In its fourth year since inception, the first festival to mark Lollapalooza's expansion in Europe is big enough to be placed among the greatest events on the Old continent.

Music

The Roots Pack Gramercy Theatre with Special Guests for Jam

After the National's Citi Sound Vault show, I caught one of the Root' tremendous nights of special jams.

Reviews

The Best Indie Rock of 2017

The indie rock genre is wide and unwieldy, but the musicians selected here share an awareness of one's place on the cultural-historical timeline.

Music

The National - "The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness" (Singles Going Steady)

The National 2.0 have been given a slightly modern makeover but have managed to make it sound like a natural progression

Music

Bob Weir: Blue Mountain

A Grateful Dead founding member collaborates beautifully with Josh Ritter and the National on his first album of all original material in 30 years.

Music

Panorama Offers Social Commentary From Kendrick Lamar and New Songs From the National

Stellar sets from the Julie Ruin, Foals, Kendrick Lamar, the National and more made for an exciting second day of the inaugural Panorama Music Festival.

Music

Frightened Rabbit: Painting of a Panic Attack

Painting of a Panic Attack is Frightened Rabbit dressed up as the National for Halloween. It’s a nice change, but still very much the band fans have come to love.

Music

EL VY: Return to the Moon

EL VY aim to be more than a side project, but this relaxed collection of songs falls frustratingly short of that goal.

Music

Big Ears 2015 Was a Festival for Serious Artists and Listeners

From 27-29 March, Knoxville, Tennessee music fans were treated to a world of daring and avant-garde music at the latest installment of the Big Ears festival.

A Noah Harrison

Reviews

Heaven Don't Call Me Home: An Interview With the Lone Bellow

Rewriting the rules of Americana, the Lone Bellow are ready for their mainstream moment, working with Aaron Dessner of the National and releasing one of 2015's most anticipated albums.

Annie Galvin

Music

The 100 Best Albums of the 2000s: 20-1

These top 20 records of the '00s feature some familiar faces, but also several that, over time, have grown more fondly in memory.

Music

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The 50 Best Albums of 2019 So Far

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