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
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.

Jennifer Lopez’s Music Industry Fairytale ‘This Is Me…Now’

Jennifer Lopez’s Music Industry Fairytale ‘This Is Me…Now’

Jennifer Lopez tells the story of new-old love through languid R&B-style pop, her signature. However, she fails to achieve the electricity of early hits.

Doomsday Is a Fresh Start on Madilyn Bailey’s Debut

Doomsday Is a Fresh Start on Madilyn Bailey’s Debut

Madilyn Bailey’s debut Hollywood Dead makes the pitfalls of the entertainment industry into their own form of entertainment through solid pop ballads.

The Era of Taylor Swift Has Just Begun

The Era of Taylor Swift Has Just Begun

On the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift uses the past to highlight her central appeal: the ability to get listeners to appreciate parts of themselves that don’t age.

Joni Mitchell at Newport: Still Sees Life From Both Sides

Joni Mitchell at Newport: Still Sees Life From Both Sides

Cementing her legacy as pop’s greatest storyteller, Joni Mitchell doesn’t shy away from the grey areas of her work even as her career enters its twilight.

Keepin’ the Faith: Billy Joel’s ‘An Innocent Man’ at 40

Keepin’ the Faith: Billy Joel’s ‘An Innocent Man’ at 40

Billy Joel’s An Innocent Man laid the foundation for him to become a vessel for nostalgia that would far outlast the album’s 1950s references.