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
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
The annual country music festival will take place April 25-27 at Indio’s Empire Polo Club. Tickets go on sale Sept. 13.
Sept. 5, 2024
Nearly a decade after the death of his 15-year-old son, the Australian post-punk bard has a new album, ‘Wild God,’ that he says finds a path to joy.
Sept. 5, 2024
Fall promises plenty for music fans to get excited about. Here are 19 albums, shows and books to look forward to.
Sept. 4, 2024
With dozens of acts including Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Chaka Khan, Saturday’s inaugural Fool in Love festival drew a crowd in the tens of thousands.
Sept. 2, 2024