The Psychedelic Furs Discuss Their Latest Album and COVID-19
Tim Butler of the Psychedelic Furs talks to PopMatters about the band’s first new album in nearly 30 years, COVID-19 delaying their tour, and a hopeful future.
new wave
Nick Lowe’s ‘The Convincer’ Gets the Deluxe Edition Treatment
Nick Lowe’s 2001 album, The Convincer, is a late-period masterpiece and a textbook example of a gracefully maturing artist. It’s now a deluxe reissue.
Is Billy Idol Still Vital?
Billy Idol’s string of pop-punk hits and unmistakable sneer propelled him to 1980s stardom. Idol sounds more mature than ever on the new EP The Roadside.
Elvis Costello Remakes His Classic ‘This Year’s Model’ in Spanish
Elvis Costello re-imagines his second album This Year’s Model by having Latinx rockers sing his classic songs on Spanish Model.
How Catholicism Shaped Sting’s Creative Vision
In Sting and Religion, Evyatar Marienberg explores links between the rock icon’s Catholic upbringing and the religious themes in his lyrics.
Level 42 Deliver a Masterclass of Aspirational 1980s Pop
Level 42 started off wanting to be Return to Forever and ended up next to Culture Club and Spandau Ballet in the top 40. How did that happen?
Information Society’s ‘ODDFellows’ Is a Creative Marvel
ODDFellows finds Information Society serving up a collection of electropop bangers and some slower tempo numbers, all flaunting their ingenious talent.
40 Years Ago ‘Pretenders II’ Avoided the Dreaded Sophomore Slump
The hits on Pretenders II outweigh misses, and as the last recording of the Pretenders’ original lineup, the LP documents them at the height of their powers.
‘Body Jumper’ Is Provoker’s Post-Punk for the Internet Generation
Body Jumper is a refreshing take on post-punk and R&B traditions. It signals Provoker as a band to keep an eye on while their career grows and expands.
Erasure’s ‘The Neon Remixed’ Is a Sequel That’s as Good as the Original
What makes The Neon Remixed so successful as a remix LP is the artists reshaping Erasure’s tunes didn’t dissect the sturdy compositions to their skeletal origins.
Adam and the Ants ‘Ant Music’ from Subculture to Image Culture
Adam of Adam and the Ant’s original costume is in the Victoria and Albert Museum but you can get Ant-style highwayman and pirate costumes online if you want.
The Cure’s Genre-Defining and Genre-Defying ‘Faith’ 40 Years On
The Cure’s Faith–released 40 years ago this April–comes from a haunted, solipsistic place and it seduces you into its tormented world.