Charley Ruddell

Music Writer

Charley Ruddell is a freelance music critic and journalist for WBUR. His work has appeared in Pitchfork, Aquarium Drunkard, Reverb, WGBH and others. Charley is also a touring musician and writing partner for Boston Music Award-winning artist Aubrey Haddard. He is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

Recently published

Clockwise from top left: Lamplight (Courtesy Joshua H. Chang); Angry Blackmen (Courtesy Joseph Torres); foamboy (Courtesy); San Fermin (Courtesy Alex S.K. Brown); Selett (Courtesy David Terranova); Jim Kweskin (Courtesy Don West); and Vijay Iyer Trio (Courtesy).

7 albums to listen to this winter

From provocative jazz compositions to charged hip-hop, music critic Charley Ruddell recommends albums from artists that are managing to pull experiences from within themselves in a post-pandemic world.

Arts & Culture

Jan 10, 2024

Our music critics selected their favorite local albums of 2023. (Courtesy the artists)

The best local albums of 2023, according to our critics

From a Boston soul singer famous in South America to a pop band barely out of Berklee, the 10 albums on this list paint a pretty accurate picture of what’s...

Arts & Culture

Dec 19, 2023

(Clockwise from top left: Drop Nineteens (Courtesy Steve Eichner); Bad Rabbits (Courtesy Garden Of Eden); Singer Mali (Courtesy Alex Springer); Houndsteeth (Courtesy Bret Kaser); Lost Film (Courtesy Lost Film); Izzy Heltai (Courtesy Jacqueline Justice); Shallow Pools (Courtesy Sarah Mentus)

7 albums by Mass. artists to listen to this fall

From Western Massachusetts indie rock to energetic pop-leaning projects in Boston, our Massachusetts-focused music guide showcases the state’s deep well of music diversity.

Arts & Culture

Sep 18, 2023

Lou Barlow and John Davis of "The Folk Implosion." (Courtesy Michael Galinsky.)

The Folk Implosion's score for cult classic film 'Kids' is back and better than before

Nearly 30 years after its debut, the iconic soundtrack is set to be reissued. Critic Charley Ruddell says, “The gritty, often hallucinatory compositions created by The Folk Implosion flawlessly embodied...

Arts & Culture

Sep 7, 2023

Billy Wylder’s “Trying To Get Free” is out August 25. (Courtesy Olivia Moon)

Billy Wylder’s new album 'Trying To Get Free' embraces a stirring global beat

The art rock quartet delivers powerful musings on nature and humanity on their African-inspired new release. Critic Charly Ruddell says, “If Salloway’s newest release is a monolith meant to represent...

Arts & Culture

Aug 24, 2023

Sandy Bailey's “Daughter of Abraham” is out August 18. (Courtesy Anja Schütz)

Sandy Bailey leans on her community in new country gospel album

The country singer’s first album in 13 years, "Daughter of Abraham," weaves together stories of working class struggles and racial identity in America. Critic Charley Ruddell says the involvement of...

Arts & Culture

Aug 15, 2023

Future Teens onstage at 2022 NICE, a fest. (Courtesy Ben Stas/Noise Floor)

In Somerville, a 'NICE' music festival continues to grow

Longtime talent buyer Alex Pickert spent years in Greater Boston’s DIY scenes before creating NICE, a fest. Now in its third year, the festival has expanded to include more bands...

Arts & Culture

Jul 17, 2023

The band's upcoming album “Everything Is Alive,” is out July 28. (Courtesy Shervin Lainez)

Listen: Darlingside's 'Right Friend' is a pensive ode to friendship

The Massachusetts folk quartet explore memory and loss on a new single. Music critic Charley Ruddell says the song, which a meditation on the death of friend, sounds homespun and...

Arts & Culture

Jun 22, 2023

Clockwise from top left: Kristin Hersh (Courtesy Pete Mellekas); Bong Wish (Courtesty Ty Ueda); Meshell Ndegeocellom (Courtesy Charlie Gross); Activity (Courtesy Ebru Yildiz); hex gf (Courtesy CJ Moy); Genesis Owusu (Courtesy Bec Parsons); Darlingside (Courtesy Shervin Lainez

7 albums to listen to this summer

With a healthy handful of local albums, our summer music guide offers everything from indie-pop to noise rock and brooding folk for your summer playlists.

Arts & Culture

Jun 12, 2023

Sam Vanderhoop Lee and Justine Bowe of hex gf. (Courtesy CJ Moy)

Indie-pop duo hex gf bands together against the world on debut album

Justine Bowe and Sam Vanderhoop Lee navigate their shared history as former Magic Man bandmates and their past relationship by rejecting convention and starting fresh on their new album "Haters."

Arts & Culture

Jun 7, 2023