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Music
Records, scenes, and the artists shaping the sound.
77 stories archived
Watch Olivia Rodrigo Unravel in New “The Cure” Video
The latest single from You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love is here
Charli XCX Walks a Runway to Hell in “SS26” Video
Featuring cameos from Abra, former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld, and a can of Poppi
Feeble Little Horse Announce New Album Bitknot Dropping Next Week
The Pittsburgh noise-pop band’s long-awaited follow-up to Girl With Fish
Drake Becomes First Artist to Hold Top Three Billboard 200 Spots
Iceman, Habibti, and Maid of Honour just made history
“It Takes Two” Rapper Rob Base Dies at 59
The Harlem MC, who was one-half of the duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, had been living with cancer
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith Launches Label With New Album Ruin: It’s Not Just Music
The beat-heavy LP inaugurates her Someone Special label
Low Culture Podcast: Performance
In this month’s edition of the Low Culture Podcast, John Doran and Luke Turner discuss the cult classic of blurred identity and the failing 60s counterculture “You’re the lone ranger!”, “I like a bit of a cavort!”, “It was Mad Cyril”, “Comical little geezer – you’ll look funny when you’re 50”, “Too much vitamin B12 has never hurt anybody”. The countercultural gangster film Performance (1970) might be so endlessly quotable it ended up in songs The Happy Mondays and Big Audio Dynamite, but there’s much more to it than that, as John Doran and Luke Turner discuss in the latest edition of the Low Culture Podcast. Shot in 1967 but only premiered in 1970, Performance is a riot of firsts – Mick Jagger’s debut starring... The post Low Culture Podcast: Performance appeared first on The Quietus.
Le Guess Who?’s 2026 Edition to Feature 24-Hour Dub Marathon
Aba Shanti-I and Mad Professor will be part of the celebration of the Jamaican genre Le Guess Who? will mark its 20th edition later this year with a special 24-hour series of continuous programming dedicated to dub music. Taking place at Utrecht venue KABUL à GoGo, 24 HOUR DUB will chart the evolution of the Jamaican genre, with sets from pioneers and contemporaries, as well as appearances from poets. The programming includes sets from Aba Shanti-I, Kelman Duran, Azu Tiwaline, Seekersinternational and The Bug vs Ghost Dubs, among others. Mad Professor will also make an appearance for live dub sessions and a collaboration with Sista Aisha, while The Scientist will perform classic 1981 work Scientist Rids The World Of The Evil Curse... The post Le Guess Who?’s 2026 Edition to Feature 24-Hour Dub Marathon appeared first on The Quietus.
FKA twigs Faces Countersuit Over Artist Name
In the latest turn of the long-running saga, The Twigs have alleged that the artist used her fame to "weaken, if not destroy" their intellectual property FKA twigs has been hit with a countersuit in the latest turn of a long-running legal saga between herself and The Twigs over the former's artist name, FKA twigs, real name Tahliah Barnett, filed a lawsuit against 90s duo The Twigs in March in a bid to secure full rights to her artist name following a legal back-and-forth that had been taking place between the two acts since 2013. Billboard now reports, though, that The Twigs have responded to that with their own complaint, which was filed earlier this week, and claimed that Barnett had used... The post FKA twigs Faces Countersuit Over Artist Name appeared first on The Quietus.
Laibach – Musick
Laibach Musick More is very much more for the eminent Slovenians MUSICK by Laibach What does culture, or entertainment, mean right now? And should we be scared of such things, in the mediums they currently present themselves in? Laibach’s new long player, Musick, often toys with such questions. They are a rum bunch, Laibach, always looking to invert meaning to establish meaning, or to reflect our own impulses back at us in ways we hadn’t yet formulated. Once their go-to source material was the semantics of twentieth-century political ideology, instructions forged in darkness and violence. Now, the venerable Slovenian band recruit younger countryfolk, such as Manca Trampuš of indie band Koala Voice; pop sensation Senidah and MRFY’s Gregor Strasbergar. These three, alongside the producer Richard... The post Laibach – Musick appeared first on The Quietus.
Reissue of the Week: The Eighteenth Day Of May
The Eighteenth Day Of May’s singular self-titled album remains timeless and enchanting, says Will Salmon The Eighteenth Day of May by The Eighteenth Day of May You might not recall The Eighteenth Day Of May, but if you're a regular reader of The Quietus then there's a strong chance that you'll know at least one of the projects that rose from the ashes of this short-lived, but quietly influential psych folk sextet. The band formed in London in 2003, initially as a trio: vocalist Allison Brice, and multi-instrumentalists Richard Olson and Ben Phillipson. Bassist Mark Nicholas, drummer Karl Sabino, and ex-Saloon viola-player Alison Cotton all joined the outfit over the following year. They recorded a self-titled LP, which was released in 2005 on... The post Reissue of the Week: The Eighteenth Day Of May appeared first on The Quietus.
Speedy J – Walkman
Speedy J Walkman Dutch producer Jochem Paap's first album in two decades is a proud ripose to the vicissitudes of the algorithm, finds Jeremy Allen Walkman by Speedy J With more than 43 million songs uploaded to streaming services every year, how does one avert overload fatigue from the sheer mass of new music? It’s a modern reality that the Dutch music producer Jochem Paap has been wrestling with, with Walkman his first solo release in twenty years. The name of this record harks back to the Sony Walkman, of course, the mobile cassette player that revolutionised personal listening in the 1980s and set us on our way towards the iPod and streaming platforms listened to via smartphones. If that gives an impression that Walkman... The post Speedy J – Walkman appeared first on The Quietus.
The Avalanches Share New Single, ‘Together’
The Australian group's first proper release in six years features Jessy Lanza and Nikki Nair Photo by Dean Podmore The Avalanches have released a new song, titled 'Together'. Marking the first proper release of new material in six years from the Australian group, the song features Jessy Lanza, Nikki Nair and Prentiss. It's the first preview of a forthcoming album from The Avalanches, which they teased late last year with an Instagram Stories post featuring posted a stack of hard drives and the caption “LP #4". They also recently launched a website for a fake company called Takumi, and wiped their Instagram account before sharing a new band logo. They've shared a video for 'Together', which was directed and animated by frequent collaborator Jonathan Zawada. It depicts an... The post The Avalanches Share New Single, ‘Together’ appeared first on The Quietus.
Haruomi Hosono Returns with First Album in Seven Years
Yours Sincerely is the Yellow Magic Orchestra musician's 23rd album Haruomi Hosono is releasing his first album in seven years, titled Yours Sincerely. It's the Yellow Magic Orchestra musician's 23rd LP in a decades-long career, and marks his first through Ghostly International. The album's title, Hosono said in a statement, was inspired by omoiyari, a concept that can mean both "suffering together" and "rejoicing together", depending on its use. Hosono is scheduled to mark the album's release with a pair of US shows alongside Toro Y Moi later this year, at New York's Radio City Music Hall (16 September) and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (20 September). Ghostly International will release Yours Sincerely on 11 September 2026. ... The post Haruomi Hosono Returns with First Album in Seven Years appeared first on The Quietus.
The Quietus Spring Sale is Here! Help us Fight the AI-pocalypse
tQ relies on Subscribers to continue providing human-made cultural criticism. This spring, you can save 35% on our top tier subscription – here's why we're doing it SUBSCRIBE NOW HERE WITH 35% OFF! There’s something appallingly physical about the language that’s used to describe the radical changes that are affecting every aspect of our culture. AI slop. Enshittification. It’s all rather revolting. From our perspective, the acts of making music and writing about it are in fine fettle, but the systems that support and nourish them are in danger of being broken on a wheel. AI is at the root of this crisis. Major media companies are refusing to rule out using AI-generated content, with many even embracing it. There are now... The post The Quietus Spring Sale is Here! Help us Fight the AI-pocalypse appeared first on The Quietus.
Guest Playlist: Marisa Anderson
Marisa Anderson talks us through musical influences on her ambitious new album The Anthology Of UnAmerican Folk Music (the results are compiled into a playlist exclusively for tQ Subscriber Plus tier members) Photo by Eve Sussman Music journalists love to tell you they know all the influences that has gone into a new album, but a lot of the time the artists responsible themselves are left baffled by these comparisons. We thought, why not go straight to the source? Marisa Anderson is an experimental guitarist and composer, whose excellent new record The Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music Vol. 1 is released on 22 May via Thrill Jockey. It interprets pieces from the private collection of legendary folk archivist Harry Smith, best known for... The post Guest Playlist: Marisa Anderson appeared first on The Quietus.
Function Announces ‘Aeternum (Existenz)’ Mini-Album for Tresor
The six-track release closes a cycle of records that began with 2019's Existenz Photo by George Nebieridze Function is releasing a new mini-album with Tresor, titled Aeternum (Existenz). Comprised of six tracks, it serves as the final chapter of a series of records that started with 2019 LP Existenz, and has since included Subject f (Transcendence), Awakening From The Illusory Self and Green. All six tracks on the new release were recorded between 2016 and 2019. To mark the announcement of the mini-LP, the Sandwell District member has shared lead cut 'Growth Cycle (Hermetic Mix)', which draws on emotive synth melodies that recall 90s Detroit techno. Listen to the song below. Tresor will release Aeternum (Existenz) on 3 July 2026. Aeternum (Existenz) by Function ... The post Function Announces ‘Aeternum (Existenz)’ Mini-Album for Tresor appeared first on The Quietus.
Feedbacker: Rock Music for May by JR Moores
JR Moores listens to some alt rock releases and has a bone to pick with the chief Foo Fibber The Claypool Lennon Delirium, photo by Jay Blakesberg Dave Grohl is on the charm offensive. I know what you’re thinking. That’s exactly what he’s been on for the past 30 years. Buttocks nestled into Norton’s sofa. Chummy cover features by David Fricke. NICEST GUY IN ROCK, don’t you know. Grohl brushes off that nickname, which was imposed on him, as well he might. In a recent Guardian feature, the other Foo Fighters disclosed how difficult Grohl is to work with (or, rather, for). Then there are those widely reported personal life revelations. They might have come as a greater shock if Louise Post... The post Feedbacker: Rock Music for May by JR Moores appeared first on The Quietus.
For Breakfast – Longer Than Spring
For Breakfast Longer Than Spring North Londoners follow a brace of EPs with a leaner, more sophisticated sound Longer Than Spring by For Breakfast After four years, North London’s For Breakfast return with Longer Than Spring, an LP trading the murky, sprawling friction of the seven-piece band’s roots for a leaner, solo-led architecture. It’s a sophisticated if occasionally sanitised evolution; while the band’s signature virtuosity remains, it is now tethered to the singular narrative of vocalist and keys player Maya Harrison. This shift is catalysed by Harrison’s decade-long recovery from illness, framing the record’s elastic pacing as a non-linear map of healing built around lyrics the band used as a centering force for their arrangements. Longer Than Spring also reckons with the external: the relentless... The post For Breakfast – Longer Than Spring appeared first on The Quietus.
Philly Soul: The 13 Songs That Changed Kurt Vile’s Life
From vintage folk and country through 90s alternative and some modern classics, Kurt Vile takes Julian Marszalek through the songs he can't stop playing on repeat Photo by Eleanor Petry Much like the way Lou Reed became inextricably linked with his beloved New York, Kurt Vile has long come to be associated with Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love whose streets, neighbourhoods and history have long shaped his sound and his artistic outlook. With the release of his new album Philadelphia’s Been Good To Me, he finally names the city outright, grounding the album in his hometown and the life that he’s built there. “I’ve been doing my thing long enough here in Philly and looking around at my surroundings,” he tells tQ.... The post Philly Soul: The 13 Songs That Changed Kurt Vile’s Life appeared first on The Quietus.
Waking up with the Manic Street Preachers – 30 years of Everything Must Go
Anna Doble remembers passing out during a Manics gig three decades ago and coming round clutching part of Nicky Wire's feather boa... and an album that came to define the mid-90s I didn’t mean to miss the gig but part of me was genuinely pleased about it. Despite being bruised, dizzy and dehydrated I found myself coming back to consciousness during ‘The Girl Who Wanted To Be God’ and when I looked down, padding my own body as if reconvening with existence, I saw that my T-shirt was covered in Nicky Wire’s feathers. I was 17 when Manic Street Preachers first brought Everything Must Go into my world. Ten months after I had got hold of the album (on release day in... The post Waking up with the Manic Street Preachers – 30 years of Everything Must Go appeared first on The Quietus.
Han-earl Park – uᴉɐƃ∀ ʍǝN sI plO sI ʇɐɥM
Han-earl Park uᴉɐƃ∀ ʍǝN sI plO sI ʇɐɥM Originally conceived as short online videos, the Korean-American guitarist's new suite of improvised tracks manages to re-invent the guitar without hiding it behind a swathe of electronics and effects uᴉɐƃ∀ ʍǝN sI plO sI ʇɐɥM by Han-earl Park Han-earl Park’s last solo guitar album, 2021’s Of Life, Recombinant, ended in an eruption. The record’s opening tracks sounded like rogue metallurgy in a temporally displaced graveyard. Spooky sparks and shards of chords punctured looming tonal clouds, causality went askew as echoes seemingly occurred before their initial plucks. This eerie tension was shattered in the closing title track, an explosion of tendrilous lines midway through tangling and twitching over each other in a febrile dance. It’s a space uᴉɐƃ∀... The post Han-earl Park – uᴉɐƃ∀ ʍǝN sI plO sI ʇɐɥM appeared first on The Quietus.
John Carpenter Details New Album and Graphic Novel, ‘Cathedral’
The filmmaker and composer's latest record was made with longtime collaborators Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies John Carpenter is to release a new album, Cathedral. Made alongside longtime collaborators Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies, it sees the filmmaker and composer continue his longstanding partnership with the Sacred Bones label. The album will arrive alongside Carpenter's graphic novel debut of the same name, with the two designed as a fully immersive, connected project. Each track on the album aligns with a chapter of the novel, with liner notes guiding listeners through the story. "It was so cinematic and vivid," Carpenter said in a statement about the dream that inspired the story. "I thought, 'I have to score this.' It's kind of our first heavy metal album." Collaborator Davies... The post John Carpenter Details New Album and Graphic Novel, ‘Cathedral’ appeared first on The Quietus.
Autechre Detail First-Time Physical Release of ‘elseq 1-5’
The previously digital-only 2016 series will be made newly available as a 5xCD box set Autechre are reissuing 2016 release elseq 1-5 to mark its 10th anniversary. The previously digital-only series of music will be made available physically for the first time in the form of a limited-edition 5xCD box set. It will be housed in a 12-inch printed hardback folder, alongside a 64-page book featuring the original album and track artwork, as well as previously unseen images. Pre-orders are available here, with Warp Records encouraging fans to put orders in before the final manufacture quantity is confirmed on 10 June. The first-time physical release of elseq 1-5 coincides with Autechre's upcoming European tour later this year, which will see them play Prague's... The post Autechre Detail First-Time Physical Release of ‘elseq 1-5’ appeared first on The Quietus.