On Katy Perry’s latest, long-teased album Smile, Perry remains resolutely pop. While her peers and successors are increasingly genre-hopping and dropping surprise records and EPs, Perry’s Smile feels like a charming remnant from a prior era. In the first place, the very first…
Album Review: Bully – “SUGAREGG”
On Bully’s third release, SUGAREGG, now-official band mastermind Alicia Bognanno continues to channel her every feeling into intense rock howls. The sound of SUGAREGG is not markedly different from prior releases, Feels Like and Losing, except for feeling even more concentrated. The album begins…
Album Review: Mary Chapin Carpenter – “The Dirt and the Stars”
Mary Chapin Carpenter’s latest studio album, The Dirt and the Stars, can join the list of 2020 records that accidentally work perfectly for our communal mental crisis. Carpenter’s record works particularly well as a soothing balm, with her carefully chosen words…
Album Review: Rufus Wainwright – “Unfollow the Rules”
Rufus Wainwright is into the double digits of his discography with Unfollow the Rules, but that doesn’t mean he is letting his sound get stale. What Unfollow the Rules can demonstrate, in particular, is that while Wainwright maintains his distinct voice and tone,…
Album Review: The Beths – “Jump Rope Gazers”
The Beths’ sophomore album, Jump Rope Gazers, does precisely what you want a second album to do: it lets the band sound older, wiser, and even more talented. Jump Rope Gazers begins with “I’m Not Getting Excited,” which acts as a great segue…
Album Review: Caroline Rose – “Superstar”
On her fourth album, Superstar, Caroline Rose concocts an irresistible and delightfully self-aware depiction of falling in love with fame. The slim album tracks a classic “girl meets celebrity, girl loses celebrity, girl vows to get celebrity back no matter what”…
Album Review: HAIM – “Women in Music Pt. III”
HAIM’s long-awaited third album, Women in Music Pt. III, is a refreshing and relaxed collection of personal yet pop-perfect songs. Haim sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana have already well established their ability to craft infectious hooks and harmonies, which is not…
