Music Reviews

FILE - Neil Young performs at the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival at Napa Valley Expo in Napa, Calif., on May 25, 2019. Young offers a ragged and raw live take of his 1990 album "Ragged Glory" with a new album, titled "F##in' Up." (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Music Review: Neil Young delivers appropriately ragged, raw live version of 1990’s ‘Ragged Glory’

Neil Young offers a ragged and raw live take of his 1990 album ‘Ragged Glory’ with a new album that has a somewhat profane title.
 
This cover image released by Republic Records show "The Tortured Poets Department" by Taylor Swift. (Republic Records via AP)

Music Review: Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ is great sad pop, meditative theater

 
This cover image released by ECM Records shows "Silent, Listening" by Fred Hersch. (ECM Records via AP)

Music Review: Jazz pianist Fred Hersch creates subdued, lovely colors on ‘Silent, Listening’

 
This album cover image released by Blue Suit Records shows "All's Well" by Jesse McCartney. (Blue Suit Records via AP)

Music Review: Jesse McCartney’s ‘All’s Well’ celebrates adult life after teen pop star fame

 
This image released by RCA Records shows "Older" by Lizzy McAlpine. (RCA Records via AP)

Music Review: Lizzy McAlpine tells intimate folk-pop stories on her third album, ‘Older’

 

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This cover image released by Royal Potato Family Records shows "All This Time" by Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams. (Royal Potato Family Records via AP)

Music Review: Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams sing about the power of love on ‘All This Time’

Drawing from personal experience, husband and wife duo Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams sing about first-rate romance on their latest collaborative album, “All This Time.”
 
This cover image released by Columbia Records shows "Only God Was Above Us," the fifth studio album from Vampire Weekend. (Columbia Records via AP)

Music Review: Vampire Weekend’s frenetic, challenging ‘Only God Was Above Us’ is an ode to New York

American rock band Vampire Weekend return with their most challenging record to date, “Only God Was Above Us.”
 
This cover image released by Parkwood/Columbia/Sony shows “Act ll: Cowboy Carter” by Beyonce. (Parkwood/Columbia/Sony via AP)

Music Review: Beyoncé's epic ‘Act ll: Cowboy Carter’ defies categorization, redefines American style

Beyoncé's 78-minute, 27-track “Act ll: Cowboy Carter” is not a country album. But it is certainly another blockbuster Beyoncé album, writes Associated Press Music Writer Maria Sherman.
 
This cover image released by SM Entertainment shows "DREAM( )SCAPE" by NCT Dream. (SM Entertainment via AP)

Music Review: NCT Dream try to pin down a vibe in latest EP, ‘DREAM( )SCAPE’

NCT Dream’s latest EP that’s pronounced “dream escape” doesn’t impress The Associated Press’ Cristina Jaleru.
 
This image released by ANTI Records shows "Tigers Blood" by Waxahatchee. (ANTI Records via AP)

Music Review: Waxahatchee’s alt-country soars, finds joy in simple things on ‘Tigers Blood’

The indie artist Waxahatchee, known for her gut-wrenching alt-country, demonstrates mastery of her craft on her sixth studio album, “Tigers Blood.”
 
This image released by Mack Avenue Music Group shows "But Who’s Gonna Play The Melody?" by Christian McBride with Edgar Meyer. (Mack Avenue Music Group via AP)

Music Review: Bass duets by genre-defying virtuosos Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer swing, rumble

The new album from eclectic virtuosos Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer will work out your sound system.
 
This image released by RCA shows "Everything I Thought It Was" by Justin Timberlake. (RCA via AP)

Music Review: Justin Timberlake returns on nostalgic ‘Everything I Thought It Was’

In its better tracks, Justin Timberlake’s first new album in six years, “Everything I Thought It Was,” is a return to form for the musician.
 
This image released by Interscope Records shows "Deeper Well" by Kacey Musgraves. (Interscope via AP)

Music Review: Kacey Musgraves’ ‘Deeper Well’ trades country-pop hooks for deep, folk-y meditation

Just over a decade ago, Kacey Musgraves emerged as a fresh new voice in country music. In the years and award-winning albums since, she’s proven herself to be malleable: weaving disco-pop and psychedelic detours into her country narratives.
 
This cover image released by Republic Records shows "Eternal Sunshine" by Ariana Grande. (Republic Records via AP)

Music Review: Ariana Grande triumphs over heartbreak on seventh studio album, ‘eternal sunshine’

Ariana Grande’s seventh studio album, “eternal sunshine,” dropped on Friday. Turns out, her lead single, the ‘90s house-pop of “Yes, And?” was a bit of a red herring.
 
This cover image released by Dirty Hit Records shows the self-titled album for Bleachers. (Dirty Hit Records via AP)

Music Review: Bleachers edge past The Boss as Jack Antonoff finds a new sort of peace

Self-titled albums are the traditional way for a musical act to introduce themselves. So what are we to make of Bleachers’ fourth and self-titled album?
 
This image released by Epic Records shows "Invincible Shield" by Judas Priest. (Epic via AP)

Music Review: Judas Priest shows you don’t have to be young to be fast with ‘Invincible Shield’

If you think Judas Priest is a bunch of past-their-prime old geezers, you’ve got another thing coming.
 
FILE - Faye Webster performs at the Innings Festival on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Webster's latest album "Underdressed at the Symphony," releases Friday. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Music Review: Faye Webster’s indie ‘Underdressed at the Symphony’ journeys through a lifetime

Faye Webster, known for her thoughtful blend of indie rock, folk and country, has a new full-length album out: “Underdressed at the Symphony.”
 
This image released by MNRK Records shows "10,000 Volts" by Ace Frehley. (MNRK Records via AP)

Music Review: Ex-Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley is back with another great solo album

No shock here: Ace Frehley has still got the power.

The former Kiss guitarist whose vocal debut came on 1977’s “Shock Me” is back with “10,000 Volts,” a new solo album that’s crackling with energy and personality.
 
This image released by Mom+Pop shows "Loss of Life" by MGMT. (Mom+Pop via AP)

Music Review: MGMT’s ‘Loss of Life’ is a nostalgic return full of hope and heart

MGMT is back with its fifth studio album. The American rock band is perhaps best known for its indie sleaze anthems like “Kids” and “Time to Pretend.”
 
This image released by BMG shows cover art for “This Is Me…. Now” by Jennifer Lopez. (BMG via AP)

Music Review: Jennifer Lopez returns to her pop music throne with new album, ‘This Is Me... Now’

On “This Is Me....Now,” Jennifer Lopez’s first solo album in a decade, the singer takes back her rightful place on the throne of pop music.
 
FILE - Zara Larsson performs at Y100's Jingle Ball in Sunrise, Fla., on Dec. 22, 2019. Larsson's latest album "Venus" releases on Friday. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Music Review: Swedish pop singer Zara Larsson’s ‘Venus’ imparts wise and caring lessons of love

While February is all about sugary feelings, Swedish pop singer Zara Larsson celebrates every heart-broken fan on her fourth album, “Venus.”
 
This image released by Tomplicated Records shows "What happened to the beach?" by Declan Mckenna. (Tomplicated Records/Sony Music via AP)

Music Review: Declan McKenna’s ‘What Happened to the Beach?’ is a warped, pop sonic adventure

British pop singer-songwriter Declan McKenna is back with his third studio album, the bright “What Happened to the Beach?”
 
This cover image released by Strolling Bones Records shows "Magnet Factory" by Pylon Reenactment Society. (Strolling Bones Records via AP)

Music Review: New album by Pylon Reenactment Society revives Pylon’s style of funky art punk

Generations of bands and trends have come and gone since the group Pylon’s heyday as a rock influencer.
 
This cover image released by PeeWee! shows "Face to Face" by Giorgi Mikadze Trio. (PeeWee! via AP)

Music Review: Giorgi Mikadze Trio builds engaging musical bridge linking jazz to Eastern Europe

A new jazz album from the Giorgi Mikadze Trio is titled “Face to Face: Georgian Songbook Vol. 1.” Mikadze is a native of the country of Georgia, and “Face to Face” is his first record leading a traditional piano jazz trio.
 
This image released by UMe shows the 50th Anniversary edition of "Band on the Run (Underdubbed)." (UMe via AP)

Music Review: Paul McCartney and Wings’ release bare bones ‘Band on the Run’ on 50th anniversary

Sometimes less is more. The Associated Press’ Scott Bauer writes that is the thought behind Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Band on the Run (Underdubbed).”
 
This undated image released by ANTI- Records shows musician Katy Kirby, whose new album "Blue Raspberry" is releasing on Jan. 26. (Tonje Thilesen/ANTI- Records via AP)

Music Review: Katy Kirby sings a sweet ode to her first queer relationship in ‘Blue Raspberry’

Brooklyn-based indie singer-songwriter Katy Kirby has returned for her second studio album. Titled “Blue Raspberry,” the release chronicles new discoveries in her first queer relationship.
 
This cover image released by Reprise Records shows "Saviors" by Green Day. (Reprise Records via AP)

Music Review: Green Day are once again political pop-punk ‘Saviors’ on new album

Throughout the Grammy Award-winning pop-punk band Green Day’s career, targets of their musical ire have always been the same: war, systemic issues, political pundits.
 
This album cover image released by Signature Sounds Recordings shows "Critterland" by Willi Carlisle. (Signature Sounds Recordings via AP)

Music Review: Folk singer Willi Carlisle’s album about life in the hills and hollers is a wild ride

Willi Carlisle’s folk music focuses on the folks in the shadows of the hills and hollers, or, as he calls it, “Critterland.”
 
This cover image shows "Desert Pavement," a self-released album by Ismay. (Ismay via AP)

Music Review: A sweet and savory mostly acoustic mix from Avery Hellman’s ISMAY on ‘Desert Pavement’

Avery Hellman is the rural California singer-songwriter behind the musical moniker ISMAY and the new album “Desert Pavement.”
 
This cover image released by Rhino Records shows the box set cover for “Dire Straits Live 1978-1992." (Rhino Records via AP)

Music Review: Tour through Dire Straits’ live output with new box set spanning 1978-1992

Dire Straits may be best known for their No. 1 song “Money for Nothing” that came from their chart-topping 1985 album, “Brothers in Arms.”
 
This image released by Geffen Records shows "ORQUÍDEAS” by Kali Uchis. (Geffen Records via AP)

Music Review: Kali Uchis creates a languid, lush world of the divine feminine on ‘Orquídeas’

On her fourth studio album, titled “Orquídeas” (“Orchids” in English), Colombian American singer Kali Uchis’ ability to create lush sonic worlds reaches new heights.
 
This cover image relesaed by Reprise Records shows “Before and After,” an album of solo acoustic re-recordings of songs by Neil Young. (Reprise Records via AP)

Music Review: Neil Young’s ‘Before and After’ offers one continuous stream of rarities

Leave it to Neil Young to give streaming songs a whole new meaning with “Before and After.” The Associated Press’ Scott Bauer writes that Young delivers reinventions of 13 deep tracks as one continuous piece of music, with no breaks, over 48 minutes on his latest release.
 
This cover image released by Craft Recording shows the 40th anniversary deluxe edition of the band's self-titled debut album by Violent Femmes. (Craft Recording via AP)

Music Review: Violent Femmes debut, a cult favorite, turns 40 with an expanded new edition

To celebrate 40 years since the release of their self-titled debut, the spirited acoustic punk band Violent Femmes have prepared a new deluxe edition, out Friday.
 
This image released by Far Out Productions shows "The World Is a Ghetto" by War, the 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition. (Far Out Productions via AP)

Review: War is good as 50th anniversary of ‘The World Is a Ghetto’ shines in premium box set

On Friday, a reissue box set of WAR’s “The World Is a Ghetto” arrives. The Associated Press’ Ron Harris writes in a review that the nicely packaged rendition of the band’s best-selling album includes bonus tracks as well as entire LP sides of WAR working through some of its best known songs, such as
 
This image released by Elemental Music shows "Tales" by Bill Evans. (Elemental Music via AP)

Music Review: New live jazz album of 1964 performances by Bill Evans trio sings and swings

A new album from the late jazz pianist Bill Evans features previously unreleased recordings from his first European tour.
 
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