Derya Yıldırım’s ‘Yarın Yoksa’ Is an Astonishing Dream
Derya Yıldırım is a revelation, an artist with the kind of (literal, figurative) voice that makes legends. She finds deep meaning in everything she does musically.
Global Music
Florence Adooni’s Astonishing ‘A.O.E.I.U.’ Is Electrifying
Florence Adooni has effortless, down-to-earth charisma from start to finish, from her most lighthearted moments to her most earnest.
Mdou Moctar Mourns with Sadness on ‘Tears of Injustice’
Mdou Moctar’s Tears of Injustice is cause for mourning and melancholy. It makes time for lamentation, knowing there is more to sustaining resistance than fighting with fire.
Kaito Winse Tells Vibrant Burkinabé Tales on ‘Reele Bumbou’
Kaito Winse takes seriously the responsibility of being a tradition bearer while still having fun. Reele Bumbou is a compelling sampler of his skills.
Creole Afro-Futurists Dowdelin Get Vulnerable on ‘Tchenbe!’
Dowdelin’s Tchenbe! packs an emotionally nuanced punch, allowing the Creole Afro-Futurists’ style to develop in promising ways.
Sparks Fly on Jupiter and Okwess’ Thrilling ‘Ekoya’
Jupiter and Okwess make bold music that moves the body and mind. They are expert at making history and social commentary exciting.
Vampisoul Reissues Violeta Parra’s Brilliant Final LP
It’s always a good time to revisit music taking a stand against fascism, and Violeta Parra’s Las Últimas Composiciones has some of South America’s best.
Boom.Diwan Use Jazz for Kuwaiti Pearl Diving Music
Boom.Diwan’s new LP is gorgeous, deeply personal work that emerges from encounters between performers with diverse backgrounds and expertise.
Aboubakar Traoré and Balima Are Irresistible on ‘Sababu’
Sababu is a decisive step forward for Aboubakar Traoré and Balima, moving them toward becoming internationally focused West African folk-pop standouts.
Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp Create Eclectic Art Pop
Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp are a cohesive collective in which each participant is passionate about the music they make.
The Best Books of 2024
PopMatters Best Books of 2024 include a broad range of nonfiction, many books on music, short fiction, a novel that turns a Mark Twain classic inside out, and much more.
Chatuye’s ‘Ahmuti’ Adds to a Garifuna Cultural Archive
The Chatuye archives offer a broader understanding of how Garifuna artists have sounded their identity in community with one another.