Spotlight

The 20th Annual Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll: The Institution Continues

January 12, 2026
Posted in , , , ,

Onwards for an invaluable poll from a community of critics that gives us a map to an expansive world of jazz to explore — with hints at terra incognita.

Musician Remembrance: Homage to Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead

January 11, 2026
Posted in , , ,

Bob Weir protected the integrity and idealism of the Grateful Dead’s music, playing the band’s songs year after year with a sense of wonder that he never lost touch with.

Translation Spotlight: Haunted and Haunting

December 29, 2025
Posted in , , ,

Appreciations of three remarkable translated works that have preoccupied me for months.

Arts Feature: The Best in Popular Music 2025

December 23, 2025
Posted in , , ,

Our popular music critics pick some of the standout albums and live performances of 2025.

Music Feature: The Best Jazz Albums of 2025

December 21, 2025
Posted in , ,

The magazine’s jazz critics look back over the past year and highlight their favorite albums.

Arts Feature: Best Movies (With Some Disappointments) of 2025

December 17, 2025
Posted in , , , ,

Our demanding critics choose the best films (along with some disappointments) of the year. And there is plenty of disagreement.

Arts Feature: Top Classical Recordings and Concerts of 2025

December 14, 2025
Posted in , , ,

Our classical music critics supply their favorites, albums and concerts, from over the past year.

Locke’s List for 2025: Notable Operatic Recordings and a Few Non-Operatic Ones

December 10, 2025
Posted in , , , ,

First recordings of major works and splendid recordings of some others, from Handel to Raff and from Boston’s Musicians of the Old Post Road to the astonishing operatic soprano Aleksandra Kurzak.

Arts Remembrance: Jimmy Cliff (1944-2025)

November 26, 2025
Posted in , ,

Up until the end, it seems, Jimmy Cliff was still seeing clearly — and eager to share that vision with us.

Cultural Commentary: France Marks the 10th Anniversary of the Bataclan Attacks

November 15, 2025
Posted in , ,

The aftermath of a terrorist act becomes an opportunistic event for those selling us a certain bill of partisan geo-political goods… while simultaneously diminishing our latitude as citizens.

Recent Posts

Popular Posts

Categories

Archives