Music Reviews and Features

This page includes recent writing and highlights of my music writing.

Head to my PopMatters author page for more.

Recent Pieces

"Its palette quickly becomes vibrant and varied... the continued interweaving of sounds from western and northern Africa creates truly luscious moments of communion."

Seffarine, 'Abaraz'

"ABA... is both family and culture-bearer, a symbol of heritage and roots that are not narrow but instead intertwined at all levels with love and kindness."

Sulaf, 'ABA'

"Shades of new wave and disco are especially strong on RRRomeo, and the team knows how to use them to make innovative, undeniably catchy pop for the disorderly present day."

Girl Ultra, 'RRROMEO'

"Chopping Mountain captures the uncertainties of the current moment in a particular way that is cathartic to hear from a group that still knows how to start the party and keep it going."

Ibibio Sound Machine, 'Chopping Mountain'

Other Highlights

"The best global music albums represent ten especially powerful examples of musical communion from the past year that defy the frictional fictions of borders."

Best Global Music, 2025

"In their music, Les Amazones d’Afrique are doing their part to resist oppression for all women – not just those already in places of power."

Les Amazones d'Afrique premiere

"'Flamenco allows that raw expression of emotion and anger that I’m constantly feeling, the need to express, the need to fight for those who cannot,' says Farnaz Ohadi."

Interview with Farnaz Ohadi

"Thomas sums up the lesson best as he returns to his words about his main character: 'He knows that the rich culture of his people has the elements he needs to grow his wings and fly.'"

Garifuna Collective premiere