Louder: Music’s Most Reluctant New Star

Plus: Robert Fripp, Blackpink, Beth Orton and More

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story September 23, 2022 By Caryn Ganz Pop Music Editor Jon Caramanica tracked Zach Bryan to Richmond, Indianapolis and Philadelphia to nail down the first major interview with the Navy veteran who's becoming one of the year's breakout stars. Bryan's debut, "American Heartbreak," blends folk, rock and country, but he records and releases music at a pace more akin to a rapper. Songwriting and storytelling are at the heart of his work: "If you're missing out on it, what the hell are you doing?" he said. "You're just performing. You're an actor." One thing he has little interest in? Fame. I can't believe I'm about to type the next words, but also this week, Jon Pareles interviewed the rarely interviewed Robert Fripp (!) about learning to play in standard guitar tuning once again (!!) and performing Britney Spears covers on YouTube (!!!). Jake Malooley profiled Richie Weeks, a 78-year-old Bronx native who sorted mail by day for the Postal Service and made scintillating disco by night in the late 1970s and the early '80s. Grayson Haver Currin spoke with the prolific guitarist Loren Connors, whose output hasn't slowed since he learned he had Parkinson's disease three decades ago. Jon Caramanica also examined the latest offerings from a selection of K-pop girl groups (including Blackpink) and Joe Coscarelli broke news about three drill rappers saying they were removed from the hip-hop festival Rolling Loud this weekend in Queens at the request of the New York Police Department. And for something punk and heartwarming, check out Melena Ryzik's collaboration with our visual team: a look at the audience at Linda Lindas shows. (For something else punk and heartwarming, listen to our first ever Popcast recorded live, before an audience, in Brooklyn! The subject: the year's most exciting new artists.) Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Kristin Braga Wright for The New York Times Zach Bryan Is Music's Most Reluctant New Star The Navy veteran — who blends folk, rock and country — has had a breakthrough year with his major-label debut, "American Heartbreak." But fame isn't what he's after. By Jon Caramanica THE CRITICS & POPCAST Critic's Notebook Blackpink and the Limits of K-Pop Maximalism The genre's more-is-more moment might be coming to an end, and younger acts like Aespa and NewJeans point a way forward. By Jon Caramanica The Playlist Red Hot Chili Peppers Honor Eddie Van Halen, and 10 More New Songs Hear tracks by Margo Price, Jamie xx, the Comet Is Coming and others. By Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz Popcast Live! The New Faces of 2022 Blondshell, Central Cee, Ethel Cain and more: a conversation about what's breaking through, plus questions from the audience at our first live taping. FEATURES Timothy O'Connell for The New York Times Robert Fripp Lightens Up No one expected to see the leader of King Crimson dancing in a tutu on YouTube. In a rare interview, the guitarist explains "an entirely different trajectory." By Jon Pareles Nate Palmer for The New York Times By Day, Richie Weeks Sorted Mail. At Night, He Was a Disco Mastermind. The New York producer, songwriter and artist punched the clock at the post office as he amassed an archive of tracks previously unheard until now. By Jake Malooley Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT OK McCausland for The New York Times Preschool Punks and Dancing Mommies at the Linda Lindas Show For young fans of this California quartet, the thrill of a first concert reverberates from child to parent. The Remarkable, Resilient Loren Connors Three decades ago, the New York guitarist was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. His output still hasn't slowed. By Grayson Haver Currin How a Sooty Old Piano Helped Beth Orton Reach a New Creative Peak With a vintage upright and painstakingly assembled songs, the English folk-pop-electronic songwriter's eighth studio album, "Weather Alive," is her best. By Jon Pareles NEWS Rose Marie Cromwell for The New York Times New York Drill Rappers Say They Were Removed From Rolling Loud Festival At least three local artists were cut from the traveling rap show, scheduled for this weekend in Queens, at the request of the New York Police Department, their representatives said. By Joe Coscarelli Stephanie Keith for The New York Times Defending R. Kelly and Bill Cosby, the Same Combative Lawyer Jennifer Bonjean has become known for her aggressive approach as she has defended men accused of sexual misconduct in several of the highest profile cases of the #MeToo era. By Lauren Herstik and Julia Jacobs Apple to Sponsor the Super Bowl Halftime Show Apple's pursuit of an N.F.L. media package has broadened to include a sponsorship of one of TV's most-watched events. By Tripp Mickle The Charts Bad Bunny, No. 1 Again, Puts a Spotlight on Inequities in Puerto Rico Days before his latest album notched its 11th week atop the Billboard 200, the pop superstar released a music video paired with a documentary by Bianca Graulau. By Ben Sisario Warner Music Finds a New Chief at a Former Frenemy: YouTube Robert Kyncl, the chief business officer of the video giant, will become chief executive of the conglomerate that includes Atlantic, Warner Records and Nonesuch. By Ben Sisario Bad Bunny Leads 2022 Latin Grammy Nominations With 10 Rosalía has eight nods, while Jorge Drexler and Christina Aguilera have seven each for the awards, which will be held on Nov. 17 in Las Vegas. By Ben Sisario Russian Pop Music Icon Comes Out Against the War in Ukraine Alla Pugacheva, whose stardom has spanned from the Soviet era to after the Cold War, said the invasion of Ukraine had turned Russia into a "pariah." By Anton Troianovski Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT OBITUARY Archivo General de Puerto Rico Overlooked No More: Sylvia Rexach, Puerto Rican Singer and Composer She was especially known for reinventing boleros — songs of stringent, abiding love — amid Puerto Rico's sexist and militaristic society in the mid-20th century. By Ben Ratliff MOVIES 'A Jazzman's Blues' Review: Tyler Perry Revisits a Jim Crow-Era Romance The writer-director returns to his first screenplay — a dark melodrama with soulful musical numbers — after two decades. By Lisa Kennedy 'Nothing Compares' Review: Sinead O'Connor's Rise and Fall This new documentary shows many faces of Sinead O'Connor and highlights her genuinely incomparable voice. By Glenn Kenny 'On the Come Up' Review: Battle Rap's Next Big Thing? This film adaptation of the Angie Thomas novel follows a teenage rapper with a dream. By Beandrea July 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. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018