All content by Holden Lay
Review: Real Estate perfects simplicity with its new record ‘Daniel’
Frontman Martin Courtney pushes the band to hold back its sound on “Daniel,” and it goes too far.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• March 6, 2024
Review: ‘Madame Web’ is somehow worse than you thought
He was in the Amazon with her mom when she was researching spiders right before she died, and I was asleep in my seat. Also, the line wasn’t even in the movie.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• February 23, 2024
Q&A: Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan on the challenge of playing 8 straight nights
An inside look at one of indie rock’s most beloved holiday traditions.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• December 5, 2023
Review: ‘Equal Strain on All Parts’ is a celebration of chilling out
Jimmy Buffett’s final album serves as a beacon of light amid the sadness of his recent passing.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• November 8, 2023
AI gave us the ‘last’ Beatles song
The first unheard Beatles song in nearly 30 years is now here, but at what cost?
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• November 6, 2023
Review: Animal Collective is still grooving on new album
On “Isn’t It Now?,” Animal Collective demonstrates how chemistry is the key to its sound.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• October 12, 2023
Review: Joan Baez says goodbye her own way in new documentary
“Joan Baez I Am a Noise” follows the political activist and musician as she embarks on her farewell tour and looks back on her storied career.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• October 6, 2023
Listen To This: King Krule takes a stab at dream-pop
Listen to this week’s most notable singles from King Krule, Sufjan Stevens and more.
Holden Lay, Sandy Battulga and Pritheva Zakaria
• April 20, 2023
Listen To This: The Jonas Brothers drop ‘Waffle House’
Listen to this week’s most notable singles from The Paper Kites, Arthur Russell and more.
Ethan Beck, Katherine Manatos, Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Pritheva Zakaria, Holden Lay and Afnan Abbassi
• April 13, 2023
Listen To This: Thee Sacred Souls’ ‘Running Away’ is nostalgic yet feels new
Listen to this week’s most notable singles from Emile Mosseri, The Japanese House and more.
Kate Serrano, Holden Lay, Lea FIlidore, Ethan Beck and Tatyanna Gooden
• March 30, 2023
The case for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
Industry insiders and fans alike have been wowed by the sleek blockbuster, and it's just been nominated for best picture.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• March 9, 2023
Listen To This: beabadoobee’s ‘Glue Song’ is a sticky earworm
Read about this week’s most notable singles from Indigo de Souza, Feist and more.
Ethan Beck, Katherine Manatos, Holden Lay and Sandy Battulga
• February 23, 2023
Review: Yo La Tengo takes matters into their own hands with ‘This Stupid World’
On their pandemic-era record, the band addresses the world’s lonely and confusing circumstances head-on.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• February 20, 2023
Listen To This: Better ‘Hold On’ while listening to Lizzy McAlpine’s new emotional single
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Nia Archives, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and more.
Ruby Griffin, Sandy Battulga, Holden Lay and Hanya Gomaa
• February 9, 2023
Listen To This: Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter tries a different sound in ‘L’accouchement’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Zach Bryan, Daisy Jones & The Six and more.
Holden Lay, Ethan Beck, Ava Vonn, Tatyanna Gooden, Rylee La Testa and Antonio Johri
• February 2, 2023
Listen To This: 100 gecs teams up with Skrillex on ‘Torture Me’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by David Byrne, Caroline Polachek and more.
Yas Akdag, Ethan Beck, Paree Chopra and Holden Lay
• December 8, 2022
Review: Bruce Springsteen pays soulful tribute on ‘Only the Strong Survive’
Springsteen redefines his sound on his new album, providing the audience with a more personal experience.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• November 21, 2022
Listen To This: NYU sophomore Mia Tims’ ‘Live Forever’ is an indie-rock earworm
Read about this week’s most notable singles by hemlocke springs, Camp Kona and more.
Yas Akdag, Sandy Battulga, Holden Lay and Abbie Thompson
• November 10, 2022
Review: Arctic Monkeys dives deeper into space-age lounge wizardry on ‘The Car’
The venerable outfit executes subtle shifts and paves the way for a more intimate experience with the band.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• November 3, 2022
Listen To This: Rihanna returns with powerful ballad ‘Lift Me Up’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by SZA, Holly Humberstone and more.
Yas Akdag, Paree Chopra, Holden Lay and Candace Patrick
• November 3, 2022
Listen To This: With a ‘Pang,’ Caroline Polachek is back
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Caroline Polachek, Katie Gregson-MacLeod and more.
Yas Akdag, Holden Lay and Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer
• October 20, 2022
Review: Blood Orange makes an understated return with ‘Four Songs’
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• October 6, 2022
Listen To This: Sabrina Song just wants ‘To Know You’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Arctic Monkeys, LCD Soundsystem and more.
Yas Akdag, Paree Chopra and Holden Lay
• October 6, 2022
Reflecting on the avant-garde jazz legacy of Pharoah Sanders
The saxophonist and composer shattered conventions on an over 60-year hot streak.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• October 3, 2022
Listen To This: Diane Keaton joins pop star Ashe in ‘Love Is Letting Go’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Devin Townsend, Alvvays and more.
Holden Lay, Candace Patrick and Jack Solomon
• September 29, 2022
Listen To This: Alex G digs deep in his latest song, ‘Miracles’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Suki Waterhouse, Nosaj Thing and more.
Holden Lay, Candace Patrick, Jack Solomon and Annie Williams
• September 15, 2022
Review: ‘Music for Four Guitars’ experiments with hypnotic simplicity
Bill Orcutt continues to push the boundaries of simple melody.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• September 14, 2022
Listen to This: beabadoobee maintains she’ll ‘See you Soon’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by MUNA, Flume and more.
Yas Akdag, Isabella Armus, Holden Lay and Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer
• May 5, 2022
Listen to This: Dear CVS, Megan Thee Stallion is stocking up on ‘Plan B’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Laufey, PinkPantheress and more.
Yas Akdag, Isabella Armus, Holden Lay, Candace Patrick and Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer
• April 28, 2022
Review: ‘The Cathedral’ is an understated stunner
“The Cathedral,” Ricky D’Ambrose’s latest, is carefully intimate yet captivating in its distance. The film is playing as part of New Directors / New Films 2022 at Film at Lincoln Center beginning on April 23.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• April 22, 2022
Review: Father John Misty’s ‘Chloë and the Next 20th Century’ is a jaggedly stylistic statement
The singer-songwriter’s most mysterious record yet is overflowing with thrilling sonic surprises and delicate sincerity.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• April 20, 2022
Listen to This: Harry Styles announces a new album with single ‘As It Was’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Alexander 23, Father John Misty and more.
Paree Chopra, Holden Lay, Candace Patrick and Brian Savino
• April 7, 2022
Listen to This: Soccer Mommy’s latest release ‘Shotgun’ pushes her further into dream-pop
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Midwife, beabadoobee and more.
Yas Akdag, Holden Lay, Jack Solomon and Annie Williams
• March 31, 2022
Listen to This: Off camera, ‘Elliot’s Song’ captivates
Read about this week’s most notable singles by HAIM, Ashe and more.
Ethan Beck, Paree Chopra, Lea Filidore, Holden Lay, Candace Patrick and Annie Williams
• March 10, 2022
Review: JPEGMAFIA commands attention on ‘OFFLINE!’
The experimental rapper-producer’s latest EP shows off his softer side without sacrificing dynamism.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• March 8, 2022
Structured theatrical chaos in ‘Cage Shuffle Marathon’
Paul Lazar’s latest performance is a joyous celebration of losing control.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• February 28, 2022
Listen to This: Caroline Polachek dazzles in new song ‘Billions’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Father John Misty, Alexander 23 and more.
Yas Akdag, Isabella Armus, Holden Lay, Candace Patrick and Brian Savino
• February 17, 2022
Listen to This: Australian artist Mallrat heads to hyperpop
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Lucy Dacus, John Legend and more.
Yas Akdag, Holden Lay, Candace Patrick and Annie Williams
• February 10, 2022
Review: ‘Time Skiffs’ is Animal Collective’s psychedelic pop playground
The Baltimore band reins in their songwriting without compromising on experimentation on their latest album.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• February 8, 2022
Listen to This: After teasing it on TikTok, Charlie Puth’s ‘Light Switch’ is finally here
Read about this week’s most notable singles from Father John Misty, Destroyer and more.
Ethan Beck, Holden Lay, Candace Patrick, Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Jack Peterson, Brian Savino and Jack Solomon
• January 27, 2022
Listen to this: Black Country, New Road releases new single ‘Concorde’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Mura Masa, Aeon Station and more.
Yas Akdag, Holden Lay and Jack Peterson
• December 2, 2021
Listen to this: Beyoncé releases new song ‘Be Alive’
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Nilüfer Yanya, Beach House and more.
Yas Akdag, Ethan Beck, Paree Chopra, Holden Lay, Jack Peterson and Sabiq Shahidullah
• November 18, 2021
Listen to this: Mariah Carey releases another Christmas song
Read about the most notable singles by Charli XCX, IDLES and more.
Yas Akdag, Isabella Armus, Ethan Beck, Holden Lay, Elissa Lonie and Candace Patrick
• November 11, 2021
Review: Parquet Courts evolves their sound on ‘Sympathy for Life’
The ever-influential Parquet Courts allow themselves to be daring and inspired on their latest album.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• November 3, 2021
Listen to this: ABBA’s latest release ‘Just A Notion’ teases their upcoming album
Read about this week’s most notable singles by Gracie Abrams, Mastodon and more.
Yas Akdag, Holden Lay, Candace Patrick, Jack Solomon and Sebastian Zufelt
• October 28, 2021
Review: The obsessive beauty of ‘The Velvet Underground’
Todd Haynes’ first documentary is an eccentric look at the avant-garde legends of rock ‘n’ roll.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• October 27, 2021
Listen to this: FLETCHER reimagines Katy Perry’s ‘I Kissed A Girl’
Read about the most notable singles this week by James Blake, Arca and more.
Yas Akdag and Holden Lay
• October 14, 2021
Review: ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ movie is an embarrassment
The musical should have never wandered off of Broadway.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer
• October 7, 2021
Listen to this: Metallica covers growl alongside lush pop tunes
Read about the most notable singles this week by Mac DeMarco, Troye Sivan and more.
Yas Akdag, Victoria Carchietta, Holden Lay, Candace Patrick, Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer and Sabiq Shahidullah
• September 16, 2021
Tom Holland can’t stop ‘Cherry’ from going sour
“Cherry” is a lifeless film simply intended for Tom Holland to exercise his acting chops.
Holden Lay, Contributing Writer
• April 5, 2021
Weekly Radio Roundup: March 12 – March 19
Read about the most notable singles released this week.
Holden Lay, Ana Cubas, Perry Gregory and Sophia Carr
• March 19, 2021
Bella Simonte, Contributing Writer • December 12, 2024
Christobelle Rudes, Contributing Writer • December 12, 2024