Welcome back to Pop Loser! This week, I’ll catch up on some news that transpired while I was on vacation for the last three weeks. (I’m so glad nothing major happened, like the passing of Dolly Parton or the arrest of Tupac’s killer.) Miley Cyrus—now rebranding as just Miley—wants the kids back on the dance floor with her new single “Bass Persuades.” Plus, I’ll explain why this is a Macklemore stan column now.
This Week in Music:
This week in Strangerland, our September print issue hit the stands, which means there is a new calendar of music events that’ll keep you busy all month long. I also profiled the Music Genius Award winner Kay Redden (founder of Den Tapes). Plus, check out the profiles on fellow winners for food, performance, film, literature, and visual art categories, along with the shortlists. Don’t miss the Genius Awards this Saturday at the Moore Theatre with music from Shabazz Palaces, Erik Blood, and La Mala Noche.
Did you go to Bumbershoot!? I did not—I was busy sleeping off jet lag and weaning myself off daily Aperol Spritzes—that’s why I’m so grateful to my coworkers for documenting happenings like Peaches’ wardrobe changes, the Bikini Kill mosh pit, and Orville Peck’s pinstriped Nudie suit.
This is a Macklemore stan column now. During his opening set for Ed Sheeran in New Jersey on Friday, the Seattle rapper gave a version of a speech he’s given previously, advocating for the end of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. He stated: “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace. Love. For all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality. So I say free Palestine. I say free Lebanon. I say free Cuba. I say free Congo, free Sudan, free all people in America living in fear over this terrorist organization ICE. None of us will be free until we are all free.”
In response to the speech, the Israeli American Council released a petition calling on Sheeran to drop Macklemore from his tour. Macklemore has since shared the speech in full, captioning it: “Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.”
P!nk has also entered the Zionist group chat, sharing an Instagram post stating that claims of genocide are “false” and concertgoers are owed refunds. She then posted a series of memes that you might find your Republican aunt sharing on Facebook.
She’s just being Miley. Last week, the artist formerly known as Miley Cyrus announced that, in the legacy of single-named pop divas, she’s dropping her last name for her upcoming album, Bass Persuades. She dropped the album’s title track, which is in good company with modern dancefloor classics such as Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” Madonna’s “I Feel So Free,” and Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra.” She even serves a “Vogue”-style rap, calling out zoomers who are too busy on their phones to go out and dance: “Glued your eyes to the telephone screen / But you missed the hit without MTV / Go analog (Yeah), make it cinema (Yeah) / Just look out the window and what do you see?”
Now, take a deep breath and enjoy…Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson’s fall and winter fashion.
Music Events Worth Your Hard-Earned Money This Week:
Black Uhuru, Georgetown Orbits Sept 9, Nectar Lounge, 8pm, 21+
Mount Eerie, New Issue Sept 11, Neptune Theatre, 8pm, all ages
R-Day 2026 Sept 12, Georgetown, 4–10pm, all ages, free
Pitschouse, 222, Luxury Sept 12, Add-a-Ball, 9pm, 21+
The Stranger’s Genius Awards Sept 12, Moore Theatre, 7:30pm, all ages
Cortex Sept 13, Moore Theatre, 8pm, all ages
Weezer: The Gathering Sept 13, Climate Pledge Arena, 7pm, all ages
Lido Pimienta Sept 15, Neumos, 7pm, all ages
Vieux Farka Toure Sept 15–16, Jazz Alley, 7:30pm, all ages
The Songs That Keep Me Up at Night:
“Baby Love” by Tim Curry
The way he sings this song is so sexy it should be illegal. RIP to the magnetic actor, sensual singer, lover of Miss Piggy, and most importantly, my sexual awakening (I’ll never forget when I first saw his silver platform shoes stomp as he came down the elevator in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.)
“False Eyelashes” by Dolly Parton
“False Eyelashes” chronicles Parton’s early experiences of being perceived as rich and famous by folks in her hometown when, in fact, her only possessions are a pair of false eyelashes, a tube of cheap lipstick, worn high heels, and a dress that doesn’t fit. RIP Dolly, we all have an angel now!
