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Articles by Ryan Dillon
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: Menahan Street Band, Kim Deal, U2, Radie Peat, Hans Williams & More
As winter’s cold shoulder bumps into you around every corner, its blistering presence inescapable, Fridays like these make us push back. No matter how dreary it is when you look out your window, a new album or single can force the sun from behind those clouds, a moment of reprieve from it all. This week, we have no shortage of albums like that.
Aesop Rock & Blockhead Toe The Line Between Harsh Realities & Lofty Concepts On ‘Trouble Mountain’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
By Longtime collaborators Aesop Rock and producer Blockhead have conjured some wonderfully expansive worlds together. Their 2021 collaboration, Garbology, proved an innate chemistry that let both artists present their loftiest visions to the world, as Blockhead’s wide array of production tricks became the perfect canvas for Rock’s head-spinning rhyme schemes and immersive imagery.
Golden Age Thursday Samples: Celebrating The Innovation of A Tribe Called Quest Through Their Exploration of Rock
By This week, Hip-hop celebrated a milestone for one of its most beloved, innovative, and unforgettable contributors. On November 11, 2016, A Tribe Called Quest released their sixth and final album, We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, a swan song for their time together that emphasized the innate chemistry of some of […] This week, Hip-hop celebrated a milestone for one of its most beloved, innovative, and unforgettable contributors.
10 YEARS LATER: A Tribe Called Quest Cement Their Innovation On Final LP ‘We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service’
All good things must come to an end, but music seems to break this tired old saying. Even after an album is finished and out in the world, even if the artists behind it aren’t on Earth anymore to see their work enter the atmosphere, the songs seem to live on. An artist’s legacy is a restless beat, capable of resurfacing at any moment, for any reason.
Kim Deal Cements Storied Career With Extensive & Elegant ‘Live at the Barbican’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
By From Pixies and The Breeders to The Amps, and now a slowly growing solo discography, bassist/singer/songwriter Kim Deal has experienced the full spectrum of a long-lasting, fruitful career in music.
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: Twisted Teens, Blu DeTiger, Rex Orange County, Yoo Doo Right, Willi Carlisle & More
Another beautiful month has begun here at the Old Caustic Factory, and we are all hands on deck. As we make our final push towards the end of 2026, we celebrate what has been an exhilarating year in music with, you guessed it, more thought-provoking releases. The holiday season is typically when new music begins to roll out slowly rather than avalanche into our lives, but this first Friday of November says otherwise.
Golden Age Thursday Samples: Cortex’s ‘Troupeau Bleu’ Brings Funky Jazz Magic to Songs From Lupe Fiasco (2015), Your Old Droog (2014), & Jaylib (2003)
Miraculously, we’ve made it this far into our weekly exploration of Hip-hop samples without even accidentally coming across this LP. Certain songs seem to stick to the sides of a producer’s brain, something so catchy and malleable that it has been used time and time again with varying results. Albums with this much chop-worthy material, though, are few and far between, which is why a project like Troupeau Bleu by French jazz fusion band Cortex has become so synonymous with Hip-hop.
2026 Head of the Hooch – Women’s Collegiate Preview
The 2026 Head of the Hooch, hosted on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will take place on Saturday (7 November) and Sunday (8 November). The Hooch is the Southeast’s premier head race and will mark the end of the fall racing season for many crews. We will see the women’s Collegiate events take place on Saturday, with the Collegiate eights taking on the 4.5km course at 10:49, while the fours will cruise down the river at 15:10.
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: Kaitlin Butts, DIIV, Queens of the Stone Age, THAO, Dominic Fike & More
By Happy Halloween from everyone here at the Ol’ Caustic Factory. While we have all started wearing our costumes into the factory and distributing candy to those who celebrate, that doesn’t mean the work slows down; it’s actually the opposite. Yes, the holiday excitement has proven to be a futile distraction from the avalanche of fresh music we’ve been experiencing in 2026, which means it is time to fire up the factory and get to work.
30 YEARS LATER: Wilco Establishes Ambition & Seeks Experimentation On Sophomore Effort ‘Being There’
Wilco is a celebrated, beloved figure in alt-country. As one of the genre’s torch-bearing figureheads, with a decadent career of left turns and hard-earned respect, they have built a legacy they now use to platform the next generation through vehicles like their Solid Sound festival. Wilco has achieved what every great band sets out to accomplish, and then some, thriving in their longevity while still challenging themselves and the listener. Wilco, though, was not always beloved.
Golden Age Thursday Samples: Exploring The Brilliance of MF DOOM Via Innovative Flips & Memorable Instrumentals
On October 31, 2020, news hit the world that would shatter the hearts of Hip-hop fans, leaving a hole that will never be properly filled. On Halloween six years ago, it was announced that the powerful and innovative MF DOOM had passed away, sending a shockwave of grief through those who were lucky enough to immerse themselves in his world while he was still a part of ours.
Aaron Frazer Thrives In Simplicity On Moving ‘Corners’ EP (ALBUM REVIEW)
The soul music renaissance, a storied genre, has reached an interesting crossroads in recent years. One path leads to repetition, not in a good or bad sense, but to a proper continuation of this iteration of soul. The other, though, signals innovation, pushing the same forward-thinking approach that made the colorful soul scene we have today.
TWENTY YEARS LATER: Emo Gets Defined Via Cinematic Storytelling On My Chemical Romance’s ‘The Black Parade’
Very few albums can claim they created a moment, and even fewer can claim they defined a genre. These albums have longevity and impact: they set the tone for a generation and carried it into the next with little tension or pressure. These albums not only shape the music they contain, but also expand the minds of those who wouldn’t typically listen to Hip-hop, Motown, or Jazz.
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: Caroline Rose, Rainbow Body, Michael Kiwanuka, Trixie Whitley, Michael Nau & More
By It is a beautiful day for some new music; then again, isn’t it the music that evokes that beauty? A gloomy day can turn into a cosmic journey when the right soundtrack echoes from whatever speakers you choose. As we enter the briskness of Winter, change and growth linger in the air, knocking into our sides like walking down a busy street full of people with no awareness. The mental mosh pit that tags along with changing seasons is awakening once again, and it’s time to find your anchor.
Golden Age Thursday Samples: Flipping Through Crates To Celebrate 30 Years of De La Soul’s ‘Stakes Is High’
On Friday, October 23, De La Soul will continue pushing their discography on your local streaming service with the 30th Anniversary edition of their seminal 1996 LP, Stakes Is High. The now-classic album is a wealth of hard-hitting, jazzy Hip-hop that saw the trio leaning towards something more ominous, detailing the precarious position Posdnuos, Maseo, and Trugoy the Dove were in at the time.
Shabazz Palaces Taps Noir-style Storytelling For Immersive ‘It’s A Style Sport’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
From the start of his more than three-decade career, Ishmael Butler has been in the business of world-building. From his innovative fusion of jazz and Hip-hop with Digable Planets to his rebirth as an electronic experimentalist under the moniker Shabazz Palaces, Butler has achieved longevity driven by his commitment to expanding his sonic horizons. Although thirty-five years in, the question of “where could he go next” begins to rise. How many ideas can one head hold?
Rayland Baxter Acknowledges Growth Without Finding Complacency On Poetic ‘True Violet’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Over a decade into his recording career, Rayland Baxter has long been cemented as one of country’s most thoughtful songwriters and brightest stars. Proving an unwavering dedication to craft rather than cashing in on the genre’s recent explosion up the charts, Baxter’s discography is filled with twangy gems that glisten with authenticity.
Michael Kiwanuka Dazzles With Perseverance & Prowess On Self-produced ‘Fudge’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
If you’ve been on the internet over the past couple of weeks, you may have noticed singer/songwriter/producer Michael Kiwanuka’s name appearing more often than usual, with both good and bad news.
2026 Head of the Schuylkill – Women’s High School Eight Preview
Cover image: Rob Pungello The 56th Head of the Schuylkill will take place October 24-25th, 2026 along the historic Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, PA. Recognized as the birthplace of American rowing, the Schuylkill carries a storied history leading back to the 19th century. Since the official Head of the Schuylkill began in 1970, the regatta has grown to a two-day event, hosting over 9,000 rowers of all ages and backgrounds each year.
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: The Avalanches, Dummy, Fontaines D.C., Tierra Whack, Charlie Parr & More
With the pace at which time seems to fly into one open window and right out the next, it is unbelievable that the autumn air is already pulling the sun back behind the horizon so early in our evenings. Nonetheless, work remains, and the team at the Ol’ Caustic Factory is hyperaware of their role: churn out the greatest hits of the past seven days and deliver them to others waiting for the same thing.
The Avalanches Celebrate The Past Through Futuristic Dance On ‘No Bad Memories’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
It has been six long, complex, dangerous, and monumental years since The Avalanches reared their innovative minds over the gates to check in on everyone. The world was a much different place when the sample-loving electronic duo released their last studio effort, 2020’s We Will Always Love You. Ironically, the space-inspired odyssey from over half a decade ago proved prophetic as the world entered an era where escapism became the only route to sanity.
Dummy Details Apocalyptic Visions While Establishing Individuality On Hauntingly Moving ‘Do You Love the Color of The Sky?’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Alex Ewell, Emma Maatman, Nathan O’Dell, Joe Trainor, and Lance Umble are Dummy, a hard-to-define Los Angeles-based outfit. Centered on creative freedom rather than a single genre or a mix of influences, Dummy has moved through a successful debut and a captivating sophomore effort without stumbling over potholes dug by comparison.
Golden Age Thursday Samples: Exploring The Many Corners of Naughty By Nature’s Innovation Through Songs by Queen Latifah (1991) & Zhané (1994)
At this point in hip-hop history, Naughty By Nature’s name has been scribbled in the margins of every chapter. Their illustrious career, despite its internal ups and downs, has given the genre a chance at radio, produced some of the grittiest records of the 90s, and forced the world to reimagine sampling. DJ Kay Gee, Treach, and Vin Rock began the trio in high school, and that kind of longevity doesn’t come without innovation.
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: Death Valley Girls, Cameron Winter, Twin Temple, BODEGA, Remi Wolf & More
Thank goodness the Ol’ Caustic Factory just went through our yearly safety inspection; who knows what this volume could’ve done to a worn-down machine. It seems there is no end to the waterfall of music baptizing the minds of music fanatics since the beginning of the year, and we couldn’t be more thankful for the busy release schedule. More new music means more opportunities to discover something that touches the soul, and there may just be some life-altering tunes here for you today.
Golden Age Thursday Samples: Unearthing the Rejuvenating Soul & Refreshing Chops of Nujabes
While many stones remain to be turned over in the Golden Age of samples, this week we focus on one of the most commendable, forward-thinking, mind-melting offshoots from the storied era. Like every great art form, sampling has evolved since the producers we’ve featured throughout this column were young and innovating.
2026 Head of the Housatonic – Collegiate Women Preview
This year’s edition of the Head of the Housatonic, hosted by the New Haven Rowing Club in Oxford, Connecticut, is slated to take place on October 10-11, 2026. Collegiate racing is scheduled for mid-Saturday morning, where the Division I crews will be vying for the Women’s Cup, while non-DI programs will be competing for the Director’s Cup. As the first head race of the season for most of these programs, it will be a great introduction before taking on more complicated courses later this year.
Twin Temple Express Pain With Elegant Charm & Unfiltered Vulnerability On Stirring ‘Doomed Lovers’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Married couple and self-described “satantic doo-wop” duo Twin Temple have become quite the polarizing act in the months leading up to their third full-length LP. After being dropped from opening slots on Charley Crockett’s tour, they landed gigs opening for Jack White after a whirlwind of opinions about the situation that spread across the internet, and Alexandra and Zachary James have since skyrocketed past their peers in terms of attention.
Teenage Fanclub Celebrates Bliss & All Its Intricacies On Harmony-Fueled ‘Do Not Dare To Dream’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Longevity is a terribly difficult achievement for anyone in any field, and even trickier to maintain. Even when bands and musicians become cemented in music’s unofficial hall of fame, pressure remains to keep the flame from dying out.
Metallica Kicks Off Months-long Residency At Las Vegas’ Sphere With Hits & B-sides (SHOW RECAP)
Las Vegas’ Sphere has become a cultural cornerstone in the few short years since it opened its doors. Some see the monument to technology as an eyesore, the final spark that led to the city’s burning. Others, though, see it as an innovative stride in technology. Either way you look at it, the Sphere is a sight to behold, and the artist who took over the 20,000-capacity LED venue needs to be of a certain caliber to match the spectacle.
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: Greg Freeman, Fat Dog, The Suitcase Junket, Johnny Marr, Vanishing Twin & More
Flipping the calendar means a chance for a new start, but consistency is key to success here at the Ol’ Caustic Factory. The nature of our work leaves seasons meaningless, and outside temperatures futile in their attempts to stop our pursuit of the most refreshing, exhilarating new music each week. While the proverbial sands of time continue to fall menacingly, our factory keeps churning, as the flow of art stops for no one.
Golden Age Thursday Samples: Celebrating The Cacophonous Legacy of The Bomb Squad With Songs by Run-DMC (1993) Ice Cube (1990), & Public Enemy (1990)
Hank and Keith Shocklee, Eric “Vietnam” Sadler, Gary G-Wiz, and Bill Stephney may not be names that ring a bell, but the music they created alongside Chuck D reverberates through the very rib cage of every Hip-hop fanatic. Together, they formed The Bomb Squad, a production group responsible for some of the most cacophonous, industrial, mentality-shattering walls of whirling electronics and neck-breaking percussion any genre has seen in any incarnation.
Fat Dog Maintains Chaos While Showcasing Growth On Hypnotically Moving ‘Cancel Me (I’m Tired)’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
On WOOF., London-based Fat Dog made their 2024 debut with an irreverent, experimental sound. Clucky electronics collided with left-field sample choices and industrial textures in a character-defining introduction that pushed convention aside and welcomed the chaos of executing lofty visions. Fat Dog set the bar high, and fans couldn’t wait to leap up and try and hang on.
25 YEARS LATER: Wilco’s ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ Is A Poetic Testament To Independence & Unflinching Creativity
A theory has long circulated that the greatest art comes from struggle. Expectations exist, of course, since many classic albums were recorded in peaceful solitude or with overjoyed, collaborative energy. Still, you can’t help but notice a trend of trouble trailing generational albums. Wilco, though, has seen its fair share of ups and downs throughout its illustrious career, and their portrayal of the troubled artist may be the only trope the Jeff Tweedy-led outfit fits.
Wax Trax Pushes Established Legacy As Vinyl Institution Across Colorado (VINYL LIVES)
Just like any thriving industry, vinyl has its institutions. Some point to Amoeba Records in Los Angeles or shops like Rough Trade and Newbury Comics, but in Colorado, a humble operation has opened its doors to new generations of collectors since the mid-seventies. Wax Trax Records has become a landmark, not only for vinyl fanatics, but the local community as well.
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: AJJ, Joy Oladokun, Leon Bridges, Blondshell, Protomartyr & More
As we enter the last New Music Friday of September, we show no signs of slowing down. 2026 has been a prolific year for some terrifically spellbinding releases, and this week is no different. We brought in a few extra employees at the Ol’ Caustic Factory to keep our conveyor belts running, as we overwork them with releases from pop-punk icons, newly minted supergroups, inspiring singer/songwriters, and so much more.
Joy Oladokun Keeps Things Positive & Expansive On Stunning ‘Hope Is A Heavy Thing’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Singer/songwriter Joy Oladokun has morphed into a meteor over the past few years. Her sonic output has earned ravenous praise from fans and critical acclaim alike, putting her in the rare position of pleasing both. This is far from easy, but Oladokun carries every movement with an air of authenticity, making her rise all the more rewarding to watch.
Golden Age Thursday Samples: Exploring The Genius of Pete Rock Through Stunning Samples & Neck-breaking Percussion
The names and faces of 90s hip-hop that still echo through the genre’s halls decades later are no accident. Through innovative prowess and fearless creativity, the artists crafting these beautifully intricate sonic collages have become well-known musicians in their own right, gifting them the longevity most artists only dream of. DJ Premier, The Alchemist, and Q-Tip are a few examples of this, but we’re focusing on a different institution on this brisk yet bright Golden Age Thursday.
AJJ Is Rejuvenated During The End Times On Poetically Doom-stricken ‘Dirty Old Power’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
At this point in their career, AJJ has little left to prove. The pop-punk outfit from Arizona has grown into an institution in the bubbling genre, which has recently seen a resurgence, and AJJ’s prints are all over it. The band’s longevity, stretching across two decades, stems from their stubbornly present songwriting.
Benny Sings Employs Jazzy, Soulful Pop on Introspective Yet Playful ’22 Durnham Dew’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
The jovial, quaint, loving alt-pop of Benny Sings has always toed the line between nostalgic and singular. The Dutch singer/songwriter/producer’s warm, homegrown melodies have never quite had that bedroom-pop feel, despite heavily influencing the genre, but Sings occupies a space all his own. This level of artistic freedom comes from years of tirelessly piecing together unforgettable releases like 2021’s Music and 2015’s Studio, two albums that tackle Sings’ signature sound from different angles.
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: Cor De Lux, Lizzy McAlpine, Anthrax, C.O.F.F.I.N., Neil Young & More
Even when the Old Caustic Factory is at its busiest, our trusty team never shows a real sense of urgency. When you love what you do, why rush? We have had another busy week overflowing with fresh music so intoxicating that we couldn’t help but pack it all into this expanded edition of Caustic Commentary.
Golden Age Thursday Samples: Celebrating JAŸ-Z’s ‘The Blueprint’ Through Its Most Memorable Samples
On September 11, what feels like the last chapter of the year of JAŸ-Z began with the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint. JAŸ-Z’s innovative and impactful sixth studio album stands as a turning point for the artist, a revitalizing moment in a career whose longevity seemed inevitable in retrospect, but who knows where the name JAŸ-Z may lie in the history books if it weren’t for The Blueprint.
Slow Pulp Meditates On The Past Via Refreshing Atmospheres on Poetic & Reflective ‘Melodie’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Only two albums into their growing discography, the members of Slow Pulp have already achieved what most bands set out to do within their first five releases: critically beloved LPs brimming with a sound they can call their own, which launched fruitful tours, much like the band’s upcoming trek across the States.
C.O.F.F.I.N. Stirs The Soul & Changes The Pace On Anthemic ‘Out in Oslo’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Australia’s next great rock icons have arrived, yet they’ve been here the whole time. The rowdy punk four-piece known as C.O.F.F.I.N. has crafted complex, hard-hitting, guitar-driven rock music for the past few years, finding success through a steady stream of impressive LPs, including 2023’s raw and unadulterated Australia Stops.
Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter Storm Dallas’s Longhorn Ballroom for Night One of ’50 Years of Punk’ Tour (SHOW RECAP)
Making up for some select dates from 2025, punk icons Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter have finally arrived in the States for their 50 Years of Punk tour. The original members of the torch-igniting punk rockers and their fearless frontman stormed Dallas’s Longhorn Ballroom on the first stop of their 21-date tour of North America.
CAUSTIC COMMENTARY: The Tubs, Brian Fallon, Sylvan Esso, This Is Lorelei, Bloodkin, & More
Our hard-working team at the Caustic Factory can’t seem to get a break, and they don’t seem to be itching for one either. We are reporting to you live from a bustling factory floor, where we once again scramble to find a way to hone all of these fresh releases into one neatly wrapped presentation for our lovely, devoted, fellow music fanatics. This week, much like many others throughout this year, is packed with a wide array of exciting albums and refreshing singles.
25 Years Later: JAŸ-Z Marks Career Turning Point With Soulful Vulnerability & Unapologetic Prowess On ‘The Blueprint’
“Your reign on the top was shorter than leprechauns,” arrogantly raps JAŸ-Z within the first few minutes of his instant-classic LP, The Blueprint. While JAŸ-Z rightfully bragged about his longevity back in 2001, when he was six albums into his career, twenty-five years after making this claim, one has to wonder whether the mastermind behind albums like Reasonable Doubt had the foresight to see how long things would actually last.
Turnstile Ushers In ‘THE NEVER ENOUGH TOUR PT 2’ With Expansive Setlist at Milwaukee’s Eagles Ballroom
From the golden children of underground hardcore to one of the most respected and watched rock bands today, Turnstile has lived many lives throughout their career. The most recent iteration of their legacy, though, has included a heap of media praise and acceptance into the world of popular music, with Turnstile’s previous two releases- 2021’s GLOW ON and 2025’s NEVER ENOUGH showcasing signs not only of personal growth but also of laying the seeds for the band’s vision of hardcore music’s future.
Golden Age Thursday Samples: George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog” (1982) Becomes a Building Block for Funky Hip-hop Via Dr. Dre (1992), 2Pac (1993), & Ice Cube (1993)
While it’s been fun looking through the production work of producers like The Alchemist and J Dilla, it’s come to our Golden Age desk that it’s time to shine a light on one of the most sampled artists in Hip-hop history. Some samples become famous through the producer’s magic touch, while others shine on their own, carrying the weight of innovation with the ease of an ant with a crumb.
Sleep Set Off On North American Tour With Honed Setlist & New Lineup at San Diego’s The Observatory North Park
When an innovative band like Sleep decides to reignite its legacy after leaving it on the shelf for years while the members worked on other projects, a comeback rarely goes smoothly. Luckily, at least from the outside, Sleep has enjoyed the rebuilding process since reforming in 2018 with the release of The Sciences under the watchful eye of Al Cisneros, the founding and sole original member.
The Tubs Cement Longevity Via Sonic Maturity and Empathic Poetry On ‘Hard Life’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
The Tubs, the London-based jangly indie rock Celtic four-piece, are experiencing a surge in popularity the old-fashioned way. Across two LPs and a relentless touring schedule that brought them around the globe, the quartet has built a cult-like fanbase by expressing their individuality and honing it through highly regarded live performances and stellar albums like 2025’s Cotton Crown.
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