Matthew Dwyer

Matthew Dwyer, a graduate of American University's School of International Service in Washington, D.C currently works in education and writes about pop culture, music, TV, and film on a freelance basis. He is a traveler, writer, and creative thinker. You can find him on Twitter @md_writing
Lana Del Rey Wasn’t ‘Born to Die’, She Was Born to Rise Above

Lana Del Rey Wasn’t ‘Born to Die’, She Was Born to Rise Above

Lana Del Rey’s major-label debut Born to Die provides a roadmap for her songwriting journey, and her personification of America reinvents the past to tell modern stories.

Joni Mitchell Became Music’s Lucky One with ‘Blue’ 50 Years Ago

Joni Mitchell Became Music’s Lucky One with ‘Blue’ 50 Years Ago

Joni Mitchell’s Blue, included in the recently released The Reprise Albums collection, paved the way for future autobiographical singer-songwriters.

Why We Didn’t Need a ‘Friends’ Reunion

Why We Didn’t Need a ‘Friends’ Reunion

The Friends Reunion has awakened the beast of ’90s nostalgia…but what else has it unearthed?

How Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License” Drove Her Into Pop’s Stratosphere

How Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License” Drove Her Into Pop’s Stratosphere

Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout single, “Driver’s License”, set her up for a career in pop’s stratosphere. But, will she ever reach the singer-songwriter heights of Taylor Swift?

Taylor Swift’s Pandemic Redemption

Taylor Swift’s Pandemic Redemption

Taylor Swift responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with an album uniquely suited for it: contemplative, low-fi, acoustic songs perfect for isolation.

WandaVision’s Grief Is America’s Grief

WandaVision’s Grief Is America’s Grief

To cope with her grief WandaVision‘s Wanda reverts to a comforting but false alternate reality set in idealized 1950s America. Sound familiar?