Music
Lewis Capaldi Leads the Boston Royale in Qualified Catharsis
The sweaty crowd laden in eyeliner and leather jackets had lined up outside the Boston nightclub to see a sad, goofy Scottish boy play his guitar.
15 Years Later, Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ Still Resonates
Today, “American Idiot” is still as politically relevant as ever.
Angel Olsen’s ‘All Mirrors’ is Worth a Second Look
In a drastic shift from the minimalist guitar ballads that propelled her into the public eye, Olsen’s latest work relies on lush orchestration and electronic effects to immerse listeners in a dreamy, futuristic haze.
Andrew Bird Brings His Strings to Boston
He navigated his violin with the easy hands of an expert, alternately strumming, plucking, and bowing with such force that stray strands dangled from the bow.
Mallrat, Allday, and Japanese Wallpaper Put Their Own Spin on Authenticity
A live set is not always conducive to facilitating an intimate experience with an artist, but Mallrat’s dreamy, organic stage present felt less like a scripted recital and more like like an impromptu dorm room sing-along with a close friend.
Half Alive
Half Alive, an indie pop trio, perform in Boston at Paradise Rock Club Thursday night. Best known for their upbeat single “still feel.” and their iconic choreography, fans packed into the venue to see the band’s moves and songs on stage. Each time lead singer Josh Taylor showed off his dancing, the crowd erupted in cheers.
Lana, Lizzo, and the Lure of Trump’s Twitter
But then, what right does an artist have to tell any writer what they can and can’t say? That seems a particularly Trumpian idea.
On ‘Hey, I’m Just Like You,’ Tegan and Sara Come Home
Comprised of polished reimaginings of demos from the duo’s early days, the album is a jubilant celebration of youthful nonchalance.
Music of the Movement
As the climate movement looks to the past in fighting for a more just and stable future, music provides a fundamentally human call to action.
Soccer Mommy Emerges from the Bedroom in ‘lucy’
But Allison is no longer the congenial best friend you can carry around in your AirPods, even if “lucy” is ultimately a higher brow take on the ever-relatable ode to the bad boy.
Mac DeMarco Goofs Off at The Orpheum
Mac DeMarco and his goofy ensemble blended humor, charisma, and musical talent to an endlessly entertaining effect.
‘Don’t Call Me Angel’ is Fun but Flat
This is a tired and disappointing take considering the iconic girl power anthem by Destiny’s Child that heralded “Charlie’s Angels” in 2000.
Blink-182 Bounces Back on ‘Nine’
The album provides a largely successful, if a bit formulaic, retrospective of Blink-182’s decades-long musical career while also looking to the future.
On ‘Jaime,’ Brittany Howard’s Voice is Lost in the Noise
Falling prey to disjointed composition, “Jaime” pushes the envelope so far that its own innovation turns to chaos, overwriting Howard’s message.
Formerly All-Female Radcliffe Pitches Admit First Male Member
Harvard College’s oldest historically all-female a capella group, the Radcliffe Pitches, inducted its first male member this week, more than four decades after the ensemble’s founding.
