Rolling Stone February 8, 2018

MOVIES OSCAR NIGHT 2018 From nomination snubs and surprises to predictions on who’s walking away a winner – will it be The Shape of Water or Three Billboards? – we’re bringing you complete coverage of this year’s Academy Awards. SPORTS TIMBERLAKE AT HALFTIME Fourteen years after Nipplegate, Justin is back. We’ll be tracking the spectacle, as well as the big game in Minnesota. MUSIC THE JACKSONS’ METAL SIDE Dave Navarro and Nuno Bettencourt reflect on Michael and Janet’s longtime love affair with heavy rock. CULTURE INSIDE THE ADULT AWARDS We’re reporting from behind the scenes at the porn industry’s Oscars: the annual Adult Video News Awards. DONALD FAGEN SPEAKS In his first major interview since Walter Becker’s death, Steely Dan’s Fagen talks with host Brian Hiatt about Becker’s final years, and why he’s carrying on touring with the band. Rolling Stone Music Now…

A Political Jedi Disney acquired the rights to the Star Wars franchise [“Jedi Confidential,” RS 1302/1303]. But Rogue One and The Force Awakens were wonderful examples of why the Star Wars saga is in great hands, and the next two films should be great as well. Jeff Swanson, Everett, WA that blowing up the Death Star is an act of “terrorism.” Just wondering, has Driver seen the ultimate Star Wars conversation, between Dante and Randal in Clerks? Might just give him a new perspective on that concept! Tom Trinchera, via the Internet progressive and liberal. This is old news for any serious Star Wars fan. Remember the garbage-masher scene? That was Leia leading them – she was the one taking charge. Himmelganger, via the Internet The Climate Race facts on climate change, and on the dire consequences of…

1. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats “You Worry Me” Denver roots revivalist Rateliff’s breakout 2015 album was the sound of a folk rocker going deep on Memphis soul. The first single from his forthcoming LP adds Southern-rock bite and weary longing to make for his most urgent song yet. 2. Troye Sivan “My My My!” The 22-year-old actor, singer and YouTube star, who is also an outspoken gay artist, makes hooking up feel like a religious experience. “I’ve got my tongue between your teeth,” he sings over a sleek club throb. You’ll hope he never lets go. 3. Jay Som “Pirouette” Indie-rock hero Som’s music often gets called “bedroom pop.” She must have a pretty big bedroom. The kiting guitars here are as transporting as classic R.E.M. 4. Car Seat Headrest “Nervous Young Inhumans” Will Toledo’s next record is a…

The Pearl Jam bassist struggled to make this list. “It’s hard to pick just five,” he says. “Proof that there’s more great music being made than ever.” Grizzly Bear “Mourning Sound” This has it all: killer bass and drums, both voices, signature guitar chords and great lyrics. Probably my favorite band the past few years. Gord Downie “Snowflake” Gord made an unbelievable swan song of an album. I cried the whole first listen. So beautiful and honest. Lemon Twigs “Why Didn’t You Say That?” I hear Queen, Beatles, 10cc and other radical prog-pop that I haven’t heard since Jellyfish left us. Killer harmonies and incredible instrumental interplay. Charlotte Gainsbourg “Deadly Valentine” This is lyrically centered around Christian wedding vows, with a tinge of sarcasm. I love the big synth production. U-Men “Shoot ’em Down” Sub Pop released the whole U-Men catalog in one package. This…

B White walked into a New York recording studio, he issued himself a challenge: Spend only three days recording a new batch of songs with a group of musicians he had never played with. Many of them were from the hip-hop world – he had reached out to players he’d seen with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and others. “I had no idea if we’d be able to communicate musically,” White says. “It could’ve been a recipe for disaster. I think it would scare the hell out of most people, so it was very enticing to me.” Within 10 minutes of playing, White knew his plan would work. “There was so much amazing music being played,” he says. “Some of those songs could take up an entire side of an album,…

MGMT know exactly how the world feels about everything they’ve done since their breakthrough 2007 debut LP, Oracular Spectacular. The psychedelic synth-pop duo – who met at Wesleyan University in Connecticut and crafted their early hits “Kids,” “Electric Feel” and “Time to Pretend” in their dorm rooms – became indie darlings in the late aughts. But they alienated fans, critics and even their record label by releasing two disappointing experimental albums, 2010’s Congratulations and 2013’s MGMT. “A lot of people wrote us off after the third record,” says frontman Andrew VanWyngarden. “They were like, ‘Oh, they have no pop juice left in them. It’s not happening again.’ ” The two briefly felt that way themselves, so they decided to take some time off. Keyboardist Ben Goldwasser moved to L.A. with his…