Mikael Wood writes about pop music in all its ever-quickening splendor. Prior to joining the Los Angeles Times in 2012, he was a freelance contributor to Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Spin and the Village Voice. He grew up in Little Rock, Ark., graduated from Northwestern University and knows every word to “Mo Money Mo Problems.” He was named pop music critic in 2016.
Latest From This Author
The country star’s sixth studio album, ‘Deeper Well,’ contemplates renewal and self-care after a divorce. ‘Kacey just wants to grow,’ says one friend.
March 13, 2024
The late Jimmy Buffett will be honored at the Hollywood Bowl next month with a tribute concert featuring Paul McCartney, the Eagles and Brandi Carlile.
March 11, 2024
If “What Was I Made For?” had seemed for weeks like a lock at the Oscars, Billie Eilish and Finneas’ performance of the song on Sunday’s telecast faced some stiff competition from renditions of the other nominated tunes.
March 11, 2024
Madonna brought her career-spanning Celebration tour to the Kia Forum for a night of hits, memories and grievances.
March 5, 2024
Norah Jones talks about her funky new garage-soul album, ‘Visions,’ and about her love of Willie Nelson and Joni Mitchell.
March 4, 2024
Ahead of Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ and a new album by his band Bleachers, Jack Antonoff talks about ‘starting to take some of my things to the Container Store in my head.’
Feb. 28, 2024
Opening her ‘Guts’ world tour at Palm Desert’s Acrisure Arena, Olivia Rodrigo celebrated turning 21 with a thrilling and raucous almost-hometown show.
Feb. 24, 2024
Vince Staples’ surrealist comedy series, now streaming on Netflix, is loosely inspired by events in his life, and what happens in any given episode is less important than how it makes you feel, he says.
Feb. 15, 2024
To mark her 85th birthday, Mavis Staples will perform at YouTube Theater with friends and admirers, including Chris Stapleton, Michael McDonald and Norah Jones.
Feb. 12, 2024
Beyoncé revealed Sunday night during the Super Bowl that the second act of her promised “Renaissance” trilogy is on the way.
Feb. 11, 2024