The Durutti Column’s 1980 debut album—confusingly titled The Return of the Durutti Column—originally came packaged in a sandpaper sleeve, a detail that couldn’t have been more at odds with the music inside. The sandpaper was […]
Joanna Sternberg: I’ve Got Me
Joanna Sternberg’s music often sounds as though they’re performing a one-person show to an audience of plushies and bedroom clutter. They possess a humble loneliness that is utterly without charm, which of course, somehow, makes […]
Grian Chatten: Chaos for the Fly
In concert, Fontaines D.C. singer Grian Chatten cuts a gruff and slightly two-dimensional figure, strutting around stage like Liam Gallagher who has recently lost an argument over child care. His band’s more thoughtful recent album, […]
The Japanese House: In the End It Always Does
In the End It Always Does, Amber Bain’s second album as the Japanese House, strikes a beautiful equilibrium, wedding perceptive writing with bright, buoyant production. Reveling in the raw sting of a breakup, it continues […]
Divide and Dissolve: Systemic
Naarm duo Divide and Dissolve’s Indigenous identities are intrinsic to everything they do. Their name doubles as a call to dismantle hegemonic power structures (or, conversely, an acknowledgment of hegemony’s pernicious effects on Indigenous cultures). […]
Szarr Ignites A Path To Freedom With Recent Single “Reaching for the Sun”
Swiss artist Szarr has made a profound impact with his latest release, “Reaching for the Sun.” Born from his personal struggles in a job that held back his ambitions, the track becomes a vessel for […]
Blue Lake: Sun Arcs
The music of Blue Lake is a solitary journey. Led by the Texas-born, Denmark-based artist Jason Dungan, the instrumental project is characterized by a peaceful, wandering approach that should be familiar to anyone who enjoys […]
Sonny Rollins: Go West!: The Contemporary Records Albums
While touring America as part of Max Roach’s group in early 1957, New York saxophonist Sonny Rollins found himself in California, where he settled into a three-week stint at Los Angeles’ Central Avenue club Jazz […]
Destiny Bond: Be My Vengeance
Formed in 2021 with the goal of picking up where Dag Nasty and Faith left off, Destiny Bond make melodic hardcore that doesn’t sacrifice speed or authenticity. On their debut, Be My Vengeance, the Denver […]
Arthur Russell: Picture of Bunny Rabbit
Like his friend and colleague Julius Eastman, Arthur Russell was an artist with no spiritual homeland. He was a composer who made pop music, an introvert who haunted discos, an Iowa native who was neighbors […]
Young Thug: Business Is Business
A third of the way through Business Is Business, the record Young Thug released with little warning during his 14th month behind bars as he awaits trial following a 56-count RICO indictment in his native […]
Mike Dimes: Texas Boy
On paper, Texas rapper Mike Dimes has the resume of a rising star your teenage cousin won’t stop raving about. A year ago, the former basketball player was balancing a rap career with college, pursuing […]