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Music Reviews

Music Review: Brittany Howard Releases Her Debut Solo Album, 'Jaime'

Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes has released her first solo album, Jaime, in honor of her sister who died from cancer as a teenager. The album that began as a way to heal is also a call to action.

Music Review: Brittany Howard Releases Her Debut Solo Album, 'Jaime'

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Filmmaker Ken Burns Goes Wide, But Not Deep, In His Chronicle Of 'Country Music'

Country star Dolly Parton, signing a guitar alongside writer Dayton Duncan (center) and filmmaker Ken Burns (right). PBS hide caption

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TV Reviews

Filmmaker Ken Burns Goes Wide, But Not Deep, In His Chronicle Of 'Country Music'

Fresh Air

Burns is known for finding fresh takes on big topics, but his new eight-part PBS series about country music treads a well-worn path, leaning heavily on the biggest stars and the most obvious ideas.

Filmmaker Ken Burns Goes Wide, But Not Deep, In His Chronicle Of 'Country Music'

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The Highwomen: Reimagining An '80s Supergroup

Four female country stars — Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby — are hitting the road as The Highwomen, a reinterpretation of the '80s supergroup The Highwaymen.

The Highwomen: Reimagining An '80s Supergroup

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Singer/Composer Jazzmeia Horn Is A Double Threat On 'Love & Liberation'

Fresh Air

Horn pulls together her sundry influences — including jazz, pop, gospel and vintage Broadway — on her second album. The resulting tunes are so good, other singers are sure to try them on.

Singer/Composer Jazzmeia Horn Is A Double Threat On 'Love & Liberation'

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Lana Del Rey Crafts A Hypnotic California Sound On 'Norman F****** Rockwell!'

Fresh Air

In the last decade, Del Rey released recordings that expanded our understanding of L.A. pop music. The singer/songwriter's new album is like a series of earthquakes, rendered with supreme confidence.

Lana Del Rey Crafts A Hypnotic California Sound On 'Norman F****** Rockwell!'

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Joan Shelley Admires The Beauty In All The Fading

Joan Shelley's latest album, Like The River Loves the Sea, is out now. Amber Estes Thieneman/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Joan Shelley Admires The Beauty In All The Fading

Joan Shelley's songs have the sturdy, classic construction of folk tunes. But even when the tone is serene, there's a distinctly modern restlessness lurking below the surface.

Joan Shelley Admires The Beauty In All The Fading

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Clarinetist Ben Goldberg Unites Jazz And Poetry On 'Good Day For Cloud Fishing'

Fresh Air

Goldberg's mini box set includes 24 new poems by Dean Young — as well as a dozen pieces inspired by Young's poetry. The playfulness on both sides of the equation makes this mixed-media project work.

Clarinetist Ben Goldberg Unites Jazz And Poetry On 'Good Day For Cloud Fishing'

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Lana Del Rey Lives In America's Messy Subconscious

On her new album, Lana Del Rey (shown here in 2018) is at her most instantly compelling, fully committed to the messy alignments upon which her art is built. Darren Gerrish/BFC/Getty Images hide caption

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Darren Gerrish/BFC/Getty Images

Editors' Picks

Lana Del Rey Lives In America's Messy Subconscious

Over a decade, the Los Angeles-based singer has built a career — one that peaks on her new album — and a musical identity on the idea that greatness doesn't have to be emotionally tidy.

Chuck Cleaver Gets Wonderfully Expressive On His First Solo Album

Fresh Air

Cleaver, one of the leaders of Wussy, sings about joy, pain, sorrow and regret on Send Aid. The resulting album stands with the best of anything Cleaver has ever done.

Chuck Cleaver Gets Wonderfully Expressive On His First Solo Album

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Tragic Fire Sparks Julia Wolfe's Latest Look At American Labor History

Members of the 146-voice chorus, dressed as garment workers, in composer Julia Wolfe's Fire In My Mouth, which documents the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York. Chris Lee/Decca Gold hide caption

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Chris Lee/Decca Gold

Deceptive Cadence

Tragic Fire Sparks Julia Wolfe's Latest Look At American Labor History

On her new album, Fire in My Mouth, the Pulitzer-winning composer documents the tragedy behind New York City's 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.

Tragic Fire Sparks Julia Wolfe's Latest Look At American Labor History

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Raphael Saadiq Balances Personal Introspection With Social Commentary On 'Jimmy Lee'

Raphael Saadiq's new album, Jimmy Lee, is his first in eight years. It was inspired by his brother's struggles with addiction and, ultimately, his death.

Raphael Saadiq Balances Personal Introspection With Social Commentary On 'Jimmy Lee'

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