Having been a force in the music world for over 20 years, luminary journalist and culture critic Jessica Hopper is ready to showcase a selection of her finest works in a new book titled The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic. The book hits stores May 12 through Featherproof.
A press release explains that the collection republishes a couple decades' worth of Hopper's reviews, essays and interviews, presenting "the history of music through Hopper's eyes." The material dates all the way back to her self-published '90s zine Hit It or Quit It, with topics covered including riot grrl, the politics of the music industry and more. It will present "standout stories on female music luminaries," including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, Miley Cyrus, M.I.A., Cat Power and St. Vincent.
"Jessica Hopper's criticism is a trenchant and necessary counterpoint not just on music, but on our culture at large," St. Vincent's Annie Clark said in a statement.
Elsewhere, the book examines rappers like Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper and Chief Keef, as well as alt and grunge period pieces on Dinosaur Jr, Superchunk, Nirvana and Pearl Jam. It's also said to weigh in on how "music is used commercially today," and the rise of emo.
Hopper is currently a senior editor at Pitchfork, with her career also including work with Punk Planet, Village Voice, GQ, Rolling Stone, Rookie and the Chicago Tribune. The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic follows Hopper's 2009 release, The Girls Guide to Rocking.
A press release explains that the collection republishes a couple decades' worth of Hopper's reviews, essays and interviews, presenting "the history of music through Hopper's eyes." The material dates all the way back to her self-published '90s zine Hit It or Quit It, with topics covered including riot grrl, the politics of the music industry and more. It will present "standout stories on female music luminaries," including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, Miley Cyrus, M.I.A., Cat Power and St. Vincent.
"Jessica Hopper's criticism is a trenchant and necessary counterpoint not just on music, but on our culture at large," St. Vincent's Annie Clark said in a statement.
Elsewhere, the book examines rappers like Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper and Chief Keef, as well as alt and grunge period pieces on Dinosaur Jr, Superchunk, Nirvana and Pearl Jam. It's also said to weigh in on how "music is used commercially today," and the rise of emo.
Hopper is currently a senior editor at Pitchfork, with her career also including work with Punk Planet, Village Voice, GQ, Rolling Stone, Rookie and the Chicago Tribune. The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic follows Hopper's 2009 release, The Girls Guide to Rocking.
