Wrote a long essay about Speedy Ortiz’s fantastic new record, Foil Deer for NPR Music’s First Listen series.
First Listen: Speedy Ortiz, ‘Foil Deer’
Category: Reblogging
Photo Gallery: Torres, In The Greene Space
Shot some photos of Torres performing for Soundcheck at WNYC’s Greene Space on March 3.
First Listen: Public Service Broadcasting, ‘The Race For Space’
Wrote a long essay about Public Service Broadcasting’s ambitious space-themed concept album, The Race For Space for NPR Music’s First Listen series.
NPR Heavy Rotation: Courtney Barnett, ‘Pedestrian At Best’: Witty And All-Too-Uncomfortably Real
I wrote a short piece for NPR Music’s Heavy Rotation series on Courtney Barnett’s fantastically wordy new song “Pedestrian At Best” from her new album Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit. You can read that over here.
Below, you can read the fuller version.
Dan Deacon’s Duet With Himself
Yesterday I wrote a short thing for NPR Music’s Songs We Love series on the brilliant mad scientist and dance-off ringleader Dan Deacon, and his fantastic and very poppy new single “Feel The Lightning” — which you can read over here.
Waxahatchee’s ‘Air’ Embraces Change And A Broader Palette
I wrote a quick couple paragraphs about Waxahatchee’s amazing new song “Air” from her upcoming album Ivy Tripp. You can read that as part of NPR Music’s Songs We Love series.
You can also read a slightly different version that was used for NPR’s Heavy Rotation series.
Below, here’s a much longer, and unedited ramble about Katie Crutchfield’s music, about being in transition and embracing change, even when it’s hard.
Continue reading Waxahatchee’s ‘Air’ Embraces Change And A Broader Palette
Mica Levi Gets ‘Under The Skin’ With Her Unsettling Score
There isn’t a more gorgeously unsettling score this year than Mica Levi’s hair-raising soundtrack to Jonathan Glazer’s 2014 film, Under The Skin. Based on the Michel Faber novel of the same name, the film follows an alien in the guise of Scarlett Johansson — a cipher and seductive predator who travels Scotland enticing men into a darkened building-turned-inky black void.
Continue reading Mica Levi Gets ‘Under The Skin’ With Her Unsettling Score
Ten Unsung Records From 2014
For the last few years, the task of making a Best Music list has become a trickier prospect. I’m notionally open to listen to anything; I like to dabble in other people’s recommendations, try to hear what they’re hearing or find merit or craft in things that aren’t for me. But by December, it’s difficult to narrow down to a list that encompasses juggernaut pop stars, mid-career veterans, and relative unknowns. All can be great, and all deserve some accolades. But they’re operating with different goals and aiming for different audiences.
Electric Youth’s ‘Runaway’ Captures The Cinematic Feeling Of Young Love
Electric Youth first won over scores of fans with “A Real Hero” — a collaboration with French musician David Grellier (a.k.a. College) — which was prominently featured twice in Nicolas Winding Refn’s Ryan Gosling-starring 2011 film Drive.
Continue reading Electric Youth’s ‘Runaway’ Captures The Cinematic Feeling Of Young Love
NPR Heavy Rotation: Bully, ‘Milkman’
I wrote this short capsule review of “Milkman” by Bully — an excellent new band I first came across during this year’s CMJ Music Marathon, in a crazy early noon slot at Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg. You can read that over at NPR Music’s Heavy Rotation.
Below, you can find the longer version.