| December 21, 2024 
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We are not done dissecting 2024 just yet: In our first of three critics’ pieces, Jon Caramanica reports in from four cities, where he spoke with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, the producer Charlie Handsome (who works with Morgan Wallen and others), the country music D.J. duo Vavo and Tanner Adell (who appeared on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter”). The big question: Why was country so inescapable this year — and what, if anything, did Beyoncé’s album have to do with it? The critics also recapped the year’s most notable boxed sets and reissues (last-minute gifts?) and dug through worthy new holiday albums and songs to freshen up your playlists. Tristan Geary visited Paul de Jong in his Massachusetts studio, where he has amassed an incredible collection he calls the Mall of Found: “a library of low-budget, homespun and dated pieces of spoken-word media” that he chops up, manipulates and uses in his own music. And André 3000 made a special appearance in our newsroom. |  | | Kristian Thacker for The New York Times |
The Year Country Went Everywhere, and Everyone Went CountryOur critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. By Jon Caramanica |
 | | Andre D. Wagner for The New York Times |
After This Interview, André 3000 Performed in Our NewsroomThe rapper-turned-flutist improvised in the middle of The Times’ office following a wide-ranging conversation on Popcast. By Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli |
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