Following heated criticism from human rights groups, Nicki Minaj has pulled out of a music festival in Saudi Arabia that she was scheduled to headline on July 18.
Full disclosure: Sad songs make up most of this week's All Songs Considered. But fans of Julien Baker or Japanese Breakfast will love the five new artists we share on this episode.
The songs tell women they are "more than a mother" — then promote the pharmaceutical company's fertility treatment programs. But the music videos raise some concerns.
Club music is often grounded in bass and rhythm, but electronic and dance songs that feature wind instruments explore innovation as well as connections with histories of jazz and indigenous music.