Louder: Cassettes are back. Now how do you play them?

Plus: 14 new songs, Billie Eilish, Kris Kristofferson and more

View in browser|nytimes.com October 5, 2024 By Caryn Ganz A few years ago, the double cassette deck component of my home stereo gave up. I don't regularly listen to my old cassettes, but I have a lot of them, and you never know when you need Jody Watley on tape. Easy enough, I figured: I'd walk down to J&R on Park Row and get another. J&R, however, had closed in 2014. Thus began an internet search that yielded … not much, to be honest. Watching the cassette boom of the past few years, I've been wondering if people are listening to tapes (and how), or just amassing them as collectibles. Marc Hogan indulged me in a brief investigation into the state of the tape player that takes us from a 1998 BMW Z3 to people hanging onto their Walkman-style players to a few new manufacturers to a thriving vintage gear market. We remembered Kris Kristofferson with a robust package of stories, including playlists of his essential songs and others' memorable covers of them, and a look back at how he spun larger-than-life stories, and stood by Sinead O'Connor when she was booed shortly after her "S.N.L." protest. Billie Eilish opened her tour supporting "Hit Me Hard and Soft" in Quebec, and Lindsay Zoladz named it a Critic's Pick. Jon Pareles profiled Orla Gartland, the Irish songwriter who built an early audience online, and Shaad D'Souza interviewed GloRilla, the rapper who is releasing her debut album next week, two years after becoming a next big thing. Plus, a note from our Arts & Leisure editor: We want to know what questions you have about music, live shows and everything else in pop culture and the arts. We're kicking off a new advice column and want to hear from you. Kaitlin Brito As Cassettes Come Back, the Dilemma Is Finding a Tape Deck Musicians and fans have developed a new taste for an old format, but manufacturers largely stopped making players. Listeners are finding creative (and vintage) solutions. By Marc Hogan THE CRITICS Julia Spicer for The New York Times Critic's Pick Billie Eilish Brings a Master Class in Intimacy to the Arena Stage Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour opened in Canada on Sunday night, showcasing the 22-year-old pop star's gift for dynamics, dramatics and audience engagement. By Lindsay Zoladz Charlotte Patmore The Playlist Lauren Mayberry's Lush Pop Ecstasy, and 13 More New Songs Hear tracks by Bartees Strange, the Smile, Ela Minus and others. By Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz THE AMPLIFIER NEWSLETTER 10 Unforgettable Kris Kristofferson Covers Many of his songs are better known by other singers' interpretations, like Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee," Johnny Cash's "Sunday Morning Coming Down" and more. By Lindsay Zoladz 6 of 'The Greatest' Songs Hear superlative tracks from Billie Eilish, Kenny Rogers and Alabama Shakes. By Lindsay Zoladz NEWS Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Garth Brooks Is Accused of Rape and Assault in Lawsuit A woman who worked as a hair and makeup stylist for the country superstar says he subjected her to repeated advances. Mr. Brooks said it is "behavior I am incapable of." By Ben Sisario Maxine Hicks for The New York Times Sean Combs's White Parties Were Edgy, A-List Affairs. Were They More? The events helped the music mogul raise his profile. But one woman who worked at them has said in court papers that the parties had a dark side, too. By Jesse McKinley and Sarah Maslin Nir FEATURES Dante Zaballa 5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Betty Carter Her intricate phrasing and live improvisational skills made her a cornerstone for artists of all sorts. Listen to songs chosen by 10 musicians and writers who consider her a north star. By Marcus J. Moore Orla Gartland Melds Honesty, Hooks and Noise On her second album, the internet-native Irish songwriter makes a complicated relationship sound "squonky." By Jon Pareles GloRilla, Hip-Hop's Master Motivator, Rounds Out Her Message Self-empowerment rhymes catapulted her onto rap's A-list. On "Glorious," her debut LP, she's hoping that showing more sides of her personality will help her stay there. By Shaad D'Souza KRIS KRISTOFFERSON (1936-2024) Michael Ochs Archives, via Getty Images Kris Kristofferson, Country Singer, Songwriter and Actor, Dies at 88 He wrote songs for hundreds of other artists, including "Me and Bobby McGee" for Janis Joplin and "Sunday Morning Coming Down" for Johnny Cash, before a second act in film. By Bill Friskics-Warren Kris Kristofferson: 12 Essential Songs The country singer and songwriter, who died on Saturday at 88, tucked enduring aphorisms into tales about facing up to loss. By Jon Pareles An Appraisal Kris Kristofferson's Stories Were Wonderfully Larger Than Life The singer, songwriter and actor, who died on Saturday at 88, found his way into situations and tales that underscored his role as a conscience for country music. By Jon Caramanica Kris Kristofferson: A Life in Pictures After years as a struggling songwriter, he found his voice with a direct, evocative style that launched his decades-long career as a musician, actor and activist. By The New York Times Kris Kristofferson Stood by Sinead O'Connor as the Boos Rained Down At a moment when the Irish singer had few people defending her, the country music veteran showed strong support. It created a bond that remained throughout their lives. By Marc Tracy PODCAST The Culture Desk Apple Killed Albums. Now It Wants to Rank Them. Wesley Morris on the injustice and absurdity of Apple's Top 100. 35 MIN LISTEN NEWS Pras Sues Lauryn Hill Over Canceled Fugees Tour, Alleging Fraud Ms. Hill was accused of deceiving the other group members about tour finances. She called the lawsuit "baseless" and "full of false claims." By Ben Sisario MacArthur Foundation Announces 2024 'Genius' Grant Winners On Tuesday, 22 anonymously nominated Americans were recognized with fellowships and an $800,000 stipend. By Annie Aguiar Oasis Adds North American Shows to Reunion Tour Liam and Noel Gallagher's band will stop in three American cities plus Toronto and Mexico City in August and September 2025. By Ben Sisario Sean Combs Will Try Another Appeal of Judge's Decision to Deny Bail Mr. Combs is in a Brooklyn jail awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. By Ben Sisario and Matt Stevens Lawyers for a Sean Combs Accuser Ask to Withdraw From Her Case A dispute between Adria English, who has accused Mr. Combs of sexual misconduct, and her lawyers is the latest twist in the civil litigation the music mogul is facing. By Julia Jacobs and Ben Sisario Bruce Springsteen Endorses Kamala Harris for President The rock star has long aligned himself with Democrats and been critical of former President Donald J. Trump. By Tim Balk and Nick Corasaniti Missing Out on Coldplay's India Tickets, Some Fans Vented — Even to Police When 13 million people tried to buy tickets for the band's Mumbai shows, the ticketing site crashed. Many who came up short cried foul, both online and to the authorities. By Sameer Yasir STYLES Jim Wilson/The New York Times Beyoncé Released a Song and Levi's Saw Its Moment The denim brand was looking for ways to sell more apparel to women, and the megastar gave them a natural spokeswoman thanks to a song on "Cowboy Carter." 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