Kristi Kates | Author
Arctic Monkeys Go Warp Speed
Jan. 5, 2019
Arctic Monkeys have released a brand new short rockumentary called Warp Speed Chic. Directed by Ben Chappell, the doc features a mini selection of live performances from the band’s recent tour dates, plus some studio and behind-the-scenes c...
Read More >>
Walk the Moon– What If Nothing– RCA
Jan. 5, 2019
Right from the album’s first track (the aptly named, earnest “Press Restart”), Walk the Moon immediately stakes its claim to the third of their album releases by throwing down some unswerving hooks on tunes like first single, “One Foot,” and the impudent &ldq...
Read More >>
The Hold Steady – Stay Positive (Deluxe Edition) – Vagrant
Dec. 29, 2018
If you’re a vinyl collector and a Hold Steady fan, make this your next purchase. This 10th anniversary reissue of the band’s standout Stay Positive set is jampacked with, well … loads of jams, broken down into three LPs that bring together the original album, t...
Read More >>
Tune-Yards Release “Mango” and More
Dec. 29, 2018
Tune-Yards, currently wrapping up its tour with David Byrne (of Talking Heads) and U.S. Girls, has been busy in the studio as of late, releasing not only its new single, “Mango” (a collaboration with Lakeith S...
Read More >>
Santa Kaskade Is Back With Holiday Tunes
Dec. 15, 2018
DJ extraordinairre Kaskade presented his first holiday collection of tracks last year, and now he’s returned with another set for this December, simply titled Kaskade Christmas 2018. Kaskade puts some excellent new spins on many of your favorite familiar ho...
Read More >>
Gwen Stefani – You Make it Feel Like Christmas – Interscope
Dec. 15, 2018
Stefani ups the ante on the holiday by releasing a special deluxe edition of this set that includes five new tracks, including two original holiday tunes penned by Stefani (the winsome “Secret Santa” and “Cheer for the Elves,” a nod to Santa’s little helpers)...
Read More >>
Backstreet Boys – DNA – RCA
Dec. 8, 2018
They’re not quite boys any more, but the Backstreet … er, men … are keeping a tight hold on the harmony vocals and danceable rhythms that brought them worldwide acclaim. Their latest set is poised to generate a resurgence of interest in the group once it hits outlets i...
Read More >>
California Mesmerizes Wolf Alice
Dec. 8, 2018
London indie-rock band Wolf Alice has been named the 2018 Mercury Music Prize winner for its second album effort, the critically and fan-acclaimed Visions of a Life. The band recorded the album throughout 2017, having transplanted themselves temporarily to Los An...
Read More >>
Charli XCX Pops Into a Rockumentary
Dec. 1, 2018
Charlotte Aitchison, aka Charli XCX, is the latest singer featured in a new radio rock documentary from the BBC. The doc follows Charli on both her own recent tour, Pop 2, and went along with her as she served as opening act for Taylor Swift’s Reput...
Read More >>
Mumford and Sons – Delta – Glassnote
Dec. 1, 2018
Of course critics are going to be stomping around about Mumford and crew’s latest: How dare an established, successful band attempt to evolve? But thankfully, the band deftly does its own thing here, combining its earlier acoustic sensibilities and third album’s pop turn for a...
Read More >>
Avril Lavigne Returns
Nov. 24, 2018
After five years away from the music scene while she struggled with Lyme disease, Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne is back with the first single from her upcoming sixth album (title TBA). The track “Head Above Water” is an emotional and personal power ...
Read More >>
Ben Poole – Anytime You Need Me – Manhaton
Nov. 24, 2018
Poole’s latest is a somewhat short effort, with only eight songs, but the tracks themselves have enough depth that you’ll find this worth repeated listens. “Take It No More” is a tune that’s actually over a year old, and while good, it also sho...
Read More >>
Ready, Set, Shop!
Nov. 17, 2018
Looking to put some local gifts under your tree this year? Look no further: We've scoured the shops of northern Michigan to find a mix Up North classics and out-of-the-box surprises — at all price points — that'll excite everyone on your list. Behold: Our 2018 picks for 2...
Read More >>
Macy Gray – Ruby– Artistry
Nov. 17, 2018
Gray, best known for her '90s hit “I Try,” a slice of unhurried soulful blues-pop imbued with regret and a catchy refrain, is back with more on her latest set. Album opener “Buddha,” featuring attentive guitar work from Gary Clark Jr., shows off Gray’s abilit...
Read More >>
Petoskey Native Stevens Teams Up With Gallant
Nov. 10, 2018
He might be a Brooklyn, NY kinda guy now, but indie-rock multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Sufjan Stevens has roots in Petoskey, even though he departed for bigger locales to kick-start his music career. Currently, Stevens has teamed up with Grammy-nominated musician Gallantto ...
Read More >>
DG - Elbow - Ben Howard - Capital Cities
Nov. 10, 2018
Bad Moves–Tell No One – DG
Washington, D.C. outfit Bad Moves puts plenty of secrets into this power-pop outing – their debut full-length – and one that well shows off the interplay between the bandmates. By turns just punky enough to stay in t...
Read More >>
Richard Reed Parry – Quiet River of Dust – Anti/Epitaph
Nov. 3, 2018
Parry’s spent plenty of time working with his main musical project, the Canadian Grammy-winning indie-rock outfit Arcade Fire. But on his solo work, he’s more ’60s avant-garde than current-day dance-tronica. On his own, he shows an even deeper passion for layered harmoni...
Read More >>
Muse Is Back With a Brand New Theory
Nov. 3, 2018
British modern rock band Muse is returning with its eighth studio album, Simulation Theory, produced in collaboration with Rich Costey, Shellback, Mike Elizondo, and Timbaland. Several singles ha...
Read More >>
Deep Thoughts With Lynch and Badalamenti
Oct. 27, 2018
Fresh from the “unexpected bands” category: a team-up of Twin Peaks’ co-creator David Lynch and composer Angelo Badalamenti, which resulted in a little known musical duo named Thought Gang. Turns out, that duo recorded a...
Read More >>
Silversun Pickups– Swoon – Dangerbird
Oct. 27, 2018
At times you might think you’ve stumbled across some long-hidden Billy Corgan/Smashing Pumpkins track — but it’s just Silversun Pickups bringing that grungy, distorted-guitars ’90s sound into the modern age. With Dave Cooley again behind the boards, opener “T... Read More >>