Tag: Featured

Music

October’s Best Releases: Gorillaz, Nathy Peluso, Xavier Ömar Put Out Statement Albums

Gorillaz — Sound Machine, Season One: Strange Times If this is only season one, I can’t wait to hear the next several seasons. The album contains elite features across genres that spur the project, including Elton John (on the same song as 6LACK!!), ScHoolboy Q, Beck, slowthai, EARTHGANG, GoldLink, JPEGMAFIA, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and Skepta. With such memorable features, one would expect them to be the … Continue reading October’s Best Releases: Gorillaz, Nathy Peluso, Xavier Ömar Put Out Statement Albums

Unknown's avatarAndrew Edds1 Comment
New Music

Tune in Tuesday: Lou Phelps, Wizkid, Ric Wilson, Tierra Whack Drop New Heat [New Music]

ALBUMS Lou Phelps — EXTRA EXTRA! Releasing a project nearly exclusively produced by KAYTRANADA, the literal embodiment of all things perfect, is no joke. Granted, Kaytra and Lou share a mother and father, but their bond is pushed further than brotherly when this duo shares the studio. The Celestin genes are flying all across this featureless, 7-song, 19-minute breakout project, but it’s not just Kaytra … Continue reading Tune in Tuesday: Lou Phelps, Wizkid, Ric Wilson, Tierra Whack Drop New Heat [New Music]

Unknown's avatarJason De Brito1 Comment
Commentary, Music, Review

Billie Essco: Buffalo’s Dynamic Talent in Music, Fashion [Profile]

Buffalo has been slapped right on the map of rap’s biggest cities this year, with critically-acclaimed releases from Griselda rappers Westside Gunn, Benny the Butcher, Armani Caesar, and Conway the Machine. But an engine of hype and energy powers the city: Billie Essco.  And he’s doing it all on his own terms, opting to buck the industry norm of joining a major record label. While … Continue reading Billie Essco: Buffalo’s Dynamic Talent in Music, Fashion [Profile]

Unknown's avatarMichael Gorman2 Comments
Music, New Music

Ryal Drops Danceable, Somber New Single, “Thunder (Solo on the Dancefloor)” [Track Review]

“Thunder (Solo on the Dancefloor)” is a blast of synth disco dedicated to the memory of Ryal lead singer’s close friend, JD, who passed from COVID-19 this year. It’s an emotionally stirring piece, with heavily emotive rising and falling synths that support Jacque’s vocal harmonies. Inspired by many elements of the New York dance tracks of the past, the track is nostalgic through many avenues, … Continue reading Ryal Drops Danceable, Somber New Single, “Thunder (Solo on the Dancefloor)” [Track Review]

Unknown's avatarMichael Gorman1 Comment
Music, Review

21 & Metro Underperform on “Savage Mode II” [Album Review]

Following up their extended play from 2016, Atlanta rappers 21 Savage and Metro have finally returned with a full-length successor. The art of following up  a successful original is one of the hardest challenges an artist can face, especially when the original has been hailed by some as an essential cornerstone in the shaping of the trap genre. 21 Savage and Metro are far from … Continue reading 21 & Metro Underperform on “Savage Mode II” [Album Review]

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Music, Review

Bruce Spingsteen’s “Letter to You,” a Stellar Live Performance [Album Review]

From the very beginning, Bruce Springsteen was always the everyday person’s artist: a poor guy with huge talent, who had to work hard to gain the attention he deserved. But Springsteen  never fell out of people’s hearts since his breakthrough with Born to Run in 1975. Better than anyone else, Springsteen wrote lyrics that hard-working people from his native New Jersey and low-class neighbourhoods all … Continue reading Bruce Spingsteen’s “Letter to You,” a Stellar Live Performance [Album Review]

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Music, Review

Gorillaz Bring Together Beautiful Talent on “Song Machine, Season One” [Album Review]

In the past, Gorillaz’ albums have often suffered from a lack of consistency, an endless stream of loosely constructed ideas and demos that would sometimes, like on their self-titled debut, result in a masterpiece — but more often result in an unfocused album difficult to grasp. Needless to say, I had my doubts when the group declared the Song Machine project, with songs being released … Continue reading Gorillaz Bring Together Beautiful Talent on “Song Machine, Season One” [Album Review]

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Interviews, Music

Slug Shares Astral Visions, Genre-Fusion Process [Band Interview]

Originally just a passion project amongst three college friends, Slug has evolved into an exciting young group with plenty to offer, providing genre-breaking psych rock/trip-hop/lo-fi for a steadily growing audience. The group may have started with casual intentions, but after their success in producing an ear-catching and innovative sound, it’s getting more serious — you’ll want to stay tuned to see what they’ll do next. Self-characterized … Continue reading Slug Shares Astral Visions, Genre-Fusion Process [Band Interview]

Unknown's avatarMichael GormanLeave a comment
Music, Review

Duckwrth’s “A SuperGood Night” [Concert Review]

Falling in love at the roller rink is just about anyone’s life goal, and Duckwrth provided that feeling and so much more in his virtual concert on Tuesday. He performed the entirety of his 2020 breakout album, SuperGood, and gave each song new meaning by acting out a romantic night at the roller rink with his loved one.  With bright outfits and beautiful people galore, … Continue reading Duckwrth’s “A SuperGood Night” [Concert Review]

Unknown's avatarMichael GormanLeave a comment
Music, Review

Looking Back: Does “Astroworld” Have Staying Power?

Travis Scott’s Astroworld was released in the summer of 2018 to critical acclaim, lifting the star to elite status in the rap game and providing one of the biggest hit singles of the year, “Sicko Mode.”  Sitting at 17 tracks and just under an hour of runtime, Astroworld immediately comes off as an album that was created to be a grand masterpiece, portraying the heart … Continue reading Looking Back: Does “Astroworld” Have Staying Power?

Unknown's avatarMichael GormanLeave a comment