Columns

Spring Breakers, Brostep, and the Maximalist Party Mindset

In Reality Blues, Meaghan Garvey tries to find out what is real, song by song. This week, a new wubby Skrillex album is a Proustian reverie for the candy-colored era of dubstep through the lens of two movies: Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers and Max Joseph’s We Are Your Friends.

By Meaghan Garvey

April 10, 2025

Spring Breakers, Brostep, and the Maximalist Party Mindset

Remember Jane Remover’s Mashup Genre Dariacore? It’s Blowing Up in Japan Now

How Aya Made Hexed!, One of the Best, Most Unhinged Albums of the Year

An Interview With SahBabii, Who Is Having a Moment

Last Night an NTS Radio Show Saved My Life

How Phonk Became the Most Lucrative Yet Lifeless Genre of the 2020s

Y2K Nostalgia Is Everywhere, and UK Rappers Can’t Get Enough of It

How to Make Playboi Carti’s Music a Better Album

5 Takeaways From Playboi Carti’s New Album Music

An Interview With Orlando’s Pig the Gemini, the Lover Girl of Melodic Southern Rap

An Interview With Ghost Mountain on Returning to Haunted Mound and His Mystically Rural Debut Mixtape

Crazy for Cozy: The New Vanguard of ASMR

Opus Review: A Fangless Spoof of Celebrity Culture

Why Do the Real Songs on Love Is Blind Sound So Wrong?

6 Takeaways From Lady Gaga’s New Album MAYHEM

In Defense of 2hollis

Bhad Bhabie and Alabama Barker’s Rap Beef Warrants Column on Pitchfork

Food House Tore Through Hyperpop in 2020. Now, They’re Back for Seconds.

The Most Exciting Beats in Underground Rap Can Be Traced Back to Chicago’s Heyday

Behind the Scenes of the Bladee Cover Story

Meet the Composers of the Survivor Soundtrack—And the Fans Recreating It Online

Viral Detroit Rapper Pablo Skywalkin Is Always True to Himself

What Do We Do When Music Doesn’t Feel Real Anymore?

Chasing Yabujin, the Artist Who Secretly Shaped the Underground Sound of the 2020s

The State of Michigan Rap, in Three Scenes

It’s a Strange World, Isn’t It?

Paul McCartney’s Magical Mystery Bowery Ballroom Show

OsamaSon, Bass-Boosted to the Big Leagues

Kendrick Lamar’s Fierce and Petty 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show

The Monkey Review: A Competent Splatter Flick With Cheap Laughs

11 Important Moments From the 2025 Grammys

5 Takeaways From the Weeknd’s New Album Hurry Up Tomorrow

Grammys 2025: Who Will Win and Who Should Win?

One of Them Days Review: SZA and Keke Palmer Aim to Join the Buddy-Comedy Canon

Music’s TikTokalypse

Listen to ivvys’ “bikini”: The Ones

Every Little Thing That’s Happened Since Playboi Carti First Announced I Am Music

Listen to 500Raxx’s “Fvcked Up”: The Ones

A Complete Unknown Review: A Flimsy Slice of Bob Dylan

How ’80s Subculture Staple Night Flight Was Reborn as a Punk-and-Horror Streaming Network

Listen to javi’s “Margarita”: The Ones

5 Takeaways From Kendrick Lamar’s Surprise New Album GNX

Listen to ffawty’s “Earth, Wind & Fire”: The Ones

An Interview With TrapMoneyBiggie, the Dutch Producer Behind the Hottest DMV Street Rap

Listen to Kahleation’s “Let It Go”: The Ones

Listen to Chy Cartier’s “Victory Lap Freestyle”: The Ones

8 Takeaways From the 2025 Grammy Nominations

An Interview With DJ Frisco, the Remix Heavyweight of Florida Fast Music

Listen to Papo2oo4 and Subjxct 5’s “Robbery”: The Ones

Hard Beats, Bondage, and Body Paint: What Went Down at FKA twigs’ New York Eusexua Rave

Listen to Shaudy Kash’s “Wassup”: The Ones

Hurricane Wisdom’s “Giannis” Is the Feel-Good Florida Anthem of the Moment

Who Should Be Nominated at the 2025 Grammy Awards

5 Takeaways From Charli XCX’s New BRAT Remix Album

Listen to Pablo Skywalkin’s “Hot and Ready”: The Ones

Listen to BriStackz’s “Everywhere”: The Ones

Joker: Folie à Deux Review: Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix Make a Bad Movie Sparkle

Listen to Prettifun’s “Quarters Pennies”: The Ones

Can You Copyright a Rhythm?

Charli XCX and Troye Sivan Conquer Madison Square Garden: Live Review

Osyris Israel Is the Gateway to the Underground

Listen to Rico Ace and EsDeeKid’s “Bally”: The Ones

The Best and Worst Moments of the 2024 MTV VMAs

Listen to Kurious’ “Untainted”: The Ones

Rich Homie Quan Was the Missing Link of Southern Rap

Listen to El Snappo’s “Fuck Yo Baby Daddy (DJ Rawhh Fast Remix)” [ft. Luh Tyler]: The Ones

Listen to Tenkay’s “Tattoo”: The Ones

6 Takeaways From Post Malone’s New Album F-1 Trillion

Listen to Chuckyy’s “Hear My Chains”: The Ones

Drake’s 100 Gigabyte Data Dump Is Certified Fluff

Listen to Guapo’s “Self”: The Ones

Listen to NeedNoName and SME Taxfree’s “Late September”: The Ones

Quiet Days in Maryland With Nino Paid, the Introspective New Star of DMV Rap

Listen to Exodus1900 and Zootzie’s “Shopping”: The Ones

Listen to 500, Stoner Pimpson, Papo2oo4, and Subjxct 5’s “Windy City Gyros”: The Ones

Brat Summer Is Dead, Long Live Brat Summer

Listen to Audi Money’s “Baby Gangsta”: The Ones

Listen to Protect’s “RIP Takeoff”: The Ones

Getting to Young World With Baby Osama, the New Cool of New York Rap

Listen to Lil Bo 954’s “Fancy”: The Ones