Louder: After 16 Years in ‘Hadestown,’ Anaïs Mitchell Returns

Plus: Neil Young, David Byrne, Silvana Estrada and More

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story January 28, 2022 By Caryn Ganz Pop Music Editor The hit musical "Hadestown" started out as a low-budget community theater project Anaïs Mitchell debuted in 2006 that updated the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. In 2010 she released it as a concept album, and in 2019 it opened on Broadway. (I finally caught it on New Year's Day 2020, thinking, "I'm going to see so much awesome theater this year." LOL?) It's been a huge part of her life all along the way, and it's been nearly a decade since Mitchell, once a prolific solo artist, released music under her own name. That changes today with the arrival of a self-titled album. Lindsay Zoladz visited Michell in Vermont to chat about the singer-songwriter's most personal album yet. Meat Loaf, theatrical in his own way, gave us the melodramatic 1977 epic "Paradise by the Dashboard Light." There's a fun story behind the song, and Jeremy Gordon tells it here. Plus: Isabelia Herrera talks with Silvana Estrada about her devastating debut album; Alex Marshall pokes into Swedish songwriters turning their attention to K-pop; and Ben Sisario reports on Neil Young's departure from Spotify. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Sabrina Santiago for The New York Times After 16 Years in 'Hadestown,' Anaïs Mitchell Emerges With a New Album The singer-songwriter fully plunged into her acclaimed theater project. Since then, her life changed wildly — and she recaptured the desire to record her own music. By Lindsay Zoladz Jackie Russo for The New York Times Silvana Estrada Arrives With a Devastating Album About Heartbreak The Mexican singer-songwriter's debut solo album, "Marchita," paints a tender portrait of lost love, putting her voice and her Venezuelan cuatro center stage. By Isabelia Herrera Douglas Segars for The New York Times The Evolution of Black Music, and a Man's Soul, in One Show The new show "Black No More," inspired by a 1931 satirical novel about race relations, has "the point of view of people who are very much products of now." By Marcus J. Moore Mark Sommerfeld for The New York Times David Byrne, the Artist, Is Totally Connected There's a new gallery show and book of his whimsical line drawings — and coming this summer, an immersive art-and-science experience. By Frank Rose Sweden's Songwriters Dominated U.S. Pop. Now, They're Looking to Korea. Dozens of songwriters and producers in Stockholm make a living from K-pop — even if they can't speak Korean. By Alex Marshall A Killing Jolts Sweden's Rap Scene A conversation about hip-hop's evolution in the country, and how a high-profile shooting thrust the music into the spotlight. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THE CRITICS The Playlist glaive Flexes the Less Hyper Side of His Pop, and 13 More New Songs Hear tracks by Raveena, the Weather Station, Immanuel Wilkins and others. By Jon Pareles, Isabelia Herrera, Giovanni Russonello and Lindsay Zoladz Watch 5 Standout Performances From Winter Jazzfest Digital broadcasts took the place of live shows this year, and artists from around the globe participated in this annual check-in on the state of the music. By Giovanni Russonello Critic's Pick Review: Philip Glass and the Bangles, Mashed at the Symphony Anthony Roth Costanzo and Justin Vivian Bond brought their gleeful opera-cabaret show "Only an Octave Apart" to the New York Philharmonic. By Zachary Woolfe Critic's Pick 'The Hang' Review: Taylor Mac Enfolds Us When We Need It Most This opera, by Mac and Matt Ray, is as much a celebration of theater itself as it is an example of the communion humans crave but have been deprived of. By Laura Collins-Hughes MEAT LOAF Gary Gershoff/Getty Images How Meat Loaf Made a Cult Favorite: 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light' The eight-and-a-half minute tale of sexual awakening features drums by the E Street Band's Max Weinberg and vocals from Ellen Foley, who help recount how the unlikely song came together. By Jeremy Gordon OBITUARIES Hiroyuki Ito for The New York Times Those we've LOST Badal Roy, Who Fused Indian Rhythms With Jazz, Is Dead at 82 He collaborated across cultures, playing tabla with Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, John McLaughlin and others in the jazz world and beyond, including Yoko Ono. By Jon Pareles Sam Emerson/The Recording Academy Dan Einstein, Champion of Singer-Songwriters, Is Dead at 61 He operated independent record labels for John Prine and Steve Goodman that took a critically praised (and award-winning) artist-driven approach. By Bill Friskics-Warren Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Don Wilson, Who Gave the Ventures Their Distinctive Rhythm, Dies at 88 He was a founder, with Bob Bogle, of what has been called the best-selling and most influential instrumental band in rock 'n' roll history. By Neil Genzlinger Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS Spotify Is Removing Neil Young Songs After He Complains of 'Misinformation' The singer decided to leave the streaming service because it gives a platform to Joe Rogan, whom scientists have accused of promoting falsehoods about coronavirus vaccines. By Ben Sisario Cardi B Awarded $4 Million in Libel Lawsuit Against Celebrity Gossip Blogger The rapper sued the YouTuber Tasha K in 2019 after she posted a series of videos claiming that Cardi B was a prostitute. By Alyssa Lukpat Sony Music Buys Bob Dylan's Recorded Music The transaction for Dylan's albums was made in July, about seven months after he made another deal — with Sony's rival Universal Music — for his songwriting copyrights. By Ben Sisario 'Encanto' Soundtrack Returns to No. 1, Beating Gunna and the Weeknd Disney's latest animated film is the first since "Frozen" with music topping the Billboard 200 for multiple weeks. By Ben Sisario Make a friend's day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter @nytimesmusic. Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com. Check out our full range of newsletters. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Louder from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. 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