Music Reviews

Music & Culture

Jon Batiste Fashions A Soulful New 'Battle Hymn' For The Atlantic

4:33pm July 19, 2017

by Nate Chinen

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.

Music & Culture

Alt.Latino's Midsummer New Music Roundup

3:48pm July 19, 2017

by Felix Contreras

Beat the heat with this sampler of new tunes, including everything from rock to Latin jazz to electronic to cumbia and flamenco.

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A still from Mashrou' Leila's "Roman" video.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Mashrou' Leila, 'Roman'

1:00pm July 19, 2017

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The rock band from Beirut returns with a heady, heartfelt song that challenges stereotypical perceptions of Middle Eastern women — from all comers.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: BOSCO, 'Adrenaline'

2:13pm July 18, 2017

by Beca Grimm

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.

Madeline Kenney's Night Night At The First Landing comes out Sept. 1.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Madeline Kenney, 'Always'

10:00am July 18, 2017

by Mike Katzif

With "Always," the Oakland polymath songwriter delivers a blustery song of resolve in the face of external skepticism and internal fears.

Katie Von Schleicher's album S***** Hits comes out July 28.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Katie Von Schleicher, 'Midsummer'

10:39am July 17, 2017

by Marissa Lorusso

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."

Declan McKenna's new album, What Do You Think About the Car? is out July 21.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Declan McKenna, 'What Do You Think About The Car?'

5:00am July 17, 2017

by Bob Boilen

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.

Music & Culture

'Ode To Billie Joe' Was A Surprise Hit That Prompted Dozens Of Jazz Versions

2:13pm July 14, 2017

by Kevin Whitehead

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.

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Jorge Drexler will release Salvavidas de Hielo Sept. 22.

Music & Culture

Jorge Drexler's 'Telefonia' Celebrates Long-Distance Love

12:34pm July 14, 2017

by Camilo Garzón

The Uruguayan Renaissance man's latest single is a brainy, melodic rumination on love and technology.

Guantanamo Baywatch's Desert Center comes out Aug. 4.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Guantanamo Baywatch, 'Blame Myself'

10:00am July 14, 2017

by Kathleen Tarrant

The Portland punk band pays homage to the tapestry of Pacific Northwest surf-rock luminaries, then promptly pulls out a lighter.