song reviews
M.I.A.
"Bring The Noize"
It takes big huevos for an MC to name their song after Public Enemy's agit-rap landmark. But there you go. Spitting bare-knuckle rhymes over turret-gun electro-beats, she's still hurling psychedelic firebombs ("do ya like my perfume? Made it at home with gasoline and 'shrooms") and shouting down Babylon ("it's not me and you, it's the fucking banks!"). And she can still get surprisingly gorgeous, as on the haunting bhangra-styled outro. In short, she sounds hungry, al... | More »
Nine Inch Nails
"Came Back Haunted"
Trent Reznor has spent the past few years experimenting with soundtracks and playing with his side band How to Destroy Angels. The first NIN single since 2008 returns to what he does best: techno-disco soul-gnashing on the vampires-only side of the dance floor. | More »
Wu-Tang Clan
"Family Reunion"
This feel-good BBQ jam samples the O'Jays' "Family Reunion" to celebrate 20 years in the rap game and eulogize Ol' Dirty Bastard. Does any MC do sentimental better than Ghostface Killah? | More »
Bob Marley
"Waiting in Vain (Jim James remix)"
My Morning Jacket's frontman contributes this minimalist reworking to the dubious Legend remix project, keeping Marley's original vocals foregrounded and largely intact, adding squishy old-school keyboards, burly drums and little else. A smart move that lets Marley's greatness speak for itself. | More »
Jack Johnson
"I Got You"
Johnson's last LP was a surprisingly dark set with some heavy (for him) electric guitar. He's back to island breezes on this ode to his wife, which has some impossibly contented whistling. Dude must crush it when it's time to chill out the kids for nap time. | More »
Miley Cyrus
"We Can't Stop"
Cyrus' new single is a party-pomp anthem originally written for Rihanna. Her attempt at club-entering swag is adorable, but there's still a bit too much Disney in her voice to fill the track. Its lyrics – "Can't you see it's we who 'bout that life?" – would be an odd fit for any singer. | More »
The Julie Ruin
"Oh Come On"
After battling Lyme disease for several years, Kathleen Hanna returns with a band-size version of her solo moniker. This finds garage-pop middle ground (guitar solo and everything!) between Le Tigre's bounce and Bikini Kill's howl. Ms. Hanna, you have no idea how good it is to have you back. | More »
Neko Case
"Man"
The country-rock firebrand returns with a roaring bit of gender theory, riding on M. Ward's silvery guitar lines, reminding a lover of who wears the pants. "I am the man in the fucking moon," she sings. " 'Cause you didn't know what a man was/Until I showed you." Um, served. | More »
Beyonce
"Grown Woman"
"I can live fast if I want, I can go slow all night long," Beyoncé declares on this dazzling sister anthem to "Bow Down/I Been On." But silk sheets are nowhere in evidence: Instead, you're invited to eat her dust. Timbaland, shaking off his chill-time experience with Justin Timberlake, slams together sounds from West African drums to South Bronx beatboxing to (in a genius sample) Valley Girl vocal fry. Beyoncé steers the teetering hodgepodge into the high-speed lane, her hi... | More »
Music Reviews
-
star ratingYeezus -
star ratingBorn Sinner -
star ratingKveikur
-
star ratingWatching Movies With the Sound Off -
star ratingOmens -
star ratingWalking on Air
Photos & Videos
We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.
