Album Reviews
Flying Lotus
Flamagra
May 24, 2019 Web Exclusive
As the 2010s draws to a close, there perhaps hasn't been a more prominent influence on electronic music as Steven Ellison (aka Flying Lotus).
Mavis Staples
We Get By
May 24, 2019 Web Exclusive
For the better part of seven decades, the inimitable Mavis Staples has served us all as prophet and priest. At times, the gospel legend will stand and sings from the periphery with a harsh prophetic voice, calling us all toward our better selves.
Stereolab
Mars Audiac Quintet
May 23, 2019 Web Exclusive
In 1994 Stereolab were slowly becoming a recognizable—if not quite household—name. Television appearances on shows such as Channel 4's The Word and MTV's 120 Minutes had raised the band's profile somewhat to the point where expectations surrounding the imminent arrival of album number three had reached fever pitch in some circles.
Classic Interviews
Sharon Jones
Keeping Soul and Hope Alive
Oct 05, 2016 Issue #58 - The Protest Issue
Sharon Jones fully knows the power of soul music. She also knows the power of cancer research and treatment. That's because it's helped her battle and fend off her pancreatic cancer the last three years.
Comic Book Reviews
The Weatherman Vol. 1
Image
Apr 05, 2019 Issue #65 - Mitski and boygenius
Collecting the first six issues of the series by writer Jody LeHeup, artist Nathan Fox, and colorist Dave Stewart, The Weatherman scratched our sci-fi/action/adventure itch better than anything has since Schwarzenegger's big-screen heyday.
Book Reviews
Patrick McGuinness
Throw Me to the Wolves
Apr 30, 2019 Web Exclusive
In his third book, Patrick McGuinness takes on a murder and the media's propensity to jump to conclusions.
News
8 Best Songs of the Week: Yumi Zouma, Hayden Thorpe, Cate Le Bon, Flying Lotus, and More
May 24, 2019
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. Last week we only had a Top 7 instead of our usual Top 10 and this week it's only a little better with a Top 8.
Interviews
Kurt Vile on “Bottle It In”
May 23, 2019 Issue #65 - Mitski and boygenius
If you only knew him from his music, you'd still have a pretty accurate notion of what it's like to talk to Kurt Vile. Like his music, he is unassuming and unhurried, immediately engaging but unconcerned with your approval.
The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne on the 20th Anniversary of “The Soft Bulletin”
May 22, 2019 Web Exclusive
On May 17, 1999, The Flaming Lips released The Soft Bulletin, an album that found them take a more conventional writing and recording path-at least compared to what came before.
Pleased to meet you
Stella Donnelly on “Beware of the Dogs”
May 10, 2019 Web Exclusive
Gathering her voice between intermittent coughing fits and sniffles, Stella Donnelly apologizes for being sick for the interview, wishing that she were more readily able to express herself.
Lists
Ranked: 2019 Oscar Nominated Documentary Shorts
Feb 24, 2019
Best Documentary Short is routinely one of the strongest categories, perhaps because the natural, open-ended approach to documentary filmmaking sees incredibly ambitious projects peter out. Certainly the reverse happens, as with Hoop Dreams. Unfortunately, this year includes two entries that might technically fall within the parameters of documentary filmmaking, but are too calculated and told from the benefit of hindsight to have the typical effect of nonfiction storytelling. No, not every documentary needs to be vérité, but every documentary should create a sense of the present tense. The two that do not heavily dilute the category.
By Shawn Hazelett
Galleries
Florence and the Machine
Florence + The Machine in Chicago, May 24, 2019
- Younghusband at Sonic Cathedral in London, England. December 9, 2013
- Death Cab For Cutie Death Cab For Cutie at Revention Music Center in Houston, Texas, April 2019
- Perfume at The Theatre at Ace Hotel, Los Angeles, CA, April 19, 2019
- Cage The Elephant at the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA, Feb 5, 2015
- elrow elrow NYC
Live reviews
A Place to Bury Strangers at The Bodega, Nottingham, England, May 1, 2019
May 08, 2019
It might be over a decade (May 2008 to be exact) since A Place to Bury Strangers first unleashed their brutally uncompromising show on the city of Nottingham.
Blog
Lil Rap Column: Megan Thee Stallion and Slowthai
May 23, 2019
Megan Thee Stallion and Slowthai do not immediately appear to share much in common. One produces feverish southern sex bangers, while the other explores British nationalism and working class identity. Yet, beyond their distinct contexts, both their debuts succeed for the same reason.
Media
- Premiere: Younghusband Share New Song “Modern Lie” Younghusband
- Versus Share Video for New Track “Invisible Love” Versus
- Faye Webster Shares New Track “Right Side of My Neck” Faye Webster
- Cate Le Bon Shares New Track “The Light” Cate Le Bon
- Heather Woods Broderick Shares “I Try” Video Heather Woods Broderick
- Watch: The Get Up Kids Share Video for “The Problem is Me” The Get Up Kids
Cinema Reviews
Non-Fiction
May 01, 2019 Web Exclusive
Olivier Assayas needed to get something off his chest. A lot of things, it turns out.
DVD Reviews
House of Games
Studio: The Criterion Collection
May 24, 2019 Web Exclusive
House of Games, the first film David Mamet directed after a decade of writing, has most of the hallmarks of a great Mamet script, but the acting sells it short.
Television Reviews
Leaving Neverland
(HBO, Sunday March 3 and Monday March 4)
Mar 03, 2019 Web Exclusive
Leaving Neverland, a sprawling account of alleged sexual abuse at the hands of Michael Jackson, was set for controversy from the moment it premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.