The Culture Desk

Arts and culture from around The Times.

The Secret to Khruangbin’s Ultracool Vibe
Sounds and influences that shape the band’s music.
By Sara Curtis, Wendy Dorr, Ryan Bradley, Alyssa Moxley and Dan Powell
Think ‘The Bear’ Is Overrated? Here’s What to Watch Instead.
Picks from our TV experts.
By Margaret Lyons, Jeremy Egner, Elyssa Dudley, Kate LoPresti, Lynn Levy and Diane Wong
The Epitome of French Cool
Remembering pop icon Françoise Hardy.
By Elyssa Dudley, Wendy Dorr, Tina Antolini, Chris Wood, Daniel Powell and Elisabeth Vincentelli
To Have a Great Summer, You Need a Great Song
Wesley Morris on why identifying the “song of summer” is more art than science.
By Alex Barron, Paula Szuchman, Sophia Lanman, Melissa Kirsch and Wesley Morris
5 Minutes to Love Max Roach
A look at one of the jazz icon’s most provocative albums.
By John White, Lynn Levy, Daniel Ramirez and Marcus J. Moore
Charli XCX, Robert Plant and More Music for Your Weekend
Our critic’s favorite new songs
By Elyssa Dudley, Kate LoPresti, Tina Antolini, Daniel Ramirez and Jon Pareles
The Writer Behind the Most-Nominated Play in Broadway History
David Adjmi discusses “Stereophonic.”
By Alex Barron, Larissa Anderson, Daniel Ramirez and Melissa Kirsch
Shaboozey Brings Hip-Hop Grit to Country
Plus, more new music for your weekend.
By Elyssa Dudley, Kate LoPresti, Tina Antolini, Alyssa Moxley and Jon Pareles
The Unlikely Rise of an a Cappella Anthem
Why an obscure 1990s rock song has such staying power.
By Tina Antolini, Lynn Levy, Diane Wong and Sopan Deb
Lila Iké Featuring H.E.R. and More New Music
Five songs for your weekend.
By Sara Curtis, Wendy Dorr, Jon Pareles, Alyssa Moxley and Dan Powell

How A.S.M.R. Took Over the World
Our internet culture reporter explains why all the videos you’re watching sound so similar.
By Tina Antolini, Lynn Levy, Diane Wong and Madison Malone Kircher
Meet the Jimi Hendrix of the Sahara
Our music reporter on Mdou Moctar and other African guitar heroes
By John White, Lynn Levy, Alyssa Moxley, Dan Powell and Ben Sisario
Miranda July Wrote a Perimenopause Novel
How writing “All Fours” helped her navigate middle age.
By Marie Solis, Sara Curtis, Wendy Dorr and Daniel Powell
Billie Eilish Hits You Hard and Soft
Her new album reviewed.
By Tina Antolini, Wendy Dorr, Alyssa Moxley and Jon Pareles

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How the Last Dinner Party Became the U.K.’s Buzziest Band
Our culture reporter charts its meteoric rise.
By John White, Kate LoPresti, Lynn Levy, Alyssa Moxley, Daniel Powell and Alex Marshall
Roger Corman Lives!
The B-movie legend died at 98, but his influence on filmmaking endures.
By Alex Barron, Lynn Levy, Marion Lozano and Scott Tobias
Not Your Typical Children’s Museum
Enter the Rabbit Hole and become a part of the story.
By Sara Curtis, Lynn Levy, Carole Sabouraud and Elisabeth Egan
New to Eurovision? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
A guide to the songs, the outfits and more.
By Kaitlin Roberts, Tina Antolini, Kate LoPresti, Lynn Levy and Elisabeth Vincentelli
Dua Lipa’s New Album Is Nonstop Ear Candy
Our music critic reviews “Radical Optimism.”
By Sara Curtis, Tina Antolini, Sophia Lanman and Jon Pareles
The Fall Guy Steps Into the Spotlight
The director David Leitch on the unsung artistry of stunt performers.
By Alex Barron, Wendy Dorr, Sophia Lanman and Nicole Sperling

Fashion’s Biggest Night: Your Guide to This Year’s Met Gala
Our Styles editor and our chief fashion critic on everything you need to know.
By Kaitlin Roberts, Kate LoPresti, Wendy Dorr, Sonia Herrero, Stella Bugbee and Vanessa Friedman
In His New Song, Johnny Cash Goes to the Laundromat
… and more new music for your weekend.
By Tina Antolini, Wendy Dorr, Dan Powell, Alyssa Moxley and Jon Pareles
In Children’s TV, Dads Get to Have All the Fun
Our critic on the paternal fantasy of “Bluey” and more.
By Tina Antolini, Lynn Levy, Sophia Lanman and Amanda Hess
A Poem About You, for You
For National Poetry Month, A.O. Scott shares one of his favorite love poems.
By Sara Curtis, Lynn Levy, Tina Antolini, Sophia Lanman and A.O. Scott

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‘Challengers’ Is Sexy … but Is It Good Tennis?
A sports journalist on what the film got right and wrong.
By Alex Barron, Wendy Dorr, Sonia Herrero and Melissa Kirsch
How TikTok Changed American Culture
The app’s influence on Hollywood, school and more.
By Kaitlin Roberts, Larissa Anderson, Diane Wong, Dan Powell, Sapna Maheshwari, Brooks Barnes, Natasha Singer and Amanda Hess
Alicia Keys on Reimagining ‘Fallin’’ for Broadway
The singer talks about finding a new home for her first hit.
By Alex Barron, Lynn Levy, Michael Paulson and Daniel Ramirez
Taylor Swift’s New Album Reviewed
Our pop music critic on “The Tortured Poets Department.”
By Larissa Anderson, Alex Barron, Kate LoPresti, Wendy Dorr, Corey Schreppel and Lindsay Zoladz
What (We Think) We Know About Taylor Swift’s New Album
Our internet culture reporter sifts through the digital abyss for clues about Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department.”
By John White, Kate LoPresti, Wendy Dorr, Daniel Ramirez, Melissa Kirsch and Madison Malone Kircher
In ‘Knife,’ Salman Rushdie Recounts His Brush With Death
Our reporter on the author’s new memoir.
By Tina Antolini, Wendy Dorr, Sophia Lanman and Sarah Lyall