FEATURES

Essays, opinions & rankings

DYLAN AT THE CROSSROADS: How Bob Dylan's first single almost changed everything

Dylan's latest Bootleg Series instalment, Through the Open Window, traces his arc from teenage rock 'n' roller to folk star. But had his first single ‘Mixed-Up Confusion’ been a hit, things could have been very different. David Rea tells the story of what might have been.

by David Rea

22 November 2025

PET SHOP BOYS

‘All the love we hide’: The forgotten lyrics to one of Pet Shop Boys’ greatest songs

On the 40th anniversary of its original release, we explore the forgotten coda to Pet Shop Boys’ single ‘Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)’ and discover a haunting footnote to the story of 1980s Britain.

by David Rea

15 November 2025

THE BEATLES

MOTHER NATURE’S SONS: How the Beatles regenerated after the split

Around the time of the break up, Lennon, McCartney and Harrison moved closer to the countryside. David Rea looks at how their new homes impacted their album artwork and wonders how far they influenced their solo music.

by David Rea

1 September 2025

ESSAY

‘The Sixties are our heritage’: How the Jam invented Britpop’s ethos

Critics couldn't take the Jam seriously at first, claiming they were just a bunch of gimmicks. But their ‘hail your heroes’ ethos was entirely authentic, setting the blueprint for Britpop two decades later.

by David Rea

20 September 2025

NICK DRAKE

THE REMAKING OF NICK DRAKE: Is the complex artist finally stepping out from behind the ‘doomed genius’?

The new box set The Making of Five Leaves Left illuminates a focused and forthright artist at his genesis, and further undermines the idea he was an isolated, haunted romantic.

by David Rea

25 October 2025

MAKING A MASTERPIECE

‘It took a unique kind of courage’: how Son House beat the odds to make a masterpiece

On the 60th anniversary of its original release, we look at how Son House made Father of Folk Blues for white America.

By David Rea

18 October 2025

THE BIG IDEA

How Taylor Swift can save the music industry

With the imminent release of her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift is poised to become bigger than ever. Meanwhile the music industry is in existential crisis. Can all-conquering Miss Americana do something about it?

by David Rea

13 September 2025

Born to Run: Could Springsteen run for president in 2028?

THE BIG IDEA

In the age of celebrity politicians, is Bruce Springsteen better placed than Reagan, Schwarzenegger and Trump to run for office?

by David Rea

6 September 2024

FEATURES

DYLAN AT THE CROSSROADS: How Bob Dylan's first single almost changed everything

‘All the love we hide’: The forgotten lyrics to one of Pet Shop Boys’ greatest songs

MOTHER NATURE’S SONS: How the Beatles regenerated after the split

‘The Sixties are our heritage’: How the Jam invented Britpop’s ethos

THE REMAKING OF NICK DRAKE: Is the complex artist finally stepping out from behind the ‘doomed genius’?

‘It took a unique kind of courage’: how Son House beat the odds to make a masterpiece

How Taylor Swift can save the music industry

Born to Run: Could Springsteen run for president in 2028?

MOST POPULAR

Born to Run: Could Bruce Springsteen run for president in 2028?

1.

Will Spotify finally be forced into fairer artist payouts?

2.

Mother nature’s sons: how the Beatles regenerated after the split

3.

Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are a-Changin' at 60

4.

David Byrne shares wedding playlist

5.

Shapes Like People: ‘I almost decapitated Kylie Minogue with a scissor kick’

6.

The Resurrection Game, Emma Swift

7.

Oasis’ Definitely Maybe at 30

8.

Robyn Hitchcock: Blissful transcendence in East London

9.

Ticking Haze, Shapes Like People

10.

A new issue every Saturday morning…