2021
January
Contents
Love Letters & Advice
Cosmic Dancers • First, Greta Van Fleet became classic rock’s new hope. Now, they’re thinking even bigger
Bedroom Musicians Bring It All Back Home
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz • Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything
Dancing With Ourselves • 2020 was the year fandom went underground: Public spaces vanished, isolation became a fact of life, and pop music responded in kind
RS Charts • THE BIGGEST ARTISTS, ALBUMS, AND SONGS OF TODAY
New Grammy Voices • The Best New Artist nominees for the 2021 awards, to be held on January 31st, include pop stars, critical favorites, and a few curveballs
Saweetie’s Glamorous Dreams Come True • The ‘Icy Girl’ and ‘My Type’ rapper went from playing in Bay Area talent shows to owning one of hip-hop’s hottest careers
Live Music’s Lost Workers • As concerts vanished in 2020, roadies, truckers, and other crew have seen their lives upended
Welcome to the Year of the Blockbuster • So many releases were pushed back last year due to the pandemic, 2021 is overflowing with movie magic. We help you decide what to see
Angus Young • The AC/DC guitarist on his band’s new album, life with Axl Rose, and why ‘Back in Black’ will never die
The Power Broker • Georgia flipped blue for the first time in almost 30 years, in no small part due to the work of Stacey Abrams. What the Democratic Party can learn from the ‘relentless’ voting-rights advocate’s success
Trump’s Gone, So What’s Next for the Democrats?
Building a New Protest Movement • A generation found its voice in 2020, harnessing social media to lead the fight for change in their communities
Inside Operation Gideon, A Coup Gone Very Wrong • Why did three American ex-Special Forces soldiers try to overthrow the Venezuelan government?
Miley’s Rock & Roll Heart • After two tumultuous years, Cyrus emerges with a wild new album, a fresh outlook, and a lot to say about her heroes, sobriety, and getting the respect she deserves
The Year in Music • In one of the worst years in history, music guided us through it — from Taylor Swift’s cathartic intimacy to Dua Lipa’s disco escapism and Bad Bunny’s revolutionary reggaeton
Photographer of Rock’s Golden Age • From Janis Joplin to Jimi Hendrix, Baron Wolman captured the revolution and changed music photography
Deadly Climate • Covid-19, Zika, Nipah virus, Ebola, dengue: How the climate crisis is ushering in a new pandemic era, and why we’re woefully unprepared for what’s to come
T.V.
Movies
Werner Herzog • The filmmaking legend on inspired madness and the enduring power of ‘Winnie the Pooh’
Cosmic Dancers • First, Greta Van Fleet became classic rock’s new hope. Now, they’re thinking even bigger
Bedroom Musicians Bring It All Back Home
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz • Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything
Dancing With Ourselves • 2020 was the year fandom went underground: Public spaces vanished, isolation became a fact of life, and pop music responded in kind
RS Charts • THE BIGGEST ARTISTS, ALBUMS, AND SONGS OF TODAY
New Grammy Voices • The Best New Artist nominees for the 2021 awards, to be held on January 31st, include pop stars, critical favorites, and a few curveballs
Saweetie’s Glamorous Dreams Come True • The ‘Icy Girl’ and ‘My Type’ rapper went from playing in Bay Area talent shows to owning one of hip-hop’s hottest careers
Live Music’s Lost Workers • As concerts vanished in 2020, roadies, truckers, and other crew have seen their lives upended
Welcome to the Year of the Blockbuster • So many releases were pushed back last year due to the pandemic, 2021 is overflowing with movie magic. We help you decide what to see
Angus Young • The AC/DC guitarist on his band’s new album, life with Axl Rose, and why ‘Back in Black’ will never die
The Power Broker • Georgia flipped blue for the first time in almost 30 years, in no small part due to the work of Stacey Abrams. What the Democratic Party can learn from the ‘relentless’ voting-rights advocate’s success
Trump’s Gone, So What’s Next for the Democrats?
Building a New Protest Movement • A generation found its voice in 2020, harnessing social media to lead the fight for change in their communities
Inside Operation Gideon, A Coup Gone Very Wrong • Why did three American ex-Special Forces soldiers try to overthrow the Venezuelan government?
Miley’s Rock & Roll Heart • After two tumultuous years, Cyrus emerges with a wild new album, a fresh outlook, and a lot to say about her heroes, sobriety, and getting the respect she deserves
The Year in Music • In one of the worst years in history, music guided us through it — from Taylor Swift’s cathartic intimacy to Dua Lipa’s disco escapism and Bad Bunny’s revolutionary reggaeton
Photographer of Rock’s Golden Age • From Janis Joplin to Jimi Hendrix, Baron Wolman captured the revolution and changed music photography
Deadly Climate • Covid-19, Zika, Nipah virus, Ebola, dengue: How the climate crisis is ushering in a new pandemic era, and why we’re woefully unprepared for what’s to come
T.V.
Movies
Werner Herzog • The filmmaking legend on inspired madness and the enduring power of ‘Winnie the Pooh’
Love Letters & Advice
Cosmic Dancers • First, Greta Van Fleet became classic rock’s new hope. Now, they’re thinking even bigger
Bedroom Musicians Bring It All Back Home... more
Cosmic Dancers • First, Greta Van Fleet became classic rock’s new hope. Now, they’re thinking even bigger
Bedroom Musicians Bring It All Back Home... more
February
Contents
Love Letters & Advice
Dua’s Disco Defiance
An Indie Talent Rethinks Everything • After two acclaimed LPs, Julien Baker slowed down and wrestled with sobriety
RS Charts • THE BIGGEST ARTISTS, ALBUMS, AND SONGS OF TODAY
Chloé Zhao’s Long Road to Hollywood • With her lyrical film ‘Nomadland’ and Marvel’s upcoming ‘The Eternals,’ the director has arrived
D.C. ROCK CITY
Joan Baez’s Portraits of Peace
The Ballad of Justin Townes Earle • He was a brilliant songwriter who built his own legend, but couldn’t outrun the darkness that came with it
Bad Bunny • On his string of historic successes, fusing reggaeton with alt-rock, and why he’s looking for a new hobby
How the Democrats Can Save Themselves • Despite big victories, there are signs of trouble for Team Blue. What is the party’s best path forward?
Forgiving Student Debt Alone Won’t Fix the Crisis
Dancing in the Dark • How Dua Lipa ignored the trends, turned herself into a ‘female alpha,’ and became the breakout pop star of the pandemic era by delivering the modern disco classic we didn’t know we needed
Artists to Watch • Ten new musicians who are blazing paths, scoring big hits, and reshaping pop, hip-hop, Latin, punk, country, and more in 2021
The Spirit of Neil Peart • Rush’s virtuoso drum hero lived by his own rules, to the very end. For the first time since Peart’s passing, his bandmates and widow discuss his legacy and his final years
The Revolutionary Vision of David Fincher • The boundary-pushing director reflects on his career, Hollywood’s golden past, and its perilous future
Highway to Hell • The $300 million Kabul-Kandahar road was meant to be a symbol of the new Afghanistan. But a dangerous trip down it today reveals everything that has gone wrong in America’s longest war
Music
T.V.
Movies
Nancy Sinatra • The singer-actor on Elvis, Black Lives Matter, and what her father taught her
Dua’s Disco Defiance
An Indie Talent Rethinks Everything • After two acclaimed LPs, Julien Baker slowed down and wrestled with sobriety
RS Charts • THE BIGGEST ARTISTS, ALBUMS, AND SONGS OF TODAY
Chloé Zhao’s Long Road to Hollywood • With her lyrical film ‘Nomadland’ and Marvel’s upcoming ‘The Eternals,’ the director has arrived
D.C. ROCK CITY
Joan Baez’s Portraits of Peace
The Ballad of Justin Townes Earle • He was a brilliant songwriter who built his own legend, but couldn’t outrun the darkness that came with it
Bad Bunny • On his string of historic successes, fusing reggaeton with alt-rock, and why he’s looking for a new hobby
How the Democrats Can Save Themselves • Despite big victories, there are signs of trouble for Team Blue. What is the party’s best path forward?
Forgiving Student Debt Alone Won’t Fix the Crisis
Dancing in the Dark • How Dua Lipa ignored the trends, turned herself into a ‘female alpha,’ and became the breakout pop star of the pandemic era by delivering the modern disco classic we didn’t know we needed
Artists to Watch • Ten new musicians who are blazing paths, scoring big hits, and reshaping pop, hip-hop, Latin, punk, country, and more in 2021
The Spirit of Neil Peart • Rush’s virtuoso drum hero lived by his own rules, to the very end. For the first time since Peart’s passing, his bandmates and widow discuss his legacy and his final years
The Revolutionary Vision of David Fincher • The boundary-pushing director reflects on his career, Hollywood’s golden past, and its perilous future
Highway to Hell • The $300 million Kabul-Kandahar road was meant to be a symbol of the new Afghanistan. But a dangerous trip down it today reveals everything that has gone wrong in America’s longest war
Music
T.V.
Movies
Nancy Sinatra • The singer-actor on Elvis, Black Lives Matter, and what her father taught her
Love Letters & Advice
Dua’s Disco Defiance
An Indie Talent Rethinks Everything • After two acclaimed LPs, Julien Baker slowed down and wrestled with sobriety
RS Charts... more
Dua’s Disco Defiance
An Indie Talent Rethinks Everything • After two acclaimed LPs, Julien Baker slowed down and wrestled with sobriety
RS Charts... more
March
Contents
A Time of Reflection
Love Letters & Advice
Kehlani’s New Vision • She helped reimagine modern R&B while navigating major heartache. After getting sober, she’s got brighter music on the way
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz • Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything
RS Charts • THE BIGGEST ARTISTS, ALBUMS, AND SONGS OF TODAY
Dreaming R&B’s Future in Denmark
Lady Sings the Blues Again • How ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ retells the singer’s story for the BLM era — and brings Billie back to life
Cynthia Erivo • The Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner on playing Aretha Franklin and recording an album during a pandemic
How the Anti-Vaxxers Got Red-Pilled • What happens when a global pandemic, a vaccine resistance movement, and the age of conspiracy collide? A black hole of misinformation that poses a grave threat to public health
Kacey Musgraves • The queen of ‘galactic country’ is following up a career-defining album (and a divorce) with a little help from Bach, Greek tragedy, and magic mushrooms
Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Willow Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith • The generations-spanning ‘Red Table Talk’ hosts have the realest roundtable on TV
Nandi Bushell • The 10-year-old who Dave Grohl calls “best drummer in the world”
Michelle Zauner • One of indie rock’s finest songwriters pens a moving memoir about loss and food
Koffee • Making reggae hits powered by deep cultural roots and hope for a post-quarantine world
Yamiche Alcindor • How the PBS correspondent went toe-to-toe with Trump, demanding answers for a country in crisis
Elizabeth Diller • She questioned the very concept of architecture, and became one of the most sought-after designers of her generation
Keisha Lance Bottoms • How the mayor of Atlanta and rising star in the Democratic Party led her city through a tumultuous year
Garrett Bradley • With her shattering and intimate documentary ‘Time,’ the filmmaker is pushing the boundaries of what the art form can be
Paloma Mami • One of 2021’s most exciting new pop voices is a Chilean American who’s blending R&B, reggaeton, and her own unique style
Ayo Edebiri • As a writer and actor on ‘Big Mouth,’ the comedian is bringing a fresh perspective to the fore
Suzy Shinn • A rising rock engineer and producer who’s had to fight to be respected for her talent in the studio
Marisa Acocella • With her latest book, the cartoonist brings history’s forgotten women back into the picture
Anna Konkle & Maya Erskine • The co-creators of ‘Pen15’ have shown that girls can be just as gross and weird as boys — and that our inner 13-year-old never dies
Kim Ng • MLB’s first female GM brings her street smarts to the front office
Emily Oster • The economist and bestselling author helps families find answers amid Covid
Deja Foxx • The Gen Z activist and social media maestro is fighting for a pro-choice world
Kathy Sullivan • A scientist whose expeditions in space and at sea have taken her where few others have gone before
Marielle Heller • The uncompromising writer-director-actor has built a career on sticking to her guns
Julia Garner • In a world where young stars are shouting for attention, the Ozark actress says it all with a glance
Love Letters & Advice
Kehlani’s New Vision • She helped reimagine modern R&B while navigating major heartache. After getting sober, she’s got brighter music on the way
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz • Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything
RS Charts • THE BIGGEST ARTISTS, ALBUMS, AND SONGS OF TODAY
Dreaming R&B’s Future in Denmark
Lady Sings the Blues Again • How ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ retells the singer’s story for the BLM era — and brings Billie back to life
Cynthia Erivo • The Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner on playing Aretha Franklin and recording an album during a pandemic
How the Anti-Vaxxers Got Red-Pilled • What happens when a global pandemic, a vaccine resistance movement, and the age of conspiracy collide? A black hole of misinformation that poses a grave threat to public health
Kacey Musgraves • The queen of ‘galactic country’ is following up a career-defining album (and a divorce) with a little help from Bach, Greek tragedy, and magic mushrooms
Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Willow Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith • The generations-spanning ‘Red Table Talk’ hosts have the realest roundtable on TV
Nandi Bushell • The 10-year-old who Dave Grohl calls “best drummer in the world”
Michelle Zauner • One of indie rock’s finest songwriters pens a moving memoir about loss and food
Koffee • Making reggae hits powered by deep cultural roots and hope for a post-quarantine world
Yamiche Alcindor • How the PBS correspondent went toe-to-toe with Trump, demanding answers for a country in crisis
Elizabeth Diller • She questioned the very concept of architecture, and became one of the most sought-after designers of her generation
Keisha Lance Bottoms • How the mayor of Atlanta and rising star in the Democratic Party led her city through a tumultuous year
Garrett Bradley • With her shattering and intimate documentary ‘Time,’ the filmmaker is pushing the boundaries of what the art form can be
Paloma Mami • One of 2021’s most exciting new pop voices is a Chilean American who’s blending R&B, reggaeton, and her own unique style
Ayo Edebiri • As a writer and actor on ‘Big Mouth,’ the comedian is bringing a fresh perspective to the fore
Suzy Shinn • A rising rock engineer and producer who’s had to fight to be respected for her talent in the studio
Marisa Acocella • With her latest book, the cartoonist brings history’s forgotten women back into the picture
Anna Konkle & Maya Erskine • The co-creators of ‘Pen15’ have shown that girls can be just as gross and weird as boys — and that our inner 13-year-old never dies
Kim Ng • MLB’s first female GM brings her street smarts to the front office
Emily Oster • The economist and bestselling author helps families find answers amid Covid
Deja Foxx • The Gen Z activist and social media maestro is fighting for a pro-choice world
Kathy Sullivan • A scientist whose expeditions in space and at sea have taken her where few others have gone before
Marielle Heller • The uncompromising writer-director-actor has built a career on sticking to her guns
Julia Garner • In a world where young stars are shouting for attention, the Ozark actress says it all with a glance
A Time of Reflection
Love Letters & Advice
Kehlani’s New Vision • She helped reimagine modern R&B while navigating major heartache. After getting sober, she’s got brighter music... more
Love Letters & Advice
Kehlani’s New Vision • She helped reimagine modern R&B while navigating major heartache. After getting sober, she’s got brighter music... more
Issue 1350
April
April
Issue 1351
May
May
June
Contents
Sam Jay’s Comedy of Compromise • With her new HBO late-night show, the stand-up is aiming to bring Americans together
The Many Faces of Kansas City’s Music Scene • Get to know a few of the people and places that make KC a premier live music destination
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz • Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything
Looking for an Adventure? Explore Six of Missouri’s Top Outdoor Attractions
It’s Olivia Rodrigo’s World • ‘Drivers License’ is an instant classic — but chances are that’s only the beginning for a songwriter in full command of pop’s history and future
This Trendy St. Louis Museum Is Reimagining the City’s Local Art Scene
The Fire Behind ‘Sparks’ • In a new documentary, director Edgar Wright gives a cult band its due
Five of Missouri’s Must-Visit Barbeque Hotspots
Syd’s World of Vintage Trucks • A SERIES IN WHICH ARTISTS SHARE THEIR NONMUSICAL PASSIONS
Dan Auerbach • The Black Keys’ singer-guitarist on getting to record with his blues heroes and missing John Prine
What Joe Manchin Wants • A guide to the Blue Dog Democrat who can make or break President Biden’s agenda
The Triumph of BTS • How seven young superstars rewrote music-biz rules and became the biggest band in the world
K-Pop Now
Future of Music
Future 25 • Where others see hurdles, they see runaway opportunity. Meet the fearless leaders of tomorrow’s music business.
Magical Mystery Tours • Aided by the Great Pause, concert tech is growing by leaps and bounds. The next wave of live music will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen
Everybody Wants Some (Hits)! • Indie artists dwarf label-signed artists by sheer numbers — but the onslaught of DIY music hasn’t yet killed the record label. It’s complicated, and thrilling
The Classic-Rock Gold Rush • As the giants of the genre contemplate retirement, companies are dreaming up increasingly innovative ways to bring new value to older sounds
What Could Be Music’s Next Spotify? • The new era of business is all about democratizing hitmaking. Beloved by big-money investors and sharp-eyed entrepreneurs, here are the music industry’s rising powers
What’s a Good Record Deal? • Superstars like Kanye West and Taylor Swift have bashed lopsided label deals — and a new generation of artists is vying to recalibrate music’s balance of power
Sounds of the Future • Data has shown that U.S. listener taste is going more global with each passing year. So when looking at the genres that are seeing the highest velocities on streaming, it’s no surprise that many come from outside our borders — from South Africa and Mexico, and even 1980s Japan.
Glossary to the New Era
The Enemy Within • Race and White Supremacy in American Policing
Music
T.V.
Movies
Lyor Cohen • The veteran music mogul on the pitfalls of viral hits and what defines success
The Many Faces of Kansas City’s Music Scene • Get to know a few of the people and places that make KC a premier live music destination
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz • Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything
Looking for an Adventure? Explore Six of Missouri’s Top Outdoor Attractions
It’s Olivia Rodrigo’s World • ‘Drivers License’ is an instant classic — but chances are that’s only the beginning for a songwriter in full command of pop’s history and future
This Trendy St. Louis Museum Is Reimagining the City’s Local Art Scene
The Fire Behind ‘Sparks’ • In a new documentary, director Edgar Wright gives a cult band its due
Five of Missouri’s Must-Visit Barbeque Hotspots
Syd’s World of Vintage Trucks • A SERIES IN WHICH ARTISTS SHARE THEIR NONMUSICAL PASSIONS
Dan Auerbach • The Black Keys’ singer-guitarist on getting to record with his blues heroes and missing John Prine
What Joe Manchin Wants • A guide to the Blue Dog Democrat who can make or break President Biden’s agenda
The Triumph of BTS • How seven young superstars rewrote music-biz rules and became the biggest band in the world
K-Pop Now
Future of Music
Future 25 • Where others see hurdles, they see runaway opportunity. Meet the fearless leaders of tomorrow’s music business.
Magical Mystery Tours • Aided by the Great Pause, concert tech is growing by leaps and bounds. The next wave of live music will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen
Everybody Wants Some (Hits)! • Indie artists dwarf label-signed artists by sheer numbers — but the onslaught of DIY music hasn’t yet killed the record label. It’s complicated, and thrilling
The Classic-Rock Gold Rush • As the giants of the genre contemplate retirement, companies are dreaming up increasingly innovative ways to bring new value to older sounds
What Could Be Music’s Next Spotify? • The new era of business is all about democratizing hitmaking. Beloved by big-money investors and sharp-eyed entrepreneurs, here are the music industry’s rising powers
What’s a Good Record Deal? • Superstars like Kanye West and Taylor Swift have bashed lopsided label deals — and a new generation of artists is vying to recalibrate music’s balance of power
Sounds of the Future • Data has shown that U.S. listener taste is going more global with each passing year. So when looking at the genres that are seeing the highest velocities on streaming, it’s no surprise that many come from outside our borders — from South Africa and Mexico, and even 1980s Japan.
Glossary to the New Era
The Enemy Within • Race and White Supremacy in American Policing
Music
T.V.
Movies
Lyor Cohen • The veteran music mogul on the pitfalls of viral hits and what defines success
Sam Jay’s Comedy of Compromise • With her new HBO late-night show, the stand-up is aiming to bring Americans together
The Many Faces of Kansas City’s Music Scene •... more
The Many Faces of Kansas City’s Music Scene •... more
July/August
Contents
Love Letters & Advice
Capturing the Joy of Billie Eilish
Black Pumas Celebrate the Return of Live
Clairo’s Heart of the Country • Her early success gave her millions of fans but left her feeling adrift, so she headed to the Catskills and dug deeper
The Dark Glamour of Depeche Mode
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz
A Jewel From Prince’s Vault • How an album that he recorded and shelved in 2010 made its way out to the world
A Festival Dream Deferred No More • How Questlove brought the Harlem Cultural Festival back to the screen after 50 years
BIG-SCREEN BALLERS • As ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ hits theaters on July 16th, we look back at some of the all-time great cinematic performances by NBA stars … and a few that bricked
The Righteous Anger of Annie Murphy • The ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star pivots to comedy’s dark side in a new role as a stifled housewife
RS Charts • This could be the first time in a decade that a woman has the biggest song of the year
The Season’s Best Outdoor Gear • From tents to grills, games, and more, everything you need for summer fun
Yola Rises Up for a New Day • After a life full of trials, the British singer is ready to meet her moment
Liz Phair • On her first album in 11 years, the lessons of ‘Exile in Guyville,’ and why she identifies with Britney Spears
The Forever-Trump Movement Has Won • The 45th president lost an election and incited a failed insurrection, but his grip on the GOP is absolute. What’s next for a party at war with democracy — and the future?
Tax the Rich! Also the Very Affluent! But Mainly the Rich! • Republicans say tax cuts pay for themselves. They never do. How about we try something that actually does work?
Shakedown in the Amazon • How Brazil’s president is trying to hold the rainforest hostage and profit off the climate crisis
Billie Eilish and the Pursuit of Happiness • The pop superstar’s new album is a stunner. But she had to walk a dark road to get there
JAZMINE SULLIVAN • Houston’s resurgent rap scene, Hollywood’s new breakout star, vape alternatives, the Travis Barker-aissance, and more
HOT SOUND AMAPIANO • The genre is ruling South Africa — and coming to a dance floor near you
Hot Reboot Gossip Girl • NYC’s sexiest, scheming-est prepsters are back
Hot Author Torrey Peters • Detransition, Baby is the subversive read of 2021
Hot Post-Vape On-the-Go Edibles • WEED EDIBLES are more popular than ever. That’s because they’ve overcome a notorious problem: When marijuana goes through the digestive process, it can be hard to tell how high you’ll get or how long that high might last. Thanks to advances in weed technology (and years of nanotechnology R&D), brands across the country are releasing products that offer targeted highs that come on quickly and wear off by the time you need to drive home. Here, five different types of new weed tech and how they aim to get you high.
HOT GENRE CLI-FI • Everyone’s writing about the end of the world. Go figure
Hot Cross-Generational Pop-Punk Ambassador Travis Barker • Blink-182’s drummer is loving his second life as an in-demand producer for Gen-Z stars
Hot Director John Lee • A filmmaker who’s known for twisted humor pivots to surreal horror
Hot Mindset Post-Trump Brain Freedom • The Orange One is gone (sort of) but not forgotten. How America...
Capturing the Joy of Billie Eilish
Black Pumas Celebrate the Return of Live
Clairo’s Heart of the Country • Her early success gave her millions of fans but left her feeling adrift, so she headed to the Catskills and dug deeper
The Dark Glamour of Depeche Mode
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz
A Jewel From Prince’s Vault • How an album that he recorded and shelved in 2010 made its way out to the world
A Festival Dream Deferred No More • How Questlove brought the Harlem Cultural Festival back to the screen after 50 years
BIG-SCREEN BALLERS • As ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ hits theaters on July 16th, we look back at some of the all-time great cinematic performances by NBA stars … and a few that bricked
The Righteous Anger of Annie Murphy • The ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star pivots to comedy’s dark side in a new role as a stifled housewife
RS Charts • This could be the first time in a decade that a woman has the biggest song of the year
The Season’s Best Outdoor Gear • From tents to grills, games, and more, everything you need for summer fun
Yola Rises Up for a New Day • After a life full of trials, the British singer is ready to meet her moment
Liz Phair • On her first album in 11 years, the lessons of ‘Exile in Guyville,’ and why she identifies with Britney Spears
The Forever-Trump Movement Has Won • The 45th president lost an election and incited a failed insurrection, but his grip on the GOP is absolute. What’s next for a party at war with democracy — and the future?
Tax the Rich! Also the Very Affluent! But Mainly the Rich! • Republicans say tax cuts pay for themselves. They never do. How about we try something that actually does work?
Shakedown in the Amazon • How Brazil’s president is trying to hold the rainforest hostage and profit off the climate crisis
Billie Eilish and the Pursuit of Happiness • The pop superstar’s new album is a stunner. But she had to walk a dark road to get there
JAZMINE SULLIVAN • Houston’s resurgent rap scene, Hollywood’s new breakout star, vape alternatives, the Travis Barker-aissance, and more
HOT SOUND AMAPIANO • The genre is ruling South Africa — and coming to a dance floor near you
Hot Reboot Gossip Girl • NYC’s sexiest, scheming-est prepsters are back
Hot Author Torrey Peters • Detransition, Baby is the subversive read of 2021
Hot Post-Vape On-the-Go Edibles • WEED EDIBLES are more popular than ever. That’s because they’ve overcome a notorious problem: When marijuana goes through the digestive process, it can be hard to tell how high you’ll get or how long that high might last. Thanks to advances in weed technology (and years of nanotechnology R&D), brands across the country are releasing products that offer targeted highs that come on quickly and wear off by the time you need to drive home. Here, five different types of new weed tech and how they aim to get you high.
HOT GENRE CLI-FI • Everyone’s writing about the end of the world. Go figure
Hot Cross-Generational Pop-Punk Ambassador Travis Barker • Blink-182’s drummer is loving his second life as an in-demand producer for Gen-Z stars
Hot Director John Lee • A filmmaker who’s known for twisted humor pivots to surreal horror
Hot Mindset Post-Trump Brain Freedom • The Orange One is gone (sort of) but not forgotten. How America...
Love Letters & Advice
Capturing the Joy of Billie Eilish
Black Pumas Celebrate the Return of Live
Clairo’s Heart of the Country • Her early success gave... more
Capturing the Joy of Billie Eilish
Black Pumas Celebrate the Return of Live
Clairo’s Heart of the Country • Her early success gave... more
September
Contents
Love Letters & Advice
Orville Peck’s Human Touch“
Little Simz’s Beautiful Clarity • One of the hottest talents in London rap is unafraid to tangle with deep emotions
The Noisy Utopia of Eighties NYC
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Pom Pom Squad’s Unruly Realness
Todd Haynes’ Notes From Deep in the ‘Underground’ • The director’s new documentary on the Velvet Underground summons the band’s rebel spirit
Interview With the Vampires • Inside the insanely goofy world of FX’s ‘What We Do in the Shadows,’ the smartest silly show on television
Beanie Feldstein • The ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ star on playing Monica Lewinsky and reconsidering Hillary
Washington, D.C.
New Orleans, Louisiana • Dawn Richard had to leave her hometown when Hurricane Katrina hit just as her career was getting started. Now, more than a decade later, the R&B futurist has returned — and she’s making her most daring music yet by tapping into local history even as she imagines bold new ways forward
Austin, Texas • Live music is this city’s heart and soul. After a very hard year, it’s finally coming back
Chicago, Illinois • The Windy City has produced some of rap’s most vital acts
Nashville, Tennessee • A disastrous tornado and a global health crisis couldn’t stop one of Music City’s most beloved venues, the Basement East, for long
The Soothing Sounds of Silk Sonic • Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s ‘feel-good’ music comes from hard times and real pain. Inside the duo’s deep friendship and quest for the perfect throwback jam
The Devil You Know • Why were two teens in Carmel, New York, locked up for murder, while a local criminal with a mile-long rap sheet was never even questioned?
The Confessions of David Chase • The ‘Sopranos’ godfather on his prequel film, ‘The Many Saints of Newark,’ the series’ enduring legacy, and how he really feels about Hollywood
How Alessandro Nivola Got Made • The star of ‘The Many Saints of Newark’ has been grinding it out in Hollywood for 25 years — finally, he’s poised to break big
Stevie Van Zandt’s Long Walk Home From E Street • In an exclusive excerpt from his new memoir, Springsteen’s best friend recounts for the first time why he quit the band, and his big return
No Hero, No Villain, Noname • Fatimah Warner is one of the best rappers alive — and perhaps the most outspoken. In the face of vitriol, she’s backing her words with a remarkable program of action and education
Music
T.V.
Movies
Ronnie Wood • The Stones guitarist on the value of honesty and how to keep Mick happy
Orville Peck’s Human Touch“
Little Simz’s Beautiful Clarity • One of the hottest talents in London rap is unafraid to tangle with deep emotions
The Noisy Utopia of Eighties NYC
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Pom Pom Squad’s Unruly Realness
Todd Haynes’ Notes From Deep in the ‘Underground’ • The director’s new documentary on the Velvet Underground summons the band’s rebel spirit
Interview With the Vampires • Inside the insanely goofy world of FX’s ‘What We Do in the Shadows,’ the smartest silly show on television
Beanie Feldstein • The ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ star on playing Monica Lewinsky and reconsidering Hillary
Washington, D.C.
New Orleans, Louisiana • Dawn Richard had to leave her hometown when Hurricane Katrina hit just as her career was getting started. Now, more than a decade later, the R&B futurist has returned — and she’s making her most daring music yet by tapping into local history even as she imagines bold new ways forward
Austin, Texas • Live music is this city’s heart and soul. After a very hard year, it’s finally coming back
Chicago, Illinois • The Windy City has produced some of rap’s most vital acts
Nashville, Tennessee • A disastrous tornado and a global health crisis couldn’t stop one of Music City’s most beloved venues, the Basement East, for long
The Soothing Sounds of Silk Sonic • Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s ‘feel-good’ music comes from hard times and real pain. Inside the duo’s deep friendship and quest for the perfect throwback jam
The Devil You Know • Why were two teens in Carmel, New York, locked up for murder, while a local criminal with a mile-long rap sheet was never even questioned?
The Confessions of David Chase • The ‘Sopranos’ godfather on his prequel film, ‘The Many Saints of Newark,’ the series’ enduring legacy, and how he really feels about Hollywood
How Alessandro Nivola Got Made • The star of ‘The Many Saints of Newark’ has been grinding it out in Hollywood for 25 years — finally, he’s poised to break big
Stevie Van Zandt’s Long Walk Home From E Street • In an exclusive excerpt from his new memoir, Springsteen’s best friend recounts for the first time why he quit the band, and his big return
No Hero, No Villain, Noname • Fatimah Warner is one of the best rappers alive — and perhaps the most outspoken. In the face of vitriol, she’s backing her words with a remarkable program of action and education
Music
T.V.
Movies
Ronnie Wood • The Stones guitarist on the value of honesty and how to keep Mick happy
Love Letters & Advice
Orville Peck’s Human Touch“
Little Simz’s Beautiful Clarity • One of the hottest talents in London rap is unafraid to tangle with deep emotions... more
Orville Peck’s Human Touch“
Little Simz’s Beautiful Clarity • One of the hottest talents in London rap is unafraid to tangle with deep emotions... more
October
Contents
Love Letters & Advice
The Joyful Return of Amber Ruffin
Searching for Joy in America • Singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun has captured Nashville’s attention with her songs of hard-won happiness and truth
Photos From the Front Lines
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz • Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything
Another Side of ‘Let It Be’ • A new deluxe box set revisits the Beatles’ 1969 back-to-basics studio sessions and illuminates an often misunderstood era
Rick Ross, Luxurious Landscaper
Keeping Bond Alive • From Connery to Craig, why the man with a license to kill has stayed a pop-culture icon for 60 years
Jhay Cortez • On making hits with Bad Bunny and Skrillex, breaking barriers for reggaeton, and the show he can’t wait to play
Lindsey Goes His Own Way • Split from Fleetwood Mac and recovering from a major health scare, he’s still making noise
Kevin McCarthy’s Extreme MAGA Makeover • When you follow the trail of dark money behind a push to get the top House Republican into Donald Trump’s good graces, things get weird — and reveal much of what’s wrong with our politics
Everlonger • Born out of tragedy, they’ve mastered the art of survival — and become rock’s most fervent ambassadors. Inside the admittedly uncool, life-affirming, loud-as-hell world of Foo Fighters
The Indestructible Groove of Charlie Watts • The heartbeat of the Rolling Stones was a quiet man who shunned the spotlight and became the ultimate rock drummer
The Jazz Drummer • In a previously unpublished interview from 2013, Watts went deep into the music that made him and the meaning of the Stones
The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time
Music
T.V.
Movies
Brandi Carlile • The singer-songwriter on self-care and why she never wants a hit song
The Joyful Return of Amber Ruffin
Searching for Joy in America • Singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun has captured Nashville’s attention with her songs of hard-won happiness and truth
Photos From the Front Lines
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz • Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything
Another Side of ‘Let It Be’ • A new deluxe box set revisits the Beatles’ 1969 back-to-basics studio sessions and illuminates an often misunderstood era
Rick Ross, Luxurious Landscaper
Keeping Bond Alive • From Connery to Craig, why the man with a license to kill has stayed a pop-culture icon for 60 years
Jhay Cortez • On making hits with Bad Bunny and Skrillex, breaking barriers for reggaeton, and the show he can’t wait to play
Lindsey Goes His Own Way • Split from Fleetwood Mac and recovering from a major health scare, he’s still making noise
Kevin McCarthy’s Extreme MAGA Makeover • When you follow the trail of dark money behind a push to get the top House Republican into Donald Trump’s good graces, things get weird — and reveal much of what’s wrong with our politics
Everlonger • Born out of tragedy, they’ve mastered the art of survival — and become rock’s most fervent ambassadors. Inside the admittedly uncool, life-affirming, loud-as-hell world of Foo Fighters
The Indestructible Groove of Charlie Watts • The heartbeat of the Rolling Stones was a quiet man who shunned the spotlight and became the ultimate rock drummer
The Jazz Drummer • In a previously unpublished interview from 2013, Watts went deep into the music that made him and the meaning of the Stones
The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time
Music
T.V.
Movies
Brandi Carlile • The singer-songwriter on self-care and why she never wants a hit song
Love Letters & Advice
The Joyful Return of Amber Ruffin
Searching for Joy in America • Singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun has captured Nashville’s attention with her songs of hard-won... more
The Joyful Return of Amber Ruffin
Searching for Joy in America • Singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun has captured Nashville’s attention with her songs of hard-won... more
November
Contents
Tems Is the Future • Drake, Rihanna, and Wizkid all agree: The Nigerian singer-songwriter is a serious talent
Rap Legends’ Wild Styles
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz • Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything
Adele’s Sleeper Smash • After taking off on TikTok, 2015 deep cut ‘Love in the Dark’ has emerged as one of her most popular songs
Latin Grammys Preview 2021 • Ahead of this year’s show on November 18th, a guide to the top snubs and surprises
The Original Ride or Die • With ‘The Harder They Fall,’ writer-director Jeymes Samuel delivers a 21st-century remix of a classic film genre
Rapper’s Delight • Moneybagg Yo is savoring the fruits of his success
Kumail Nanjiani • The ‘Eternals’ star on getting ripped, being objectified, and freaking out over Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Trials and Tragedy of a Trump-Era Whistleblower • He exposed Scott Pruitt’s corruption. So why has the disgraced former EPA chief escaped justice while Kevin Chmielewski’s life is ruined?
Olivia Rodrigo & Alanis Morissette • On becoming a superstar at an early age, the power of anger, and life in the public eye
Thundercat & Flying Lotus • A pair of West Coast visionaries discuss their enduring creative kinship
Willow & Travis Barker • On shattering expectations, pop-punk therapy, rock’s resurgence, and the sweet surprises of collaboration
Alicia Keys & Kehlani • On staying real in a fake world, spirituality, writing love songs, and the lessons of motherhood
Mickey Guyton & Miley Cyrus • On breaking down historic barriers— and why being the first person to do something is not enough
Gunna & Ludacris • Two Atlanta superstars on making it big, giving back, and why their city puts on like no other
Lorde & David Byrne • On fighting stage fright, the secret to writing a deep pop song, and life without social media
CL & Jhené Aiko • On breaking free of other people’s expectations, finding inspiration in family, and the future of pop music
Wizkid & Damian Marley • The Afropop star and the reggae scion connect on a deep level
Madonna & Maluma • On late nights, long rehearsals, and the unexpected benefits of the pandemic slowdown
The Dark Side of ‘God’ • Eric Clapton went from setting the standard for rock guitar to making ‘full-tilt’ racist rants to funding anti-vaxxers. Did this Sixties icon change? Or was he always like this?
QAnon’s Deadly Price • Church-loving surf instructor Matthew Taylor Coleman fell into online conspiracy theories, then allegedly admitted to killing his kids to save the world. How did no one see it coming?
Music
T.V.
Movies
Jeff Goldblum • The acting legend on self-trust and the secret to a happy film set
Rap Legends’ Wild Styles
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
Ask Croz • Real-life advice from a guy who’s seen, done, and survived just about everything
Adele’s Sleeper Smash • After taking off on TikTok, 2015 deep cut ‘Love in the Dark’ has emerged as one of her most popular songs
Latin Grammys Preview 2021 • Ahead of this year’s show on November 18th, a guide to the top snubs and surprises
The Original Ride or Die • With ‘The Harder They Fall,’ writer-director Jeymes Samuel delivers a 21st-century remix of a classic film genre
Rapper’s Delight • Moneybagg Yo is savoring the fruits of his success
Kumail Nanjiani • The ‘Eternals’ star on getting ripped, being objectified, and freaking out over Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Trials and Tragedy of a Trump-Era Whistleblower • He exposed Scott Pruitt’s corruption. So why has the disgraced former EPA chief escaped justice while Kevin Chmielewski’s life is ruined?
Olivia Rodrigo & Alanis Morissette • On becoming a superstar at an early age, the power of anger, and life in the public eye
Thundercat & Flying Lotus • A pair of West Coast visionaries discuss their enduring creative kinship
Willow & Travis Barker • On shattering expectations, pop-punk therapy, rock’s resurgence, and the sweet surprises of collaboration
Alicia Keys & Kehlani • On staying real in a fake world, spirituality, writing love songs, and the lessons of motherhood
Mickey Guyton & Miley Cyrus • On breaking down historic barriers— and why being the first person to do something is not enough
Gunna & Ludacris • Two Atlanta superstars on making it big, giving back, and why their city puts on like no other
Lorde & David Byrne • On fighting stage fright, the secret to writing a deep pop song, and life without social media
CL & Jhené Aiko • On breaking free of other people’s expectations, finding inspiration in family, and the future of pop music
Wizkid & Damian Marley • The Afropop star and the reggae scion connect on a deep level
Madonna & Maluma • On late nights, long rehearsals, and the unexpected benefits of the pandemic slowdown
The Dark Side of ‘God’ • Eric Clapton went from setting the standard for rock guitar to making ‘full-tilt’ racist rants to funding anti-vaxxers. Did this Sixties icon change? Or was he always like this?
QAnon’s Deadly Price • Church-loving surf instructor Matthew Taylor Coleman fell into online conspiracy theories, then allegedly admitted to killing his kids to save the world. How did no one see it coming?
Music
T.V.
Movies
Jeff Goldblum • The acting legend on self-trust and the secret to a happy film set
Tems Is the Future • Drake, Rihanna, and Wizkid all agree: The Nigerian singer-songwriter is a serious talent
Rap Legends’ Wild Styles
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE... more
Rap Legends’ Wild Styles
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE... more
December
Contents
Tragedy in Texas • A concert turns into a nightmare we’ll be processing for years
The Truth About Snail Mail • Three years after becoming a teen phenom, she’s fresh out of rehab with a blazingly intense album
Secrets of Radiohead’s Dream World
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
TIKTOK’S NEW FACE OF FOOD FORAGING
How Latto Cracked the Code to Success
The Year of the Black Queer Revolution • The insurmountable rise of Lil Nas X, Billy Porter, and other artists represents a paradigm shift in the culture
‘Star Wars’ Builds a New TV Empire
Azealia Banks • The rapper opens up about her upcoming music and cancel culture (and dunks on Kanye)
Inside the VIP Ticket Hustle • A company called Confirmed360 sells access to some of the world’s biggest stars — but it doesn’t always deliver
Holiday Must-Haves • The coolest tech, music, books, fashion, and more this season
‘It Fucking Devastated Me’ • How Adele turned heartache over divorce into a personal journey and her most honest album yet
Welcome to Guillermo Del Toro’s Nightmare • Inside the twisted mind of Hollywood’s horror auteur
Where the Taliban Rule • The conquering militants govern by fear. Poverty deepens, and behind closed doors journalists are beaten and rumors of executions spread. A portrait of a country on the edge
The Monster Hiding in Plain Sight • Marilyn Manson was a provocative media darling for decades. Offstage, exes allege, he was a cruel abuser who made their lives hell
LeVar Burton • The actor on losing the ‘Jeopardy!’ gig and what ‘Star Trek’ gave him
The Truth About Snail Mail • Three years after becoming a teen phenom, she’s fresh out of rehab with a blazingly intense album
Secrets of Radiohead’s Dream World
RS Recommends • OUR TOP POP-CULTURE PICKS OF THE MONTH
TIKTOK’S NEW FACE OF FOOD FORAGING
How Latto Cracked the Code to Success
The Year of the Black Queer Revolution • The insurmountable rise of Lil Nas X, Billy Porter, and other artists represents a paradigm shift in the culture
‘Star Wars’ Builds a New TV Empire
Azealia Banks • The rapper opens up about her upcoming music and cancel culture (and dunks on Kanye)
Inside the VIP Ticket Hustle • A company called Confirmed360 sells access to some of the world’s biggest stars — but it doesn’t always deliver
Holiday Must-Haves • The coolest tech, music, books, fashion, and more this season
‘It Fucking Devastated Me’ • How Adele turned heartache over divorce into a personal journey and her most honest album yet
Welcome to Guillermo Del Toro’s Nightmare • Inside the twisted mind of Hollywood’s horror auteur
Where the Taliban Rule • The conquering militants govern by fear. Poverty deepens, and behind closed doors journalists are beaten and rumors of executions spread. A portrait of a country on the edge
The Monster Hiding in Plain Sight • Marilyn Manson was a provocative media darling for decades. Offstage, exes allege, he was a cruel abuser who made their lives hell
LeVar Burton • The actor on losing the ‘Jeopardy!’ gig and what ‘Star Trek’ gave him
Tragedy in Texas • A concert turns into a nightmare we’ll be processing for years
The Truth About Snail Mail • Three years after becoming a teen phenom, she’s... more
The Truth About Snail Mail • Three years after becoming a teen phenom, she’s... more
