Latest Reviews

On July 11th, Justin Bieber released his latest album, Swag. I wanted to share a quick appreciation for the track “Daisies” — a song that had me wanting to sing along and learn the melody faster than almost anything I’ve heard.

This incredible lineup of artists has come together on a new track called “Mind Loaded.” Blood Orange is the main creative force here, and as always, he finds inventive ways to bring collaborators into his world. As a group, this collective feels remarkably versatile. Their musicality seems to resonate across different styles and sensibilities, which speaks volumes about their own artistic brilliance.

The Black Keys have just released a new track called “On Repeat” — and yes, I’ve already taken the title literally. I’ve had it looping just to see if something hidden clicks into place.

There was a certain poetry in watching Richard Ashcroft take the stage before Oasis this past Saturday. It served as a reminder of when the two forces last shared a bill back in 1997 at Earls Court, during the height of the Britpop era. Nearly three decades later, Ashcroft returned as the perfect support act for Oasis’s much-anticipated UK stadium tour, and not just for reasons of nostalgia.

It finally happened. Oasis, together again in Manchester, and somehow, they sounded better than ever.

After a series of breakups and reunions, Wednesday is back with big news: a new album is on the way. In the meantime, they've gifted us two new tracks — one of them being Elderberry Wine. It’s a pretty song, to the point of almost feeling indulgent. But there’s something in the gently twanging guitars and Katy’s tender vocals that makes it undeniably captivating.

Hayden Pedigo is an artist worth appreciating, not just as a musician, but as a character. Besides being a Gucci model and once mockingly running for city council, he has a flair for the eccentric. One of his music videos parodies those awkward old DVD guitar tutorials. And when he’s not dressed like an exaggerated cartoon cowboy, he exudes a nerdy, clumsy charm, a kind of cowboy-ish Michael Cera.

There’s nothing particularly unusual or strikingly different about Sinister Grift compared to Panda Bear’s previous releases. And yet, I’ve found myself returning to this album several times, even after I had all the notes I needed for this piece. I mention this because, despite my love for Animal Collective, Panda Bear’s solo work has always been something of a hard pill for me.

Published in 2004, Madvillainy quickly became one of the most anticipated and revered albums in underground rap history. Its legend only grew after early demos leaked ahead of the official release, igniting a wave of speculation and anxiety among fans. With two of the most iconic figures in underground hip-hop at the helm—Madlib and MF DOOM—the album’s mythos has only deepened over the years.

For years, fans—and Bruce himself—have whispered about the existence of unreleased material. Hopes ran especially high after the first installment of Tracks in 1988, which featured a staggering 66 songs: B-sides, alternate takes, and long-shelved recordings. Thirty-five years later, Tracks II has finally arrived, and it’s even bigger, boasting 82 tracks. But this time, the difference is striking—not just scattered outtakes, but entire unreleased albums finally seeing the light of day.