Ann Powers
@annkpowers.bsky.social
I write about music things and things music at NPR and elsewhere. Latest book: TRAVELING: ON THE PATH OF JONI MITCHELL. Out now in affordable paperback!
So mad for everyone, huge shoutout to @soundbitesnyc.bsky.social of Bill’s Indie Basement, I got so many great recs from him!!! Will be subscribing to whatever he does next
Leor Galil@imleor.bsky.social · 4h ago“Music publications BrooklynVegan, Alternative Press, Revolver, and Goldmine have been gutted by parent company Veeps... Nearly all the staff at each publication appear to have been laid off yesterday. Veeps, which is now owned by Live Nation, acquired the publications in 2024 or 2025”
This is totally awesome but I saw the Cramps a buncha times and no one ever had these looks on their faces at a Cramps show
Mark Yarm@markyarm.bsky.social · yesterdayGood morning! For the @nytimes.com, I interviewed these two, plus Kid Congo Powers and more, for a story on the Cramps. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/a...
Thank you!
Hark Audio@harkaudio.com · 2d agoWe curated the best conversations about the music of summer 2026: 🎵 #PhoebeBridgers' first album in 6 years @robinpr.bsky.social 🎶 #CharliXCX's new rock & roll record @annkpowers.bsky.social 🎼 @switchedonpop.bsky.social can’t get enough of #OliviaRodrigo Listen: harkaudio.com/summer-music...
Vicki Wickham helped shape the British Invasion, helped Dusty find her way to Memphis, helped birth Labelle and was Nona’s beloved partner for 60 plus years. Sing her name! RIP www.nytimes.com/2026/08/01/a...
Vicki Wickham, Behind-the-Scenes Force in Pop Music, Dies at 87 (Gift Article)
She managed artists like Labelle and Dusty Springfield, and helped run the influential 1960s British TV showcase “Ready Steady Go!”
nytimes.com
Frankie has informed me there is an emergency situation and immediate belly rubs are required
Negative reviews serve a purpose and can be fun to read but they are not more heroic or even more courageous than positive reviews
lil miss big boy@lighter.bsky.social · 5d agoPost your hottest music take. Mine is New Order is better than Joy Division.
I liked Nolan‘s Odyssey and found aspects problematic. I liked Emily Wilson’s takedown and found aspects problemaric. I liked Joyce Carole Oates’ takedown of Emily Wilson’s takedown of Nolan’s Odyssey and found aspects problematic. I liked (wake me when the next dagger is dropped thru the ceiling)
You know Christopher Nolan is Gen X bc that Odyssey score is the unholy marriage of grunge, Tool and the Blue Man Group (I kind of loved it). I know Goransson is younger but you gotta please the boss
So sad to hear of the death of Glen Hansard. One of the most curious and generous musicians the island of music ever produced. Heartbroken for his young family and oceans of friends
Great essay by my brilliant friend
Carl Wilson@carlzoilus.bsky.social · 2w agoPhoebe Bridgers’ double-shot of TV clips with kid & senior backing bands last week might have looked like a gimmick. But really they peel back subtexts of “Lost Boys” and her own feelings about her life in music at almost-32 that may otherwise be submerged. carlwilson.substack.com/p/this-machi...
I'm always interested in the artists others find the most irritating www.npr.org/2026/07/20/n...
How much should we care about a pop star's baggage?
Gracie Abrams, one of today's biggest new singer-songwriters, has polarized critics with her confessional writing and A-list upbringing. Why do people care so much that she is taking up space?
npr.org
Like Game of Thrones before it, House of the Dragon has reached the spot on the arc where the majority of the storylines feature the most irritating people
Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness but make it three
Someone check if the musicians are ok with this Taco Bell stigmatizing, that’s the only road food any I know ever talk about
Saw The Invite and who has written about this film’s use of music? Because wow Dev Hynes you slayed
Margo Price is a force of nature and is living by her lights and I admire all of that so much. And I am absolutely gonna write about someone putting out a whole protest record.
Erin Keane@erinkeane.bsky.social · 3w ago"I think 20-30 years from now, we’re going to say, ‘Why are more people not concerned about the way that folks are being treated right now. It’s inhumane.” Please give @carynrose.bsky.social's interview with Margo Price a read. www.salon.com/2026/07/14/m...
I just randomly noticed that my magnum opus GOOD BOOTY: LOVE AND SEX, BLACK AND WHITE, BODY AND SOUL IN AMERICAN MUSIC is on sale in Kindle form for $2.99 so if you still buy from that place, maybe lap it up a.co/d/06KoukxY
Amazon.com
a.co
I actually did review the new Stones album, but it never made it onto the website. It was in the NPR Music newsletter.. so here's the weird link that takes you to the review. It was fun to write view.nl.npr.org?vawpToken=ZQ...
Newsletter continues after sponsor message
view.nl.npr.org
This band deserves all the looooovve
Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst.bsky.social · 3w agoThanks to @sloanespencer.bsky.social's Dive Bar Music Club, I am an instant fan of Styrofoam Winos. Horrible name, unbelievable lyrical craftsmanship. Check them out if you like Ratboys, Ryan Davis, Fust, Wednesday, etc.
Went to see the Peter Asher movie (v entertaining btw) and afterward one of the six boomers in the audience shouted “They didn’t play ’Lady Godiva!’ so lady, this one’s for you youtu.be/Src_WCmsg8o?...
Peter and Gordon: Lady Godiva- Live.
YouTube video by Serenadesong
youtu.be
