Taylor Swift, Madonna: 9 Songs We’re Talking About This Week
This week’s music roundup highlights fresh releases from pop icons and 1990s indie stalwarts alike. Taylor Swift contributes a folk‑rock‑tinged song to the upcoming Toy Story 5 soundtrack, while Madonna returns with a dance‑floor sequel produced by Stuart Price. Simultaneously, Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse and Of Montreal drop new albums, underscoring the durability of ’90s college‑radio acts. The list also showcases genre‑bending tracks from artists such as Kelela and RaiNao, illustrating today’s eclectic sonic landscape.
Limmie Pulliam, Tenor Who Overcame the Stigma of His Size, Dies at 50
Limmie Pulliam, a powerful tenor who quit singing in his early 20s after opera houses demanded he lose weight, returned to the stage after a 12‑year hiatus and earned critical acclaim. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2022 as...
Azniv Korkejian on Bedouine’s ‘Neon Summer Skin’
Bedouine (Azniv Korkejian) channels her Saudi‑Arabian childhood and Armenian roots into the forthcoming folk album “Neon Summer Skin,” debuting Friday. The lead single “On My Own” emerged from a recent visit to Saudi Arabia that left her emotionally raw, prompting...
Ariana Grande, Ravyn Lenae: 7 Songs We’re Talking About This Week
Ariana Grande drops “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” a Max Martin‑crafted pop single that signals her return to mainstream radio after a Broadway interlude. Iceage releases the cosmic‑themed “Star,” showcasing a blend of punk, indie‑rock, and post‑punk on their new album. Ravyn Lenae’s “Handle” revives 1980s synth‑rock...
Olivia Rodrigo Discusses the Inspiration Behind Her New Album
Olivia Rodrigo’s third studio album, *You Seem Pretty Sad For a Girl So in Love*, arrives on June 12, 2026, marking a stylistic pivot from her signature breakup anthems to a more nuanced, real‑time chronicle of a doomed romance. The 13‑track...
What Orchestras and Singers Gain Through Operas in Concert
American opera houses are scaling back productions, prompting symphony orchestras to fill the void with concert‑opera performances. The Cleveland Orchestra’s recent staging of Beethoven’s “Fidelio” attracted 85% seat occupancy, while the Philadelphia Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic have added Wagner and...
Paul McCartney on His New Album and the Beatles’ Earliest Days
Paul McCartney’s latest record, *The Boys of Dungeon Lane*, is a nostalgic trek through his Liverpool roots and early Beatles days, released after a series of high‑profile TV performances on *SNL* and *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*. He partnered...
The $400 Million Showdown Between a Billionaire and a California Mayor
Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s Hollywood Park development, which includes SoFi Stadium, is locked in a $400 million dispute with the City of Inglewood. Inglewood contends the 2015 development agreement is void after a state‑court ruling that invalidated voter‑initiative contracts,...
Lizzo Addresses the Backlash and Performs Live at The New York Times
Lizzo appeared on The New York Times’ Popcast, addressing recent lawsuits and her artistic evolution. She discussed the legal challenges surrounding her management and songwriting credits while promoting her upcoming album “Bitch.” The interview featured a stripped‑down performance of four songs, highlighting...
Olivia Rodrigo, Vince Staples: 8 Songs We’re Talking About This Week
The New York Times highlighted eight new tracks released over Memorial Day weekend, featuring Olivia Rodrigo’s orchestral‑driven single “The Cure,” Charli XCX’s fashion‑infused rock‑pop “SS26,” and Vince Staples’ socially charged “White Flag.” Other notable songs include Katie Pruitt’s protest‑laden “Same...
Rob Base, Rapper Known for ‘It Takes Two,’ Dies at 59
Rob Base, the 59‑year‑old rapper behind the 1988 platinum hit “It Takes Two,” died on Friday after a private battle with cancer, his family announced via Instagram. The song, a collaboration with DJ E‑Z Rock, remains a cultural touchstone, earning...
Elim Chan Becomes First Female Music Director of San Francisco Symphony
Elim Chan, a Hong Kong‑born conductor, has been named music director of the San Francisco Symphony, becoming the orchestra’s first female leader. She will serve as music‑director‑designate starting June and assume the full role in September 2027 for a six‑year term. Chan takes...
6 New Songs You Should Hear Now
The newsletter spotlights six fresh releases, led by Kurt Vile’s upcoming album "Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me" and its lead single "Zoom 97." It also highlights an electric breakbeat track from UK producer Nia Archives, an atmospheric R&B offering by...
Marisa Anderson’s (Tunefully) Un-American Activities
Portland guitarist Marisa Anderson turned a brief visit to the Bob Dylan Center into a nine‑day archival sprint, digitizing roughly 90 obscure world‑folk LPs from Harry Smith’s private collection. Backed by the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, she used dual turntables to preview...
Finland, the Eurovision Favorite, Is Here for Revenge
Finland entered the Eurovision semifinal as the competition’s clear favorite, showcasing the duet “Liekinheitin” by pop star Pete Parkkonen and violinist Linda Lampenius. The performance combined a fiery stage set with Lampenius’s 1781 Gagliano violin, estimated at $660,000, creating a dramatic visual...