Music

A new comedy series created by Issa Rae taps into the complexities of being an aspiring female rapper in the age of social media.

The awards recognize a lifetime of achievement in the performing arts. This year they'll go to George Clooney, Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, Tania León and U2.

From sexist professors and low self-esteem to worldwide acclaim, the Finnish composer talks about her path to success and her relentless pursuit of sound.

The deep connection among Florist's four members has always been central to the band's music. After some time apart, the musicians reconnected to make Florist's most open-hearted, ambitious album yet.

The band plays a comfortable, playful set — including an unreleased song — from a house in Connecticut.

A song about a monumental loss, "Witness" starts off languid and pensive before the desperation ratchets up, its beautifully tangled guitars turning menacing.

"Crying in a Corn Maze" is a twangy emo take on the tear-in-my-beer trope, courtesy of the new solo project of The Courtneys' Jen Twynn Payne.

The Mivos Quartet offers a new, colorful piece by Henry Threadgill and music by Robert Honstein inspired by the shimmering light at the Arctic Circle.

Private, isolating thoughts have always been central in Sophie Allison's songs, but Sometimes, Forever breaks new ground, using the studio to blow those feelings up to arresting scale.

World Cafe has put together a Manchester/Madchester 101 playlist.