Album Reviews
Piroshka
Brickbat
Feb 15, 2019 Web Exclusive
Piroshka immediately draw interest, not only from the curious name, taken from the wolf-terrorized hero in the Hungarian construct of the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood, but also for being what some might consider a supergroup.
Homeshake
Helium
Feb 15, 2019 Web Exclusive
Former Mac DeMarco guitarist Peter Sagar's latest album as Homeshake, Helium, is a watered-down detour from the cohesive "jizz-jazz"—a wretched expression in itself—found on his two previous albums Midnight Snack and Fresh Air, where jazzy chord progressions and homages to late '90s R&B were defining features.
Ladytron
Ladytron
Feb 14, 2019 Web Exclusive
Ladytron appeared on the music scene in 2001 with their debut album 604 that, at the time, featured a contemporary synth pop sound with a decidedly European slickness. Not much has changed in the 17 years since, but if you do something well, why not keep doing it?
Classic Interviews
Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice Discuss Their “Song One” Soundtrack
New Film Features Seven Songs By Lewis & Rice
Jan 21, 2015 Web Exclusive
Song One features seven new songs written by Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice, a.k.a. Jenny & Johnny. (The songs are performed in the film by actors Johnny Flynn and Ben Rosenfield.) Additionally, the pair helped curate Song One’s soundtrack and select the artists who perform live in the film—including Dan Deacon, Sharon Van Etten, and the Felice Brothers. Lewis and Rice spoke with us about composing songs for fictional musicians, writing from alternate points of view, and Song One’s East Coast indie soundtrack.
Comic Book Reviews
Head Lopper # 9
Image
Sep 13, 2018 Web Exclusive
MacLean's already strong plotting only gets better in this issue.
Book Reviews
Roger Daltrey
Thanks A Lot Mr Kibblewhite
Feb 11, 2019 Web Exclusive
Roger Daltrey tells of his life in The Who in his memoir, Thanks A Lot Mr Kibblewhite.
News
10 Best Songs of the Week: Weyes Blood, Tamaryn, Wye Oak, Broken Social Scene, and More
Feb 15, 2019
It was pretty rough week to be a Ryan Adams fan. We won't regurgitate the details, but if you haven't already done so then you should read The New York Times article detailing the sexual misconduct allegations made against him by Mandy Moore, Phoebe Bridgers, and several other women.
Interviews
16th Annual Artist Survey: Ioanna Gika
Feb 15, 2019 Web Exclusive
For Under the Radar's 16th Annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to the last year, plus some fun personal questions.
16th Annual Artist Survey: Ra Ra Riot
Feb 13, 2019 Web Exclusive
For Under the Radar's 16th Annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to the last year, plus some fun personal questions. We asked them about their favorite albums of the year and their thoughts on various notable 2018 news stories involving either the music industry or world events, as well as some quirkier personal questions.
Pleased to meet you
Barrie Announce Debut Album, Share New Song “Clovers”
Feb 08, 2019
Barrie are a five-piece from Brooklyn and this week they announced their debut album, Happy to Be Here, and shared its lead single, "Clovers." Happy to Be Here is due out May 3 via Winspear. "Clovers" is a pleasing slice of dream pop/indie pop that would appeal to fans of Yumi Zouma.
Lists
Top 10 Comic Books and Graphic Novels of 2018
Jan 18, 2019
It was, yet again, another fantastic year for comic book readers. Whether sci-fi, horror, super hero, drama, or coming of age, this year's best graphic novels offer something for lovers of every genre. Interestingly, though the settings of the following titles are as varied as they can possibly be, a few common themes emerge in this year's reading. A couple of our picks for best of the year are set in a world where men no longer exist. Others explore gender and sexual identity, while yet others mine adolescence and self-discovery. Though at times, 2018 was marred by closed-mindedness, the year's graphic novels were as progressive and inclusive as any to date. By Zach Hollwedel
Galleries
MØ
at The Wiltern, in Los Angeles, CA, February 7, 2019
- Wild Moccasins Wild Moccasins at Satellite Bar In Houston, Texas
- Broken Social Scene Warehouse Live, Houston, Texas, Feb. 17, 2011
- boygenius boygenius at Thalia Hall, Chicago (November 13th, 2018)
- Nils Frahm at El Rey Theatre, in Los Angeles, CA, Nov 14, 2014
- Iceland Airwaves 2018 Iceland Airwaves 2018
Live reviews
Peter Hook and the Light at Rock City, Nottingham, February 7, 2019
Feb 15, 2019
As the man single-handedly responsible for inaugurating the driving bass line to a multitude of post punk bands over the past four decades, Peter Hook needs little by way of introduction.
Blog
PLAYlist 34: Reykholt
Feb 15, 2019
The prolific and ever-reliable Uwe Rosenberg is far and away one of our favorite game designers.
Media
- Listen: Methyl Ethel “No Fighting” Methyl Ethel
- Premiere: Jeff Russo “Hazel and Delores” From The Umbrella Academy Soundtrack Jeff Russo
- Listen: Flock of Dimes/Madeline Kenney Split Single Madeline Kenney/Flock of Dimes
- Listen: Panda Bear “Master” From New Album Panda Bear
- Watch: Kurt Vile Tiny Desk Concert Kurt Vile
- Watch: The Twilight Sad Perform “The Arbor” Live in Leeds The Twilight Sad
Cinema Reviews
Tito and the Birds
Jan 25, 2019 Web Exclusive
An intriguing animated tale worthy of an audience beyond its native Brazil.
DVD Reviews
My Name is Julia Ross
Studio: Arrow Academy
Feb 15, 2019 Web Exclusive
A remarkable, underseen post-War thriller.
Television Reviews
The Good Place Season 3, Episode 12 (“Pandemonium”)
NBC
Jan 25, 2019 Web Exclusive
The Good Place mastered the art of the season finale ages ago. "Pandemonium," its third season finale, nevertheless ups the show's ante. It is unilaterally the show's most heartbreaking episode to date.