Music
With The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift has entered her slop era
Huck’s monthly dispatch — The pop giant’s latest album landed with big fanfare but little impact. Against the toll of superstardom and years of consistent output, as well as accusations of AI usage, newsletter columnist Emma Garland asks: has Taylor Swift lost her touch?
Written by: Emma Garland
As music journalism marches towards oblivion, a plea for salvation
We Gotta Get Through This — On reaching 25 years of the independent music blog and online community Drowned in Sound, site founder, label boss, and manager of artists such as Charlotte Church, Sean Adams, explores how music journalism is still limping, and why setting up The Association of Music Editors is an attempt to liberate it from corporate tyranny and neglect.
Written by: Sean Adams
What went down at Huck’s Issue 82 launch party
Gems & mems — With an insightful Q&A featuring High Vis’ Graham Sayle and cover star Kojey Radical, along with headsy bass music from Manami and grooves from DJ.FINAL3.INDD, it was an evening to celebrate music, print and community.
Written by: Ella Glossop
The story of Latraac Skate Cafe, where tracks and tricks collide
A ramp that listens — The underground Athens hangout, set in a plywood bowl, has become a popular spot for local boarders and music fans, attracting the likes of Fred again.. and CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso to play. We trace its evolution over the years.
Written by: George Mylonas
Analogue Appreciation: Yazmin Lacey
Teal Dreams — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, singer-songwriter, horticulturalist, youth worker and wearer of many hats Yazmin Lacey.
Written by: Yazmin Lacey
How teaching in prisons and a new mixtape is inspiring UK rap innovator Jords
Inside tracks — Two years since releasing his sophomore album Dirt In the Diamond on the legendary Motown Records, the South London MC returns with Mixtape J – a bold, independent, 10-track statement. We caught up with him to talk about the new project, his creative process and running writing workshops in UK prisons.
Written by: Niall Smith
Manami: “Stereotypes were so strong growing up in the UK”
East and Most — Ahead of her headline slot at Huck’s Issue 82 launch party, we checked in with the bass music shapeshifter to hear about her confident style and the rising ESEA creative movement in the UK.
Written by: Isaac Muk
An inside look at New York City’s best independent record stores
Vinyl NYC — A new book from James T. & Karla L. Murray and Hattie Lindert explores the frontages, interiors and people of shops located across the five boroughs, while archiving their existences.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Capturing the vibrant energy of passinho dancers in Rio’s favelas
Funk is life — The fast-paced dance first emerged in the early 2000s at illegal baile funk parties, but has grown into an international phenomenon in recent years with the help of social media. Photographer Jonangelo Molinari has spent years documenting its moves, characters and culture.
Written by: Josh Jones
Irish artists to receive €325 a week basic income from the government
Basic Income for the Arts — The scheme will begin next year, with 2,000 spaces initially allocated in the budget.
Written by: Isaac Muk
