9 songs helping us dream up a less hellish 2021

Photo credit: Erica Hernandez

You need to listen to...

You need to listen to...

You need to listen to...

You need to listen to...

Destiny’s Child’s 8 Days of Christmas deserved better

The trio’s 2001 Christmas album missed out on commercial success, but it nailed the fun, clever representation of Black stories.

The best albums of the week, from Ashnikko, Zayn, and more

Our favorite albums of 2020, including Fiona Apple, Freddie Gibbs, and more

The best albums of the week, from Rico Nasty, Drakeo the Ruler, and more

The best albums of the week, from Megan Thee Stallion, Kali Uchis, and more

The best albums of the week, from Future and Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz, and more

The best albums of the week, from Kylie Minogue, NAV, and more

The best albums of the week, from Ariana Grande, Oneohtrix Point Never, and more

The best albums of the week, from Bruce Springsteen, Adrianne Lenker, and more

The best albums of the week, from Jay Electronica,Touché Amoré, and more

The best albums of the week from 21 Savage, Bartees Strange, and more

The best albums of the week, from Sufjan Stevens, Fleet Foxes, and more

From Drake to Cardi B, the best new music coming this fall

The best albums of the week, from Big Sean, Bill Callahan, and more

The best albums of the week, from Angel Olsen, Disclosure, and more

The best albums of the week, from Burna Boy, Young Jesus, and more

Our reviews

Our reviews

Our reviews

Our reviews

Ari Lennox channels throwback romanticism on ‘age / sex / location’

The singer’s chatroom-themed sophomore album is carried by old-fashioned confidence and charisma.

John Legend’s new album is offensively inoffensive

‘Legend’ dabbles in every corner of contemporary pop, but is too timid to make a profound statement.

Selena's posthumous album 'MOONCHILD MIXES' revives her youthful vision

The remix project works best as an intro for newer listeners, a testament to Selena's timelessness, and an extra chapter for completionists.

DJ Khaled’s star-studded Rolodex can’t resuscitate ‘God Did’

Khaled can get a feature from virtually anyone he wants, but that won’t fix overproduced and emotionless tracks.

On Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion shows she’s deeper than “hot girl summer”

The rapper’s sophomore album is a meditation on public and private grief.

Calvin Harris’s ‘Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2’ is music for malls

The collection of retro pop is a long escalator ride to mediocrity.

Beyoncé nearly captures the perfect club night with ‘Renaissance’

The singer’s first album in six years is frequently ecstatic, rhythmically daring, and engrossing.

Joey Badass loses a step on '2000'

The summer-ready production slaps, but the songwriting is restrictive and rigid.

Steve Lacy has a little fun with his broken heart on Gemini Rights

Rather than feigning post-breakup clarity, the singer's sophomore album spans the gamut of messy emotions.

Lizzo's new album 'Special' is anything but

While her voice is as buoyant and unburdened as ever, the songwriting sags under the weight of its own desperation.

On WASTELAND, Brent Faiyaz won’t let himself off the hook

The singer/songwriter supports admittedly toxic lyrics with some of the year’s most daring musical decisions.

Who does Burna Boy want to be?

The artist is poised to become a superstar, but on his latest album Love, Damini his mission lacks clarity.

Honestly, Nevermind is the best record Drake has ever made

The Canadian artist’s seventh album eschews celebrity gossip for engrossing dance music.

On his new album, Post Malone proves yet again he has nothing to say

On ‘Twelve Carat Toothache,’ Malone continues to conflate a superficial darkness with depth.

On The Eminem Show, the rapper sharply skewered society — but lost sight of himself

The album that closed the first stage of Eminem’s career was fueled by his steadily fraying personal life.

On Hypnos, Ravyn Lenae grapples with sex and commitment

The prodigious singer’s debut is an enchanting, coming-of-age quest into womanhood.

In other music news ↓

Accountability
ByRhyma Castillo

Marilyn Manson is being sued for allegedly grooming and sexually assaulting a teenager

The news comes days after Manson settled a separate sexual assault lawsuit out of court.

Self Love

Sam Smith recalled being spat at on the street after coming out as nonbinary

Not Punk

Paramore's Hayley Williams called out NOFX singer Fat Mike for being a total creep (allegedly)

Culture

The real reason Shakira’s “BZRP Music Session” is hitting so hard

Room for Jesus

Demi Lovato's album poster was banned in the UK for being blasphemous

Golden Nopes

Protect the Golden Globes piano player at all costs

Queen Dionne

Why Dionne Warwick asked Snoop Dogg to call her a “b*tch” in the ‘90s

This year's hottest club is your therapist's office

Adele says she went to therapy 5 times a day during her divorce

Body Image

What's the "right" way to discuss eating disorders?

Girls Like Queer Novels

Hayley Kiyoko’s “Girls Like Girls” is becoming a book

Culture

Kanye West’s new school is shrouded in mystery

Culture

Kendrick Lamar’s 10 greatest music videos

Culture

For the second time in a year, R. Kelly has been found guilty of federal sex crimes

Culture

Demi Lovato announces that she’s quitting touring

Culture

Ari Lennox channels throwback romanticism on ‘age / sex / location’

Culture

Britney Spears is sorry for her fatphobic Instagram post