The Culture Desk

Arts and culture from around The Times.

Will This Poem Find Life in Outer Space?
Together, NASA and the U.S. poet laureate Ada Limón bring a little bit of humanity to the second moon of Jupiter.
By Sara Curtis, Frannie Carr Toth, Elisabeth Egan and Daniel Ramirez
The Secret Lives – and Conflicting Values – of Hulu’s ‘Mormon Wives’
Our critics on the streamer’s most watched unscripted premiere of the year.
By Kate LoPresti, Elyssa Dudley, Wendy Dorr, Alissa Wilkinson, Amanda Hess, Margaret Lyons and Elisheba Ittoop
Listen to the Smooth Sounds of Sade
Plus new music from Beck, Laura Marling and more.
By Kate LoPresti, Wendy Dorr, Rowan Niemisto, Dan Powell and Jon Pareles
Chopin Drops a New Single
Nearly 200 years after his death, the piano master is back.
By John White, Wendy Dorr, Javier C. Hernández and Rowan Niemisto
She Wrote ‘Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.’ Then, She Was Gone.
Twenty years after her debut sold four million copies, Susanna Clarke is back.
By Sara Curtis, Frannie Carr Toth, Alexandra Alter and Sophia Lanman
Who Is Kamala Anyway?
Wesley Morris has a theory.
By Wesley Morris, Elyssa Dudley, Wendy Dorr, Paula Szuchman and Rowan Niemisto
Why Horror Movies Are Good for You
Two horror fanatics on the joys of gore.
By Alex Barron, Wendy Dorr, Melissa Kirsch, Gilbert Cruz, Jason Zinoman and Diane Wong
A New Era for Women in Rap
Our critic on the dynamic women dominating the charts.
By Kate LoPresti, Wendy Dorr, Isaac Jones and Lindsay Zoladz
The Day the Music Stopped: A Virtuoso Cellist’s Journey Back From Long Covid
Joshua Roman was a musical prodigy at the top of his game. Then came a debilitating chronic illness.
By John White, Frannie Carr Toth, Lynn Levy, Rowan Niemisto and Pam Belluck
Jenny Slate’s Audiobook ‘Lifeform’ Delivers
Her collection of essays is made for the ear.
By Sara Curtis, Wendy Dorr, Rhoda Feng and Diane Wong