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
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, discusses his efforts to diversify the Grammy Awards’ electorate ahead of next year’s ceremony.
Oct. 3, 2024
The influential country music singer and songwriter died Saturday at 88. Here are 10 of his essential songs.
Sept. 30, 2024
The L.A.-based musician behind the viral hit ‘Million Dollar Baby’ on TikTok, new stardom and his debut album, ‘Coyote.’
Sept. 27, 2024
Over the weekend, the long-running L.A. country-rock band opened a 20-date residency at the state-of-the-art venue just off the Las Vegas Strip.
Sept. 23, 2024
For her first album in four years, Katy Perry reteams with producer and songwriter Dr. Luke, with whom she made many of her biggest hits.
Sept. 20, 2024
Credited with helping to shape the Southern California country-rock sound of the mid-1970s, J.D. Souther co-wrote the Eagles’ ‘New Kid in Town’ and ‘Best of My Love’ and Linda Ronstadt’s ‘Faithless Love,’ among other hits.
Sept. 17, 2024
The veteran Bay Area punk trio brought its albums ‘Dookie’ and ‘American Idiot’ to Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium on Saturday night.
Sept. 15, 2024
Taylor Swift unleashes her influence against the Trump-Vance ticket by endorsing Kamala Harris after fake AI images online suggested the megastar backs the Republicans.
Sept. 11, 2024
Ahead of a Sept. 8 show at L.A.’s Greek Theatre, the 84-year-old Beatles legend remembers how he put the All-Starr Band together.
Sept. 6, 2024
Seven years after the death of frontman Chester Bennington, Linkin Park announced Thursday that it’s reformed with a new singer.
Sept. 5, 2024