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Music

Music recommendations, industry developments, and other music coverage from Vox.

Culture
Mr. Brightside in 2017: It started out so mainstream, how did it end up a meme?Mr. Brightside in 2017: It started out so mainstream, how did it end up a meme?
Culture

The 14-year-old rock anthem has gained a second life on the internet.

By Aja Romano
Culture
“If you play this song on New Year’s Eve”: 2017’s last great meme is all about what you make of it“If you play this song on New Year’s Eve”: 2017’s last great meme is all about what you make of it
Culture

The moral of the meme: Celebrate 2018 any way you like.

By Aja Romano
Culture
9 songs by women that defined 20179 songs by women that defined 2017
Culture

In the year of #MeToo, women made standout music.

By Bridgett Henwood
Culture
Tonya Harding is having a pop culture moment, and Sufjan Stevens is here for itTonya Harding is having a pop culture moment, and Sufjan Stevens is here for it
Culture

“You rose from the ashes / And survived all the crashes.”

By Alissa Wilkinson
Spotify’s Daniel Ek brought music streaming to the masses
The Recode 100

Ek is No. 17 on the Recode 100.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Taylor Swift’s Reputation is finally out on streamingTaylor Swift’s Reputation is finally out on streaming
Culture

Taylor Swift’s Reputation is now on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services.

By Constance Grady
Culture
November music roundup: 7 must-listen new releases, from Angel Olsen to RihannaNovember music roundup: 7 must-listen new releases, from Angel Olsen to Rihanna
Culture

Plus new N.E.R.D. and Christmas music from D.R.A.M.

By Bridgett Henwood
Culture
David Cassidy was the rare breakout pop star in a decade full of rock godsDavid Cassidy was the rare breakout pop star in a decade full of rock gods
Culture

The ’70s were short on fresh-faced teen idols. Partridge Family star David Cassidy was an exception.

By Aja Romano
Culture
Taylor Swift’s new album is out. Here’s how and where to listen to it.Taylor Swift’s new album is out. Here’s how and where to listen to it.
Culture

Find out if you can stream Reputation.

By Constance Grady
Culture
Taylor Swift’s “I Did Something Bad,” annotated: here’s who the song is aboutTaylor Swift’s “I Did Something Bad,” annotated: here’s who the song is about
Culture

All the grudges Swift sings about in Reputation’s best and pettiest track.

By Alex Abad-Santos and Constance Grady
Culture
How the Country Music Association awards tried, and failed, to sidestep political sentimentHow the Country Music Association awards tried, and failed, to sidestep political sentiment
Culture

At this year’s awards, country music got political — relatively speaking.

By Genevieve Koski
The biggest movies, TV, music, and books coming out between now and the end of the year
Culture

Star Wars! A new Pixar movie! Taylor Swift! Your pop culture winter preview has arrived.

By Alex Abad-Santos, Emily St. James and 5 more
Technology
Spotify has brought in a new head of PR as it gets ready for a 2018 IPOSpotify has brought in a new head of PR as it gets ready for a 2018 IPO
Technology

Dustee Jenkins, who used to run comms for Target, moves to the streaming music service.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Reddit’s crowdsourced playlist of beautiful songs is a thing that is not on fire and will not hurt youReddit’s crowdsourced playlist of beautiful songs is a thing that is not on fire and will not hurt you
Culture

From Kanye to Clair de Lune, Reddit’s crowdsourced list of beautiful songs has it all.

By Aja Romano
Culture
October was an amazing month for new music. Here are 9 standout releases.October was an amazing month for new music. Here are 9 standout releases.
Culture

New songs from Sufjan Stevens, Tune-Yards, and a punk-pop boy band.

By Bridgett Henwood
Culture
The life and death of the indie-rock heydayThe life and death of the indie-rock heyday
Culture

Twenty years ago marked the beginning of the end of Peak Indie.

By Scott Timberg
Culture
Watch: Eminem’s BET Awards freestyle rap is 5 minutes of blistering anti-Trump invectiveWatch: Eminem’s BET Awards freestyle rap is 5 minutes of blistering anti-Trump invective
Culture

Eminem on Trump: “A kamikaze that’ll probably cause a nuclear holocaust.”

By Aja Romano
Culture
Lin-Manuel Miranda releases “Almost Like Praying,” a star-studded new single for Puerto Rico reliefLin-Manuel Miranda releases “Almost Like Praying,” a star-studded new single for Puerto Rico relief
Culture

The urgent plea features Gloria Estefan, J Lo, Gina Rodriguez, Fat Joe, Rita Moreno, and many, many more.

By Caroline Framke
Technology
Spotify has added Nike exec Heidi O’Neill to its boardSpotify has added Nike exec Heidi O’Neill to its board
Technology

The streaming company is preparing to go public soon.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Tom Petty, explained in 11 songsTom Petty, explained in 11 songs
Culture

The rocker was more than his greatest hits. But boy did he have some great hits.

By Emily St. James, Aja Romano and 2 more
Culture
Tom Petty, rock iconoclast, dies at 66Tom Petty, rock iconoclast, dies at 66
Culture

The legendary musician was known for such hits as “Free Fallin’,” “American Girl,” and “I Won’t Back Down.”

By Aja Romano
Culture
Tom Petty’s condition is unknown following the singer’s hospitalization for cardiac arrestTom Petty’s condition is unknown following the singer’s hospitalization for cardiac arrest
Culture

Update: After premature reports caused confusion, the rock icon’s death has been confirmed.

By Aja Romano
Culture
7 can’t-miss pieces of pop culture to catch up on this weekend7 can’t-miss pieces of pop culture to catch up on this weekend
Culture

Music, TV, movies, and more good stuff to add to your queue.

By Vox Culture
Culture
7 of September’s best new music releases7 of September’s best new music releases
Culture

Including a new pop hit from St. Vincent and a rollicking album from the National.

By Bridgett Henwood
Culture
Beyoncé’s new surprise remix of “Mi Gente” will benefit hurricane relief effortsBeyoncé’s new surprise remix of “Mi Gente” will benefit hurricane relief efforts
Culture

The song was released on Thursday night.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Culture
Cardi B is now the first female solo rapper to top the Billboard 100 chart since 1998Cardi B is now the first female solo rapper to top the Billboard 100 chart since 1998
Culture

“Bodak Yellow” took on the corporate behemoth that is Taylor Swift — and won.

By Caroline Framke
Culture
7 essential pieces of pop culture to catch up on this weekend7 essential pieces of pop culture to catch up on this weekend
Culture

Music, TV, movies, and more to add to your pop culture queue.

By Vox Culture
Celebrate fall with this autumnal playlist
Music

Thirteen songs to get you excited for the season.

By Bridgett Henwood
Technology
The music business is growing again — really growing — and it’s because of streamingThe music business is growing again — really growing — and it’s because of streaming
Technology

Spotify, Apple Music and other services have 30 million U.S. subscribers, and streaming revenue is up 48 percent so far this year.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
7 can’t-miss pieces of pop culture to catch up on this weekend7 can’t-miss pieces of pop culture to catch up on this weekend
Culture

Music, TV, movies, and more to add to your pop culture queue.

By Vox Culture
Culture
How music supervisors create iconic TV momentsHow music supervisors create iconic TV moments
Culture

The job was just recognized by the Emmys for the first time ever. Here’s how it works.

By Grant Rindner
Culture
Movies, patriotism, and cultural amnesia: tracing pop culture’s relationship to 9/11Movies, patriotism, and cultural amnesia: tracing pop culture’s relationship to 9/11
Culture

The tragedy caused a dramatic shift in media trends. Looking back on it now is almost surreal.

By Lindsay Ellis
Culture
8 essential pieces of pop culture to catch up on this weekend8 essential pieces of pop culture to catch up on this weekend
Culture

Great movies, music, books, and TV to watch, read, and listen to.

By Vox Culture
Technology
U.S. college students can now buy a Spotify/Hulu bundle for $5 a monthU.S. college students can now buy a Spotify/Hulu bundle for $5 a month
Technology

That would normally cost at least $13 a month. It may also be a new business model for Spotify.

By Peter Kafka
Music
The challenges and adventures of life on the road, as told by 14 bandsThe challenges and adventures of life on the road, as told by 14 bands
Music

I asked a bunch of musical artists about touring life. They gave me an earful.

By David Roberts
Culture
August music roundup: 9 must-listen new releases, from Lizzo to Grizzly BearAugust music roundup: 9 must-listen new releases, from Lizzo to Grizzly Bear
Culture

Spoiler: None of them are by Taylor Swift.

By Bridgett Henwood
Culture
How “Despacito” became the biggest song of 2017How “Despacito” became the biggest song of 2017
Culture

An anatomy of what made “Despacito” the most popular song of the year.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Culture
Taylor Swift’s new song evokes 2 iconic movies in both style and contentTaylor Swift’s new song evokes 2 iconic movies in both style and content
Culture

The lyrics video for “Look What You Made Me Do” references both Gone Girl and Vertigo.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
VMA 2017: performances, winners, and highlightsVMA 2017: performances, winners, and highlights
Culture
5 winners and 5 losers from an extremely boring VMAs5 winners and 5 losers from an extremely boring VMAs
Culture

Despite Katy Perry’s best(?) efforts, the most exciting moment came courtesy of an absent Taylor Swift.

By Caroline Framke