Laura Snapes

Laura Snapes, Deputy Music Editor at The Guardian, and Alexis Petridis, Chief Pop and Rock Critic, dive into the backlash surrounding Taylor Swift's latest album. They unpack the mixed critical reactions and explore controversial marketing tactics, like multiple vinyl variants criticized for exploiting superfans. The duo also critiques the album's musical quality, noting its derivative sounds. Finally, they discuss Swift's evolution as an industry powerhouse and speculate on her creative future, hinting at potential themes of marriage and motherhood.

Marina Hyde reflects on Boris Johnson's turbulent week. Edward Helmore discusses the controversy surrounding Joe Rogan's podcast on Spotify. Laura Snapes interviews singer George Ezra about his music career. Alex Moshakis explores workplace conflicts and strategies for resolution.

Laura Snapes, deputy music editor of The Guardian, discusses the psychology of songs, the impact of climate on outdoor music festivals, and recent music releases. They also delve into the occult roots of Aphex Twin and the importance of naming musical genres. They reflect on communal spaces, their experience with Twitter, and connections made through online tools. They explore discovering and featuring artists, the connection between music and place, and the tragic backstory behind a record.