PopMatters
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Essaying the pop culture that matters since 1999. Independent, women/LGBTQ-owned. Made by humans. PM is 26! linktr.ee/popmatters
The post-human speculative sci-fi series ‘Pantheon’ asks, can humanity recognize itself in its digital reflection?
READ: tinyurl.com/PantheonMrr
READ: tinyurl.com/PantheonMrr
November 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
The post-human speculative sci-fi series ‘Pantheon’ asks, can humanity recognize itself in its digital reflection?
READ: tinyurl.com/PantheonMrr
READ: tinyurl.com/PantheonMrr
The American Dream promises that anyone can build a better life through hard work. 'The Brutalist' demolishes this notion. –
READ: tinyurl.com/BrutalistWreck
READ: tinyurl.com/BrutalistWreck
November 20, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The American Dream promises that anyone can build a better life through hard work. 'The Brutalist' demolishes this notion. –
READ: tinyurl.com/BrutalistWreck
READ: tinyurl.com/BrutalistWreck
For all of AVTT/PTTN's shadows and splinters, it features some of the most heart-on-sleeve tunes that the Avett Brothers and Mike Patton have made. #PMPick
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/AVTT-PTTN
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/AVTT-PTTN
November 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
For all of AVTT/PTTN's shadows and splinters, it features some of the most heart-on-sleeve tunes that the Avett Brothers and Mike Patton have made. #PMPick
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/AVTT-PTTN
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/AVTT-PTTN
In this excerpt from 'Rock of Pages', which delves into heavy metal videos, William S. Burroughs, some coming-of-age insights, and more, Jesse Kavadlo shows how heavy metal, literature, and the Cold War were bonded from the beginning.
READ: tinyurl.com/RockOfPages
READ: tinyurl.com/RockOfPages
November 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
In this excerpt from 'Rock of Pages', which delves into heavy metal videos, William S. Burroughs, some coming-of-age insights, and more, Jesse Kavadlo shows how heavy metal, literature, and the Cold War were bonded from the beginning.
READ: tinyurl.com/RockOfPages
READ: tinyurl.com/RockOfPages
Much of 'hooke's law' is a cry for help from the voice within. keiyaA says she would do anything to see god or find a purpose. Like a spring, she is resilient. #PMPick
READ: tinyurl.com/keiyaAHookes
READ: tinyurl.com/keiyaAHookes
November 19, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Much of 'hooke's law' is a cry for help from the voice within. keiyaA says she would do anything to see god or find a purpose. Like a spring, she is resilient. #PMPick
READ: tinyurl.com/keiyaAHookes
READ: tinyurl.com/keiyaAHookes
At Brazil's MADA Festival, a new generation of pop and hip-hop visionaries channel a serious madness and turn psychedelic delirium into art.
READ: tinyurl.com/MADADelirium
READ: tinyurl.com/MADADelirium
November 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
At Brazil's MADA Festival, a new generation of pop and hip-hop visionaries channel a serious madness and turn psychedelic delirium into art.
READ: tinyurl.com/MADADelirium
READ: tinyurl.com/MADADelirium
Amir ElSaffar’s New Quartet have pulled off the trick of creating something that moves and sounds like jazz, but with a much deeper resonance.
'Live at Pierre Boulez Saal' is a #PMPick out now.
READ: tinyurl.com/Elsaffar25
'Live at Pierre Boulez Saal' is a #PMPick out now.
READ: tinyurl.com/Elsaffar25
November 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Amir ElSaffar’s New Quartet have pulled off the trick of creating something that moves and sounds like jazz, but with a much deeper resonance.
'Live at Pierre Boulez Saal' is a #PMPick out now.
READ: tinyurl.com/Elsaffar25
'Live at Pierre Boulez Saal' is a #PMPick out now.
READ: tinyurl.com/Elsaffar25
Southside Johnny was a link to American pop music from the 1940s to the 1980s, when blues, soul, jazz, and garage rock created a new pop culture.
READ: tinyurl.com/SthsdJohnny
READ: tinyurl.com/SthsdJohnny
November 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Southside Johnny was a link to American pop music from the 1940s to the 1980s, when blues, soul, jazz, and garage rock created a new pop culture.
READ: tinyurl.com/SthsdJohnny
READ: tinyurl.com/SthsdJohnny
INTERVIEW: For his current timeline-centric release, the R&B/pop polymath Cautious Clay navigates from dawn to dusk with sly ease, discussing his creative process.
READ: tinyurl.com/CautiousC25
READ: tinyurl.com/CautiousC25
November 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
INTERVIEW: For his current timeline-centric release, the R&B/pop polymath Cautious Clay navigates from dawn to dusk with sly ease, discussing his creative process.
READ: tinyurl.com/CautiousC25
READ: tinyurl.com/CautiousC25
Bill Callahan’s “The Man I’m Supposed to Be” is a call to action, a carpe diem for the advanced middle-age malaise that will eventually come to us all. tinyurl.com/BCallahan25
November 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Bill Callahan’s “The Man I’m Supposed to Be” is a call to action, a carpe diem for the advanced middle-age malaise that will eventually come to us all. tinyurl.com/BCallahan25
Alt-country's Boy Golden duets with newcomer Cat Clyde in the search for the meaning of love in "Cowboy Dreams".
'Best of Our Possible Lives' releases on 2/13/26 via @sixshooterrecords.bsky.social
WATCH: tinyurl.com/BoyGold25
'Best of Our Possible Lives' releases on 2/13/26 via @sixshooterrecords.bsky.social
WATCH: tinyurl.com/BoyGold25
November 17, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Alt-country's Boy Golden duets with newcomer Cat Clyde in the search for the meaning of love in "Cowboy Dreams".
'Best of Our Possible Lives' releases on 2/13/26 via @sixshooterrecords.bsky.social
WATCH: tinyurl.com/BoyGold25
'Best of Our Possible Lives' releases on 2/13/26 via @sixshooterrecords.bsky.social
WATCH: tinyurl.com/BoyGold25
Brandi Carlile has returned to herself, but it doesn’t mean isolation; she is her own awareness, embracing community, knowing what to treasure, and making sure to speak it.
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Brandi25
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Brandi25
November 17, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Brandi Carlile has returned to herself, but it doesn’t mean isolation; she is her own awareness, embracing community, knowing what to treasure, and making sure to speak it.
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Brandi25
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Brandi25
One of Emmylou Harris's most unusual releases, SPYBOY expands her catalog, offering many revelatory glimpses into a unique facet of her artistry.
READ: www.popmatters.com/emmylou-harr...
READ: www.popmatters.com/emmylou-harr...
November 17, 2025 at 2:42 PM
One of Emmylou Harris's most unusual releases, SPYBOY expands her catalog, offering many revelatory glimpses into a unique facet of her artistry.
READ: www.popmatters.com/emmylou-harr...
READ: www.popmatters.com/emmylou-harr...
For listeners drawn to the art of hip-hop, the music meant to stand the test of time, Armand Hammer and the Alchemist's MERCY is a feast.
MERCY is a #PMPick out now via @backwoodzstudioz.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Armand25
MERCY is a #PMPick out now via @backwoodzstudioz.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Armand25
November 17, 2025 at 1:44 PM
For listeners drawn to the art of hip-hop, the music meant to stand the test of time, Armand Hammer and the Alchemist's MERCY is a feast.
MERCY is a #PMPick out now via @backwoodzstudioz.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Armand25
MERCY is a #PMPick out now via @backwoodzstudioz.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Armand25
GWAR have always existed on the edge of chaos, a grotesque blend of satire, violence, and spectacle, but now, it's predictable and choreographed.
READ: tinyurl.com/GWAR25
READ: tinyurl.com/GWAR25
November 13, 2025 at 3:54 PM
GWAR have always existed on the edge of chaos, a grotesque blend of satire, violence, and spectacle, but now, it's predictable and choreographed.
READ: tinyurl.com/GWAR25
READ: tinyurl.com/GWAR25
GWAR have always existed on the edge of chaos, a grotesque blend of satire, violence, and spectacle, but now, it's predictable and choreographed.
READ: tinyurl.com/GWAR25
READ: tinyurl.com/GWAR25
November 13, 2025 at 3:53 PM
GWAR have always existed on the edge of chaos, a grotesque blend of satire, violence, and spectacle, but now, it's predictable and choreographed.
READ: tinyurl.com/GWAR25
READ: tinyurl.com/GWAR25
Whitney's new album, 'Small Talk', is less about drifting through melancholy and more about staying still long enough to understand it.
#PMPick out now via @awalofficial.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/WhitneyLP25
#PMPick out now via @awalofficial.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/WhitneyLP25
November 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Whitney's new album, 'Small Talk', is less about drifting through melancholy and more about staying still long enough to understand it.
#PMPick out now via @awalofficial.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/WhitneyLP25
#PMPick out now via @awalofficial.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/WhitneyLP25
SPRINTS remain emotive but more polished and reflective, questioning rather than acting—though often admitting defeat as the songs grow louder.
'All That Is Over' is a #PMPick out now via @subpop.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/SPRINTS25
'All That Is Over' is a #PMPick out now via @subpop.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/SPRINTS25
November 13, 2025 at 2:26 PM
SPRINTS remain emotive but more polished and reflective, questioning rather than acting—though often admitting defeat as the songs grow louder.
'All That Is Over' is a #PMPick out now via @subpop.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/SPRINTS25
'All That Is Over' is a #PMPick out now via @subpop.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/SPRINTS25
Derived from a dream, the Mountain Goats' new musical tells the intimate and vivid tale of the lone survivors from a shipwrecked crew.
'Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan' is out now.
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/MtnGoats25
'Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan' is out now.
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/MtnGoats25
November 13, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Derived from a dream, the Mountain Goats' new musical tells the intimate and vivid tale of the lone survivors from a shipwrecked crew.
'Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan' is out now.
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/MtnGoats25
'Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan' is out now.
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/MtnGoats25
'Tremor' feels like the start of a brand new chapter for Daniel Avery. While he paints with a lot of familiar colors, there are also many new shades.
'Tremor' is a #PMPick out now via @dominorecordco.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/DAvery25
'Tremor' is a #PMPick out now via @dominorecordco.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/DAvery25
November 13, 2025 at 1:23 PM
'Tremor' feels like the start of a brand new chapter for Daniel Avery. While he paints with a lot of familiar colors, there are also many new shades.
'Tremor' is a #PMPick out now via @dominorecordco.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/DAvery25
'Tremor' is a #PMPick out now via @dominorecordco.bsky.social
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/DAvery25
Shudder to Think pick up where they left off with two new singles, “Thirst Walk” and “Playback”. tinyurl.com/k2etreuh
November 12, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Shudder to Think pick up where they left off with two new singles, “Thirst Walk” and “Playback”. tinyurl.com/k2etreuh
INTERVIEW: Dandy diarist extraordinaire Dickon Edwards talks about how his diary writing is a queer, articulate, and pointed retort to the pressures of conformity.
READ: tinyurl.com/DndyDckns
READ: tinyurl.com/DndyDckns
October 28, 2025 at 8:50 PM
INTERVIEW: Dandy diarist extraordinaire Dickon Edwards talks about how his diary writing is a queer, articulate, and pointed retort to the pressures of conformity.
READ: tinyurl.com/DndyDckns
READ: tinyurl.com/DndyDckns
'Telepathic Fish: Trawling the Early '90s Ambient Underground' is a cleverly curated album that captures a unique DIY moment in UK electronic music. #PMPick
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/TeleFish
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/TeleFish
October 2, 2025 at 12:43 PM
'Telepathic Fish: Trawling the Early '90s Ambient Underground' is a cleverly curated album that captures a unique DIY moment in UK electronic music. #PMPick
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/TeleFish
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/TeleFish
While Nietzschean themes haunt the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling conveys her morality tale of the Übermensch.
READ: tinyurl.com/HPNietzsche
READ: tinyurl.com/HPNietzsche
September 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
While Nietzschean themes haunt the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling conveys her morality tale of the Übermensch.
READ: tinyurl.com/HPNietzsche
READ: tinyurl.com/HPNietzsche
Brad Mehldau's tribute to Elliott Smith, 'Ride Into the Sun', is brimming with incredible ideas and brilliant musicianship, and may be one of the finest albums in his illustrious discography.
#PMPick [9/10] out now via @nonesuch.com.
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Mehldau25
#PMPick [9/10] out now via @nonesuch.com.
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Mehldau25
September 8, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Brad Mehldau's tribute to Elliott Smith, 'Ride Into the Sun', is brimming with incredible ideas and brilliant musicianship, and may be one of the finest albums in his illustrious discography.
#PMPick [9/10] out now via @nonesuch.com.
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Mehldau25
#PMPick [9/10] out now via @nonesuch.com.
REVIEW: tinyurl.com/Mehldau25