Music
Black Country, New Road make music for a warped world
New sounds — BC,NR aren’t just anxious young people making music for other anxious young people: they’re a raw reflection of the society that surrounds them. Here, they explain why it’s important to find laughter in the darkness.
Written by: Charlie McQuaid
Why we started a club night for our teacher, Mark Fisher
For k-punk — Ahead of an event hosted at the ICA in his memory, three of the late Mark Fisher's students remember their lecturer and describe the ways they have endeavoured to keep his fierce spirit and energy of his music writing alive.
Written by: Natasha Eves, Archie Smith and Kitty McKay
Chuck D on his tried and tested guide to resistance
Lessons Learned — The hip hop legend shares what he’s picked up after almost four decades spent speaking truth to power – explaining why, at 60 years old, he believes it’s time for a new generation to set the pace.
Written by: Niall Flynn
The Facebook group where it‘s always 2009
#TBT — While the rest of the world entered the uncertainty of 2021, in recent months, hundreds of thousands of Facebook users have signed up to groups that offer an escape from our current times.
Written by: Andrew Lloyd
The radical album art of revolutionary Cuba
Latin rhythms — Gilles Peterson discusses a new book he helped co-edit about Cuban record sleeve design, which traces the country's rich cultural Latin musical legacy, as well as the political and aesthetic influence of revolutionary Communism.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Shame have been coming down and growing up
Drunk tank tales — After an extensive period on the road, the band returned to their native London restless and jumpy. The music that followed is their best yet.
Written by: Niall Flynn
Polaroids capturing the icons of '80s New York nightlife
Maripol in conversation — Photographer Maripol reflects on NYC's vibrant downtown club scene, where she shot everyone from Debbie Harry, to Grace Jones, to Madonna and Sade.
Written by: Miss Rosen
How austerity birthed a new Irish protest song
Disaffected youth — Economic uncertainty and fears of a recession have triggered a wave anti-establishment, working-class narratives in Ireland, which are steadily gaining popularity in the country's music scene.
Written by: Kelly Doherty
How police prosecute drill artists with their own music
Lyrics on trial — The police have long seen Black music as synonymous with violence. Now, they're targeting drill artists by monitoring their music and using their lyrics as evidence to link them to crimes.
Written by: Samir Jeraj
Vic Mensa is still on a mission to transform Chicago
The honest truth — The 27-year-old rapper’s hometown boasts a rich hip hop heritage, but he remains one of its most important sons. For Mensa, artistry and activism are interlinked: he won’t stop until he’s changed Chi City for the better.
Written by: Nicolas-Tyrell Scott