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 translates to “The ones that weren’t going to be released,” proving he has no plans on stopping...
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 sings, “Once a day, I fall asleep with you. Once a day, I try, but I can't find a single word.” And...
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,” a hip-hop song incorporating unique rhythms and rock guitars. Nam-joon contemplates his identity...
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 band’s lead singer, Frances Quinlan, delivers an incredibly unique and varied performance ...
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 of heartbreak with drug use and fully-enabled lust. At this point in his career The Weeknd is a ...
MGMT evolve its sound in ‘Little Dark Age’ album
John Bricker, Staff Reporter
March 9, 2018
MGMT’s fourth album, “Little Dark Age,” released on Feb. 9, is a captivating display of varied synth pop production, with lyrics that speak to the millennial generation. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden’s previous music under the name MGMT sounds drastically different from this new album. ...
Can “DAMN” be considered the album of the year?
Jeffrey Windham, John Bricker, Staff Reporter
February 5, 2018
PRO: SOMENTHING DAMN GOOD In 2010, a young man rose from low-income housing in Compton, rapping his perspective as a “good kid.” Inventing a metaphor for his narrative, “To Pimp a Butterfly” would go platinum. “Untitled Unmastered.” is celebrated as genius, and 2017’s “DAMN.” is ...
