PopMatters
216 articles
Liz Phair's Powerful Timidity » PopMatters
Liz Phair creates art by transforming her personal failures and flaws into meaningful relics and sh…
Harry Styles Is Surprisingly Subdued on ‘All the Time’ » PopMatters
Harry Styles explores a more subdued, introspective sound on ‘All the Time’ as he moves away from t…
Pick a Piper's ‘Dandelion’ Is Rich and Rewarding » PopMatters
Pick a Piper's album ‘Dandelion’ offers a poignant reflection on themes of love and renewal. The al…
Sun Ra Arkestra Deliver Medicine for a Nightmare » PopMatters
The Sun Ra Arkestra, a pioneering cosmic jazz ensemble, continues to be one of the most enduring an…
Pat Kelly Creates Another Low-Key Folk Gem » PopMatters
Pat Kelly delivers another collection of low-key folk songs that showcase his distinctive understat…
Tedeschi Trucks Band Shake Things Up with “Future Soul” » PopMatters
Derek Trucks discusses the new Tedeschi Trucks Band album and the unique dynamics of leading a 12-p…
Melissa Auf der Maur’s Memoir Mirrors 1990s Rock Attitude and Excess
Melissa Auf der Maur, bassist for iconic 90s alternative rock bands Hole and Smashing Pumpkins, has…
Gorillaz's ‘The Mountain’ Is a Shining Ode to Life and Loss » PopMatters
Gorillaz's new release ‘The Mountain’ presents a cinematic exploration of life's profound moments w…
Barry Can't Swim's ‘Late Night Tales’ Shows Off His Great Taste » PopMatters
Barry Can't Swim curates a ‘Late Night Tales’ compilation that demonstrates his excellent taste and…
Saxophonist Walter Smith III Presents His Soulful Trio Voice » PopMatters
Walter Smith III leads an exceptional jazz trio that demonstrates a strong commitment to playing as…
Nate Mendelsohn's Market Keeps Making It Weird » PopMatters
Nate Mendelsohn's musical project Market showcases an eclectic and beautifully bizarre style that r…
John Pizzarelli Discusses His Tribute to Tony Bennett » PopMatters
John Pizzarelli, son of legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, discusses his tribute to Tony Bennett…
Ora Cogan Is a ‘Hard Hearted Woman’ » PopMatters
Ora Cogan's album ‘Hard Hearted Woman’ explores themes of resilience and resistance in a patriarcha…
Fabiano do Nascimento Blossoms on the Organic, Tender ‘Vila’ » PopMatters
Fabiano do Nascimento's album ‘Vila’ features organic and tender compositions brought to life throu…
The Brook and the Bluff's Strong Songwriting Boosts Their Music » PopMatters
The Brook and the Bluff's album Werewolf delivers solid, straightforward classic rock songwriting. …
The Long Ryders Get Older and Sing Hymns » PopMatters
The Long Ryders were pioneering artists in the country-rock movement that laid the groundwork for m…
When Tough Guys Fugazi Rumbled Through My Warehouse » PopMatters
A personal recollection of an unexpected encounter with the post-hardcore punk band Fugazi at the a…
Touché Amoré's ‘Stage Four’ Is a Harrowing Journey Through Grief » PopMatters
Touché Amoré's album ‘Stage Four’ is described as an extraordinarily raw and harrowing artistic sta…
Bonnie “Prince” Billy Celebrates Community » PopMatters
Bonnie “Prince” Billy's new LP takes a communal approach to addressing serious global issues like b…
A New Compilation Celebrates CBGB's Big Bang » PopMatters
A new four-CD compilation celebrates CBGB, the iconic New York club that served as the birthplace o…
Cat Clyde Is Searching on ‘Mud Blood Bone’ » PopMatters
Cat Clyde's album Mud Blood Bone showcases her immense talent but delivers a frustrating listening …
The Early Mine a Gritty, Post-Rock Ambient Vibe » PopMatters
The Early's album ‘I Want to Be Ready’ showcases the band's exploration of post-rock and ambient te…