ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Modern Composition
This year, we reviewed more modern composition albums than those in any other genre ~ not because more were submitted, but because their overall quality was so high. We read this trend early in our Spring Music Preview, and it
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Modern Composition
This year, we reviewed more modern composition albums than those in any other genre ~ not because more were submitted, but because their overall quality was so high. We read this trend early in our Spring Music Preview, and it
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Field Recording & Soundscape
The natural world existed long before the creation of instruments: music made by wind and waves, birds and beasts. During the pandemic, many people have rediscovered the aural joys of nature: music that is always playing, and that can best
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Field Recording & Soundscape
The natural world existed long before the creation of instruments: music made by wind and waves, birds and beasts. During the pandemic, many people have rediscovered the aural joys of nature: music that is always playing, and that can best
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Experimental
Our Experimental section boasts the widest dynamic contrast of all the fields we cover. From near-silence to curdled wails, children’s classes to looped drums, every nook and cranny is explored and excavated. Where else might one discover an examination of
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Experimental
Our Experimental section boasts the widest dynamic contrast of all the fields we cover. From near-silence to curdled wails, children’s classes to looped drums, every nook and cranny is explored and excavated. Where else might one discover an examination of
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Electronic
Due to lockdowns and quarantines, most of us have not gone clubbing for years. Thankfully, electronic artists have kept making music during the pandemic ~ although not all of it for dancing. They can imagine an alternate universe in which our
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Electronic
Due to lockdowns and quarantines, most of us have not gone clubbing for years. Thankfully, electronic artists have kept making music during the pandemic ~ although not all of it for dancing. They can imagine an alternate universe in which our
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Drone
Drone is the music of suspension: a constant underpinning of sound graced by modulation. The music was perfect for a year in which things seemed to move very slowly, as if through molasses. Many of the artists on this year’s
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Drone
Drone is the music of suspension: a constant underpinning of sound graced by modulation. The music was perfect for a year in which things seemed to move very slowly, as if through molasses. Many of the artists on this year’s
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Ambient
This year’s picks emphasize the variety of ambient music through poetry, field recordings and home diaries, featuring children and cicadas, time and seasons, dedications to loved ones and even a celebration of those who do nothing. This year, many of
ACL 2021 ~ Top Ten Ambient
This year’s picks emphasize the variety of ambient music through poetry, field recordings and home diaries, featuring children and cicadas, time and seasons, dedications to loved ones and even a celebration of those who do nothing. This year, many of
*Press A* 2021 ~ The Year’s Best Videogame Soundtracks
2021 represents the beginning of a relatively slow path toward recovery, with an ever-more-populous list of VGM releases relative to the prior year. Our list this year is again testament to the sheer diversity coming to define the game soundtrack
*Press A* 2021 ~ The Year’s Best Videogame Soundtracks
2021 represents the beginning of a relatively slow path toward recovery, with an ever-more-populous list of VGM releases relative to the prior year. Our list this year is again testament to the sheer diversity coming to define the game soundtrack
ACL 2021 ~ The Year’s Best Album Covers
Album covers were never more important than they are today. In the old days, one might peruse the bins at the local record store, seeing if something caught the eye and hopefully the ear. Now most people buy their music
ACL 2021 ~ The Year’s Best Album Covers
Album covers were never more important than they are today. In the old days, one might peruse the bins at the local record store, seeing if something caught the eye and hopefully the ear. Now most people buy their music
a closer listen 