Shania Twain Owns Herself on ‘Queen of Me’
Queen of Me is not as dominating as Shania Twain’s existing body of work, but it highlights a beloved household name getting to know herself better.
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.
Ava Max’s ‘Diamonds & Dancefloors’ Is Kitschy But Euphoric
For those who appreciate a certain branch of dance-pop, Ava Max’s Diamonds & Dancefloors is a euphoric escape from the harsh realities of adult life.
Jessica Willis Fisher on Reclaiming Her Voice Through Music and Memoir
Country music’s Jessica Willis Fisher discusses her new memoir Unspeakable: Surviving My Childhood and Finding My Voice and the process of healing trauma.
Carly Rae Jepsen Gets in Touch on ‘The Loneliest Time’
Carly Rae Jepsen’s The Loneliest Time is not without the glittery, carefree pop she’s famous for, but the singer gets personal in ways she hasn’t before.
Tegan and Sara’s Biggest Strength on ‘Crybaby’ Is Nostalgia
Tegan and Sara’s work often revolves around the vulnerability of youth, and with Crybaby, they’re adding more understanding to the messy business of being alive.
Kelsea Ballerini Plays It Safe on ‘Subject to Change’
Kelsea Ballerini’s Subject to Change suggests another genre-bending, boundary-pushing country crossover record, but it’s her most conservative work to date.
Rina Sawayama’s ‘Hold the Girl’ Is a Raw Coming-of-Age Tale
Beneath the dance-pop, Rina Sawayama’s Hold the Girl is a liberating saga of growth, maturity, and forgiveness branded in the form of an alt-pop album.
Demi Lovato Smashes the Narrative on ‘Holy Fvck’
Empowering and cathartic, Demi Lovato has created a refined and sophisticated collection of songs with Holy Fvck that is their best work lyrically to date.
Maggie Rogers Gives Into Herself on ‘Surrender’
Maggie Rogers’ sophomore LP Surrender heads in an alt-pop/rock direction and tackles ambition in all its glorious ability to make or break ourselves.
Christina Perri Becomes Herself on ‘A Lighter Shade of Blue’
A Lighter Shade of Blue encapsulates Christina Perri’s artistry in a way that reflects her journey in life and motherhood and is also a compelling reflection on grief.
MUNA Explore the Joys and Traumas of Being Queer on New LP
Synthpop trio MUNA craft an LP boldly exploring how being queer is composed of both joys and traumas, and that there’s no shame in messily embracing both.
Mary Laura Philpott on Making Human Connections Through Memoir
Mary Laura Philpott’s new memoir, Bomb Shelter, grapples with life’s curveballs in these uncertain times and, as she discusses here, that’s something to which we can all relate.