@scribes Yes, definitely weird times (although I still think albums a relevant). In some ways, I think the critic has never been more valuable in pop music. I can let the spotify algorithm guide me if I want, but a human who can make sense of music today is especially useful because frankly I don't have the time or energy to do it myself. I find that I use critics to find music now while also helping me think about music I've already found and understand it as part of today's weird musical context. Still, the days of the super hip rolling stone writer are probably dead.

Steven Hyden's another good one with a totally different vibe. The ultimate dad rock critic.