Justin Timberlake, “Everything I Thought It Was.” Justin Timberlake effectively dances around the elephant in the room throughout his sixth album, Everything I Thought It Was. Amid a groundswell of demand—from some—for an *NSYNC reunion album or tour, he instead made an 18-track solo set. That’s not to say…

We’ve used this image a lot to end every year since 2016. Design: Roman Gokhman. There’s a tradition at RIFF, as well as most other sites, to spend the last week of the year doing Best-Of stories. Best of the site’s work, best of the year, best all sorts…

‘NSync circa 2000. Original photo: Tim Roney/Getty Images. So ‘NSync is allegedly getting back together. Yay? As a once fully bonded and licensed music critic for a major daily newspaper, I’m still legally required to react to the big news by properly rolling my eyes in disgust and continue…

Jack Harlow, “Come Home the Kids Miss You.” Kentucky rapper Jack Harlow didn’t just make a statement on his sophomore album. He brought in an all-star cast along for the ride. Harlow gets contributions from hip-hop A-listers like Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams and Drake. Even Justin Timberlake makes an…

Protestors at the #FreeBritney Termination Rally in in Los Angeles on Nov. 12, 2021. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images. Britney’s free, bitch. Now what do we do? The question is, “what does Britney do?” Whatever she wants, I guess. What if I don’t care? Rendering: Adam Pardee/STAFF. I mean,…

Protesters attend a #FreeBritney Rally at Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles on March 17, 2021. Original photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images. You’re being told to care about Britney Spears again. Should you? Everybody’s doing it. She’s heroic. She wants her life back. She wants to dump the birth control…

Acclaimed winemaker Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards. Winemaker Jesse Katz has a resume for which most would work a lifetime. The founder of two wine brands, Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards, Katz spent much of his early career circling the globe to learn the…

Ivory Layne, Courtesy: Cedrick Jones. Before she was signed to Justin Timberlake’s artist development company and traveling to London for songwriting sessions—before she even wanted to be a singer, or a painter, an author or an actor—Ivory Layne grew up in tiny Denver, North Carolina wanting to be a…