Articles by Mischa Pearlman
R.E.M., “New Adventures in Hi-Fi” [25th Anniversary Edition]
The addition of live recordings, B-sides, and covers from the era provide great context for this album, adding to its dark, gritty atmosphere.
We Were Promised Jetpacks, “Enjoy the View”
The group’s 5th LP tones down the dark, nervous energy that was previously at the core of their identity.
Low, “HEY WHAT”
The duo’s 13th full-length often sounds less like a collection of songs than a manifestation of the frequency of existence.
Thrice, “Horizons/East”
This 11th studio album isn’t as cohesive as some of the band’s previous efforts, but it shows they’re still evolving.
In Conversation: The Bots on Bringing the Past Into the Present on “2 Seater”
Mikaiah Lei discusses the new perspective that influenced his sophomore album that was seven years in the making.
Pet Symmetry, “Future Suits”
Beneath the facepalm titles on the band’s third full-length lie songs full of heart, purpose, and meaning.
Mountain Time Unveils Part 3 of Their “The Story of Saint Francis, Zookeeper” Video Series
Chris Simpson also talks the past, present, and future of the band in a Q&A about his accompanying vinyl reissue project.
Bleachers, “Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night”
The third full-length from Jack Antonoff feels devoid of heart and soul, fizzling and fading forgettably into the background.
Alexis Marshall, “House of Lull . House of When”
The Daughters vocalist’s solo debut captures the collapse of society over the course of a tormented, uneven 9 tracks.
Karen Black, “Dreaming of You (1971-1976)”
The posthumous debut from the New Hollywood actress is an album of ghosts and haunted hearts.
A Place to Bury Strangers, “Hologram”
There’s still darkness present on the noise rock band’s latest EP, but it’s more of a shadow than an abyss.
Brett Newski Shares a Glimpse Into His New Book of Sketches “It’s Hard to Be a Person”
The songwriter’s new collection of drawings is a practical, humorous, and irreverent guide to overcoming his (and, by extension, our) anxieties and depression.
Various Artists, “Dark Nights: Death Metal Soundtrack”
While often an uneven mess of sound, there are some real gems to be found on this DC Comics compilation.
Jim Ward, “Daggers”
The debut LP from the At the Drive-In co-founder tussles with indie-pop and boisterous stadium rock.
The Bruce Lee Band, “Division in the Heartland”
The ska-punk collective finds itself as boisterous, relevant, and energetic as ever before on their new EP.
Lord Huron’s Ben Schneider Walks Us Through His Artwork for “Long Lost”
The songwriter/visual artist discusses 11 pieces that tie into the fictional Whispering Pines universe.
Juliana Hatfield, “Blood”
Hatfield’s 17th collection of original solo material is a fever dream entirely of the indie legend’s own creation.
Weezer, “Van Weezer”
While this homage to hard rock isn’t a return to the great heights the band has scaled in the past, it’s also far removed from the valleys they’ve trudged through.
Big Mother Gig, “Gusto”
There’s a loose recklessness to these classic alt-rock melodies that convey being stuck in a rut—but also the determination to get out of it.
Gojira, “Fortitude”
The French prog metal collective’s seventh album is a tornado of blastbeats, guttural growls, and devilish incantations.
Susan Embraces the Patheticness of Love on New Single “Hold Still”
In a Q&A, the London-based artist shared their thoughts on the classical new single, transness, and the duality of identity.
Skullcrusher, “Storm in Summer”
Helen Ballentine’s sophomore EP is just as resplendent and poignant as that first release.
Flock of Dimes, “Head of Roses”
On the outfit’s second LP, Jenn Wasner refrains from giving in entirely to obvious melodies and instrumentation.
Feeling Spaced: 25 Years of Modest Mouse’s “This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About”
A quarter of a decade on, the band’s debut remains a worthy companion for both aimless road trips and personal crossroads.
Corvair, “Corvair”
This self-titled debut draws on the members’ vast pool of experience, as well as the chemistry of their intertwined personal lives.
The Clean, “Mister Pop” [vinyl reissue]
This 2009 LP is a reinforcement of The Clean’s rightful place in the pantheon of quirky alternative rock.
In Conversation: Ben Howard on the Unlikely Tales of “Collections From the Whiteout”
The songwriter discusses his new Aaron Dessner–produced LP and the unreal times that inspired it.
Chad VanGaalen, “World’s Most Stressed Out Gardener”
VanGaalen’s seventh proper studio album is pure nourishment for the soul—the sound of nature taking over again.
