Chris Molanphy

music critic for Slate; host of the “Hit Parade” podcast

Guest

Feature writer and critic who covers music and the pop charts for Pitchfork, Slate, NPR Music, and more

Chris Molanphy on KCRW

“Adele is now exceptional. … She's a brand.

Adele releases ‘30’ after 6-year hiatus. She’s an exceptional and consistent brand, says music critic

“Adele is now exceptional. … She's a brand.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Grammy nominations are out today and Beyonce’s album “Lemonade” leads the pack. But the prestige of winning a Grammy has seemingly fallen to the cultural wayside.

Why are the Grammys called Grammys? And other questions

Grammy nominations are out today and Beyonce’s album “Lemonade” leads the pack. But the prestige of winning a Grammy has seemingly fallen to the cultural wayside.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Adele’s new album, 25, has broken the music industry’s record for most albums sold in a single week. And the week is barely halfway through!

Adele's Record-Breaking Record

Adele’s new album, 25, has broken the music industry’s record for most albums sold in a single week. And the week is barely halfway through!

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

More from KCRW

Grammy-winner Corinne Bailey Rae expands into punk and free jazz playing cuts from her audacious 2023 LP “Black Rainbows,” live From Apogee Studio.

from Live From

The latest film releases are Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Shirley, The American Society of Magical Negroes, and Carol Doda Topless at the Condor.

from Weekend Film Reviews

Lost Notes explores how the song “Viva Tirado” exemplifies the inter-generational musical conversation between LA’s Black and Brown communities.

from Lost Notes

Lorraine Nicholson talks playdates at Playboy Mansion, Oscar-nominee Ellen Mirojnick talks costuming “Oppenheimer,” and Sir Patrick Stewart has The Treat.

from The Treatment

Lost Notes returns with a brand new episode next Wednesday. To tide you over, we’re featuring a deep dive into Kendrick Lamar’s 2022 album Mr.

from Lost Notes

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni report on the latest in the Disney proxy battle, and the banter partners examine the outrage of NBC staff following the brief, yet confounding, hiring of…

from The Business

Coachella 2024 is upon us!

from Music News

A year ago, living in Miami, Lēya Graham’s passion for dance was waning. Then she discovered the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in LA, which served as a lifeline.

from KCRW Features

Critics review the latest film releases: “Abigail,” “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” “We Grown Now,” and “The People's Joker.”

from Weekend Film Reviews