Faye Webster announced her new album, Underdressed At The Symphony, with a new Lil Yachty collaboration titled “Lego Ring.”
The two appear in the song’s video, where they play a video game together — similar to Guitar Hero or Rock Band, but with way more color. Basically, it’s a perfect fit for the carefree vibes of the song. It was directed by Kyle Ng of Braindead Studios, and viewers can also join in on the fun, with more information available here.
Underdressed At The Symphony will be available for purchase in many forms, including CD, cassette, standard vinyl, and some unique pressings, like “Faye Blue” and a limited-edition B&W bullseye vinyl copy.
Webster is also set to continue touring throughout the summer. She will be doing tours in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Fans across the globe can also catch her performing at festivals like Spain’s Primavera Sound, Tennessee’s Bonnaroo, and many more. A complete list of dates can be found here.
In a 2021 interview with Uproxx, Webster said of her friendship with Yachty, “We basically came from the same place and were doing the same thing, so it’s really inspiring to see him thrive. You know, it makes me feel like, ‘OK, well if I work really hard, too…’ I think just sharing ideas with him… What we do is so different, but when we’re together, it doesn’t feel that way at all.”
Check out the “Lego Ring” video above. Below, find the complete tracklist and cover art for Webster’s next album.
Faye Webster’s Underdressed At The Symphony album cover art
Secretly Canadian
Faye Webster’s Underdressed At The Symphony tracklist
1. “Thinking About You”
2. “But Not Kiss”
3. “Wanna Quit All The Time”
4. “Lego Ring” Feat. Lil Yachty
5. “Feeling Good Today”
6. “Lifetime”
7. “He Loves Me Yeah!”
8. “eBay Purchase History”
9. “Underdressed At The Symphony”
10. “Tttttime”
Underdressed At The Symphony is out 3/1 via Secretly Canadian. Find more information here.
Anyway, Swift is up for five awards: Female Artist Of The Year, Pop Artist Of The Year, Concert Tour Of The Year (The Eras Tour), Movie Of The Year (Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour), and Social Celebrity Of The Year. Kelce, meanwhile, is up for Athlete Of The Year alongside Coco Gauff, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Sabrina Ionescu, Simone Biles, and Stephen Curry.
Kelce and Swift are shockingly not nominated for Most Mania-Inducing Celebrity Couple Of The Year, but if that were a category, they would be a surer bet to win than the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Although, to be fair, they are not the only couple sharing People’s Choice Awards nods, as Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes are each nominated as well.
The 2024 People’s Choice Awards is scheduled for February 18 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. The ceremony will broadcast live beginning at 8 p.m. ET across E!, NBC, and Peacock.
See the full list of nominees below (via Billboard).
Music
Male Artist Of The Year
Bad Bunny
Drake
Jack Harlow
Jung Kook
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Post Malone
The Weeknd
Female Artist Of The Year
Beyoncé
Doja Cat
Karol G
Lainey Wilson
Miley Cyrus
Nicki Minaj
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift
Male Country Artist Of The Year
Chris Stapleton
Cody Johnson
HARDY
Jelly Roll
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Zach Bryan
Bad Bunny
Bizarrap
Feid
Manuel Turizo
Maluma
Peso Pluma
Rauw Alejandro
Ozuna
Female Latin Artist Of The Year
Ángela Aguilar
Anitta
Becky G
Kali Uchis
Karol G
Rosalía
Shakira
Young Miko
Pop Artist Of The Year
Billie Eilish
Doja Cat
Dua Lipa
Jung Kook
Miley Cyrus
Olivia Rodrigo
Tate McRae
Taylor Swift
Hip-Hop Artist Of The Year
Cardi B
Drake
Future
Jack Harlow
Latto
Nicki Minaj
Post Malone
Travis Scott
R&B Artist Of The Year
Beyoncé
Brent Faiyaz
Janelle Monáe
SZA
Tems
The Weeknd
Usher
Victoria Monét
New Artist Of The Year
Coi Leray
Ice Spice
Jelly Roll
Jung Kook
Noah Kahan
Peso Pluma
PinkPantheress
Stephen Sanchez
Group/Duo Of The Year
Dan + Shay
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Frontera
Jonas Brothers
Old Dominion
Paramore
Stray Kids
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
Song Of The Year
Dua Lipa, “Dance The Night”
Luke Combs, “Fast Car”
Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”
Gunna, “F*kumean”
Tate McRae, “Greedy”
Morgan Wallen, “Last Night”
Doja Cat, “Paint The Town Red”
Olivia Rodrigo, “Vampire”
Album Of The Year
Miley Cyrus, Endless Summer Vacation
Drake, For All The Dogs
Luke Combs, Gettin’ Old
Olivia Rodrigo, Guts
Karol G, Mañana Será Bonito
Bad Bunny, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
Morgan Wallen, One Thing AT A Time
Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday 2
Collaboration Song Of The Year
Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice with Aqua, “Barbie World”
Eslabon Armado X Peso Pluma, “Ella Baila Sola”
Drake Feat. J. Cole, “First Person Shooter”
Zach Bryan feat. Kasey Musgraves, “I Remember Everything”
Jung Kook feat. Latto, “Seven”
Karol G and Shakira, “TQG”
Grupo Frontera X Bad Bunny, “Un x100to”
Concert Tour Of The Year
Ed Sheeran, +–=÷x Tour
Coldplay, Music of the Spheres World Tour
Harry Styles, Love on Tour
Luke Combs, World Tour
Morgan Wallen, One Night at a Time World Tour
PInk, Summer Carnival Tour
Beyoncé, Renaissance World Tour
Taylor Swift, The Eras Tour
Movies
Movie Of The Year
Barbie Fast X Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Oppenheimer Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Film The Little Mermaid The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Action Movie Of The Year
Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania Fast X Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 John Wick: Chapter 4 Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes The Marvels Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts
Comedy Movie Of The Year
80 For Brady Anyone But You Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Asteroid City Barbie Cocaine Bear No Hard Feelings Wonka
Drama Movie Of The Year
Creed III Five Nights At Freddy’s Killers Of The Flower Moon Leave The World Behind M3gan Oppenheimer Scream VI The Color Purple
Male Movie Star Of The Year
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Chris Pratt, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Keanu Reeves, John Wick: Chapter 4
Leonardo DiCaprio, Killers of the Flower Moon
Michael B. Jordan, Creed III
Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Timothée Chalamet, Wonka
Tom Cruise, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Female Movie Star Of The Year
Florence Pugh, Oppenheimer
Halle Bailey, The Little Mermaid
Jenna Ortega, Scream VI
Jennifer Lawrence, No Hard Feelings
Julia Roberts, Leave the World Behind
Margot Robbie, Barbie
Rachel Zegler, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Viola Davis, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Action Movie Star Of The Year
Brie Larson, The Marvels
Chris Pratt, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Gal Gadot, Heart of Stone
Jason Momoa, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Keanu Reeves, John Wick: Chapter 4
Rachel Zegler, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Tom Cruise, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Viola Davis, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Comedy Movie Star Of The Year
Adam Sandler, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
Glen Powell, Anyone but You
Jennifer Lawrence, No Hard Feelings
Margot Robbie, Barbie
Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Scarlett Johansson, Asteroid City
Sydney Sweeney, Anyone but You
Timothée Chalamet, Wonka
Drama Movie Star Of The Year
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Julia Roberts, Leave the World Behind
Fantasia Barrino, The Color Purple
Florence Pugh, Oppenheimer
Jacob Elordi, Priscilla
Jenna Ortega, Scream VI
Leonardo DiCaprio, Killers of the Flower Moon
Michael B. Jordan, Creed III
Movie Performance Of The Year
America Ferrera, Barbie
Charles Melton, May December
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
Jacob Elordi, Saltburn
Melissa McCarthy, The Little Mermaid
Natalie Portman, May December
Simu Liu, Barbie
Viola Davis, Air
TV
Show Of The Year
Grey’s Anatomy Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Only Murders in the Building Saturday Night Live Ted Lasso The Bear The Last of Us Vanderpump Rules
Comedy Show Of The Year
Abbott Elementary And Just Like That… Never Have I Ever Only Murders in the Building Saturday Night Live Ted Lasso The Bear Young Sheldon
Drama Show Of The Year
Chicago Fire Ginny & Georgia Grey’s Anatomy Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Outer Banks Succession The Last of Us The Morning Show
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show Of The Year
Ahsoka American Horror Story: Delicate Black Mirror Ghosts Loki Secret Invasion The Mandalorian The Witcher
Reality Show Of The Year
90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? Below Deck Jersey Shore Family Vacation Selling Sunset The Kardashians The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills The Real Housewives of New Jersey Vanderpump Rules
Competition Show Of The Year
America’s Got Talent American Idol Big Brother Dancing with the Stars RuPaul’s Drag Race Survivor Squid Game: The Challenge The Voice
Bingeworthy Show Of The Year
Beef Citadel Jury Duty Love Is Blind Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story The Crown The Night Agent The Summer I Turned Pretty
Male TV Star Of The Year
Chase Stokes, Outer Banks
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear
Kieran Culkin, Succession
Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us
Samuel L. Jackson, Secret Invasion
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
Tom Hiddleston, Loki
Female TV Star Of The Year
Ali Wong, Beef
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show
Rosario Dawson, Ahsoka
Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building
Comedy TV Star Of The Year
Ali Wong, Beef
Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
Drama TV Star Of The Year
Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us
Chase Stokes, Outer Banks
Ice-T, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Kieran Culkin, Succession
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us
Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show
TV Performance Of The Year
Adjoa Andoh, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
Billie Eilish, Swarm
Jon Hamm, The Morning Show
Matt Bomer, Fellow Travelers
Meryl Streep, Only Murders in the Building
Steven Yeun, Beef
Storm Reid, The Last of Us
Reality TV Star Of The Year
Ariana Madix, Vanderpump Rules
Chrishell Stause, Selling Sunset
Garcelle Beauvais, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Kandi Burruss, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Khloé Kardashian, The Kardashians
Kim Kardashian, The Kardashians
Kyle Richards, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Jersey Shore Family Vacation
Competition Contestant Of The Year
Anetra, RuPaul’s Drag Race
Ariana Madix, Dancing with the Stars
Charity Lawson, The Bachelorette
Iam Tongi, American Idol
Keke Palmer, That’s My Jam
Sasha Colby, RuPaul’s Drag Race
Theresa Nist, The Golden Bachelor
Xochitl Gomez, Dancing with the Stars
Daytime Talk Show Of The Year
Good Morning America LIVE with Kelly and Mark Sherri The Drew Barrymore Show The Jennifer Hudson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show The View Today
Nighttime Talk Show Of The Year
Hart to Heart Jimmy Kimmel Live! Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Late Night with Seth Meyers The Daily Show The Late Show with Stephen Colbert The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Host Of The Year
Gordon Ramsay, Hell’s Kitchen
Jimmy Fallon, That’s My Jam
Nick Cannon, The Masked Singer
Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef
RuPaul, RuPaul’s Drag Race
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol
Steve Harvey, Celebrity Family Feud
Terry Crews, America’s Got Talent
Pop Culture
Social Celebrity Of The Year
Britney Spears
Dwayne Johnson
Kim Kardashian
Kylie Jenner
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Selena Gomez
Taylor Swift
Comedy Act Of The Year
John Mulaney, Baby J
Amy Schumer, Emergency Contact
Marlon Wayans, God Loves Me
Wanda Sykes, I’m an Entertainer
Trevor Noah, Off the Record
Kevin Hart, Reality Check
Chris Rock, Selective Outrage
Sarah Silverman, Someone You Love
Sports
Athlete Of The Year
Coco Gauff
Giannis Antetokounmpo
LeBron James
Lionel Messi
Sabrina Ionescu
Simone Biles
Stephen Curry
Travis Kelce
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
A few days ago, Machine Gun Kelly and Schecter introduced a new signature guitar, dubbed the Razor Blade. The metallic-colored axe was, as the name indicates, designed to look like a razor blade, and reactions to it were often not favorable.
Comments on the introductory Instagram post include, “That is the grossest thing ive ever seen,” “Have you considered unintroducing it?,” and “The edgiest edgelord to ever edge a lord.” There were also many comparing the guitar to comedy guitar brand Chibson, who did share a parody of the MGK guitar, with their version designed to look like a disposable shaving razor.
Kelly himself weighed in on the backlash, and it appears to be weighing on him. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “i’ll never explain my art, because true art is conversational and always up for interpretation, but i will say, most of you constantly interpret it wrong. and then blame me for your version of what you think my art is. ultimately im sad at how people perceive me in general. peace.”
i’ll never explain my art, because true art is conversational and always up for interpretation, but i will say, most of you constantly interpret it wrong. and then blame me for your version of what you think my art is. ultimately im sad at how people perceive me in general. peace
In response to a user accusing the guitar of “glorifying self-harm,” Kelly responded, “you show your lack of depth by taking art at face value. this has nothing to do with any of the subject matter you just presented. so no my friend, you suck.”
you show your lack of depth by taking art at face value. this has nothing to do with any of the subject matter you just presented. so no my friend, you suck.
Hangout Festival is returning to Gulf Shores, Alabama this May for its breezy 13th iteration. The festival will take place over the course of three days (May 17 to 19) and feature an eclectic line-up of pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B performers.
Scheduled to perform are Lana Del Rey, Zach Bryan, Koe Wetzel, Sexyy Red, Reneé Rapp, and more. And of course, with such a promising lineup, fans are dying to get their hands on tickets.
How to buy tickets for the 2024 Hangout Festival
Fans can purchase tickets from the festival’s official website beginning Friday, January 12 at 11 a.m. CST.
Ticket options include three-day general admission tickets, beginning at $299; GA Plus, beginning at $519; three-day VIP, starting at $1,299; and three-day $2,299. According to a press release, “all ticket types can be bundled into 4-packs and paired with shuttle passes or event merchandise for a discount, if added at the time of initial purchase. The Hangout team is also standing by to accommodate large groups looking to build custom vacation or staycation lodging packages for fans near and far.”
Though these tickets may cost you a pretty penny, Hangout has some economical options available. Fans can set layaway plans with a down payment of 20 percent. The festival has also partnered with Klarna to help guests set up other flexible payment plans.
You can see the lineup for Hangout Festival 2024 below.
Hangout Festival
Some of the artists mentioned here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Today (January 10), Hangout Festival announced the 2024 lineup, with a bunch of stacked artists set to play in Gulf Shores, Alabama from May 17 through May 19. The headliners include Zach Bryan, Lana Del Rey, and Odesza. Additional artists include The Chainsmokers, Cage The Elephant, Reneé Rapp, Dominic Fike, Jessie Murph, and many more.
Here’s what to expect when it comes to the ticket costs.
How Much Are Tickets For The Hangout 2024 Festival?
Right now, the standard 3-day General Admission ticket to Hangout Festival starts at $299 before fees. Yet, this price will increase for all the ticket tiers, depending on which wave you purchase a ticket during. So, eventually, the GA pass will peak at $359 with fees.
The next step up is GA+ which is $519, but will peak at $579. This includes access to the GA+ Grove with private air-conditioned restrooms and a bar.
VIP passes will run between $1,299 and $1,499 before fees, as there are only two price waves, according to Hangout’s website. This includes a VIP Grove, access to side stage pools, and premium views up front at all of the main stages.
Super VIP tickets are between $2,299 and $2,499, providing access to an exclusive up-stage viewing area, WiFi, golf cart shuttles between the stages, and more exclusive perks.
Finally, there are options to include passes to a shuttle bus that will take you to the festival.
For more information about tickets to Hangout 2024, visit their official website.
Some of the artists mentioned here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Hangout Festival unveiled its 2024 lineup today, with Zach Bryan, Lana Del Rey, and Odesza set to headline. The fest will take place in Gulf Shores, Alabama from May 17 to 19.
For those looking to head down to the beach to catch their favorite artists, here’s what to know about the ticket sale.
When Do Hangout 2024 Festival Tickets Go On Sale?
Right now, Hangout Festival is allowing interested attendees to register on their website for presale access to tickets. They will then hand out a code, with the presale taking place this Friday, January 12 at 12 a.m. ET.
The site also notes that tickets can be secured with “as little as 20% down” and they offer a number of payment plans.
As for what to expect about specific prices for the Hangout Festival tickets, there are a few different tiered options. Right now, a 3-day General Admission pass is $299 with fees, but will increase to $359 as a max — with different time waves increasing the cost. A GA+ pass starts at $519, and provides access to air-conditioned restrooms and a private bar.
The VIP pass starts at $1,299. It includes access to the VIP Grove with complimentary drinks, side stage pool access, and more exclusive perks.
Finally, the Super VIP ticket starts at $2,299 currently. It includes access to a private VIP deck, as well as up-close viewing areas at the stages and WiFi access, and more.
For more information, visit Hangout Festival’s website.
Some of the artists mentioned here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Hangout Festival is set to return to Gulf Shores, Alabama this spring. Entering its 13th iteration, Hangout Festival encapsulates good vibes and an eclectic blend of music.
Taking place over the course of three days (May 17 to 19), this year’s hangout is offering a mix of hip-hop, rock, R&B, and pop performers. Headlining this year’s Hangout are Zach Bryan, Lana Del Rey, Odesza, The Chainsmokers, Cafe The Elephant, Reneé Rapp, Dominic Fike, and Jessie Murph.
Also on the bill are Alison Wonderland, Doechii, Nelly, Sexyy Red, Chappell Roan, and more.
In addition to music, attendees can look forward to all sorts of beach activities, including swimming, sand volleyball, dancing at an onsite club, and more.
“Beyond the music, a weekend spent at Hangout offers the most perfectly-timed and carefree antidote to winter where adulting takes a back seat to picturesque sunsets and leisurely days spent with toes in the sand,” reads a statement accompanying the announcement. “Imagine posting up at Hammock Beach, playing beach volleyball or sliding down a slip-and-slide at Camp Hangout, catching heartfelt vows at the Beach Wedding Chapel, then popping into a beach dance club with direct swimming access in the refreshing Gulf of Mexico, all between sets and before retiring to your condo, beach house, or nearby hotel.”
Pre-sale for Hangout Festival 2024 begins Friday, January 12 at 11 a.m. CT. Fans can purchase tickets here.
You can see the full lineup below.
Hangout Festival
Some of the artists mentioned here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
There are many notable things about the year 2024. It is an election year. It is an Olympics year. It is the beginning of the mid-2020s. But I am only concerned with one particular notable thing about 2024: It is the earliest possible moment when it is acceptable to start talking about the best albums of the decade.
Some might disagree. “Only a moron would write about this now,” those people are saying. (Kind of harsh, to be honest.) But they are wrong. Dead wrong. I know this because, as a music writing professional, I am well versed in the science of these lists. And my expertise tells me that my speculation about the most consequential music of the 2020s has arrived precisely on time. We have already eaten up 40 percent of our current decade. Preparation for the act of ranking must commence now.
To clarify: I’m not really thinking about my choices for the decade’s best albums. (At least I’m not thinking all that deeply yet.) I’m more interested in what I think critics overall will pick as the best. I have thought a lot about this. Probably too much. But I believe I have cracked the code.
Let’s begin by looking at recent history. Here is a list of 10 well-regarded albums from the 2010s. I compiled it by looking at a variety of “Best of the 2010s” lists and mentally averaging the most common entries. My process was “imprecise” (my word) and “possibly half-assed” (my editor’s words). But nevertheless I think most people will agree that these are definitely among the most critically acclaimed records of the previous decade.
Here they are, in alphabetical order:
Fiona Apple, The Idler Wheel … (2012)
Beyoncé, Beyoncé (2013)
D’Angelo, Black Messiah (2014)
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp A Butterfly (2015)
Frank Ocean, Blonde (2016)
Frank Ocean, Channel Orange (2011)
Solange, A Seat At The Table (2016)
Taylor Swift, Red (2012)
Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires Of The City (2013)
Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
It’s interesting to note how some of these albums have shifted in terms of their critical reputations. At the 40-percent mark of the 2010s, the consensus choice for album of the decade so far was easily My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Kanye West stood head and shoulders above all other artists as a figure of profound cultural import and intense music-critic obsession. Then Kanye started to lose his mind in the back half of the 2010s and MBDTF slipped a bit — though not completely off the charts. At that point, To Pimp A Butterfly seemed like the album of the 2010s, given Kendrick Lamar’s elevated status as a Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper. But if a website or publication made a best of 2010s list now, I suspect that Blonde would be the new “easy choice” for the top slot, as Frank Ocean in retrospect seems like the defining artist of the decade.
Back to my original point: Half of these albums came out in the first 40 percent of the 2010s, between 2010 and 2013. The other five came out in the mid-2010s, between 2014 and 2016. The late 2010s are completely absent. I am confident that, if you look at most decade lists, you will see a similar pattern. There might be some records from a year ending with 7, but that’s about as late as they generally go. For the most part, these lists are front-loaded with “early decade” music. (In the parlance of “best of the decade” lists, we can liken the “late” part of the decade to December on year-end lists.)
Why does this happen? There are two reasons:
1) Decade lists made in the moment are typically made up of albums that were loved immediately. The “grower” records that rise in esteem over time do better on retrospective decade lists made years after the fact.
2) This “precedent of love and prestige” effect, so to speak, favors albums that were released earlier in the decade. As a critic, you want to feel that the records under consideration have some staying power. Also, it’s easier to assess the importance of an album that’s already been out for several years. Reputation and mystique by then have been banked. And there’s less risk of overrating something that feels important in the moment. This explains why, for instance, Rolling Stone named The Clash’s London Calling as its best album of the 1980s — it came out in America in January 1980, which means it had more precedence of love and prestige than practically any other ’80s album. (It actually came out in December 1979 in the U.K.) The magazine acted similarly when it named Nirvana’s Nevermind (1991) the best album of the ’90s, followed by Dr. Dre’s The Chronic (1992). Nobody was going to argue against Nevermind or The Chronic in 1999 — the influence and impact of those records was undeniable. Time, as always, has a substantial home-field advantage.
Here’s the relevant takeaway: There’s a good chance the album that critical consensus eventually dictates as the best of the 2020s has already come out. But which album? Here are 10 records from the first 40 percent of the decade that have achieved a high level of acclaim, listed in alphabetical order.
Alvvays, Blue Rev (2022)
Fiona Apple, Fetch The Bolt Cutters (2020)
Beyoncé, Renaissance (2022)
Boygenius, The Record (2023)
Phoebe Bridgers, Punisher (2020)
Japanese Breakfast, Jubilee (2021)
Olivia Rodrigo, Sour (2021)
Rosalìa, Motomami (2022)
Taylor Swift, Folklore (2020)
Tyler The Creator, Call Me If You Get Lost (2021)
SZA, SOS (2022)
One might quibble with some of the choices. Perhaps you want to swap in Turnstile, Bad Bunny, or Wet Leg. But these feel like the early critical frontrunners to me. This list reflects the predominant shifts in music culture and critical thinking during the Biden administration, i.e. there’s less big-tent hip-hop and way more female singer-songwriters. As you might have noticed, there are three crossovers from the 2010s list, and two of them are very predictable: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. The third, Fiona Apple, has established a track record of releasing one critically adored album per decade. (See also: 2005’s Extraordinary Machine.)
Do I like any of these albums personally? Yes. I like four of them. Though the only serious contender for my personal list is Blue Rev. Speaking of my personal list, here are five albums I feel confident about proclaiming as “the best” from the first 40 percent of the 2020s, listed alphabetically:
Big Thief, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
Bob Dylan, Rough & Rowdy Ways
MJ Lenderman, Boat Songs
The War On Drugs, I Don’t Live Here Anymore
Waxahatchee, Saint Cloud
To clarify: my determination for “the best” is based on a variety of criteria, including what I listened to the most (I Don’t Live Here Anymore), what makes me happiest when it’s on (Boat Songs), what impressed me the most in terms of songwriting and thematic ambition (New Warm Dragon I Believe In You), what I suspect I will love the most in 20 years (Saint Cloud), and what has the longest song about the Kennedy assassination (Rough & Rowdy Ways).
Now, it’s very possible that the albums we don’t know about (or that don’t even exist yet) coming in the next 60 percent of the 2020s will blow away all of the records mentioned in this column. I actually hope that happens! It’s exciting to think about what’s potentially ahead of us! But let’s assume that at least half of the top 10 records of the decade have already come out. And let’s also say that one of those records ends up being No. 1. And (for the sake of fun and conversation) let’s imagine that we have $1 million to wager on that choice.
What’s the record I would bet on? Punisher.
It is influential for other popular and acclaimed artists in the 2020s. It was made by a person who (like Frank Ocean in the 2010s and unlike Taylor Swift and Beyoncé now) feels native to the current decade. I believe the next generation of music critics (who were in their teens in 2020) will look at it as definitional for its time and their age cohort. It’s the kind of record you pick if you’re trying to make a statement about an era. It’s also — this helps — a really good album. Even with the lack of 17-minute JFK assassination songs.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Boston Calling announced their 2024 lineup, with a truly stacked range of performers. Ed Sheeran, Leon Bridges, and The Killers are among the headliners for this year.
For those looking to attend and catch some great acts, here’s what to know about buying tickets.
How To Buy Tickets For The 2024 Boston Calling Festival
Boston Calling is currently having those looking to go to the festival sign up for presale ticket access. By going to their website, a pop-up appears that allows you to enter a phone number to receive a passcode. There is also the option to sign up via email.
This Thursday, January 11 at 10 a.m. ET, the presale for Boston Calling will open, and fans can use their codes to purchase tickets from there.
A three-day general admission pass for this year starts at $360. The GA+ pass is $599 and includes lounge access with a private bar. One step up from there is the VIP pass, which starts at $1,099. Those who purchase will have VIP lounge access, air-conditioned restrooms, exclusive viewing areas, a concierge, and more.
Finally, the Platinum tier starts at $2,799. This year is a first, where those who purchase this pass will get front-of-stage access on the Green stage and a complimentary bar.
For more information on Boston Calling’s tickets, visit here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
The 2024 music festival season is shaping up to be yet another one for the history books. Today (January 9), organizers of Boston Calling announced the official lineup for this year’s festivities. Across Memorial Day weekend (May 24 to 26), the annual multi-day event will take over the city’s Harvard Athletic Complex with headliner performances ranging from pop, indie, and soul acts alike.
On opening night, Friday, May 24, Ed Sheeran and Leon Bridges will close things out. Tyler Childers and Trey Anastasio & Classic Tab will do the honors on the following day, Saturday, May 25. Closing night, May 26, The Killers and Hozier are set to end things with a band.
Other notable names on the lineup include Mean Girls‘Reneé Rapp, Luke Hemmings, Madi Diaz, Ric Wilson, Khruangbin, Frank Truner & The Sleeping Souls, Jessie Murph, d4vd, Megan Thee Stallion, The Revivalists, Lovejoy, and Blondshell. View the full lineup below.
Boston Calling Music Festival 2024 is set to take place from May 24 to 26 at the Harvard Athletic Complex. Presale for the festival will begin on Thursday, January 11 at 10 a.m. Eastern. The public sale will kick off days later based on the remaining availability. Find more information here.
Boston Calling
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
