Bijan Stephen

Bijan Stephen is a music critic for The Nation. He lives in New York and his other work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New Republic, Esquire, and elsewhere.  

Jamie XX performing in London in 2024.

The Introspective Club Hits of Jamie xx The Introspective Club Hits of Jamie xx

With In Waves, Jamie xx—whose real name is James Smith—has perfected what he explored in In Colour: an album full of searching tunes that can double as dance songs.

Jan 16, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

Buffy (Darren Robinson) of the Fat Boys in Chicago, 1985.

Questlove’s Personal History of Hip-Hop Questlove’s Personal History of Hip-Hop

An elegiac retelling of rap's origins, Hip-Hop Is History also ends with a sense of hope.

Aug 27, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

Philip Glass, performing a composition from “Notes on a Scandal.”

Philip Glass, Solo Artist Philip Glass, Solo Artist

In his most recent album, the composer marks a new turn in his style.

Jun 5, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

Kid Cudi in Las Vegas, 2024.

The Many Evolutions of Kid Cudi The Many Evolutions of Kid Cudi

In Insano, the rapper and hip-hop artist comes back down to earth.

Apr 17, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

The Era of Nicki Minaj

The Era of Nicki Minaj The Era of Nicki Minaj

How the queen of rap revolutionized American music.

Feb 21, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

Laura Les of 100 Gecs

The Playful Pop of 100 gecs The Playful Pop of 100 gecs

The band’s new album is absurd but that is part of the point.

May 11, 2023 / Bijan Stephen

A Soundtrack for the American Subconscious

A Soundtrack for the American Subconscious A Soundtrack for the American Subconscious

Oneohtrix Point Never’s latest album is not unlike a radio broadcast from another reality.

Jan 13, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

Sufjan Stevens’s Lullabies for the Apocalypse

Sufjan Stevens’s Lullabies for the Apocalypse Sufjan Stevens’s Lullabies for the Apocalypse

His new album’s gentle pessimism about our state of affairs makes for a weirdly soothing musical experience.

Oct 1, 2020 / Bijan Stephen

Kaytranada Captures an Entire Party’s Worth of Sound on ‘Bubba’

Kaytranada Captures an Entire Party’s Worth of Sound on ‘Bubba’ Kaytranada Captures an Entire Party’s Worth of Sound on ‘Bubba’

The electronic producer’s new album feels like the full flowering of a major talent.

Feb 4, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

The Magic of Megan Thee Stallion and Jai Paul

The Magic of Megan Thee Stallion and Jai Paul The Magic of Megan Thee Stallion and Jai Paul

Two distinct artists defined the sound of this summer. 

Aug 27, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Bijan Stephen

x