Louder: Pulp returns for ‘More,’ 24 years later

Plus: 10 new songs, Taylor Swift's masters, Lollapalooza 1995 and more

View in browser|nytimes.com May 31, 2025 By Caryn Ganz One of the many things I love about Melena Ryzik's new interview with Pulp, the Britpop band led by Jarvis Cocker returning with its first album since "We Love Life" from 2001 (!), is this quote from LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy encapsulating the group's power and charm: There's "an infinite possibility of depth and humor and wit and earnestness and flippancy," he said. "I don't think that those things are in conflict when they're done well." What brings a band back after a gap that long, and how do its members relate to each other and their older music in (relative) maturity? Melena wonderfully captures their dynamic in this very charming profile. This week Taylor's Swift's six-year battle to reclaim all of her master recordings came to an end with the announcement that she has bought back her first six albums from Shamrock Capital, which acquired them from the music manager Scooter Braun. The week's testimony in the Sean Combs trial focused on Mia, a former assistant and the second woman who accused the music mogul of sexual abuse; on Friday, President Trump was asked if he would pardon Combs. (Earlier in the week, he pardoned the rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who until recently was serving time on federal weapons charges.) And David Malitz took a trip back to Lollapalooza 1995 for the Amplifier newsletter, while Jon Pareles plucked out the week's 10 most notable new songs in the Playlist. Charlotte Hadden for The New York Times Pulp Took a 24-Year Break. Here's What Brought Jarvis Cocker and Co. Back. "Someone said, oh, that's very age appropriate," the frontman recalled, of a listen to the band's new album. "I took it as a compliment." By Melena Ryzik PLAYLISTS Talia Chetrit The Playlist Lorde's Anthem of Transformation, and 9 More New Songs Hear tracks by Miley Cyrus featuring Brittany Howard, Thom Yorke, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and others. By Jon Pareles Michael Robinson Chavez/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Looking Back at Lollapalooza 1995 Revisit a peak music festival with songs by Hole, Beck, Elastica and more. By David Malitz FEATURES Ute Lemper Still Sings Songs of Rebellion. The Stakes Are Still High. The German-born cabaret performer's latest album celebrates the 125th anniversary of Kurt Weill's birth, yoking classics to the language of today's music. By Elysa Gardner What Made Nat King Cole, and These 5 Songs, Unforgettable Colman Domingo and Patricia McGregor's play "Lights Out" explores the beloved yet complicated performer who was subtly "advancing who we are as Americans." By Alan Light THE SEAN COMBS TRIAL Popcast What It's Like on the Ground at the Sean Combs Trial Now entering its third week, the complex case can only be experienced directly by those at the courthouse each day. Our reporters break it down. 43 MIN LISTEN Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times If You Want a Seat at the Trial of Sean Combs, Leave Yesterday Without any livestreaming of the often graphic testimony, securing space inside the federal courtroom has meant long lines and long waits. By Anusha Bayya and Julia Jacobs Trump Says He'd 'Look at the Facts' of Combs Case: Latest Trial Takeaways President Trump discussed if he would consider a pardon for Sean Combs, while in court, an ex-assistant testified about sexual abuse. Mr. Combs denies sexually assaulting anyone. By Julia Jacobs, Anusha Bayya and Ben Sisario Ex-Combs Assistant Says She Feared His Wrath: Latest Takeaways From the Trial Sean Combs's former assistant, testifying under the pseudonym Mia, said she was subjected to violent outbursts and sexual assault while in his employ. By Julia Jacobs and Joe Coscarelli Beatings, Arson and a Denied Mistrial: Latest Takeaways From the Combs Trial A stylist told jurors Casandra Ventura wanted to escape from the music mogul over a hotel balcony, and Los Angeles authorities testified about calls to Kid Cudi's home. By Ben Sisario and Julia Jacobs A Former Employee Testifies Sean Combs Threatened to Kill Kid Cudi Capricorn Clark, who worked for the music mogul for years, said he kidnapped her while seeking revenge on the rapper, a romantic rival. The defense denies she was kidnapped. By Julia Jacobs and Ben Sisario NEWS Jennifer Gauthier/Reuters Taylor Swift Buys Back Rights to Her First 6 Albums The master recordings to the pop superstar's earliest work were sold to Scooter Braun in 2019, and acquired a year later by the investing firm Shamrock Capital. By Marc Tracy NBA YoungBoy Says He Will 'Keep Building' After President's Pardon The popular Louisiana rapper recently announced a 32-date U.S. tour to begin in September. By Joe Coscarelli Smokey Robinson Accuses Housekeepers of Defamation in Countersuit Four of Mr. Robinson's former employees had sued the Motown singer, saying he sexually assaulted them for many years. He argues their anonymity is a reason to dismiss their suit. By Matt Stevens Smokey Robinson Faced a Sexual Assault Allegation in 2015 No charges were filed because of what the authorities said was insufficient evidence. The singer has been accused in a lawsuit of sexually abusing four women, which he denies. By Matt Stevens and Orlando Mayorquín Israel's Campaign to Win Eurovision Went All the Way to the Top Government social media accounts and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined a campaign to encourage people to vote for Israel's entrant. By Alex Marshall London Brings Its Own Musical Touch to South by Southwest The festival, which has a long association with music, presents an opportunity for London acts to perform on a bigger stage. By Jillian Rayfield Two Decades After Her Death, Celia Cruz Lives On for Her Fans Whether minted on a U.S. coin, captured as a bobblehead or painted in a new Miami mural, the late "Queen of Salsa" continues to draw attention to her musical legacy 100 years after her birth. By Johnny Diaz OBITUARY Fin Costello/Redferns, via Getty Images Rick Derringer, Rocker Known for 'Hang On Sloopy' and Other Hits, Dies at 77 A Zelig-like guitarist, singer and songwriter, he collaborated with the likes of Barbra Streisand and Peter Frampton and composed Hulk Hogan's theme "Real American." By Alex Williams and Neil Vigdor THE MAGAZINE Philip Montgomery for The New York Times The Interview Miley Cyrus Told Us to Ask Her Anything The Grammy-winning singer on overcoming child stardom, accepting her parents and being in control. By Lulu Garcia-Navarro Make a friend's day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter @nytimesmusic. Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com. Check out our full range of newsletters and subscribe to The Amplifier here. If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Louder from The New York Times. To stop receiving Louder, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. 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