Don’t let the name fool you—the feverish, furious electronic nightmare-pop produced by the Massachusetts duo Boy Harsher leaves the gender binary feeling as antiquated as a phonograph. Vocalist Jae Matthews and producer Augustus Muller are intimately obsessed with the tactile urgency of now, and their musical language is born of chaotic, reactionary emotional shards. The […]
Author Archives: Meagan Fredette
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Maryn Jones gets personal with her stripped-down solo project Yowler
It’s a hallmark of excellent songwriting when a tune delivered in a stripped-down format on acoustic guitar and vocals is every bit as alluring as if it were performed by a full band. Maryn Jones, whose previous projects include indie-folk bands Saintseneca and All Dogs, creates solo material under the name Yowler, and she keeps […]
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Suicideyear moves from total darkness to light shades of experimental electronic music
Experimental electronic music has always enjoyed an alliance with gloom; that is, dark clothes, darker beats, and the darkest venues. The more decrepit the warehouse, the better. But Baton Rouge-based James Richard Prudhomme, known as Suicideyear, eschews those types of blues in favor of—if you believe it—a refreshing ray of sunlight. Following a series of […]
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Anohni’s heartfelt but clumsy Hopelessness and 13 more record reviews
Nine Reader writers tackle new releases from otherworldly pop virtuoso Anohni, ambient wizard Brian Eno, self-proclaimed “Hood Pope” A$AP Ferg, and wintry folksinger Marissa Nadler, to name a few.
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Chicago music writers having great years
Chicago doesn’t just have a vibrant, busy music scene—it’s also full of busy music writers. This year some of the city’s best talents were at the top of their game, helping drive big, important conversations and refining their distinctive styles. It’s surely just a coincidence that several of them have also contributed to the Reader. […]
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A conversation with Mark Gardener of reunited British shoegaze legends Ride
Almost 20 years after a painful breakup, Ride have grown up and mended fences—and on Friday they play their first Chicago show since reuniting.