Music

Though Prince has shed his mortal coil, I am utterly convinced he will never die. I’ve been a huge fan since the ’80s, when his unique voice, ridiculously witty lyrics, and irresistible dance grooves started taking over the airwaves. In addition to being a great songwriter, producer, singer, performer, dancer…the list goes on…he was also one of the best rock guitarists of all time. If you’re in doubt about this, listen again to “Let’s Go Crazy.” In any case, here, astonishingly, is the scrapbook/lyric sheet/photo collage/memoir-ish book he was working on when he transitioned to his next level of artistic brilliance. Like everything he ever created, it is utterly amazing. - Rico

Music scholar extraordinaire Ted Gioia’s new book is a sweeping history of epic proportions. Ranging from the music of antiquity to the advent of modern streaming services, the book explores music’s dynamic relationship to culture, politics, and power. While the material is vast, Gioia’s sharp wit and astute observations make this a rewarding read. If music plays as important a role in your life as it does in mine, pick this one up. - Travis

Wilmer captures the explosive new energies that defined jazz in the 60s and 70s! Examining the lives and careers of both unknown artists and household names, she paints a vivid picture of what life was like for these members of the jazz vanguard, while also exploring the connections between art, politics, and being black in America. This book is raw and candid! - Travis

In an era where Nashville had a lock on the Country Western sound, Bakersfield became the center of a music revolution. Price tells the story of legends like Merle Maggard and Buck Owens through the venues, events, partnerships, and innovations that created a vivid, pulsing sound. Layering country music with rural folk traditions and electric guitar this music is unforgettable. - Clara

It comes as no surprise that one of the most unique songwriters and best lyricists of the past twenty years is also a damn fine prose writer. Tweedy's book detailing his formative years in the seminal punk-country-folk band Uncle Tupelo and the formation and history of Wilco (one of my favorite bands ever) is funny, sad and deeply honest. For music fans, this is absolutely essential. - Rico

Throughout this fascinating history of the electric guitar and the rivalry between Leo Fender and Les Paul, the rich detail and description allow the reader to hear legends like Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix play the instruments that revolutionized rock music. This genre-crossing book will satisfy readers of postwar American history to music enthusiasts and beyond. - Kristi

When I was growing up in the 1990s, the Beastie Boys were always there for me, like the big brothers I never had. The Beastie Boys Book, like their music, defies genre, with pictures, contributions from other artists, a graphic novel, and even some of their favorite recipes. - Aric

Burton-Hill selects one piece each day for a year in this introduction to classical music. Spanning multiple genres, time periods, and regions, with 336 works and 240 composers, Year of Wonder is a beautifully curated playlist aimed at classical music aficionados as well as those who have wanted to enjoy classical music but haven’t known where to begin. Each song is paired with a story about the composer and the composition. - Rechelle

A virtuoso indie rapper who wields a philosophy degree and a reputation for unrequitable romance, Dessa is especially known for her Hamilton Mixtape track “Congratulations.” This exceptional memoir showcases the artist herself boldly acting out the poetic metaphors that make her music so powerful. In My Own Devices, Dessa works with neuroscientists to overcome the feeling of lost love. The autobiographical snapshots are anarchistic, beautiful, measured, anxious, eloquent, and brave. I loved it. - a.c.

Jeff Tweedy—best known as the frontman for the bands Wilco and Uncle Tupelo—has had a long and storied career in the Chicago alternative rock scene. Let’s Go covers Tweedy’s life, from his childhood in Belleville, Illinois, to his musical start in St. Louis, to his move to Chicago and becoming part of Wilco. A must-read for any Wilco fan! -Stuart