Category: Music
Top 20 Albums of 2022, Part 4
After what I considered to be a pretty down year for music in 2021, 2022 felt like it bounced back in a big way, with releases from some of my favorite artists, some new discoveries, and even releases from old ...
Top 20 Albums of 2022, Part 3
After what I considered to be a pretty down year for music in 2021, 2022 felt like it bounced back in a big way, with releases from some of my favorite artists, some new discoveries, and even releases from old ...
Top 20 Albums of 2022, Part 2
After what I considered to be a pretty down year for music in 2021, 2022 felt like it bounced back in a big way, with releases from some of my favorite artists, some new discoveries, and even releases from old ...
The Top 20 Albums of 2022, Part 1
I know, I know. This list is late. Like, really late. But if we’re being honest, there hasn’t been a whole lot going on in music since the Grammys, and there was way too much of everything going on at ...
The Postrider’s 2023 Grammys Preview
Until Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage at last year’s Oscars, Moonlight’s upset of La La Land at the 89th Academy Awards probably stood out to many people as the most shocking awards show moment of all time. But way ...
Wednesday and boygenius Get the New Year Started Right with New Track Releases
If you’ve spoken with me about music over the last two years, there’s a very good chance that I’ve brought up Wednesday, a scruffy young band from Asheville, North Carolina that’s made a name for themselves by combining country and ...
Pony Express: End of the Year Music Review
Michael and Alex share their favorite songs and albums of 2022, as well as the music and artists that surprised and disappointed them throughout the year. And if you’re looking for even more great movie from last year, check out ...
The Postrider’s Top 25 Songs of 2022, Part 2
In many ways, it feels like we’re living in a post-single world. People may not be lining up outside of record stores to buy full albums, sure, but the idea of a song of the summer or a generational anthem ...
The Postrider’s Top 25 Songs of 2022, Part 1
In many ways, it feels like we’re living in a post-single world. People may not be lining up outside of record stores to buy full albums, sure, but the idea of a song of the summer or a generational anthem ...
Does Ludacris Have the Best Album Run Ever?
While my friend Stefon and I were watching a Thursday Night Football game, we started talking about the different reigns of NBA players (whether it be Lakers Shaq or Miami LeBron) and naturally the conversation veered over into rappers and ...
On God Save the Animals, Alex G Finally Puts it All Together
There aren’t many artists that I’ve had a more complicated relationship with than Alex G. I was in college when Alex Giannascoli, then a college student himself, first made serious waves in the indie music world via his self-recorded, small ...
Toro y Moi and serpentwithfeet Elevate Brooklyn Mirage
My excitement for the show was reduced once I realized the opener, the talented and outspoken Chicago singer/rapper Noname, would not be appearing due to “personal reasons”. But this malaise was short-lived because it would be announced an hour later ...
On Household Name, Momma Strive to Create a 21st Century Rock and Roll Fantasy
If there are two trends that have dominated contemporary indie rock over the past ten years or so, it’s wallowing and 90s nostalgia. These trends are interconnected – as I’ve written about before, the “sad boy” and “sad girl” aesthetic ...
Hoodie Allen Wants a Renaissance. But Are We Ready for It?
It’s been a long couple of years, and we’ve all changed a lot. In early 2020, I wrote a piece that carefully danced around the more problematic aspects of the “frat rap” genre, acknowledging both the genuine talent and unfortunate ...
My Musings on Something in the Water
The state of Virginia fumbling the ball on the Something in the Water Festival will be remembered as a major fumble in 5 years. The Festival brought over 24 million dollars in revenue to Virginia Beach. The women love Lucky ...
My Observations from Day One of Broccoli City Festival
Note: I did not go to the second day of Broccoli City Fest because the rainforest like conditions from Day 1 prevented me from purchasing day two tickets, respectfully (Justin La Boy voice). 1. Larry June is a star. To ...
Can Wet Leg and Jack White Make Indie Rock Fun Again?
For the better part of a decade, indie rock has been ruled by sad boys and sad girls. It’s a bit difficult to pinpoint when exactly the gloomy and the morose took hold of the genre – after all, a ...
What I’ve Been Listening To: Hurray for the Riff Raff, Cloakroom, and Part 5 of the Best Albums of 2021
In this week’s column, I look at two albums that may have slipped under your radar, and finally finish up my countdown of the Best Albums of 2021. The New Stuff: LIFE ON EARTH – Hurray for the Riff Raff ...
The Postrider’s 2022 Grammy Preview
Every year I preview the Grammys and every year, it feels a little more pointless. For all of the consternation about the Oscars not nominating enough blockbusters, it can’t be said enough how often the Grammys try to put over ...
What I’ve Been Listening To: Black Country, New Road, Luna Li, and Part 4 of the Best of 2021
In this week’s column, I discuss the (second) best-reviewed album of the year, a pair of promising young singer/guitarists, and march on with my Best Albums of 2021 list. The New Stuff: Ants from Up There – Black Country, New ...
The New York Times’ Big Thief Blindspot
If you’ve been following the wider musical discourse over the past month – and if you’ve been reading my What I’ve Been Listening To column – you’ve probably at least heard of Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, ...
What I’ve Been Listening To: Big Thief, Mitski, and Part 3 of the Best of 2021
In this week’s installment of the column we review a frontrunner for album of the year, new releases from two indie rock icons, and roll on with our countdown of the best albums of 2021. The New Stuff: Dragon New ...