Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

PopMatters

@popmatters.com

3.6K followers 120 following 900 posts

Essaying the pop culture that matters since 1999. Independent, women/LGBTQ-owned. Made by humans. PM is 26! linktr.ee/popmatters

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 11h

TikTok and the Murder of Long-Form Music Writing

When it comes to music criticism, which version is real? The serious opus or the #TikTok goofy snippet?

READ: tinyurl.com/TikTokMurder

TikTok and the Murder of Long-Form Music Writing » PopMatters

When it comes to music criticism, which version is real? The serious opus or the TikTok goofy snippet?

tinyurl.com

1 2

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 6h

Thomas Pynchon’s ‘Shadow Ticket’, should it be his last, showcases that even when he’s not at his very best, the man can pack an artful wallop.

READ: tinyurl.com/PynchonWallop

Thomas Pynchon's 'Shadow Ticket' Knocks Readers Sideways » PopMatters

Thomas Pynchon's Shadow Ticket, should it be his last, showcases that even when he's not at his very best, the man can pack an artful wallop.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 11h

TikTok and the Murder of Long-Form Music Writing

When it comes to music criticism, which version is real? The serious opus or the #TikTok goofy snippet?

READ: tinyurl.com/TikTokMurder

TikTok and the Murder of Long-Form Music Writing » PopMatters

When it comes to music criticism, which version is real? The serious opus or the TikTok goofy snippet?

tinyurl.com

1 2

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 11h

Curtis Harding's new LP may take a few listens to absorb fully. Once it does, it will yield rewards for fans of retro soul, current soul, and adventurous pop.

'Departures & Arrivals: Adventures of Captain Curt' is a #PMPick [9/10] out now via @antirecords.bsky.social

REVIEW: tinyurl.com/CHarding25

"Captain" Curtis Harding's Excellent Journey » PopMatters

Curtis Harding's new album might take a few listens to sink in. Once it does, it will yield rewards for fans of retro soul, current soul, and adventurous pop.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 12h

Rhett Miller's 'A Lifetime of Riding by Night' isn't an instant attention-grabber; it likely suits its titular setting. It is a deep and rewarding meditation.

@rhettmiller.bsky.social's new LP is out now via @atorecords.bsky.social

READ: tinyurl.com/RMiller25

Rhett Miller Reflects on 'A Lifetime of Riding By Night' » PopMatters

Rhett Miller's A Lifetime of Riding by Night isn't an instant attention-grabber; it likely suits its titular setting. It is a deep and rewarding meditation.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 12h

Luke Cissell has shown his immense skill in summoning the dissonance of Bartok and the harmonic depth of Schubert as easily as the sounds of the Kentucky countryside.

'String Quartets Nos. 1-5' is a #PMPICK [9/10] out now.

REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Cissell25

Luke Cissell's String Quartet Collection Is a Beautiful Ride » PopMatters

Luke Cissell has shown his immense skill summoning the dissonance of Bartok and the harmonic depth of Schubert as easily as the sounds of the Kentucky countryside.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 13h

On 'Lovin' You', Richard Ashcroft still seems too caught up in love, amidst attempts to try something new, and rarely taps into what made him such a songwriting force.

REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Ashcroft25

Richard Ashcroft Loses His Poetic Charm » PopMatters

On Lovin' You, Richard Ashcroft still seems too caught up in love, amidst attempts to try something new, and rarely taps into what made him such a songwriting force.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 15h

We are experiencing technical difficulties at PopMatters presently.

Publishing will resume as soon as humanly possible, likely later today.

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 2d

‘One Battle After Another’ suggests that while the liberationist politics of the 1960s made for a good show, they don’t have much to offer in terms of how society might better organize itself.

READ: tinyurl.com/1BattleTrips

'One Battle After Another' Trips Up the Timeline » PopMatters

One Battle After Another suggests that while the liberationist politics of the 1960s made for a good show, they don’t have much to offer in terms of how society might better organize itself.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 2d

The 9 Best Artists at FME 2025

Of all the dozens of artists at FME 2025, a few stood out more than others, many of whom showcased just how good the Québec music scene is right now.

READ: tinyurl.com/FMEfest

The 9 Best Artists at FME 2025 » PopMatters

Of all the dozens of artists at FME 2025, a few stood out more than others, many of whom showcased just how strong the Québec music scene is right now.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 2d

With her own deep roots in music, Grey DeLisle recognizes the significance of Cindy Walker's legacy as a pioneering country music auteur.

'It's All Her Fault: A Tribute to Cindy Walker' is a #PMPick out now.

REVIEW: tinyurl.com/GreyDeLisle

Grey DeLisle & Friends Honor Songwriter Cindy Walker » PopMatters

With her own deep roots in music, Grey DeLisle recognizes the significance of Cindy Walker's legacy as a pioneering country music auteur.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 2d

LONER will see Barry Can't Swim continue his rapid ascent and, in turn, cement his status as one of the most exciting new talents in electronic dance music.

#PMPick out now via @ninjatunehq.bsky.social

REVIEW: tinyurl.com/BarryCant25

Barry Can't Swim's 'Loner' Is a Classic Touring Album » PopMatters

Loner will see Barry Can't Swim continue his rapid ascent and, in turn, cement his status as one of the most exciting new talents in electronic dance music.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 2d

As Cate Le Bon navigates difficult emotional states, it may seem like the road was a challenging one to traverse, but it has resulted in some of her best work.

'Michelangelo Dying' is a #PMPick out now via @mexicansummer.bsky.social.

REVIEW: tinyurl.com/CateLeBon25

Cate Le Bon's New LP is Filled with Lush and Eccentric Gems » PopMatters

As Cate Le Bon moves through difficult emotional states, it may seem like the road was a challenging one to navigate, but it has resulted in some of her best work.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 2d

On her confessional new album 'Fatal Optimist', Madi Diaz lays everything bare and achieves a certain wisdom through the heartbreak.

Out now via @antirecords.bsky.social.

REVIEW: tinyurl.com/MadiDiaz25

Madi Diaz Leans Into the Anguish on 'Fatal Optimist' » PopMatters

On her confessional new album Fatal Optimist, Madi Diaz lays everything bare and achieves a certain wisdom through the heartbreak.

tinyurl.com

Reposted by PopMatters

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 5d

Greil Marcus talks with PopMatters about the art of listening not for what you want to hear, but for what is so richly there in others’ stories.

READ: tinyurl.com/GMStories

Greil Marcus Tells His Stories About Others' Stories » PopMatters

Greil Marcus talks with PopMatters about the art of listening not for what you want to hear, but for what is so richly there in others' stories.

tinyurl.com

2 4

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 5d

Loud, theatrical, defiant, and determined to be heard on their terms, Insane Clown Posse lived the same struggles as every deathmatch wrestling performer.

READ: tinyurl.com/InsaneDthMtch

An Insane Clown Posse Hatchetman for Every Deathmatch » PopMatters

Loud, theatrical, defiant, and determined to be heard on their terms, Insane Clown Posse lived the same struggles as every deathmatch wrestling performer.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 5d

Greil Marcus talks with PopMatters about the art of listening not for what you want to hear, but for what is so richly there in others’ stories.

READ: tinyurl.com/GMStories

Greil Marcus Tells His Stories About Others' Stories » PopMatters

Greil Marcus talks with PopMatters about the art of listening not for what you want to hear, but for what is so richly there in others' stories.

tinyurl.com

2 4

Reposted by PopMatters

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 8d

Certain books make you dream; Greil Marcus’ Mystery Train wakes you up to the blunt fact that you are alive and living in an ever-rollin' mythology. #PMPick

READ: tinyurl.com/GMarcusRollin

Greil Marcus' Mystery Train Keeps on Rollin' » PopMatters

Certain books make you dream; Greil Marcus' Mystery Train wakes you up to the blunt fact that you are alive and living in an ever-rollin' mythology.

tinyurl.com

3 7

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 7d

If everyday fascism's essence is the anti-humanist view of living beings as disposable instruments, then Cormac McCarthy's 'Blood Meridian' is its field manual and warning

READ: tinyurl.com/BldMrdnFscsm

Cormac McCarthy's 'Blood Meridian' Diagnoses Everyday Fascism » PopMatters

If everyday fascism’s essence is the anti-humanist view of living beings as disposable instruments, then Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian is its field manual and warning.

tinyurl.com

1 2

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 7d

INTERVIEW: Folk artist Dar Williams has long leaned on songwriting to cast off and expose her blood and beauty to the world. She discusses this and more with PopMatters.

@darwilliams.bsky.social's 'Hummingbird Highway' is out now via @righteousbaberecs.bsky.social.

READ: tinyurl.com/DarWilliams25

Dar Williams Commits to the 'Hummingbird Highway' » PopMatters

Folk artist Dar Williams has long leaned on songwriting to cast off and expose her blood and beauty to the world. She discusses this and more with PopMatters.

tinyurl.com

1 4

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 7d

Katy Pinke's 'Patterns' is a sparse yet exquisite collection of new and old songs from a refreshingly diverse range of songwriters. #PMPick

Katy Pinke Creates a Gorgeous Covers LP » PopMatters

Katy Pinke's Patterns is a sparse, exquisite collection of new and old songs from a refreshingly wide variety of songwriters.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 7d

Dylan Earl needs a friend or more friends or even a lover, but he seems like the character one’s parents warned about. He may waste your time, but he would be a good pal.

Outlaw country album 'Level-Headed Even Smile' is out now.

REVIEW: tinyurl.com/DylanEarl

Arkansas Traveler Dylan Earl Takes Us for a Ride » PopMatters

Dylan Earl needs a friend or more friends or even a lover, but he seems like the character one's parents warned about. He may waste your time, but he would be a good pal.

tinyurl.com

1 4

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 7d

On VIE, Doja Cat references the 1980s to prove that pop is one of many genres in her wheelhouse. Doja remains an elusive, genre-bending savant. #PMPick

REVIEW: tinyurl.com/DojaCat25

Doja Cat's 1980s Extravagance Is Remarkable on 'Vie' » PopMatters

On Vie, Doja Cat references the 1980s to prove that pop is one of many genres in her wheelhouse. Doja remains an elusive, genre-bending savant.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 7d

With 'Chorophobia', Weval have crafted their most club-ready album to date. With its laser focus on the dancefloor, it feels like a well-constructed DJ set.

#PMPick out now via @ninjatunehq.bsky.social.

REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Weval2025

Weval Surrender to the Dancefloor's Irresistible Freedom » PopMatters

With Chorophobia, Weval have crafted their most club-ready album to date. With its laser focus on the dancefloor, it feels like a well-constructed DJ set.

tinyurl.com

1 3

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 7d

On 'Listen Ship', you will hear some of the finest creative musicians in the world lose themselves in Henry Threadgill's patterns and plans. It’s a gentle, daring classic. – #PMPick #jazz

Henry Threadgill Extends His Compositional Daring Into Intimacy » PopMatters

On Listen Ship, you will hear some of the finest creative musicians in the world lose themselves in Henry Threadgill's patterns and plans. It's a gentle, daring classic.

tinyurl.com

PopMatters @popmatters.com · 8d

Although its release date was unfortunately mistimed, Bobby Brown’s ‘Bobby’ presented the funkiest last dance of the entire New Jack Swing era.

Bobby Brown's Funkiest Last Dance » PopMatters

Although its release date was unfortunately mistimed, Bobby Brown's Bobby presented the funkiest last dance of the entire New Jack Swing era.

www.popmatters.com

1 3