Take a musical moment for singer Rina Sawayama's new album
Laura Snapes, music editor for The Guardian, reviews Sawayama's "Hold the Girl."
Music Reviews
On 'Hideous Bastard,' Oliver Sim mines horror tropes to embrace queer identity
On his debut solo album, Sim — best known as a member of The xx — takes inspiration from horror movie villains on songs that look for humanity in the aspects of our identity that society rejects.
On 'Hold the Girl,' Rina Sawayama's stadium sound obscures her signature appeal
The pop singer has superstar ambition and a knack for clever genre collisions. But while her new album sometimes matches intensity with innovation, it more often grinds her nuanced story to a paste.
On Quinn Christopherson's debut album, stories of growth emerge in monumental details
On Write Your Name In Pink, the Alaskan singer-songwriter turns a compassionate eye towards his memories, threading together small moments to reveal moving stories about love, addiction and growth.
Sudan Archives' vibrant music of exploration
The self-taught violinist, producer, and songwriter doesn't just experience or consume global sounds; she interacts with them. Natural Brown Prom Queen feels like a world tour of her brain.
'The Elephant Man's Bones' is the culmination of two careers
Holed up on opposite coasts, Roc Marciano and the Alchemist, two key figures in underground rap, have been gradually moving toward a shared sonic goal, reaching an apex with their new album.
Sean Shibe, a shape-shifting artist, redefines the idea of a classical guitarist
The Scottish guitarist defies expectations, ditching his traditional nylon-strung instrument for a Fender Stratocaster to play a startling range of music – from Meredith Monk to Chick Corea.
This reissue proves Roger Miller was more than just a novelty act
Best known for novelty songs like "King of the Road," Miller was also a serious songwriter who wrote ballads for artists such as Ray Price. Miller's '70 album A Trip in the Country is newly available.
New quartet album by jazz drummer Billy Drummond is a treat
On Valse Sinistre, Drummond's ride-cymbal beat is lively, varied and full of passing cross-rhythms — the sound of a musician fully engaged and in the habit of attentive listening.
Loudon Wainwright III goes back to the basics on 'Lifetime Achievement'
The singer-songwriter is known for his intensely autobiographical writing. When Wainwright turned 75 recently, he decided to make an album about trying — and mostly failing — to age gracefully.