Carl Wilson is Slate’s music critic.
Music
Feb. 26 2015 5:02 PM6 ManWhat’s so Canadian about Drake? Our Toronto-based music critic offers his own views from the 6.Carl Wilson
Music
Jan. 26 2015 4:18 PMOne. Feeling. At a. Time.Björk’s Vulnicura, an album about disconnection that will make her listeners feel more connected to her than ever.Carl Wilson
The Music Club
Dec. 18 2014 11:24 AMThe Music Club, 2014Entry 9: The year’s many lessons for middle-aged white dudes.Carl Wilson
The Music Club
Dec. 15 2014 11:38 PMThe Music Club, 2014Entry 1: Let’s call this “The Year of the Rookie.”Carl Wilson
Music
Nov. 17 2014 6:00 PMSongs of RevolutionAntony’s Turning, Arca’s Xen, and other art working the fertile territory between genders.Carl Wilson
Music
Oct. 29 2014 8:58 PMContemplating Taylor Swift’s NavelA deep gaze into 1989, 1989, and the mystery at the center of the world’s biggest pop star.Carl Wilson
Music
Oct. 1 2014 12:21 PMHow Even an Old Hipster Can Age GracefullyOn their new albums, Leonard Cohen, Robert Plant, and Loudon Wainwright III show three ways.Carl Wilson
Books
Sept. 10 2014 12:56 PMSecret ChordsThe brilliance—and the blind spots—of one of the world’s great rock critics.Carl Wilson
Music
July 21 2014 11:43 AMA Different Kind of Summer SongGaze wistfully into the past, and hopefully into the future with Reigning Sound’s Shattered. Carl Wilson
Music
July 3 2014 11:58 AMProudly Hailed“The Star-Spangled Banner” is militaristic, syntactically garbled, and impossible to sing. It’s perfect.Carl Wilson
Music
June 5 2014 8:44 AMCountry Music’s Bro ProblemCan Miranda Lambert take the country charts back for female artists?Carl Wilson
Culturebox
May 23 2014 9:36 AMMacklemore and Masquerade“Jewface,” umbrage, and pop music’s original sin.Carl Wilson
Music
April 2 2014 10:22 AMIt Ain’t Me, Babe
Was Dylan really terrible in the ’80s—or had we just forgotten how to listen to him?Carl Wilson
Music
Feb. 9 2015 9:58 AMThe 2015 GrammysReviewed in the form of one overlong, gospel choir–backed ballad.Carl Wilson
The Music Club
Dec. 19 2014 1:23 PMThe Music Club, 2014Entry 13: Protest songs about “bro country” and PETA. Plus: the best podcasts about music.Carl Wilson
The Music Club
Dec. 17 2014 8:57 AMThe Music Club, 2014Entry 5: Like Kanye, D’Angelo and Charli XCX want to pop a wheelie on the zeitgeist.Carl Wilson
Slate Picks
Nov. 25 2014 3:21 PMListen to Our November Music RoundupHot tracks for our fall playlist, exclusively for Slate Plus members.Aisha Harris, Dee Lockett, Ellie Skrzat, Chris Wade, Forrest Wickman, and Carl Wilson
Doublex
Nov. 3 2014 8:48 PMI Knew About Jian GhomeshiSo did a lot of people in our Toronto scene. We never said anything. Are we complicit in his alleged abuse?Carl Wilson
Books
Sept. 28 2014 8:45 PM“No Child Has Ever Been Harmed by Music”John Darnielle’s novel digs into an artist’s unspoken fears and doubts about his fans.Carl Wilson
Music
Aug. 4 2014 10:21 AMNot Gonna Break for YouCalifornia songs about American mistakes from Jenny Lewis.Carl Wilson
Music
July 16 2014 4:47 PMHis BolognaA mostly fond farewell to pop music’s longest-running—sometimes only running—comedy act, Weird Al.Carl Wilson
Culturebox
June 16 2014 3:47 PMCrying ShameWe don’t look down on movies designed to make us laugh—why do we look down on ones designed to make us cry?Carl Wilson
Culturebox
May 30 2014 11:57 AMMy Voyage With MimiHow a Mariah Carey skeptic finally fell for the elusive chanteuse.Carl Wilson
Music
May 8 2014 4:26 PMBones Banging Out BeatsTune-Yards’ Nikki Nack and the dangers of appropriation.Carl Wilson
Music
March 20 2014 7:08 PMSurprisingly Enjoyable New Albums From George Michael and Boy GeorgeCarl Wilson