Louder: Rihanna’s big return

Plus: SZA, Laraaji, Paramore and more

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story February 10, 2023 By Caryn Ganz Pop Music Editor Anticipating Rihanna's return to music, Lindsay Zoladz writes, "has gradually transformed from an earnest desire to an internet punchline to a chronic existential condition." The waiting may be the hardest part, but there is something unique about Rihanna during the seven years since her last album: Her fans continue to extend her an extraordinary amount of grace. "Her mystique has ballooned in absentia," Lindsay writes, "allowing people to project onto her seemingly contradictory ideas. She is everything to everyone, the exception to every rule." Perhaps that's why she's escaped most questions about why she's doing the Super Bowl halftime show this weekend, after swearing it off in a 2019 interview, when the N.F.L. was still embroiled in controversy for its response to Colin Kaepernick's activism. But she is coming back — even if for one day only (though I doubt that) — and after so much time away, the stakes are high. Lindsay surveys Rihanna's creative path to this moment in a very astute notebook. We're still in the shadow of the Grammys (this staff Popcast will be our last word on it), but there's a lot of other great reading in here: Jon Pareles in conversation with Laraaji, a pioneer of ambient music (with quotes from Brian Eno!); Stephen Holden's obituary for Burt Bacharach; Christopher Petkanas on the digitization of the Soul newspaper archives, a vital publication devoted to Black artists that ran from 1966 to 1982; and of course Danyel Smith's sweeping profile of SZA, in the magazine this week. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin and FilmMagic, via Getty Images CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK Rihanna: Since She's Been Gone On Sunday, one of pop's most reliable hitmakers returns at the Super Bowl halftime show. During her hiatus from music her mystique — and the stakes for her return — have only grown. By Lindsay Zoladz Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THE CRITICS AND POPCAST THE PLAYLIST Lizzo and SZA Spin Up a Fresh 'Special,' and 7 More New Songs Hear tracks by Luke Combs, Jessie Ware, Indigo de Souza and others. By Jon Caramanica and Lindsay Zoladz Grammys 2023: Hip-Hop Wins, Beyoncé Wins (Sort of) Does respect from music's premier awards show still carry weight? CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK Jason Moran Pays Tribute to an Early Jazz Ancestor The album "From the Dancehall to the Battlefield" puts the music of James Reese Europe through a contemporary prism. By Seth Colter Walls FEATURES Left to right, from top left: Bruce Talamon; Regina Jones; Howard Bingham; Michael Jones; Bruce Talamon; Bobby Holland; Earl Fowler; Bruce Talamon and Bobby Holland; Bruce Talamon and Bobby Holland. All covers via Soul Publications. Soul Told Black Musicians' Stories. Its Archives Are Going Digital. The newspaper, which started in 1966 with a focus on R&B, funk and disco, shut down in 1982. But one of its founders' grandsons is devoted to finding it a new online audience. By Christopher Petkanas Balarama Heller for The New York Times Laraaji Conjures a Baptism in Sound The pioneer of ambient music, now 79, rediscovered some of his earliest recordings for a new four-disc set. By Jon Pareles Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Kevin Mazur/WireImage, via Getty Images Linkin Park's 'Meteora' Surprise: Unheard Chester Bennington Songs A 20th anniversary edition of the band's blockbuster second album will include a handful of previously unreleased demos and the completed track "Lost." By Jeremy Gordon Tim Barber for The New York Times MY TEN Hayley Williams Is Fueled by Teas, Thrifting and Terrifying Films As Paramore releases its sixth album, "This Is Why," the singer and songwriter chats about playing in a maturing band — and the music, mushrooms and tinctures that have aided that journey. By Phoebe Reilly Young Fathers' Music Has Always Been Subversive. Now It's Joyful, Too. The Scottish trio has been making political, genre-blending songs for a decade. On a new album, the group embraces the elation of community. By Alex Marshall A Night in the Club, Then Early to Bed The Before Midnight parties promise all the thrills of a hedonistic night out, but with a respectable finish time for older dance music fans. By Anna Codrea-Rado THE MAGAZINE Philip-Daniel Ducasse for The New York Times SZA's Ruination Brought Her Everything Her moody, enigmatic music made her a megastar. Can she learn to live with success? By Danyel Smith DANCE, THEATER AND FILM What an '80s Feeling: 'Flashdance' Turns 40 The film helped bring breaking into the mainstream. Over the years, it also became famous for the subs and doubles of its star, Jennifer Beals. By Brian Seibert How 'Some Like It Hot' Tunes In to the Jazz Age From the set design to the wig styles, the Broadway musical creates a richly detailed vision of the 1920s and '30s. Its creators share their inspirations. By Darryn King 'Mixtape Trilogy' Review: Powerful Music, but a Less Powerful Film A scholar, an architect and an Indigo Girls superfan talk about the musical artists that inspire them in Kathleen Ermitage's documentary. By Glenn Kenny Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT OBITUARIES Val Wilmer/Redferns, via Getty Images Burt Bacharach, Composer Who Added a High Gloss to the '60s, Dies at 94 His sophisticated collaborations with the lyricist Hal David — "The Look of Love," "Walk On By," "Alfie" and many more hits — evoked a sleek era of airy romance. By Stephen Holden Charlie Thomas, a Drifter in Song Nearly All His Life, Dies at 85 He was heard on hits like "There Goes My Baby," "Under the Boardwalk" and "Up on the Roof." He kept singing them for decades. By Richard Sandomir Carol Sloane, Jazz Singer Who Found Success Early and Late, Dies at 85 After seemingly being on the verge of stardom, she languished for decades, battered by changing tastes and bad luck, before enjoying a midlife comeback. By Penelope Green NEWS Thaddaeus McAdams/Getty Images Quality Control, Atlanta Rap Powerhouse, Sells to Scooter Braun's Hybe The acquisition is the famed music manager's first major move at Hybe America — a division of the South Korean firm — since he became its sole chief executive last month. By Ben Sisario THE CHARTS K-Pop Group Tomorrow X Together Ends SZA's Seven-Week Run at No. 1 The boy band topped the Billboard album chart for the first time thanks to an array of collectible CDs for sale. By Joe Coscarelli METRO, STYLES, THE MAGAZINE AND T The New York City Mixtape From bars and clubs to parks and sidewalks, you can hear a global soundtrack, music brought by immigrants and remixed and remade, like the musicians themselves. By David Gonzalez and Photographs By Todd Heisler Harry Styles Ate Here. His Fans Will Now Eat Here Forever. A stray lyric by the pop star radically changed the clientele — and fortunes — of a Los Angeles cafe. By Molly Creeden LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION A 90-Second Cure for Existential Dread, Every Sunday Night Carrie Underwood's musical intro to "Sunday Night Football" offers a dazzling gift — even if you're not a fan of the game. By Caity Weaver NOTES ON THE CULTURE Whitney Houston's Enduring Legacy: Lifting Up Other Black Women The singer was intimately familiar with how punishing the spotlight could be. Instead of only guiding others toward greater visibility, she worked to ensure they would survive it. By Emily Lordi 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 Louder, unsubscribe. 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