The Ween Of American Rock Critics. Author of six books. My book on The Strokes is out 9/8/26. Indiecast dude. Writing at Evil Speakers: https://stevenhyden.substack.com
Hey, I was on WNYC talking about my upcoming book IS THIS IT: THE NEVER-ENDING RISE & FALL OF THE STROKES (AND ROCK ‘N’ ROLL).
The 25th Anniversary of 'Is This It' from The Strokes | WNYC25 years ago, the New York band The Strokes released their debut album, Is This It.wnyc.orgOK, I'll say it: I love REALITY AWAITS! It's a v. enjoyable Strokes album! I wrote about why I feel that way, the early reactions to the record, the cyclical nature of Strokes backlashes, their current tour, and why young fans get them more than old fans. tinyurl.com/5eb2auna
"Reality Awaits" Will Be Loved By The Next Strokes Album (Which Will Be Hated)Also: Reviews of new music by Frank Hurricane, Idle County, and Prairiewolftinyurl.comRIP Glen Hansard. When I heard the news this morning I thought immediately of this amazing story he told about meeting Van Morrison at a young age. “Nice songs, nice voice, blah blah blah.” youtu.be/29abxJgCyOI?...
Glen Hansard meets Van MorrisonYouTube video by bannedfromchinayoutu.beA reader asked me to write about the best lyricists right now under the age of 40. So I came up with 10 names, plus five things I look for when it comes to lyrics generally. tinyurl.com/4ec4v5kk
Ask A Music Critic: Who Are The Best Lyricists Right Now Under 40?Here are my top 10 picks — who are you top young-ish wordsmiths?tinyurl.comDeerhunter Month at Evil Speakers concludes today with a conversation about 2012’s wild and rabid MONOMANIA. Here is their infamous performance of the title track on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. open.substack.com/pub/stevenhy...
I wrote about “Summer Tour,” a new Gen Z Deadhead documentary screening in theaters nationwide for one-night only tonight. stevenhyden.substack.com/p/on-rushs-r...
I wrote about Rush's ongoing reunion tour (it's great!) and how the language around "nerd music" has moved from the prog-rock fringes to the center of pop music. stevenhyden.substack.com/p/on-rushs-r...
On Rush's Reunion Tour and Why All Music Is "Nerd Music" NowAlso: New music by Miles Hewitt and a review of the new Deadhead doc "Summer Tour"stevenhyden.substack.comIn my latest Ask A Music Critic column, a reader asked for my opinion about Rick Beato and whether a music critic not knowing about the technical aspects of playing music is disqualifying. My answer probably won't surprise you! stevenhyden.substack.com/p/ask-a-musi...
Ask A Music Critic: Should A Music Critic Actually Know How To Play Music?I can't play "Stairway." Should I even be publishing this newsletter?stevenhyden.substack.comI wrote about the latest albums by the Rolling Stones and Jack White, playing blues as a way to stop time, how to survive your middle-aged "wilderness" period, and more. Plus reviews of Twisted Teens, Ultra Lights and John R. Miller! stevenhyden.substack.com/p/through-th...
Through The Past, Bluesily: The Rolling Stones and Jack White Ride OnAlso: New music by Twisted Twins, John R. Miller, and Ultra Lightsstevenhyden.substack.comDeerhunter Month at Evil Speakers continues with a conversation about two great 2008 albums and the larger “normal” vs. “weird” indie rock divide that was growing at the time and this band transcended. open.substack.com/pub/stevenhy...
Catalog Club: Deerhunter's "Microcastle" and "Weird Era Cont." (2008)Two great albums that encompass indie's "weird vs. normal" divide in the aughtsopen.substack.comI wrote about the very good Tracey Nelson album out today. stevenhyden.substack.com/p/something-...
On July 24 Miles Hewitt will release VAINGLORY, an LP I've loved since I heard it a month or so ago. It's an American spin on spooky 70s British-style folk, with lyrics about AI and the end of the world. Heady stuff but gripping. I talked to him about it. uproxx.com/indie/miles-...
Miles Hewitt Makes Songs For The End Of The World’Vainglory’ finds Hewitt achieving peak grandiosity.uproxx.comHey, congrats to Charlotte Cornfield, who was just shortlisted for the Polaris Prize. Check out this interview, she's great!
Steven HydenHey, I hopped on Zoom and had a great conversation with Charlotte Cornfield, whose album HURTS LIKE HELL is one of my favorites of 2026 so far. I asked her why so many great songwriters come from Canada and I think we figured it out! stevenhyden.substack.com/p/in-convers...
I wrote about taking my son to see Bob Dylan for the first time. stevenhyden.substack.com/p/something-...
For the 30th anniversary of ODELAY, I did an overview of Beck's career, a fascinating journey from 20th century hipsterdom to 21st century Grammy bait. An allegory for so many cultural institutions, honestly. stevenhyden.substack.com/p/something-...
Hey, I hopped on Zoom and had a great conversation with Charlotte Cornfield, whose album HURTS LIKE HELL is one of my favorites of 2026 so far. I asked her why so many great songwriters come from Canada and I think we figured it out! stevenhyden.substack.com/p/in-convers...
In Conversation: Charlotte Cornfield's Canadian ExcellenceI chat with the Toronto native about what Jeff Tweedy and Lucinda Williams taught herstevenhyden.substack.comHey, it’s Deerhunter Month at Evil Speakers! Join me as we talk about a different album every Monday in July by one of the great indie rock bands of the 21st century. open.substack.com/pub/stevenhy...
Time for another Jukebox Jury, where I review more than a dozen songs and albums — some good, some not good, and some Sublime (derogatory). stevenhyden.substack.com/p/jukebox-ju...
Jukebox Jury #5: Maybe Partying Will HelpTakes on new music by Phoebe Bridgers, This Is Lorelei, Sublime, Brandon Flowers, and more. Plus: A Kurt Vile live scene report and a review of indie-jammers SML's new LPstevenhyden.substack.comHey, I made a playlist of my favorite songs from June 2026. Good month, good tunes! stevenhyden.substack.com/p/my-favorit...
My Favorite Songs Of June 2026A handy playlist to keep up with the music currently moving Evil Speakersstevenhyden.substack.com