Music Review: Jimin’s ‘Muse’ is charming, not necessarily innovative

Music Review: Jimin’s ‘Muse’ is charming, not necessarily innovative

Flying solo from the nest of a mega successful band is difficult, but BTS member Jimin did it with last year’s “FACE,” his first studio album under his own name. Finding that magic with a sophomore outing is always a much harder proposition. And doing so while serving South Korea’s mandatory military service for men … Read more

Music Review: Glass Animals weave heartstring-tugging vignettes on new album

Music Review: Glass Animals weave heartstring-tugging vignettes on new album

Love songs have existed for millennia but leave it to Glass Animals to give them a refreshing spin, where love isn’t always a honeymoon phase or heartbreak — it’s much, much more. The British indie-pop band, known for hits like 2014’s “Gooey” or 2020’s viral “Heat Waves,” has won listeners over with its unique, often … Read more

Gary Ginstling surprisingly quits as New York Philharmonic CEO after 1 year

Gary Ginstling surprisingly quits as New York Philharmonic CEO after 1 year

NEW YORK — Gary Ginstling surprisingly resigned as chief executive officer of the New York Philharmonic on Thursday after one year on the job. No reason was given for his departure, announced days ahead of Jaap van Zweden’s final performances as music director, at Vail, Colorado, from July 17-20. Ginstling had been with the orchestra … Read more

Q&A: Ahead of orchestral tour, Beck says listening to classical music is a ‘spiritual’ experience

Q&A: Ahead of orchestral tour, Beck says listening to classical music is a ‘spiritual’ experience

LOS ANGELES — It’s been 30 years since Beck released his breakout lo-fi anthem “Loser.” In the time since the song and its hit album “Mellow Gold,” Beck has sought to shed the slacker image inadvertently linked with him. The versatile, genre-bending musician will perhaps complete that pendulum shift this summer as he celebrates his … Read more

Tarmo Peltokoski, 24-year-old Finnish conductor, to become Hong Kong Philharmonic music director

Tarmo Peltokoski, 24-year-old Finnish conductor, to become Hong Kong Philharmonic music director

Tarmo Peltokoski was hired Thursday to succeed Jaap van Zweden as music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Peltokoski, at 24 far younger than most music directors, will start a five-year term in the 2026-27 season after serving as music director designate in 2025-26, the philharmonic said. “I was just extremely impressed by the orchestra … Read more

Arthur Crudup wrote the song that became Elvis’ first hit. He barely got paid

Arthur Crudup wrote the song that became Elvis’ first hit. He barely got paid

FRANKTOWN, Va. — Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup helped invent rock ‘n’ roll. His 1946 song “That’s All Right,” an easygoing shrug to a lover, would become the first single Elvis Presley ever released. Rod Stewart would sing it on a chart-topping album. Led Zeppelin would play it live. But you wouldn’t have known it if … Read more

Marsha Ambrosius’ new ‘CASABLANCO’ album is just what Dr. Dre ordered

Marsha Ambrosius’ new ‘CASABLANCO’ album is just what Dr. Dre ordered

NEW YORK — Marsha Ambrosius was done with the demands required of a successful R&B star, including the wear-and-tear of touring and fickle music industry politics. She was at peace working behind the scenes and writing for other artists. But Dr. Dre had a prescription to rejuvenate her on-stage desire. “I didn’t want to do … Read more

UK fans wonder if Taylor Swift will say ‘So long, London’ after Eras Tour

UK fans wonder if Taylor Swift will say ‘So long, London’ after Eras Tour

LONDON — Taylor Swift fans enjoy parsing the singer-songwriter’s lyrics for references to her romantic life and insights into her state of her mind. But the pop superstar’s fans in the U.K. didn’t have to listen closely to her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” to get the sense that Swift had soured on the … Read more

Jazz, justice and Juneteenth: Wynton Marsalis and Bryan Stevenson join forces to honor Black protest

Jazz, justice and Juneteenth: Wynton Marsalis and Bryan Stevenson join forces to honor Black protest

NEW YORK — Black music traditions such as jazz are central to celebrations of Juneteenth, says civil rights lawyer and jazz pianist Bryan Stevenson. That’s why he and Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz artist Wynton Marsalis have debuted “Freedom, Justice and Hope,” a live performance album of historic jazz records created to protest racial injustice, in time … Read more

Zsela is letting go and leaning into uncertainty with her debut album ‘Big For You’

Zsela is letting go and leaning into uncertainty with her debut album ‘Big For You’

LOS ANGELES — Zsela leans into the ebb and flow of uncertainty and invites listeners to do the same throughout her debut album “Big For You.” The album, written over four years, follows Zsela’s 2020 EP “Ache of Victory,” which she describes as “an imprint of time.” “I’m connected to it since it’ll always be … Read more