Reviews

‘All In’ Offers New Insight Into Justin Townes Earle’s Art

‘All In’ Offers New Insight Into Justin Townes Earle’s Art

All In: Unreleased & Rarities is a fitting tribute to Justin Townes Earle, as the compilers had hoped, but it’s also a stellar set of music in any context.

Emo’s Ogbert the Nerd Deliver ‘What You Want’ on New LP

Emo’s Ogbert the Nerd Deliver ‘What You Want’ on New LP

Ogbert the Nerd sound exuberant. There is a beating heart and pathos under the hooks, and they have much to offer listeners outside of emo’s ardent fans.

‘Funk Generation’ Is Anitta’s “This Is It” Moment

‘Funk Generation’ Is Anitta’s “This Is It” Moment

Anitta’s Funk Generation serves as Brazilian Funk 101 for listeners unfamiliar with the genre. It also serves as her “this is it” moment.

Andrew Combs Paints ‘Dream Pictures’ in Blues and Gold

Andrew Combs Paints ‘Dream Pictures’ in Blues and Gold

Andrew Combs’ new album serves as the robin in spring, a sign that seasons have changed. It’s not a chronicle of happiness as much as a statement of normalcy.

STS9 Dazzle the Senses on ‘Chromalight’

STS9 Dazzle the Senses on ‘Chromalight’

Chromalight keeps a long winning streak going as STS9 continue pushing boundaries with their genre-blending sonic alchemy and collective improvisations.

Bad Brains Reissue the Timeless ‘I Against I’

Bad Brains Reissue the Timeless ‘I Against I’

Canonical DC hardcore act Bad Brains remain as vital as ever. Almost 40 years after I Against I’s initial release, it’s remarkable how timeless it sounds.

Ugandan Master Storyteller Ekuka Morris Sirikiti Is Spellbinding

Ugandan Master Storyteller Ekuka Morris Sirikiti Is Spellbinding

Ekuka Morris Sirikiti’s work reminds us that he and his traditions are very much still here, not artifacts of old media but flesh and blood, spirit and sound.

Jontavious Willis Has the ‘West Georgia Blues’

Jontavious Willis Has the ‘West Georgia Blues’

Blues artist Jontavious Willis is more of an entertainer than a purist. He aims to get his audiences moving, tells droll tales, and raises one’ spirits.

Wishy Offer a Fresh Take on Proven Sounds 

Wishy Offer a Fresh Take on Proven Sounds 

Wishy’s debut LP reflects a band figuring out their style early in their career, but the strength of this album is likely to catapult them into indie stardom.

Ananda Lima’s Mystical and Metafictional Dance with the Devil

Ananda Lima’s Mystical and Metafictional Dance with the Devil

Poet and translator Ananda Lima’s debut fiction, Craft, is an absorbing mystical and metafictional dance with the Devil.

Shelby Lynne Wears the ‘Crown’ on Her Latest LP

Shelby Lynne Wears the ‘Crown’ on Her Latest LP

Country’s Shelby Lynne doesn’t sing about wearing a crown, but she implies she is the queen by surviving her past affairs. Love’s consequences are mostly pain.

Rare África Negra Tracks Come to Light on ‘Antologia Vol. 2’

Rare África Negra Tracks Come to Light on ‘Antologia Vol. 2’

África Negra always were and still are a gem of a band and one deserving of a multi-volume set of reissues: the more of them, the better.