Noah Berlatsky

Irritation is the way of all flesh. The question is, if you're going to be annoyed for all of eternity, who do you want to be doing the annoying?

If my wife and son had thought bubbles above their heads, like in the comics, you would be able to read them saying, "dog dog dog dog dog dog dog."

Is the gender of the philosopher a marginal curiosity—or is it more central?

The history of pop music, and of black pop music in particular, has always been gay history.

Fifth Harmony is nobody's idea of a roots band.

The acclaimed solo album of former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard raises questions about the very nature of "cred." Is pop antitethical to artistry?

The loss of gospel history has meant forgetting how important black women have been to American performance styles.

A Ghostbusters with a female cast is a thorough violation of the spirit of the original. And that's a good thing.

The founder of the brilliant fyeahblackrockmusic Tumblr talks racial politics, Kelis, and . . . the Doobie Brothers?

So, if there are so many ways to sing this song, and if it's meant different things at different points, why complain about Beyoncé's version?