Following Deftones from start to finish, and understanding beauty with Zadie Smith.

Making progress with The Hold Steady, and stepping into “The Undertow.”

Returning to the wonder with Lonnie Holley, and learning to be a poverty abolitionist.

Getting red and white all over again with The White Stripes, and reading Mahogany Browne.

Zulu creates a past-present-future tense sound, and trying to remember with Rebecca Makkai.

De La Soul is ready to conquer the streaming world.

Algiers keeps shaking foundations, and jazz rules the week.

More words about Talking Heads, and ending something with Cormac McCarthy.

Brad Mehldau is the walrus, and a tragic, breathtaking trip in words to Ohio.

Sunny War makes a particular sort of gospel music, and John Frusciante keeps it weird.