Pop Valley

Justin Bieber, Gender, and Performance Expectations

With the 2026 UK festival season now well underway, I find myself thinking back to Coachella.

Jun 16 • Charlie Edmondson

May 2026

Through the lens: Ryan McGinley

An exploration of the early work of acclaimed American photographer Ryan McGinley.

May 27 • Sam Rodgers

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I Don’t Think About You At All: Don Draper's Endless Escape From Himself (repost)

As the tenth anniversary of Mad Men’s finale approaches, we look back on one of television's greatest protagonists: Don Draper.

May 19 • Sam Rodgers

April 2026

March 2026

OTD: (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay and the tragedy of posthumous hits

On this day in 1968, Otis Redding achieved an unorthodox feat, though he wasn’t alive to witness it.

Mar 16 • Sam Rodgers

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Music lineage in Kendrick Lamar’s 'reincarnated'

Sampling, Signifying, and West Coast Hip-Hop.

Mar 3 • Charlie Edmondson

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February 2026

The Story of the New York Herald

Words by Chinmayee Das

Feb 27 • A deeper dive into emotions

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The Epstein effect has Starmer on the brink

Peter Mandelson’s involvement with Jeffrey Epstein is reshaping British politics, and the consequences are far from over.

Feb 9 • Kai Austerfield

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The China visit was a mixed bag

To quote an old Chinese proverb, “a friend is a path.”

Feb 2 • Kai Austerfield

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January 2026

Fascism, cocaine and the occult: Station to Station at 50

In the wake of the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s seminal tenth album, Station to Station, we look back on its legacy and the story of his most…

Jan 29 • Sam Rodgers

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It’s been a great week for Keir Starmer

He was tested from Washington to Westminster.

Jan 25 • Kai Austerfield

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December 2025