
Review
Albums, songs, and so on



How Playboi Carti and Clipping Are Channeling Rap Retrofuturism
The Atlanta rage-rap emissary and the experimental California trio both dropped albums that excavate the past to reimagine the present.

Throwback Soul, Futuristic Synths
Plus an ambient collaboration between two of our favorite musicians and more

Mdou Moctar’s Band May Be Even Heavier Without Him
“Amidinin” is the first release by Takaat, a new project from the Tuareg guitarist’s supporting players.

Haim’s “Relationships” Is Our Reward for Surviving Another Winter
Here we have a perfectly nostalgic love song for the situationship era.

Five Albums for Spring Rebirth
Whether that means quiet reflection or reemerging from winter with a vengeance

Lady Gaga’s Millennial Nostalgia Campaign
Her new album, “Mayhem,” is positioned as a return to form. What exactly does that mean for a grab-bag pop chameleon like Gaga?

Warped ’90s Throwbacks, Wildfire Folk Songs
Plus snappy Italian-language post-punk, impressionistic indie rap, and hilarious songs about the perils of performing on 'Tiny Desk'

Lowrider Jams, Guitar Explorations, Train-Station Jazz
Plus a gently psychedelic Japanese singer-songwriter and one rapper’s third album of 2025 so far

Reclaimed City Pop, Deconstructed Club Music, Wintry Hip-Hop
Plus an Afrobeats innovator and an art-pop virtuoso

A 100-Year-Old Man's Debut Record
Plus two seriously good rock albums from artists barely into their 20s, scorching live-band R&B, and more