On 'The Spur,' Joan Shelley weighs what it takes to be human

Shelley expounds on country living, newly married life and the birth of her daughter. But life's joys are never far removed from the deeply worrying state — and fate — of the world.

(Image credit: Mickie Winters/Courtesy of the artist)

* This article was originally published here

3 songs prove just how elastic the definition of country music has become

The range of country music is on display in Kane Brown's hit single; a duet by Wynonna Judd and the alt-rocker Waxahatchee; and the title song of Big Time, indie singer-songwriter Angel Olsen's album.

* This article was originally published here

'Requiem for the Enslaved' holds a major university's truths up to the light

Georgetown University owes its survival to slavery. A new album by Carlos Simon, an assistant professor at the school, unflinchingly confronts that legacy.

(Image credit: Toko Shiik/Courtesy of the artist)

* This article was originally published here

For pianist Vadim Neselovskyi, Ukraine war adds urgency to his most personal work

On a new album, "Odesa," written in tribute to his father, the pianist, former child prodigy and composer also paints a portrait of the album's namesake, currently in the midst of a Russian invasion.

(Image credit: Courtesy of the artist)

* This article was originally published here

Kendrick Lamar looks inward on 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'

Though drenched in deep melancholy, Lamar's new album avoids superstar-level self-pity. Instead, the hip-hop artist summons up specific memories and works through his issues with uncommon grace.

* This article was originally published here

For Angel Olsen, the shortest distance between loss and love is a country song

For the songwriter's sixth album, she leans into a retro country sound for a big-hearted set of songs about grief and burgeoning love.

(Image credit: Angela Ricciardi/Courtesy of the artist)

* This article was originally published here