Pussy Riot: CHAIKA

If you don’t know who Yuri Chaika is, Pussy Riot’s song “CHAIKA” can help fill in the blanks. The punk-rock protest collective, whose performances have gotten a few members jailed, bravely ridicules the Russian General Prosecutor through music video and spoken word (entirely in Russian). Just last December, Chaika was the subject of an investigative article, in the form of a film, by Alexei Navalny’s …

Throwing Shade: Hashtag IRL

Throwing Shade (born Nabihah Iqbal), who contributed the insanely catchy vocals for SOPHIE’s pop tune (slash McDonald’s jingle) “Lemonade,” is a producer in her own right, with a thirst for knowledge. The London-based musician (who also hosts a bi-weekly NTS radio show) received an MPhil from Cambridge specializing in South African history, later traveling to Cape Town to work in human rights law. Now focusing …

Primal Scream + Sky Ferreira: Where the Light Gets In

Prevailing Scottish band Primal Scream has enlisted Sky Ferreira for a track off their upcoming 11th LP Chaosmosis—set for release 18 March. “Where the Light Gets In” blends sparkly synths and an upbeat track for a thoughtful dance rock tune. And Ferreira’s signature vocals (as she exchanges lines with frontman Bobby Gillespie) are innocent and tame and, at the same time, just a little heavy-hearted.