ListenUp

The welcome return of Lykke Li and Mazzy Star, plus new tunes by Channel Tres and Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae: I Like That With her third LP Dirty Computer set to be released at the end of the month, Janelle Monae keeps dropping new tracks and music videos; heightening the already bubbling anticipation. Following last week’s “Pynk” (and its awesome video) comes “I Like That,” a groovy, slinky, laid-back tune that continues to prove just how multi-talented she is, and how multi-faceted the …

Link About It: This Week’s Picks

Glass monsters, plastic-eating enzymes, the story behind one of Prince's best songs and more

1. The Story Behind One of Prince’s Most Famous Songs Almost exactly two years after Prince’s tragic accidental overdose and death, the original story and recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U” has been released by the musician’s foundation. Paul “St Paul” Peterson (who was a singer in Prince’s band, the Family) and Susan Rogers (Prince’s sound engineer) tell the tale about the beautiful song’s birth, …

Improvisation in Cuban Animation

Insufficient internet access and lack of equipment have not prevented some animators from continuing their filmic work after graduating art school in Cuba. From pirated software to technical improvisation, animated films have slowly appeared throughout the nation. It wasn’t until 2014 that a (state-sponsored) feature-length animated film, “Meñique,” would appear. And yet now, companies like El Muke and ÑOOo Productions have work seen as far …