Lavender Sound

Lavender Sound

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Aug 4 • Lavender Sound
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Monthly Recaps
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QUICK AUGUST 2025 RECAP + Song of the Month
Here's a short recap of everything we published this month — and a song we think you should listen to.
Aug 31 • Lavender Sound and Max Freedman
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Interviews
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INTERVIEW: Rachika Nayar of Disiniblud on Loone’s Grief and Community
We interviewed Rachika Nayar!
Sep 16 • Lavender Sound and Max Freedman
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INTERVIEW: HAAi on Ethel Cain’s World-Building, Dual Nature, and Cinematic Songwriting
Before the electronic musician HAAi began her U.S. tour — which wraps on Sunday, September 21 at Philly’s iconic Making Time festival — we spoke with…
Sep 9 • Lavender Sound and Max Freedman
1-Year Anniversary
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‘Brat’ Is a Year Old Now. Let’s Look at Its Legacy
Sonically, it holds up perfectly. Public perception of Charli xcx in the time since, though, may have soured just a tiny bit — or is that an illusion?
Jun 5 • Lavender Sound
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St. Vincent’s Last Album Was Really Good. Why Does Barely Anyone Talk About It?
Minus her Grammy win this year, ‘All Born Screaming’ kind of came and went. It deserved better.
Apr 24 • Lavender Sound
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10-Year Anniversary
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‘E•MO•TION’ Still Sounds Vital 10 Years Later
In seizing her post-“Call Me Maybe” moment in a dumbfoundingly obvious yet sneakily savvy way, Carly Rae Jepsen ensured her icon status among LGBTQ+ pop…
Jun 19 • Lavender Sound
Björk Hit The Reset Button 10 Years Ago And We All Needed It
Thank god for album leaks.
Jan 16 • Lavender Sound
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Beauty in the Breakdown (Transient Peak)
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Transient Peak: Beauty in the Breakdown: Partygirl - Birdspotting
NYC-based band Partygirl breaks down “Birdspotting,” the lead single from their debut full-length, 'I’m So Charming I Forgot Who I Was,' out tomorrow.
2 hrs ago • Lavender Sound
Transient Peak: Beauty In The Breakdown: Idarose - Cool Around You
We're syndicating Transient Peak's 'Beauty in the Breakdown' series! In this edition, songwriter Alexis "Idarose" Kesselman breaks down her great new…
Aug 28 • Lavender Sound
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Absolute Must-Listen
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JADE’s Debut Might Be the Year’s Best Pop Album
The Little Mix member meets the bar she set.
Sep 18 • Lavender Sound and Max Freedman
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Every SPELLLING Album Is Even Better Than the Last
‘Portrait of My Heart,’ out tomorrow, is simultaneously Chrystia Cabral’s most rock-indented and accessible LP yet.
Mar 27 • Lavender Sound
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It’s an LGBTQ+ Music Newsletter So Of Course We’re Reviewing Lady Gaga
And good thing we are! Because ‘Mayhem’ bangs.
Mar 13 • Lavender Sound and Max Freedman
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Pretty Good!
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It's Hard to Write About Happiness. Hand Habits Does It Anyway
On their newest album, 'Blue Reminder,' Meg Duffy asks: What if a relationship were just solid and healthy? Can a compelling album be built on that?
Aug 21 • Lavender Sound
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Thank God Kaytranada’s New Album Is Only 35 Minutes
But not because it’s bad — the hour-long, feature-packed Kaytranada album format was getting old. The 35-minute, entirely guest-free ‘Ain’t No Damn…
Aug 19 • Lavender Sound
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Indigo de Souza Is a Big Softie on ‘Precipice’
The grit of the LA-via-Asheville musician’s previous work is occasionally missing, but her tender heart, mountainous voice, and captivating hooks often…
Jul 24 • Lavender Sound
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Mal Blum's Transness Is Complex on 'The Villain'
On their first album in six years, the LA-based musician dives into the contradictions and messiness of existing as a trans person during this…
Jul 10 • Lavender Sound
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It's Alright
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Sabrina Carpenter Doesn’t Deserve All This Praise. She Won Anyway
‘Man’s Best Friend’ pales in comparison to ‘Short n' Sweet,’ but it’s guaranteed to cement Carpenter’s imperial era — for better or for worse.
Sep 4 • Lavender Sound and Max Freedman
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You Should Definitely Listen to Fusilier, But Maybe His Past Releases Instead
I absolutely love his previous EPs, but I feel let down by his debut album.
Apr 10 • Lavender Sound
Thinkpieces and Commentary
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WITH VOICEOVER AND PLAYLIST: Weyes Blood Is for the Girls (Part 2)
Part 2 of this piece from earlier this month!
Sep 23 • Lavender Sound and Max Freedman
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WITH VOICEOVER: Weyes Blood Is for the Girls (Part 1)
From her friends to her collaborators and the themes in her music, Natalie Mering is effectively one of us.
Sep 11 • Lavender Sound and Max Freedman
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Trixie Mattel’s Music: Is It Good? (Part 2)
Whereas many Drag Race contestants make club music, Trixie is known for playing the guitar and autoharp. Her music is different — but is it good?
Sep 2 • Lavender Sound and Max Freedman
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Trixie Mattel’s Music: Is It Good? (Part 1)
Whereas many Drag Race contestants make club music, Trixie is known for playing the guitar and autoharp. Her music is different — but is it good?
Aug 26 • Lavender Sound and Max Freedman
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