Staff Picks with Dinner Party, Charlotte Hatherley, Tom Petty, Life Without Buildings

Associate Editor Ruby Risch

Dinner Party featuring Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder, Kamasi Washington, Phoelix

“Freeze Tag"

I’m always a sucker for that soulful 9th Wonder production, and this track lands like testimony. That weary, resolute hook moves like a slow burn through grief, fear, and defiance. It’s not just a reflection of the moment, it’s a reminder that the moment has been happening for far too long.

Senior Editor Brett Callwood

Charlotte Hatherley

"Kim Wilde"

Back in 2004, Charlotte Hatherley was the guitarist with Brit-rockers Ash, playing sizable venues on the reg. Nobody saw her Grey Will Fade solo album coming, and it remains a criminally under-heard pop 'n' roll diamond of a record. "Kim Wilde" is one example of the goodies within.

Editorial Intern Anna Jordan

Life Without Buildings

"The Leanover"

I don't really get it at all and it's one of my favorite songs I've heard in a long time, with lyrics like syncopated percussion.

Operations Manager Robin Rose

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

"I Won't Back Down"

He wanted this to be musically simple — mid-tempo rock, straightforward chords, and a powerful, enduring chorus and hook. The result remains an American treasure.

Charlotte Hatherley photo by Oxyman, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.