Childish Gambino, Denzel Curry and Curren$y channel rap's blog era

Three survivors of a chaotic moment in hip-hop conjure its best qualities, a decade and a few major career twists later, for three new albums released on the same day.

(Image credit: Pavielle Garcia)

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50 years ago, 'Country Life' solidified Roxy Music's reputation as art-rockers

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Eminem and Common confront the same milestone — middle age — from opposite angles

The two veteran rappers read as comic inversions of one another on their new albums, by turns renewed and restrained by the instincts that defined them at the start of their careers.

(Image credit: Aaron J. Thornton)

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West of Roan collects ancient folktales — not personal folklore

In an era when connecting the tidbits of an artist’s private life can seem more important than following a musical thread between songs, West of Roan's Queen of Eyes revives faith in the power of the concept album.

(Image credit: Blake McMeekin)

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50 years later, Stevie Wonder's 'First Finale' remains ripe for rediscovery

Fulfillingness’ First Finale won the Grammy for Best Album in 1975, yet today it feels underrated — perhaps because its overall tone was more meditative than the albums immediately preceding it.

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Zach Bryan makes — and breaks — his own myth on 'The Great American Bar Scene'

The Great American Bar Scene, features love songs, thorny anthems, autobiographical lore and even a mini-arc that directly invokes classic Bruce Springsteen songs. '/>

Bruce Springsteen, 40 years on from Born in the U.S.A., shows up on Bryan’s new album to offer the wisdom and regret of a lifetime of telling truths and spinning yarns.

(Image credit: Keith Griner)

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Unpacking hip-hop's sprawl in 2024's most eclectic release date

Megan Thee Stallion's post-traumatic reset, a left-field Lil Yachty collab, the raunchy return of cupcaKKe: June 28 delivered a truckload of major albums, and a portrait of modern rap's main tension.

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Megan Thee Stallion sheds her skin on 'Megan'

A lot has happened to rapper Megan Thee Stallion over the last couple of years including a highly publicized trial after being shot by a former friend, a messy breakup, and a feud with artist Nicki Minaj. She confronts all of that and more on her boastful and vulnerable new album Megan. But she also has fun on playful tracks like 'Down Stairs DJ' and 'Otaku Hot Girl' that are odes to self-pleasure and her anime nerddom.

(Image credit: Rich Fury)

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Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä thrills both in person and on recording

The 28-year-old conductor has been making news lately — getting rave reviews for renditions of Stravinsky and Debussy, and also for being the music director of more than one major orchestra.

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