Nia Archives Brilliantly Expands Jungle and Revels in Hooks
Nia Archives’ new album captures a gifted artist and producer as she transcends her influences, claiming and reveling in her own bewitching style.
John Amen
John Amen is the author of several collections of poetry, including Illusion of an Overwhelm (NYQ Books, 2017), a finalist for the 2018 Brockman-Campbell Award, and work from which was chosen as a finalist for the Dana Award. His poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared in journals nationally and internationally, and his poetry has been translated into Spanish, French, Hungarian, Korean, and Hebrew. He is a Staff Reviewer for the music magazines and websites No Depression, Beats Per Minute, and PopMatters. He founded and is managing editor of Pedestal Magazine.
Vince Staples Adopts a Rock-Leaning and Polemical Stance
Vince Staples comments on the injustices and genocidal tendencies baked into the US’s DNA, striking a balance between satire, rant, and attunement to the tragic.
A.A. Williams’ Vocals and Tragic Persona Shine Brightly
With Solstice, A.A. Williams cements her status as one of her generation’s transcendent singers and further develops her persona as the tragic shero.
Widowspeak Remain Hypnotic, Brightening Their Sound
With Roses, Widowspeak further hone their songcraft while again offering entrancing soundscapes. Additionally, they flesh out their Americana proclivities.
Josiah and the Bonnevilles Display Craft and Vision
Brimming with intriguing portraits, vivid images, and crystalline melodies, the songs on Josiah and the Bonnevilles’ As Is convey urgency.
Persona and Modern Music in 17 Songs
Persona, the “I” of the song, has evolved and expanded to more fully represent a diversity of experiences and emotional, political, and cultural orientations.
Yeule Fully Embraces Their Exquisite Pop Sensibilities
Yeule has come a long way from their early years traveling distant galaxies. Ćmiel’s melodies are exemplary pop, and their vocals exude an incorporeal flair.
Self Esteem Revels in Freedom, Empathy, and Pop Know-How
Self Esteem steps into a more grounded and rangy perspective. She’s overcome numerous challenges. She’s learned to live in the world and her own skin. She’s free.
Circuit des Yeux’s Glorious New LP Is Modern-Day Alchemy
Circuit des Yeux’s work, including her singular voice, conjures the grand epics, the metamorphoses that the ancients whispered and sang about.
Spirit of the Beehive Balance Experimentation and Songcraft
Spirit of the Beehive offer their most rangy yet integrated album, each track striking a notable balance between sonic exploration and hook-leaning songcraft.
Phosphorescent Turns Introspective on ‘Revelator’
Revelator captures Phosphorescent’s endeavor to encounter life as it is, practicing vulnerability, empathy, and a degree of self-effacement.
Arlo Parks Navigates the Sophomore Slump with ‘My Soft Machine’
Though buoyed by Arlo Parks’ resilience and desire for authentic union with a partner, My Soft Machine is over reliant on predictable sonics and vague melodies.
