Matthew Dwyer

Matthew Dwyer, a graduate of American University's School of International Service in Washington, D.C currently works in education and writes about pop culture, music, TV, and film on a freelance basis. He is a traveler, writer, and creative thinker. You can find him on Twitter @md_writing
Sabrina Carpenter’s Glittery Matrix on ‘Short n’ Sweet’

Sabrina Carpenter’s Glittery Matrix on ‘Short n’ Sweet’

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet displays her ability to imbue pristine pop production with personal flair, sparking a long overdue breakout.

Beabadoobee Is Timeless on ‘This Is How Tomorrow Moves’

Beabadoobee Is Timeless on ‘This Is How Tomorrow Moves’

On her third album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves, Beatrice Laus, also known as beabadoobee, blends folk and rock to create a timeless fantasy world.

Ice Spice’s Good Karma on ‘Y2K!’

Ice Spice’s Good Karma on ‘Y2K!’

Ice Spice’s Y2K! may have an obvious title, named for her birth year, but she wasn’t born yesterday. In 2024, stating a fact is the realest thing you can do. 

Clairo’s ‘Charm’ Is a Fatal Attraction

Clairo’s ‘Charm’ Is a Fatal Attraction

By using a fleeting moment of attraction as its concept, Clairo’s ‘Charm’ surveys the damage love affairs, both long-lasting and short-lived, can inflict.

Gracie Abrams and the Secret of Confessional Writing

Gracie Abrams and the Secret of Confessional Writing

The strong hooks on The Secret of Us provide the missing third dimension to Gracie Abrams’ songs and create a winning formula that could sustain more albums. 

Pretty When She Cries: Lana Del Rey’s ‘Ultraviolence’ at 10

Pretty When She Cries: Lana Del Rey’s ‘Ultraviolence’ at 10

Lana Del Rey’s Ultraviolence used rock to kickstart a new career direction that culminated in autobiographical work without spoiling the mystery of her persona.

Alec Benjamin Hits the Right Note on ’12 Notes’

Alec Benjamin Hits the Right Note on ’12 Notes’

Alec Benjamin writes anthologies, and his fourth album, 12 Notes, is no different. This style of writing suits Benjamin’s propensity for parables.

Florals, for Spring? The Met Gala 2024 Red Carpet

Florals, for Spring? The Met Gala 2024 Red Carpet

The incongruity of looks on the red carpet at this year’s Met Gala created a diverse showing of cartoonish creativity, the hallmark of fashion’s biggest night.

‘Voulez Vous’: ABBA’s Poptimist Manifesto at 45

‘Voulez Vous’: ABBA’s Poptimist Manifesto at 45

On Voulez Vous, ABBA went disco and created a turbo-charged version of their music. The raucous choruses of Voulez Vouz preview a decade of pop.

The Eagles Were ‘On the Border’ of Greatness 50 Years Ago

The Eagles Were ‘On the Border’ of Greatness 50 Years Ago

The Eagles’ On the Border (1974) signified the crossing of a musical boundary, as they progressed from country to rock, ensuring future mainstream success.

Ariana Grande Sees Heartbreak in a New Light on ‘Eternal Sunshine’

Ariana Grande Sees Heartbreak in a New Light on ‘Eternal Sunshine’

Throughout Eternal Sunshine, Ariana Grande investigates the concept of ignorant bliss, asking the question, is it better to remain unaware of great pain?

Joni Mitchell’s ‘Court and Spark’ Still Smolders at 50

Joni Mitchell’s ‘Court and Spark’ Still Smolders at 50

While the shift from folk to jazz-rock on Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark may seem like commercial ambition, it was layered and signaled a profound change.