“Choreomania,” the title of the third track on UK baroque pop institution Florence + The Machine’s latest project comes from a kind of medieval mass hysteria known as the “dancing plague,” in which people would sometimes literally dance themselves to death. Over a decade into a storied career, and frontwoman Florence Welch’s latest set of … Continue reading Florence + The Machine – Dance Fever
Indie Pop
Rex Orange County – WHO CARES?
For someone who was once dubbed “The Internet’s new favourite sad boy” after rising to prominence overnight following heavy contributions to Tyler, the Creator’s Flower Boy album, Rex Orange County’s latest project is exceptionally positive and uplifting. While the British indie-pop singer wastes no time diving into some of his usual topics of depression, imposter syndrome and crushing … Continue reading Rex Orange County – WHO CARES?
Oliver Tree – Cowboy Tears
If you read some interviews featuring the extravagant and eccentric performance artist and living meme that is Oliver Tree, you’ll know that he never intended to pursue music as his main artistic pursuit for long. You’ll also know that it’s impossible to trust nearly anything he says, as it all eventually works its way around … Continue reading Oliver Tree – Cowboy Tears
Mitski – Laurel Hell
It seems that even an experimental indie darling like Mitski can’t escape the tide of 80s inspiration washing over all facets of the music industry right now. The art pop singer-songwriter’s first project since the incredibly acclaimed Be The Cowboy in 2018 – which topped just about every year-end list there was, Mitski returns after … Continue reading Mitski – Laurel Hell
MØ – Motordrome
When I was able to interview Danish alt-pop singer MØ earlier this month, she told me that the pandemic struck at a strangely opportune time for creating her latest project. Exhausted from seven years of associating with musical megastars and touring all over the world, MØ had planned to take a break, rediscover her passion … Continue reading MØ – Motordrome
Lorde – Solar Power
For someone who exploded onto the pop scene with “Royals,” a cautionary tale about celebrity culture and the pitfalls of observing our entertainment heroes as flawless, godlike figures, New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde has accumulated quite the dedicated cult fanbase – and the expectations of leaning into her role as the cerebral pop star doling out … Continue reading Lorde – Solar Power
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Any follow-up after capturing all four of the Grammys’ top categories with a debut album released at age 17 would have been an extremely tall order. While one of music’s brightest new stars may have ever so slightly fallen victim to the sophomore slump – or at the very least, the astronomical expectations she created … Continue reading Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Clairo – Sling
Two years after her beloved and critically acclaimed debut Immunity, breaking out onto the scene in a massive way at the age of only 19, bedroom pop singer/songwriter Clairo is already at the stage of her career where she’s receiving the Jack Antonoff treatment. Apparently the producer who never rests for an instant, Antonoff once … Continue reading Clairo – Sling
Japanese Breakfast – Jubilee
Acclaimed indie-pop band Japanese Breakfast have been away from the spotlight for nearly four years, taking some time to distance themselves from back-to-back emotionally charged albums that tackled heavy subjects with soft and somber instrumentation. Returning with the aptly titled Jubilee, frontwoman Michelle Zauner has explicitly stated that she wanted an emotional switch-up, focusing her … Continue reading Japanese Breakfast – Jubilee
Olivia Rodrigo – SOUR
While it seems like more and more teen stars are rising to popularity every day, it feels like it’s been a very long time since someone had the kind of overnight success and overwhelming support that 18-year-old Olivia Rodrigo is currently experiencing. The closest comparison might be someone like Billie Eilish, but even she had … Continue reading Olivia Rodrigo – SOUR
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 