Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Guts’ Awakens the Angsty Teenager in All of Us
Olivia Rodrigo sings of fame, pain, heartbreak, and growing up on Guts. There’s rage, yearning, and reckless behavior here that transcends generations.
Jeffrey Davies
Jeffrey Davies is a professional introvert and writer with imposter syndrome whose work spans the worlds of pop culture, books, music, feminism, and mental health. In addition to PopMatters, his writing has appeared on HuffPost, Book Riot, Collider, and other places.
Idina Menzel Recovers Her Inner Prowess on ‘Drama Queen’
On Drama Queen, Idina Menzel moves away from adult contemporary vocal pop and into a sound familiar to the dancefloor at a gay club: disco-infused dance pop.
Ralph Gives Canadian Queer Pop a New Name with ‘222’
Eschewing male producers who didn’t necessarily see her creative vision in the past, Ralph also came out as a member of the LGBTQ community this year.
Liz Phair Knew Pop Was a Cultural Construct Before You Did
Liz Phair turned away from indie rock and toward teen-influenced pop-rock 20 years ago on her self-titled album. Critics were harsh, but the LP now seems prescient.
Kelly Clarkson’s Divorce Album Has ‘Chemistry’
Chemistry is a refined reintroduction to Kelly Clarkson as an entertainer rather than just the world’s first winner of American Idol.
Maisie Peters Tells a Coming-of-Age Tale on ‘The Good Witch’
Maisie Peters knows the power of being the one who has it, of being the one who controls the narrative, as she shows on her new album, The Good Witch.
Kesha’s ‘Gag Order’ Is an Artistic Cry for Help
Is Kesha’s new experimental art-pop record, Gag Order, a cautionary tale? A cry for help? A cathartic release? Most likely, it’s all of the above.
Bebe Rexha Has More to Say on ‘Bebe’
Pop singer Bebe Rexha’s Bebe sounds like she has thrown some caution to the wind and made music that she genuinely enjoys. It’s also fun to listen to.
Jessie Ware’s ‘That! Feels Good!’ Is Horny and Accomplished
Jessie Ware has continued her disco success with That! Feels Good!, which is somehow even more potent than its predecessor.
The 25 Best Demi Lovato Songs
Demi Lovato is her unabashed self, everything else be damned. If you need some of that energy right now, these are 25 songs to make you a “Lovatic”.
Miley Cyrus’ ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ is Calming and Understated
What makes Miley Cyrus’ Endless Summer Vacation a full-circle experience is her newfound sense of self and accepting the more chaotic parts of herself.
Pink’s ‘Trustfall’ Is Her Most Resistless Work Yet
Trustfall is the most vulnerable pop star Pink has been in years in a way that doesn’t sound formulated but rather honest and reflective.