Music

National

Francis Davis, a giant of jazz criticism, has died

Nate Chinen

His wife, Fresh Air host Terry Gross, said the longtime contributor to The Village Voice and NPR had been living with emphysema and Parkinson's disease.
Three wildly different artists crack the top 10 for the first time

Stephen Thompson

Surprises nevertheless abound in the top 10, as a vinyl reissue lands cult singer-songwriter Ethel Cain on the Billboard 200 for the first time ever and two artists — Alex Warren and BigXthaPlug — experience their first-ever top 10 singles.
On 'SABLE, fABLE,' Bon Iver embraces fresh possibilities

Stephen Thompson

Bon Iver's new album, SABLE, fABLE, explores a world of new possibilities for the artist, and in the accumulation of hardships and opportunities that got him to this fresh start.
The best new albums out April 11

Stephen Thompson

Erin Wolf

Check out our long list of albums that hit streaming Thursday night, including new records by Bon Iver, Valerie June and much more.
National

Jillian Lauren: What we know about police shooting of Weezer bassist's wife

Bill Chappell

Jillian Lauren suffered a non-life-threatening injury this week when police shot her in her yard after they say she pointed a gun at them. Details about the incident in Los Angeles are still emerging.
Worried artists reached out to Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell. His responses didn't help

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

Since President Trump took over leadership of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts earlier this year, some artists are trying to figure out how to proceed. One musician emailed the interim director, Richard Grenell. He responded.
Science & Technology

20 musicians who should get to go to space before Katy Perry

Neda Ulaby

On April 14, Blue Origin plans to launch a space flight with a crew that includes the singer behind the 2010 hit "Firework." But we can think of many other artists who deserve to be among the stars.
National Recording Registry adds Tracy Chapman, Hamilton and the Minecraft game soundtrack

Neda Ulaby

There are 25 new additions to the Library of Congress collection. They include albums by Elton John, Miles Davis, Amy Winehouse, and the original cast recording of Hamilton.
'You know it when you feel it': A new documentary explores the roots of funk

Eric Deggans

"Once you get the funk out there, it's not going back. You can't put it back in the box," says filmmaker Stanley Nelson. His new Independent Lens documentary is out now.
Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine' takes a wicked leap to No. 1, a year after its release

Stephen Thompson

Ariana Grande's deluxe edition of her 2024 album, Eternal Sunshine, catapults it from No. 87 all the way back to No. 1. Elsewhere, Kendrick Lamar's "Luther (feat. SZA)" sits in the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a seventh consecutive week, and Pat Boone makes his long-awaited move toward chart domination.