Louder: What Neko Case reveals in a new memoir

Plus: 12 new songs, Drake's lawsuit, LiAngelo Ball's viral sensation

View in browser|nytimes.com January 18, 2025 By Caryn Ganz Neko Case has a striking singing voice and a unique writing voice that is both poetic and pointed. In a lovely profile, Lindsay Zoladz dug into how she developed both, and the revelations from Case's new memoir that cast her evolution as an artist in a new light. A.C. Newman, her bandmate in the New Pornographers, recalled a mutual friend once marveling, "For her to achieve what she's done, considering where she came from, it's like winning a marathon with one leg." If you're less familiar with Case's catalog — or want to brush up on some of her high points — don't miss Lindsay's complementary listening experience, a primer of 10 essential Case songs in The Amplifier. Also this week, Drake took legal action over Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us," suing the label that puts out both rappers' music for defamation and harassment, arguing that it knowingly promoted a song that included the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal pedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response." With the Grammys, where the song is up for five awards, just weeks away — and the Super Bowl halftime show, headlined by Lamar, right after — this will be a very interesting story to watch. Plus: Jon Pareles has 12 recommended new songs on the Playlist, including Marshall Allen's solo debut at 100 (!) and Jon Caramanica dissected the first (unlikely) rap hit of the year: LiAngelo Ball's "Tweaker." And RIP David Lynch. As usual, I always recommend reading Manohla Dargis, and we'll have more on the music in his films next week. In 2011, he spoke with Melena Ryzik as he was releasing his first solo album, "Crazy Clown Time." "Negativity is the enemy to creativity," he said. "So if you want more ideas flowing, happiness in the doing, happiness in the doing, happiness in the doing." Meghan Marin for The New York Times Neko Case Has Sung Hard Truths. Now She's Telling Hers in a Memoir. In "The Harder I Fight the More I Love You," the singer and songwriter outlines the personal and professional challenges that have shaped her career. By Lindsay Zoladz THE AMPLIFIER NEWSLETTER The Ultimate Neko Case Primer Listen to 10 songs by the golden voiced, poetic singer-songwriter. By Lindsay Zoladz Readers Pick the Songs That Defined Their Year Hear songs from Ana Moura, the Orlons and Colin Hay that defined 2024 for readers. By Lindsay Zoladz THE CRITICS Vincent Tullo for The New York Times The Playlist A 100-Year-Old Jazz Legend's Solo Debut, and 11 More New Songs Hear tracks by Perfume Genius, Lucy Dacus, Bartees Strange and others. By Jon Pareles Jacob Kupferman/Associated Press Critic's Notebook How a Failed Basketball Player Made the First Rap Hit of the Year The N.B.A. washout LiAngelo Ball debuted his track "Tweaker" on a livestream. It's proving to be much more than a novelty. By Jon Caramanica FEATURES Satirical Singer Kinky Friedman's Posthumous Surprise: A Sincere Album On "Poet of Motel 6," due March 21, the country musician known for shocking audiences grapples with death and his own legacy. By Daniel Taub Mood Board What the Songs of 'Moana 2' Owe to Beyoncé and 'Beauty and the Beast' In writing their first film soundtrack together, the TikTok duo of Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear looked to those influences and "Anchorman." Of course. By Sarah Bahr NEWS Prince Williams/WireImage Drake Sues His Label, Calling Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Defamatory In a federal lawsuit on Wednesday, Drake accused Universal Music Group of putting his life and reputation at risk by releasing and promoting the popular diss track. By Joe Coscarelli Billie Eilish, Joni Mitchell and Lady Gaga Set for FireAid Benefit The concert, which also includes Dave Matthews, Katy Perry, Stevie Nicks and more, will take place on Jan. 30 at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. By Ben Sisario Vast Trove of Arnold Schoenberg's Music Is Destroyed in Fire An estimated 100,000 scores by Schoenberg, the groundbreaking 20th-century composer, were destroyed when the publishing company his heirs founded burned down. By Javier C. Hernández Who's Performing at Trump's Inauguration? Carrie Underwood will sing "America the Beautiful" at the second inauguration of Donald J. Trump. By Derrick Bryson Taylor and Michael Gold Late Adopter? Bob Dylan Joins TikTok in What May Be Its Final Days. Dylan seemed to be in on the joke, posting an old black and white clip of himself saying "Good God, I must leave right away." By Derrick Bryson Taylor POPCAST Popcast The Dylan-Chalamet Connection A conversation about "A Complete Unknown" and the power of celebrity. Make a friend's day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter @nytimesmusic. Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com. Check out our full range of newsletters and subscribe to The Amplifier here. 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. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. 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