How Maze’s “Joy and Pain” Earned a Permanent Spot in the Black American Songbook
The soul band’s signature 1980 track taps into the small and fragile pleasures of enduring.
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Doechii’s New Year’s Knockout Punch
After a year-end slew of dazzlingly charismatic performances, from ’Colbert’ to Camp Flog Gnaw, the breakout rap star starts 2025 with a bonkers-good video.
What Album Are You Most Excited For in 2025?
I can’t believe my answer is a record called ‘Who Let the Dogs Out.’
An Alternate-Universe Aphex Twin Album Curated From His Massive New Rarities Compilation
Somewhere within the imposing two-and-a-half-hour sprawl of ‘Music From the Merch Desk,’ there’s an Aphex Twin album that stands up to the best of his work.
How Four Elder Millennial Indie Artists Embraced Middle Age in 2024
Vampire Weekend, How to Dress Well, Bat for Lashes, and Los Campesinos! all returned with their most rewarding albums in more than a decade.
The Aggressive Beauty of DMV Crank, 2024’s Most Exciting Rap Subgenre
Marked by a mix of wild samples and delirious tempos, the scene is giving rise to striving young stars including Skino, Nino Paid, and Jaeychino.
The Country Music Establishment Could No Longer Dismiss Black and Latine Voices in 2024
From Shaboozey and Beyoncé to Carín León and Grupo Frontera, country has never sounded—or looked—more like America itself.
It’s Our Year-End Wrap-Up Podcast
Featuring everything from Sabrina Carpenter’s frightening heterosexuality to Benson Boone’s fedora-core to the haunted gay synth-pop of Trent Reznor’s ‘Challengers’ soundtrack
Jill’s Favorite Music of 2024
Getting right back to it with Mag Bay’s cosmic art-pop, J-Pratt’s dispatches from another century, the Ginger Root cinematic universe, and a sage-of-mind country duet from Waxahatchee x MJ Lenderman
Ryan’s Favorite Music of 2024
Including TikTok mashups and epic albums, ambient jazz and sugar-rush pop, beloved stalwarts and geniuses you’ve never heard of
Andy’s Favorite Music of 2024
The DIY live shows, YouTube loosies, local radio broadcasts—and OK, a few albums—that defined my year