What Is Cool?

The misogynist portrait of modern American masculinity may be a historical accident. Here’s how to fix it.

• By Jared Keller

The DJ, whose mixes of rap and pop music crossed some racial and ethical lines, is now making his own hip-hop.

• By Kevin Lincoln

Or: Earnestness is the new black.

• By Kevin Lincoln

The president's appearance on Between Two Ferns is just another part of a well-crafted and ever-present image.

• By Kevin Lincoln

Although it's not necessarily lacking in viewership, FX's best show still isn't talked about in the same way as Game of Thrones or Mad Men.

• By Kevin Lincoln

By turning a memoir into self-aware record, Mark Kozelek, a.k.a. Sun Kil Moon, has managed to captivate the early-2014 music world.

• By Kevin Lincoln

With a new series on HBO and a starring role in an upcoming Christopher Nolan movie, everything's in place for the former Fool's Gold star.

• By Kevin Lincoln

If a movie walks you through hell, that doesn't mean it actually wants you to go there.

• By Kevin Lincoln

How the Academy Awards shrink the year in movies to down to no more than a few months.

• By Kevin Lincoln

In just over a year, the young-adult book series has become a widespread cultural touchstone.

• By Kevin Lincoln

Whatever Shia LaBeouf is, it's not cool. At least not yet.

• By Kevin Lincoln

A 16-year-old from New Zealand might've just released the best pop album of the year. For some people, and for some reason, that's a problem.

• By Kevin Lincoln

The latest offering from Rockstar Games seemed to capture the public's attention—but something vital remains missing.

• By Kevin Lincoln

In what's been a weird year for movies, could Sandra Bullock be the star of 2013's coolest film?

• By Kevin Lincoln

Long live Ryan Gosling and Jake Johnson.

• By Kevin Lincoln

With the American rock star falling by the wayside, rappers have become the ultimate arbiters of cool. Some, though, do it better than others.

• By Kevin Lincoln