The topics of the December issue
The Beatles
The story of the diaries of Fab Four confidante Mal Evans as well as everything about the band’s last song and the new stereo mixes of the “Red” and “Blue Albums”
By Maik Brüggemeyer
Our 50 favorite reissues
So many presents? ROLLING STONE authors on the perfect reissue and their favorite reissues of classic albums
By Maik Brüggemeyer, Wolfgang Doebeling, Jörg Feyer, Birgit Fuß, Jan Jekal, Sassan Niasseri, Arne Willander & Sebastian Zabel
Bar Italia
The London trio is England’s great indie and post-rock hope. With the fourth album it emerges from the underground and into the spotlight
By Jörn Schlüter
RS Essay: No Future
The old punk mentality of “No Future” is increasingly taking hold of parts of Germans – they are becoming more and more fatalistic. An attempt at analysis
By Peter Unfried
Mannequin pussy
Things are going well for Mannequin Pussy: there will be a new album in March, and their goal on tour is collective catharsis
By Andy Greene
love songs
The main theme in pop is love. But what makes a good love song? And can this be answered across generations?
By Aron Boks
The Mix
Cat power
Chan Marshall recreated a legendary concert by her master Bob Dylan at the Royal Albert Hall
By Maik Brüggemeyer
Emeli Sandé
Their debut broke all records in the UK. Ten years later, Emeli Sandé has developed a new self-confidence
By Samira Joy Frauwallner
HISTORY: Van Halen
40 years ago, Van Halen released “Jump,” their only US number one hit – a keyboard piece, of all things!
By Birgit Fuss
Amos Lee
Songwriter Amos Lee has recorded an entire album of songs by his heroine Lucinda Williams
By Jörg Feyer
Q&A: Agnetha Fältskog
The ABBA singer on the new version of her album “A”, her withdrawal and advice for younger people
By Sassan Niasseri
madness
After seven years there is another album from the British institution Madness: a series of songs in three acts that shows human comedy
By Max Gösche
PLUS
The Shindellas, The Sleeping Souls and some more
Reviews
MUSIC
News from Peter Gabriel and 72 other reviews
RS GUIDE: Stephen Malkmus
Sassan Niasseri about the Oberslacker’s work – with Pavement and solo
FILM, SERIES & LITERATURE
“Mickey Mouse Cartoons/Silly Symphonies” and 18 other reviews
Playlist: New Noises in December
There can be no talk of contemplation on our December playlist: The Vaccines reactivate the indie rock spirit of the noughties, The Shindellas inspire with R&B, and Amos Lee pays homage to an idol
The Vaccines “Sometimes, I Swear”
After “Back In Love City”, which went under in 2021, the West Londoners are once again flying the flag of indie rock in the style of the noughties with a new album and anthemic, breakneck pieces like this one.
The Shindellas “Last Night Was Good For My Soul”
The Shindellas come from Nashville, not exactly a hotbed of talent for R&B groups. Tamara Chauniece, Stacy Johnson and Kasi Jones delight with an elegant mixture of soul, funk and disco-pop.
The Sleeping Souls “Remember Boann”
So far, The Sleeping Souls have appeared primarily as Frank Turner’s backing band. On their debut album they develop an experimental and elegiac folk rock sound.
Amos Lee “Fruits Of My Labor”
The Philadelphia songwriter pays touching homage to the Americana master with “Honey suckle Switches: The Songs Of Lucinda Williams.” “Fruits Of My Labor” reinterprets Lee into soulful gospel folk.
Harp “Throne Of Amber”
Harp is the joint project of former Midlake singer Tim Smith and his wife, Kathi Zung. In “Throne Of Amber” Smith is as rapturous as Thom Yorke was during “The Bends”.
Al Lewis “Never Be Forgotten”
On his new album “Fifteen Years”, the Welsh singer and songwriter deals with the death of his father and transcends his grief in comforting, almost age-mellow folk-pop odes.
The Rural Alberta Advantage “Real Life”
The folk-rock band from Toronto presents their unpolished side on their fifth album, throwing themselves with fervor into songs like “Real Life” and finding their place between the Decemberists and Delta Spirit.