As posthumous records go, there is nothing quite like Charles Bradley’s Black Velvet. The soul singer, who passed away in September 2017, had made a name for himself late in life: first, in his early years, with a career as a James Brown cover artist (where he performed as the eponymous “Black Velvet”); and later, with his discovery by Daptone Records and the release of his debut album, No Time for Dreaming, at the age of 62.

There is no love more restless and anxiety inducing than a love that remains unconfirmed. Unreciprocated love is one thing—you know where you stand at least—whatever pain that may bring, but to be constantly given contradictory impressions of how someone actually feels about you is a pain that can provoke ceaseless torment.

As the voices of 2000+ raise through London’s Kentish Town Forum, tears seem to spring to their eyes. “This song is about how much I love immigrants,” snarled singer Joe Talbot moments earlier to deafening cheers from the throng.

Simulation theory, for anyone who hasn’t seen The Matrix, is a theory that argues reality is a complex simulation so realistic it convinces its inhabitant that it’s real. It is also exactly the sort of thing you would expect Muse to write an album about, as it allows them to indulge in camp sci-fi fantasy while keeping an air of intelligence.

The “acoustic” album, more often than not, is a risky move. Yet, on J Mascis’ latest solo, “acoustic” album, Elastic Days, the immortal indie shredder regresses into a catastrophically vulnerable state of mind.

Free will: Does it exist? Although this question may seem bizzare to ask, it isn’t off limits in philosophy. The Good Place‘s latest episode, “The Worst Possible Use of Free Will,” goes deep on it.

The western frontier was an unforgiving place. Each town you rode into seemed to come with its own set of rules you had to navigate and adjust to immediately on arrival. And while this punishing and unpredictable environment often broke people down, it also was animated by a triumphant spirit of discovery and possibility.

After thirty-five years and eighteen films, the Coen Brothers have become something of a cinematic institution.

Cam Cobb explores the history of Moby Grape from finish to start in What’s Big and Purple and Lives in the Ocean?.