UPDATE 7/21/23: James Gordon Meek pleaded guilty to one count each of transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography.In a statement following Meek’s plea, U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber said that the “case was never about the government threatening the First Amendment, because this District and the Department of …
Read More »Synths, Anxiety, and a Genius 'Dear John' Sequel: The Ultimate 'Midnights' Track-by-Track
From the sonic and lyrical influence of the Lover track “The Archer” to the harrowing revelations of the “Dear John” sequel “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve,” the depths of Taylor Swift‘s new album Midnights deserve deep examination. That’s exactly what happens on the new episode of Rolling Stone Music Now, in which …
Read More »Taylor Swift Lets Us Into Her Darkest Dreams On 'Midnights'
Could you have ever guessed what Taylor Swift’s Midnights would sound like? Since announcing the album in late August, Swift tried out a new rollout strategy: no single, no surprise drop 12 hours later. Instead, it’s been two months of Lynchian TikTok videos unveiling song names and lyric billboards to …
Read More »Alex Turner Knows You Want Arctic Monkeys to Make 'AM' Again. Sorry!
From the moment the world heard the frantic majesty of Arctic Monkeys’ classic debut, 2006’s Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, it was obvious the U.K. foursome were headed for rock greatness. But great bands have always reserved the right to swerve into detours that baffle some …
Read More »Karen O and Michelle Zauner on Smashing Expectations and the Power of 'No'
A bout a year ago, Karen O was scrolling through Instagram when she came across a photo of Japanese Breakfast frontwoman Michelle Zauner that left her a little concerned. It was from a stop on Zauner’s relentless tour over the past couple of years, which has included more than 100 …
Read More »Long Live Montero: Lil Nas X's L.A. Tour Stop Was a Vibrant, Unapologetically Queer Production
Nothing — not even pre-show vomit — was going to stop Lil Nas X from putting on a phenomenal performance. On Wednesday, Lil Nas X took the stage for the second of two sold-out shows at Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater as part of his Long Live Montero Tour. In L.A., …
Read More »George Clooney? Julia Roberts? A Rom-com? 'Ticket to Paradise' Isn't a Movie, It's a Time Machine
Movie stars — remember them? Ticket to Paradise sure does, and it’s banking on the fact that you, the audience member, would actually be willing to leave the comfort of your couch and 7,200 streaming services to go see two of ’em! Together! In a romantic comedy! On a big …
Read More »Santigold on Why Musicians Are Burning Out Like Never Before
In another universe, Santi White might be about to hit the road for her Holified Tour right now. Instead, the musician — who performs as Santigold — is talking to Rolling Stone about what she calls a “cultural crisis.” As she was preparing to tour on the heels of her …
Read More »Kanye West Lashes Out When Challenged by Chris Cuomo Over Antisemitic Comments: 'I Don't Have to Understand or Accept'
Kanye West’s priorities are miles away from where they likely should be. During a recent interview with Chris Cuomo, the musician was pressed on his recent antisemitic comments harder than he has been since declaring his plans to go “death con 3 on Jewish people.” But his attempts to clarify …
Read More »Carrie Underwood on Why Singers Need to Hit Their Notes and How She Got Axl Rose Out of Hiding
Carrie Underwood has eight Grammy wins and 16 total nominations over her career, with the bulk of her recognition coming in the vocal performance categories. There’s good reason for that: Underwood has some of the most powerful pipes not just in country music, but anywhere. Even Axl Rose was persuaded …
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