Listen to This

In "Listen to This," acclaimed music critic Alex Ross invites readers on an expansive and exhilarating journey through the soundscapes of classical and popular music. Building on the brilliance that made his previous work a bestseller, this collection curates the finest of Ross's essays from over a decade at The New Yorker. From his revelatory discovery of pop music, which lends the book its title, to a previously unpublished essay that masterfully traces centuries of music history through iconic bass lines, Ross demonstrates his unparalleled ability to connect diverse musical forms. He vividly portrays canonical figures like Schubert and Verdi, delves into the creative minds of modern artists such as Björk and Radiohead, and explores music's presence in varied communities, from Newark high schools to Beijing's indie-rock scene. With erudition, wit, and profound passion, Ross illuminates how music profoundly expresses the human condition, ultimately teaching us to listen more deeply and critically to the world of sound around us.