News
Two Hands Out Now via 4AD
Dec 02, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief released a new album, Two Hands, back in October via 4AD. Now they have shared two videos of them performing the album's "Not" and "Cattails" live from Brooklyn's Bunker Studios. More
Plus Big Thief, Thom Yorke, Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Brittany Howard, Karen O and Danger Mouse, James Blake, and Others Get Nominations
Nov 20, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
The 2020 Grammy Awards nominations have been announced and they are surprisingly solid by Grammy standards. There are actual good albums up for Album of the Year, including the newest by Vampire Weekend, Bon Iver, and Lana Del Rey. More
Big Thief is the Runner-Up; Plus Stream the New Albums from Kim Gordon, Lindstrøm, Allah Las, Cursive, Mark Kozelek with Petra Haden, and More
Oct 11, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Elbow have released a new album, Giants of All Sizes, today via Polydor/Verve Label Group and it's our Album of the Week. Big Thief's Two Hands, on 4AD, is our close runner-up. Find more info on both albums below. More
Two Hands Out Now via 4AD
Oct 11, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief have released a new album, Two Hands, today via 4AD. Last night the band stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform the album's lead single, "Not." It was a passionate and rousing performance and you can watch it here. Now that the album is out, you can also stream the whole thing here. More
Plus Cate Le Bon and Bradford Cox, Chromatics, Jaakko Eino Kalevi, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Oct 04, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. We had to skip it last week because we were too busy announcing our new print issue, the My Favorite Album Issue with Angel Olsen and Sleater-Kinney on the covers (buy it here), and also we weren't overly inspired by last week's selection of new tracks. So this week we cover the best songs of the last two weeks. More
Two Hands Due Out October 11 via 4AD
Oct 02, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief are releasing a new album, Two Hands, on October 11 via 4AD. Now they have shared a second song from it, "Forgotten Eyes." More
Plus Michael Kiwanuka, Ride, Chelsea Wolfe, Death Cab for Cutie, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Aug 16, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. It was a super strong week for new songs. There was lots of debate about how many tracks we should include this week and what would make the list. Hence we ended up with a Top 12, instead of our usual Top 10. There are also a whole lot of honorable mentions. More
Two Hands Due Out October 11 via 4AD
Aug 13, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief have announced a new album, Two Hands, which will be their second album of 2019, and have shared its first single, "Not." More
Barrie and Big Thief Are Runner-ups (Plus Stream New Albums from Editors, Filthy Friends, L7, Tacocat, and More)
May 03, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Vampire Weekend have released a new album, Father of the Bride, today via Columbia/Spring Snow and it's our Album of the Week. Find into on the album below, as well as on two runner-ups that were almost our Album of the Week. Below that are streams of other notable albums released today. More
Plus Absolutely Free (Feat. U.S. Girls), Kindness, Cate Le Bon, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
May 03, 2019
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. There were lots of great new tracks this week, some from the usual suspects, others less expected. We've even got a whopping nine honorable mentions, but still managed to reign it in to just a main Top 10. More
May 03, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief have released a new album, U.F.O.F., today via 4AD, their first for the label after two albums on Saddle Creek. Now that the album is out, you can stream the whole thing here. More
U.F.O.F. Due Out This Friday via 4AD
Apr 30, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief are releasing a new album, U.F.O.F., this Friday (May 3) via 4AD, their first for the label after two albums on Saddle Creek. Now they have shared the third and last pre-release single from the album, the chill folk-tinged "Century." More
U.F.O.F. Due Out May 3 via 4AD, Their First for the Label
Apr 03, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief are releasing a new album, U.F.O.F., on May 3 via 4AD, their first for the label after two albums on Saddle Creek. Previously they shared its first single, the similarly titled "UFOF" (which was one of our Songs of the Week). More
U.F.O.F. Due Out May 3 via 4AD, Their First for the Label
Feb 26, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief have announced a new album, U.F.O.F., and shared its first single, the similarly titled "UFOF." They have also announced some tour dates. More
abysskiss Out Now via Saddle Creek
Nov 29, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief singer/songwriter/guitarist Adrianne Lenker released a new solo album, abysskiss, back in October via Saddle Creek. Now she has shared a video for the album's "symbol." Adam Gundersheimer and V Haddad directed the clip, which was filmed in Coney Island. More
abysskiss Out Now via Saddle Creek
Oct 05, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief singer/songwriter/guitarist Adrianne Lenker released a new solo album, abysskiss, today via Saddle Creek. Now that the album is out, you can stream the whole thing below. Also below are her upcoming tour dates. More
abysskiss Due Out This Friday via Saddle Creek
Oct 02, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief singer/songwriter/guitarist Adrianne Lenker is releasing a new solo album, abysskiss, this Friday (October 5) via Saddle Creek. Previously she shared its first two singles, "cradle" and "symbol." Now she has shared another new song from the album, "from." More
abysskiss Due Out October 5 via Saddle Creek
Sep 12, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief singer/songwriter/guitarist Adrianne Lenker is releasing a new solo album, abysskiss, on October 5 via Saddle Creek. Now she has shared another new song from the album, "symbol," and announced some new solo tour dates. More
abysskiss Due Out October 5 via Saddle Creek
Aug 07, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief released their debut album, Masterpiece, in May 2016, and their sophomore album, Capacity, in June 2017, both via Saddle Creek. Now Big Thief's singer/songwriter/guitarist Adrianne Lenker has announced a new solo album, abysskiss, and shared its first single, "cradle." Abysskiss is due out October 5 via Saddle Creek. More
Plus Julien Baker, The War on Drugs, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Blood Orange, Japanese Breakfast, Kelly Lee Owens, Moses Sumney, Lucy Dacus, Big Thief, and More
Mar 13, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Chicago's the Pitchfork Music Festival has been slowly announcing their lineup via a mural with the artists' names being painted on it over the last few weeks. Now the final and full lineup has been revealed for the festival, which goes down July 20 to 22 in Chicago's Union Park. More
Tell Me How You Really Feel Due Out May 18 via Mom + Pop/Marathon Artists/Milk! Records
Feb 20, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Australian singer/songwriter/guitarist Courtney Barnett is releasing a new album, Tell Me How You Really Feel, on May 18 via Mom + Pop/Marathon Artists/Milk! Records. Previously she shared its first single, "Nameless, Faceless," via a video for the song. (It was our #1 Song of the Week.) Now she has announced some new North American tour dates to go down this July. More
Grizzly Bear, Slowdive, Neko Case, Julien Baker, and others on Memorial Day Weekend (May 25 – 28) in Quincy, Washington
Feb 05, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
The Sasquatch! Music Festival has revealed the lineup for their 2018 festival, their 17th year. Once again it will be going down Memorial Day Weekend (May 25 - 28) at the Gorge Amphitheater in Quincy, Washington. The lineup includes Bon Iver, The National, Modest Mouse, David Byrne, Spoon, Grizzly Bear, Slowdive, Neko Case, Julien Baker, TV On The Radio, Tune-Yards, Wolf Parade, Japandroids, Big Thief, Perfume Genius, Japanese Breakfast, Benjamin Clementine, Phoebe Bridgers, Algiers, Pond, and others. More
Plus The Weeknd, Eminem, Fleet Foxes, alt-J, Perfume Genius, Moses Sumney, Angel Olsen, First Aid Kit, Japanese Breakfast, and Others
Jan 03, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Coachella has announced the lineup for their 2018 festival, which goes down in Indio, California over two weekends in April (with the same bill each weekend). Friday April 13 and 20 is headlined by The Weeknd, Saturday April 14 and 21 is headlined by Beyoncé, and Sunday April 15 and 22 is headlined by Eminem. More
Another Dark Year Was Brightened By a Plethora of Fantastic Albums
Dec 30, 2017
By Mark Redfern
2016 was regarded as a fairly rough year by many, but 2017 was no walk in the park either. 2016 was mired by the deaths of several beloved musical icons (David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen, George Michael, and Sharon Jones among them) and the disappointing and divisive Presidential election, but in 2017 we had to deal with the ramifications of said election (we'd say that roughly 95% of the musicians we interview likely don't support many, if any, of President Trump's policies). More
Issue 61 Also Includes Interviews with The War on Drugs, The National, Broken Social Scene, Slowdive vs. Ariel Pink, Phoenix, Beach House, and Much More
Jul 18, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our Summer 2017 Issue, which is out now digitally via Under the Radar's app and the magazine app Readly. The print version has shipped out to subscribers and stores and will be on all newsstands soon (as well as available soon digitally via the magazine app Zinio). The issue features Grizzly Bear on the cover. More
Our Favorite Albums Released Between January 1 and July 7, 2017
Jul 13, 2017
By Mark Redfern
In the past we've avoided posting midyear best albums lists. It seemed somehow impatient and premature to evaluate the year's albums halfway through. And how do you decide which period the list covers, which arbitrary release date do you work out is the cut off point, as every midyear list seems to cover a different period? But 2017 is a year that demands a partial evaluation. More
Plus London Grammar and Kirin J Callinan
Jun 09, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Here we highlight five albums due out today that we feel are most worth hearing. More
Plus Broken Social Scene, Liam Gallagher, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Jun 02, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
This week was marred by President Trump pulling out of the Paris Accords climate change agreement, but it was a strong one for music. To help you sort through the multitude of new songs released in the last seven days, we have picked the five best. More
Capacity Due Out June 9 via Saddle Creek
May 31, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief just released their debut album, Masterpiece, last May on Saddle Creek, but they have already have their sophomore album, Capacity, coming out on June 9, also on Saddle Creek. Previously they shared the snowy video for the album's first single "Mythological Beauty" and the audio for "Shark Smile." Now they have shared another song from the album, the poetic and haunting "Mary." More
Capacity Due Out June 9 via Saddle Creek
May 08, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief just released their debut album, Masterpiece, last May on Saddle Creek, but they have already have their sophomore album, Capacity, coming out on June 9, also on Saddle Creek. More
Capacity Due Out June 9 via Saddle Creek
Apr 05, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief just released their debut album, Masterpiece, last May on Saddle Creek, but they have already announced their sophomore album and shared a video for its first single. More
Masterpiece Due Out May 27 via Saddle Creek
May 12, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief are a promising new band on Saddle Creek, perhaps the indie label's most exciting new signee in several years. The four-piece are releasing their debut album, Masterpiece, on the label on May 27. Now they have shared the fourth single from the album, "Paul." It follows their last single, "Humans." More
Issue 57 Also Includes Interview with Lush, Primal Scream, John Carpenter, Frightened Rabbit, Underworld, Yeasayer, Frankie Cosmos, Julien Baker, Cat's Eyes, School of Seven Bells, Parquet Courts, Fear of Men, Minor Victories, Kevin Morby, and More
May 06, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our May/June 2016 issue (out May, June, and into July), which has shipped out to subscribers and stores and will be on all newsstands soon. It will also soon be available digitally via Under the Radar's app, and the magazine apps Zinio, Readly, and Readbug. The issue features M83 on the cover. More
Masterpiece Due Out May 27 via Saddle Creek
Apr 28, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Big Thief are a promising new band on Saddle Creek, perhaps the indie label's most exciting new signee in several years. The four-piece are releasing their debut album, Masterpiece, on the label on May 27. Now they have shared the third single from the album, "Humans." Listen below. More
Interviews
Aug 31, 2017
By Charles Steinberg
The second album in as many years from Brooklyn's powerful folk rock group Big Thief is that work of impact that propels a band from a warm reception to commanding the discussion. Formed from a coalescence of peaking creativity and internal chemistry, Capacity expands on a cherished notion, that of connecting with people through intimate channels. More
Unflinching Vulnerability
Jun 02, 2016
By Kyle Mullin
It should have been a joyous occasion, but Big Thief's SXSW debut was instead fraught with difficulty for frontwoman Adrianne Lenker. Not long before the Brooklyn-bred indie rock quartet's first shows at that massive Austin festival this year, Lenker all but lost a crucial component of being a musician: her ability to hear. More
Reviews
Big Thief Travelogue – New York to Seattle (Live at Moore Theatre)
Nov 12, 2019
By Charles Steinberg
I was never one to follow a band around because growing up in New York, you didn't have to. Bands came to you, and this contributed to a very snobby attitude. More
May 21, 2019
By Stephen Axeman
On Big Thief's rapturous and microcosmic third album, U.F.O.F., the band find themselves vibrating through the grand designs of nature, looking to the stars and pondering the hidden connections that envelop us all. More
Jun 08, 2017
By Charles Steinberg
It's natural to be seduced by contemporary apparatus of sound sculpting that intensifies the listening experience. Then you hear a band like Big Thief and recognize the potential power in balanced unison of guitar, drum and voice and that these essential means of expression are the most direct conductors of the passions of musical souls. More