J. Smith [
Kris Baha and the EBM Revival
As a DJ and an artist, Kris Baha picks up on the most ideologically charged 1980s electronic dance music and introduces it to a new and growingly voracious audience.
Sjöblom's 'Palimpsest' Is Visually Unlike Most Graphic Memoirs
The title of Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom's graphic memoir, Palimpsest, is an excellent metaphor for adoption generally and especially the literally erased and rewritten documents that define many Korean adoptions. But it is also a visual metaphor.
This Is Why the Right Is Winning the Internet
Could it be that the internet and social media is innately in sync with conservative, right-wing ideology? On Jen Schradie's The Revolution That Wasn't.
Jazz, Soul, and a Whole Lot More with the Souljazz Orchestra
The Souljazz Orchestra confront current political realities with a mix of reggae, ska, disco, and punk -- plus some jazz and soul, of course -- on Chaos Theories.
Stereolab Reissue Their Classics: 'Emperor Tomato Ketchup'
Now is the perfect time to reacquaint -- or acquaint -- yourself with Stereolab's landmark 1996 album, Emperor Tomato Ketchup.
With 'Cape Disappointment' Aaron Semer Shows Why He Is the Singer-Songwriter We All Need
Americana/folk artist, Aaron Semer's second solo album, Cape Disappointment, is a blunt, direct work on living and loving in our turbulent times.
Delush Reminds Us to Appreciate the Good Times on "The Greatest Gift" (premiere)
Joined by soul singer Tolü Makay, delush's latest track, "The Greatest Gift", is a tender and emotional reminder of the importance of self-worth.
Noise Rock's Buildings Urge You to "Sit With It" (premiere)
Minneapolis noise rock band, Buildings return with a new album and a new cut that speaks to the frustrations we face every day. Buildings make boredom sound (almost) fun on "Sit With It".
Face: A Visual Odyssey (By the Book)
By turns alarming and awe-inspiring, Jessica Helfand's Face: A Visual Odyssey offers an elaborately illustrated A to Z—from the didactic anthropometry of the late 19th century to the selfie-obsessed zeitgeist of the 21st. Enjoy this excerpt of Face, courtesy of MIT Press.
On Steve Almond's Feeling-Fueled Rant on John Williams' 'Stoner'
Sink into the metatextual delights of a touchstone ranting about his own touchstone with Steve Almond's Stoner and the Battle for the Inner Life.
"It's OK to Not Be OK": An Unflinching Interview with Colin Dieden Formerly of the Mowgli's
Once of the Mowgli's, Colin Dieden's new Little Hurt project is unflinching in its rawness. "I used to think that meeting sadness head-on with happy songs was how I was going to move through it, but one day that stopped feeling honest to me."
'Morning Glory on the Vine' and Joni Mitchell's Amalgam of Craft
Joni Mitchell's latest book denotes the next step in the Joni evolution, and indicates that perhaps those different languages for her—of visual art, poetry, and music—will finally be held in equal regard.
Quiet Desires in Allison Anders' 'Gas Food Lodging'
Allison Anders' Gas Food Lodging gives us such compelling characters that we cannot help but sit and observe them.
'Cheap Queen' Establishes King Princess' Talent
Cheap Queen undoubtedly establishes King Princess' talent, but it encounters issues with contrived affectations and productions that show less experimentation than seen on previous singles.
With a New Covers Project, Juliana Hatfield Sets Her Sights on the Police
Continuing her take on artist-themed covers albums, Juliana Hatfield takes a stab at the Police songbook, with unique, marvelous results.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Paint a Portrait of a Grieving Parent on 'Ghosteen'
The anguish a parent feels for losing their child is harrowing and Ghosteen masterfully captures Nick Cave's grief and spiraling rumination on mortality.
William E. Connolly on the Indifference of the World to Human Endeavor
In Climate Machines, Fascist Drives, and Truth, political theorist William E. Connolly explores how our assumption that the world is made for us has led us into a dangerous complacency.
Kapil Seshasayee Addresses Bollywood Misogyny with "The Item Girl" (premiere)
Art-rocker Kapil Seshasayee takes on a sexist Bollywood trope with musical skill and visual pathos in "The Item Girl".
Brooklyn Funk Essentials Go Space Age on "Funk Ain't Ova" (premiere)
Brooklyn Funk Essentials take partying to intergalactic levels in a video both space-age and retro for "Funk Ain't Ova".
'The Night Stalker' Crept Through the 1970s Constraints of Made for TV Film
In the '70s there was something sinister sneaking into suburban homes between the sitcom and the 11 o'clock news where the real horrors played out. The made for TV horror film The Night Stalker would be among the best.
"You Can Have It All": Ariel Pink on His Odds & Sods
Los Angeles pop weirdo Ariel Pink looks back at two early records freshly reissued by Mexican Summer and discusses his new Odditties Sodomies Vol. 2 rarities collection.
Hip-Hop Legend Kurtis Blow: The Interview
A timeless artist and hip-hop legend, Kurtis Blow blazed the trail for early hip-hop artists and continues to carry the torch for hip-hop music in new arenas.
Pop Meets Soul Meets Experimentation in Sequoyah Murray's Debut
Atlanta's Sequoyah Murray has delivered one of the best albums of 2019 with his extraordinary debut Before You Begin.
Beats, Glitches and Melody: Oval's 'Eksploio' Is a Rich, Modern Treat for the Ears
Electronic musician Markus Popp continues to make warm, creative and adventurous electronic music under the Oval moniker with his new EP, Eksploio.
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