Five Albums: a New Recommendations Newsletter for Paid Subscribers
The first dispatch includes replicant raves, RPG-soundtrack ambient jazz, communist trap music, and more.
Latest news (Page 14)
In a Tiny Japanese Town, Artisans Are Crafting Some of the Best Turntable Needles on Earth
JICO is a 150-year-old company that's keeping vintage record players alive, one handcrafted stylus at a time.
The Grammys Have One Job—and This Year They Actually Did It
Much like Beyoncé, we were surprised (in a good way) by the 2025 awards.
The Grammys Were Worth It for Doechii’s “Nosebleeds” Alone
Imagine the confidence it takes to record a song about winning a Grammy before the awards have even happened.
Black Milk and Fat Ray’s Reunion Track Hits Like an Ice Pick to the Bridge of the Nose
“Elderberry,” from the Detroit rap duo’s first project in 17 years, is worth the wait.
FearDorian Is Smashing Through the Boundaries of Internet Rap
The 18-year-old Atlantan combines the pulse of club music and the vulnerability of emo to mesmerizing effect.
Stephen Malkmus and Matt Sweeney on the Lyrics That Changed Their Lives
The indie heroes and Hard Quartet bandmates talk about songs that made them think: What the fuck is going on in here?
Erykah Badu and Jamie XX’s First-Thought-Best-Thought Dance Anthem
“F.U.” is a turntable malfunction-turned-golden groove
A Gorgeous Dispatch From the Extended SML-iverse
Gregory Uhlmann, Josh Johnson, and Sam Wilkes make the most of negative space on “Frica.”
Infinity Knives and Brian Ennals Keep It Concerningly Real on “Sometimes, Papi Chulo”
The Baltimore duo triumphs over depression and anxiety with a heavy cumbia rap
Longform Editions, a Bastion of Experimental Sounds, Is Shutting Down
After more than 160 releases, the project’s founder talks about its legacy, why it’s ending, and what’s next.
A Grammys Podcast for People Who Hate the Grammys
We take a closer look at nominated songs ranging from Kim Gordon rapping her packing list to an A.I.-assisted John Lennon demo masquerading as the last Beatles song.