Music

May 9, 2026

Tracks of the month: April 2026

By Artsweek Staff

Artsweek staff's favorite tracks of April 2026.

February 3, 2026

A sacred show: Magnetize and guest Johanna Warren create a musical haven

By Sofia Cain

Isla Vista band Magnetize opened for singer-songwriter Johanna Warren in a backyard concert on Jan. 18.

January 22, 2026

Looking East looks forward

By Stella Mullin

The local Goleta band is set to release its debut album, "Break of the Day," on Jan. 23.

January 15, 2026

Geese: What’s all this honking about?

By Stella Mullin, Jack Dindia

Geese returns to this melting pot of genres — post punk and art rock — with youthful chaos, earning them the title of  “Gen Z’s first great American rock band.”

October 9, 2025

‘The Life of a Showgirl’ is the biggest let down of Taylor Swift’s career

By Kendra Martinez

So far, the album has fallen nothing short of mediocre for longtime Taylor Swift fans and only time will tell if that holds true.

September 25, 2025

Big Thief enters new era with release of “Double Infinity”

By Sofia Cain

"Double Infinity" leans into expansive orchestral, synth and percussion backings that, at moments, tend to lack harmony.

August 23, 2025

Summer listens for various summer scenarios

By Lauren Chiou

Straight from the Spotify of Artsweek editor Lauren Chiou.

July 27, 2025

Let’s hear it for the album of the year: Lorde makes momentous return with ‘Virgin’

By Lauren Chiou

The New Zealand singer-songwriter released her fourth album on June 27, an explosion of nostalgia, sensuality and vulnerability.

July 11, 2025

Tracks of 2025: Tate McRae’s ‘So Close to What’ brings her so close to main pop girl status

By Kenneth Heung

The Canadian singers third studio album is an ode to 2000s dance pop production, with an added modern flair.

July 11, 2025

Tracks of 2025: FKA Twigs explores music, euphoria and sex with ‘EUSEXA’

By Kenneth Heung

Released back in January, FKA Twigs' third album pushes the boundaries of experimental pop.

January 30, 2025

Mac Miller’s ‘Balloonerism’ and the legacy left behind — from UCSB and beyond

By Kyra Schimpf

“Balloonerism” is the second album to be released after Miller’s passing in 2018, and is what many expect to be the final album released by his estate.

November 26, 2024

Tyler, The Creator opens up on new album “Chromakopia”

By Zachary Robinson

On his eighth studio album, Tyler, the Creator takes his honesty to the next level, making this his most introspective and raw effort yet.

November 16, 2024

Babe Rainbow at SOhO: a no-go?

By Lea Vazquez

It’s safe to say that Babe Rainbow is the epitome of rock and roll music — even in ways that aren’t so good.

November 14, 2024

Why an I.V. band show should top your bucket list

By Kira Logan

Kira Logan hypes up the I.V. band scene and encourages us to indulge.

October 17, 2024

Omar Apollo tears at heartstrings at the Santa Barbara Bowl

By Taylor Clark

Omar Apollo brought down the house at the Santa Barbara Bowl in one of his last stops on the God Said No World Tour.

October 9, 2024

Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals brings crowd down to Malibu at the Santa Barbara Bowl

By Sally Shapiro

Brandon Paak Anderson, better known by his stage name Anderson .Paak, and his band, The Free Nationals, made their triumphant debut at the Santa Barbara Bowl.