First Listen: Vic Mensa, 'The Autobiography'
On his long-awaited major-label LP, the Chicago MC's personal pain becomes epiphany.
Music Reviews
First Listen: Elvis Presley, 'A Boy From Tupelo: The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings'
Stream a collection of rare early recordings, including a never-before released version of "I Forgot To Remember To Forget."
Jon Batiste Fashions A Soulful New 'Battle Hymn' For The Atlantic
The Late Show bandleader explains how he made a quintessential American anthem forged in national divisions new and how it speaks to the strength and diversity of our own society.
Alt.Latino's Midsummer New Music Roundup
Beat the heat with this sampler of new tunes, including everything from rock to Latin jazz to electronic to cumbia and flamenco.
Songs We Love: Mashrou' Leila, 'Roman'
The rock band from Beirut returns with a heady, heartfelt song that challenges stereotypical perceptions of Middle Eastern women — from all comers.
Songs We Love: BOSCO, 'Adrenaline'
For as much swagger as BOSCO drips, her nervous, racing pulse is palpable. The R&B artist's new, Haunted-produced track takes a sharp turn into soul-pop territory.
Songs We Love: Madeline Kenney, 'Always'
With "Always," the Oakland polymath songwriter delivers a blustery song of resolve in the face of external skepticism and internal fears.
Songs We Love: Katie Von Schleicher, 'Midsummer'
The hazy pop song is from the New York songwriter's upcoming album S***** Hits. She defines the title as "good-time songs you can have a bad night with, driving alone."
First Listen: Declan McKenna, 'What Do You Think About The Car?'
The British teenager has been a rising star since he took home the Emerging Artist prize at Glastonbury two years ago. His debut album lives up to that early promise.
'Ode To Billie Joe' Was A Surprise Hit That Prompted Dozens Of Jazz Versions
Fifty years ago, singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry released a song that described a slice of life in rural Mississippi. Critic Kevin Whitehead shares a few of the jazz covers that followed.