Album Review: mewithoutYou – “[Untitled]”

For nearly two decades now, fans have been drawn to the raw creative energy of Philadelphia rock outfit mewithoutYou. Using a spiritual, meditative flavor of punk that incorporates freestyle instrumentation and spoken-word vocals, the band made a name for themselves…

Album Review: Richard Thompson – 13 Rivers

For years, diehard Richard Thompson fans have countered his outspoken detractors with the argument that he must be seen live in order to truly be appreciated. Much like Phish or LCD Soundsystem, devotees of the landmark English singer-songwriter-guitarist assert that…

Album Review: Pale Waves – My Mind Makes Noises

The conversation around Pale Waves is all centered around the same dilemma. There is an undeniable charm to the Manchester indie quartet’s output of light, breezy 80s-tinged electro-pop, but nearly all of their catalog is profoundly derivative of their influences,…

Album Review: Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear – “The Radio Winners”

On 2015’s Skeleton Crew, the unvarnished nature of mother and son earnestly performing anthemic Americana carried Madisen Ward and “Mama Bear” Ruth forward in a whirlwind of press. It was sort-of an unusual case, and that made it captivating to…

Album Review: M. Ward – “What a Wonderful Industry”

For the rebellious folkie in all of us, the idea behind M. Ward’s What a Wonderful Industry feels brilliant at first glance—or, perhaps, ridiculously self-important depending on who you ask. It is, after all, a proclaimed criticism of the very…

Album Review: Dan + Shay – “Dan + Shay”

Album after album, Dan and Shay continue to swoon the hearts of their fans with their country music. They sing about love stories, heartaches, and adventures that we all live and dream about. Since their album, Where It All Began, was…

Album Review: Kacey Musgraves – “Golden Hour”

Kacey Musgraves has always had a spotlight shone on defying the immaculate—and arguably unfair and double standard-laden—expectations of country music fans to pursue a specific idea. Following the wildly popular releases of down-home roots albums Same Trailer Different Park and…