Music Reviews

Music & Culture

Jackson+Sellers bring passion and grittiness to 'Breaking Point'

1:17pm November 16, 2021

by Ken Tucker

Jade Jackson and Aubrie Sellers are singer-songwriters who each had a solo career before getting together. Their debut album showcases a new sound that neither of them had ever achieved individually.

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Spotify's 'Music + Talk' shows capture the magic of early podcasts

1:34pm November 10, 2021

by Nick Quah

Critic Nick Quah says the streaming giant's foray into the music podcast field has been pleasantly experimental, with casual, compelling shows that sound lo-fi and intimate.

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Snail Mail's sophomore album is called Valentine.

Music & Culture

Snail Mail knows young love is a risk. On 'Valentine,' she dives in anyway

9:30am November 05, 2021

by Abby Jones

Lindsey Jordan's debut, which earned her the title "the future of indie rock," documented the bliss of first loves. Her sophomore album finds her just as devoted to honesty, even when the truth hurts.

Music & Culture

Gonzalo Rubalcaba's trio finds that swinging sweet spot on 'Skyline'

2:05pm October 27, 2021

by Kevin Whitehead

The Cuban piano whiz teams up with American jazz greats Jack DeJohnette and Ron Carter on a new album. Skyline is three masters enjoying each other's company, with us listeners as lucky eavesdroppers.

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On ALPHA, her debut album, K-pop artist CL sounds determined and confident despite years of industry setbacks.

Music & Culture

On 'ALPHA,' CL finishes what she started

6:00am October 27, 2021

by Christina Lee

The member of K-pop girl group 2NE1 was poised to be a breakout star, until plans for her solo debut fell apart. Now, on the long-awaited album, her confidence and ambition feel more earned than ever.

Music & Culture

'Feel Flows' captures the Beach Boys at the peak of their artistry

1:29pm October 26, 2021

by Ken Tucker

A new 5-disc reissue of the 1970 and 1971 albums Sunflower and Surf's Up reveals the Beach Boys at a crossroads, having moved beyond surf-music pop hits, and shooting for more mainstream success.

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'The Last Duel' was inspired by a real trial by combat in medieval France

6:00am October 18, 2021

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to film critic Kenneth Turan about The Last Duel, directed by Ridley Scott. The story takes place in 14th century France, based on true events about a trial by combat.

The percussion ensemble Recap has released its striking debut album, Count to Five.

Music & Culture

A young, all-women ensemble upends the percussion paradigm

4:55pm October 14, 2021

by Tom Huizenga

The members of Recap, four young women of color from New Jersey, have built a mission of gender equity into their striking debut album.

Music & Culture

Trumpeter Lee Morgan channels Coltrane's splashy style in 'Live at the Lighthouse'

8:57pm October 04, 2021

by Kevin Whitehead

In 1970, Morgan recorded three shows at the Lighthouse jazz club in Hermosa Beach, Calif. A new box set captures Morgan and his band putting their own spin on Coltrane's trance-like repetitions.

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Across Brandi Carlile's new record, In These Silent Days, she sounds assured, content and, often, joyful.

Music & Culture

On 'In These Silent Days,' Brandi Carlile finds the beauty in the brokenness

9:04am October 01, 2021

by Brittney McKenna

Carlile wrote her latest album during COVID-19 lockdown, fresh off having written a memoir. The record plumbs her past with humility, but even more so, celebrates the hard-won wisdom she's gained.