album review Archives

MARINA deconstructs society and explores self in indie album “Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land”

Kat Pursell, Reporter | June 24, 2021

Indie-pop artist MARINA’s “Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land” strikes listeners with its social commentary and self-reflection.

Best pop album of 2020:“Ungodly Hour” shakes foundations of pop music

Cassandra Garcia, Reporter | November 29, 2020

“Ungodly Hour,” the second studio album by artists Chloe x Halle, has raised the bar for pop music, and is undoubtedly the best pop album of 2020. Running around 38 minutes, the 13 song album may switch...

Sufjan Stevens brings cohesive sounds but lacks variety in “The Ascension”

Amanda Nguyen, Reporter | October 9, 2020

American singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens released his eighth studio album, “The Ascension,” which instrumentally delivers meditative soundscapes at the cost of listener experience.

A Misplaced Genius: The Drab Disappointment of “A Day in a Yellow Beat

Diana Piper, Reporter | October 8, 2020

The music lifts and drags in “A Day in a Yellow Beat,” a new 23-song album by Yellow Days. In one hour and 20 minutes, Yellow Days showcases his compositional talent, unfortunately dashed by his throaty vocals.

Gus Dapperton’s “Orca” shows improvement, lacks uniqueness

Mathew Bejarano, Reporter | October 8, 2020

Gus Dapperton’s latest 10 track album, “Orca,” is a step forward for the 23-year-old indie pop artist, but overall doesn’t contain qualities that sets itself apart from his music contemporaries.

Bad Bunny ‘hops out’ with surprise album, ‘La Que No Iban a Salir’ to brighten our shelter-in-place

Carissa Caro, Reporter | May 20, 2020

Bad Bunny “hops out” with surprise album, “La Que No Iban a Salir” to brighten our shelter-in-place On May 10, Bad Bunny released a surprise album titled “Las Que No Iban a Salir,” which...

Mac Miller’s “Circles” brings feeling of resolution to his life, career

Nathalia Moran , Impulse Editor | January 23, 2020

With the blessing of his family, Mac Miller’s album “Circles” released posthumously on Jan. 17. The beauty of Miller’s “Circles” lies in the lyricism. In the song, “Once A Day,” Miller...

BTS’ ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’ brings new style

Yoorim Cho, Staff Reporter | May 29, 2019

BTS’s “Map of the Soul: Persona” integrates new bubbly styles of Korean pop music that can satisfy newcomers and fans. The album kicks off with BTS rapper Kim Nam-joon’s performance on “Persona,”...

New Hop Along album displays expert and unique performances

John Bricker, Opinions Editor | May 4, 2018

Indie rock band Hop Along’s latest album “Bark Your Head Off, Dog,” is easily one of the best records of 2018 so far, an addictive display of expert songwriting and vocal performances. The Philadelphia...

Back to his old days, The Weeknd’s EP hits with longtime fans

Jeffrey Windham, Staff Reporter | May 3, 2018

“My Dear Melancholy,” is a return to the explicit R&B that made The Weeknd famous and his third Billboard No. 1 album in a row. The thematic conflict exposes his disconnection from the emotions...