Category Archives: Featured Articles
ACL 2025 ~ Top Ten Electronic
Wild sounds, creative sounds, exciting sounds, all underpinned by a variety of beats: welcome to our electronic section, in which forward-thinking artists provide glimpses of the future today. We reviewed more electronic music than any other type this year, which
ACL 2025 ~ Top Ten Electronic
Wild sounds, creative sounds, exciting sounds, all underpinned by a variety of beats: welcome to our electronic section, in which forward-thinking artists provide glimpses of the future today. We reviewed more electronic music than any other type this year, which
ACL 2025 ~ Top Ten Drone
This year’s best drone albums do more than offer steady, immersive tones; they also tackle weighty issues and serve as the voices of the voiceless. The topics include the erasing of history, the removal of human rights, the specter of
ACL 2025 ~ Top Ten Drone
This year’s best drone albums do more than offer steady, immersive tones; they also tackle weighty issues and serve as the voices of the voiceless. The topics include the erasing of history, the removal of human rights, the specter of
ACL 2025 ~ Top Ten Ambient
Today our exciting journey kicks into high gear, as the staff votes are tallied and we present the first of seven genre lists, leading up to this year’s overall top twenty! The ambient category is our most competitive, as we
ACL 2025 ~ Top Ten Ambient
Today our exciting journey kicks into high gear, as the staff votes are tallied and we present the first of seven genre lists, leading up to this year’s overall top twenty! The ambient category is our most competitive, as we
*Press A* 2025 ~ The Year’s Best Videogame Soundtracks
In 2024 we identified a great wave of equalizing conditions in terms of production values between large corporate actors and the independent scene. In 2025 that continues and indeed seems to now be the norm. The trend seems to be
*Press A* 2025 ~ The Year’s Best Videogame Soundtracks
In 2024 we identified a great wave of equalizing conditions in terms of production values between large corporate actors and the independent scene. In 2025 that continues and indeed seems to now be the norm. The trend seems to be
ACL 2025 ~ The Year’s Best Film Scores
Our annual list of the year’s best film scores often differs from those of others, because our goals are different; we’re listening for film scores that operate well as stand-alone albums. We’ve heard all of the major players, and yet are
ACL 2025 ~ The Year’s Best Film Scores
Our annual list of the year’s best film scores often differs from those of others, because our goals are different; we’re listening for film scores that operate well as stand-alone albums. We’ve heard all of the major players, and yet are
ACL 2025 ~ Label of the Year
The first Subtext release we received in 2025 was Sara Persico‘s Sphaîra. We instantly knew that we were on the cusp of something remarkable; we just didn’t know how remarkable. Over the course of the year, we would go on to review five
ACL 2025 ~ Label of the Year
The first Subtext release we received in 2025 was Sara Persico‘s Sphaîra. We instantly knew that we were on the cusp of something remarkable; we just didn’t know how remarkable. Over the course of the year, we would go on to review five
ACL 2025 ~ The Year’s Best Album Covers
There will never be enough time to listen to all the music being released, even in the instrumental field; but there is enough time to check out all of the album covers. A winning album cover immediately gives an album
ACL 2025 ~ The Year’s Best Album Covers
There will never be enough time to listen to all the music being released, even in the instrumental field; but there is enough time to check out all of the album covers. A winning album cover immediately gives an album
ACL 2025 ~ Music for Stained Glass
As the holy season approaches, we begin to long for music that makes our souls sing, while avoiding any saccharine sweetness. This year’s albums are united not by institutional frames, but by their spiritual tone. Listeners may feel their hearts
ACL 2025 ~ Music for Stained Glass
As the holy season approaches, we begin to long for music that makes our souls sing, while avoiding any saccharine sweetness. This year’s albums are united not by institutional frames, but by their spiritual tone. Listeners may feel their hearts
a closer listen 