“A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. But what’s the legacy of the blockbuster album?”
music
Give the Drummer Some
“As AI drum machines embrace humanising imperfections, what does this mean for ‘real’ drummers and the soul of music?”
Trance Is Back—and It’s No Joke
“With Y2K aesthetics back in vogue, and post-pandemic clubbers jonesing for a hit of euphoria, the much-maligned genre is making a comeback.”
The Violin Doctor
“He’s trusted to repair some of the world’s most fabled — and expensive — instruments. How does John Becker manage to unlock the sound of a Stradivarius?”
Kendrick Lamar’s New Chapter
“In partnership with his longtime collaborator, Dave Free, the greatest rapper of his generation is pushing himself — commercially and creatively — onto unexpected terrain.”
Corner Club Cathedral Cocoon
“Against my better judgment, I found myself becoming an outlet for the resentments and niche preoccupations of the people who make speakers.”
A Championship Season in Mariachi Country
“Every year along the Texas border, high school teams battle it out in one of the nation’s most intense championship rivalries. But they’re not playing football.”
Eminem Found Himself in “Lose Yourself.” Will We Ever Let It Go?
“It also spawned his biggest hit—an underdog anthem that lives on through commercials and sports arena sound systems to this day.
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week’s list features stories from Shara Johnson. Paul Fischer, John Woodrow Cox, Marc Hogan, and Angelica Jade Bastién.