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(11/01/21 8:56pm)
It’s midterm season again, and after months of virtual learning, we are adjusting back to in–person learning, but that also means in–person tests. Good–ole pencil and paper is making a comeback y’all. So when you’re getting the grind down with your next midterm, these are the songs you should play that will get you back into the zone.
(11/07/21 6:17pm)
A popular metaphor for K–Pop is that it’s just like candy. Be it the bubble gum pop sound that popularized the genre in the early 2010s, or the addictive bass lines and mass production that define it today, the genre’s influence is undeniable. In tandem with the global fanaticism around K–Pop, there’s a musical movement impacting the way global listeners consume Korean music: an indie–rock revival. With fall (and seasonal depression) just around the corner, we could all use a little serotonin boost. Here are four K–Indie bands to freshen up your autumn playlists.
(10/18/21 5:42am)
When it comes to current music in Philadelphia, no artist comes close to the iconic status of Meek Mill. Mill’s underdog story turned him into a champion for Philly, most notably with the city’s ubiquitous embrace of his 2012 anthem “Dreams and Nightmares.” Despite establishing himself as one of Philly's largest artistic figures, his hardships didn’t disappear. Behind multiple high–selling albums and mixtapes, the rapper has been caught up in a whirlwind of legal issues and personal drama. This mixture of fame and troubles has consistently been a compelling theme in Mill’s music, and that theme continues in his newest album, Expensive Pain; however, the album is uneven in emboldening that message.
(10/16/21 3:00am)
Sarah Tudzin knows how to milk a moment. You hear it in “MMMOOOAAAAAYAYA,” the onomatopoeic pop–punk rager that she put out under her Illuminati Hotties moniker this past April. At the song’s climax, she lets forth a gasp, a villainous cackle, and then squeals into the microphone: “If you’re not laughing, baby / then you’re not making money!” The title of her new album, Let Me Do One More, makes things abundantly clear: She has the stage, and she has no intention of getting off until somebody kicks her off. And Tudzin couldn’t have chosen a better moment to release these deranged and tender songs into the wild.
(10/16/21 3:04am)
When “Scars To Your Beautiful” blew up overnight in 2016, Alessia Cara faced a dilemma that had plagued many in her path: develop a strong fanbase and cruise to constant success, or fade into irrelevance once the next one–hit wonder appears. But unlike artists such as Meghan Trainor, Carly Rae Jepsen, or Iggy Azalea who chased more hits, Cara was content with making music that was personal to her. The music video for her early single “I’m Yours” perfectly showcases her humble personality. Instead of choreographed dance sequences or high–budget CGI effects, the video is taken with a selfie stick and includes only Cara and her brother strolling through a suburban neighborhood.
(10/10/21 9:00pm)
Music fans have been thoroughly spoiled this year. Lorde broke her four–year silence since her last critically acclaimed album, Melodrama, which inflated our excitement with fast–paced tracks like “Green Light” and brought us crashing down to earth with piercing ballads like “Liability.” Her latest album Solar Power, released in August 2021, took a different approach from her past repertoire—and while not all Lorde fans enjoyed the shift, many indulged in the excitement of new releases.
(10/04/21 9:27pm)
When the group of musicians on stage played the familiar opening chord of "Motion Sickness," the crowd gathered at the Mann here in Philly exploded with it. Phoebe Bridgers and her band arrived a few minutes past 9 p.m., and each member was decked out in the classic skeleton onesie except for the artist herself. Instead, she was dressed in a sequin–adorned blazer that reflected across the faces of the audience.
(10/10/21 9:21pm)
In the wake of 2020, many musicians felt compelled to comment on last year's mayhem through their art; Bo Burnham’s Inside dealt with personal complications from the pandemic, and Lil Baby’s Grammy–nominated single “The Bigger Picture” tackled police brutality and protests that occurred last summer. Similarly, Injury Reserve, also affected by personal loss, responded by largely reforming their sound. In 2021, they released one of the most disorienting albums that mainstream hip–hop has ever seen.
(10/06/21 7:52pm)
If one mentions "Satan shoes" in conversation, there’s a good chance that you’d think of Lil Nas X’s inflammatory marketing tactic to promote “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name).” 666 pairs of these scandalous shoes were produced, leading to criticism from pastors, praise from the Church of Satan, and a Nike lawsuit, but it got the job done: “MONTERO” became the fledgling pop star's second number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. He used the media attention it garnered to promote his third single “INDUSTRY BABY” with Jack Harlow, which peaked at number two.
(10/06/21 2:12am)
Humans crave approval. For some musicians, this may be in the form of commercial success, sold–out global tours, or widespread media attention. For other artists and a select group of fans, appreciation comes in the form of overly favorable reviews. Publications such as Rolling Stone and Spin have reviewed and rated albums for decades, and some seek validation for their accomplishments through their approval. Good scores can lead to bragging rights and appearances on Grammy campaigns, while a poorer reception can cause an artist to find new inspiration in their music. Although these reviews have been a staple in the music industry, the purpose they serve now is flawed and inconsistent.
(09/21/21 8:54pm)
Through star–crossed, Kacey Musgraves narrates the cautionary tale of life after a beautiful marriage and a devastating divorce. Despite the hype she created surrounding her recent release—with promotional efforts such as interviews and a short film—she tells the story gently and thoughtfully, almost like a secret told to a close friend, in hushed tones and wistful sighs.
(09/20/21 3:38am)
The remix album is a strange format; its conceit inherently undercuts the original album, as if it needs improvement, while simultaneously offers up seemingly unnecessary new versions of old songs. Last year, Dua Lipa teamed up with the Blessed Madonna for Club Future Nostalgia, a fun but ill–timed release in the middle of a pandemic. In the case of Lady Gaga's Chromatica, its corresponding remix album Dawn Of Chromatica somehow both lacks ideas and overflows with them. Where the original skimped on forward–looking production in favor of radio–friendly sleekness, Dawn blasts its way through balls–to–the–wall hyperpop.
(09/14/21 1:33am)
To dedicated fans of Little Simz, the title of her fourth studio album might come as a surprise. Simz’s third album, the Mercury Prize–nominated GREY Area, brought mainstream attention to the London–based rapper; her unswerving, no–frills flow distinguished her as a promising and confident lyricist. By exploring personal themes such as the tumultuous time of Simz’s 20s, GREY Area exhibited an artist in the midst of finding herself. On Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, Simz reveals another part of her intricate self by further inspecting her vulnerability. The result is a monumental record that will undeniably be remembered for years to come.
(09/18/21 4:36pm)
The music video for Japanese rock band CHAI’s “N.E.O.” opens in a bright pink room with all four members wearing matching pink outfits. As the members’ faces flash on the screen, they are accompanied by the frenetic lyrics, “YOU ARE SO CUTE, NICE FACE, C’MON, YEAH!”
(09/15/21 2:05pm)
The past week was a major moment for music this year as it saw the debut of Drake’s album Certified Lover Boy (CLB) on Sept. 3, featuring 21 new tracks. The record succeeds his 2018 hit Scorpion, which discussed topics expected from the rapper—fame, women, a balance between insecurity and confidence, and long–standing feuds—with a layer of exploring unanticipated fatherhood. CLB delivers classic “Champagne Papi”—yet despite its successful moments, there isn’t much thematic diversity when compared to his past work.
(09/05/21 11:18pm)
At last, Donda is here.
(09/09/21 11:25pm)
From going viral after penning a Haylor parody song to gaining sudden mainstream attention after being featured on The Chainsmokers's “Closer,” Halsey’s unique journey to pop stardom underlies their complex role in the music industry. Halsey describes themselves as an “anti–popstar,” but their music isn’t indie enough to be classified as alternative—yet isn’t quite top 40 radio fodder either. They recently gained some chart–topping power with the number one single “Without Me,” but their main focus has been crafting whole albums and not quick singles.
(09/07/21 4:00pm)
On Aug. 23, Billboard reported that Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever led their Top 200 chart, which tracks the most popular albums in the country per week based on “multimetric consumption.” Doja Cat’s Planet Her and Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album SOUR followed Eilish on the Aug. 28–dated chart. This ranking garnered attention, as it was the first time solo female artists dominated in over a decade.
(09/07/21 7:26pm)
From afar, the members of The Pennchants might come off as unapproachable. With their sunglasses, Members Only jackets, and supple voices, they could easily pass for a gang of teenage heartthrobs. But when they join me one afternoon for our Zoom interview, Evan Bean (E '23), Bauti Gallino (W '23), and Jack Vernon Lee (C '23) just look like normal guys (although Bauti is sporting his Pennchants baseball cap). They serve as The Pennchants' president, business manager, and marketing director, respectively—they also spearheaded the release of the group's new studio album, Are We There Yet?, on September 4.
(08/31/21 4:00pm)
Lorde’s long–awaited third studio album, Solar Power, is a patient record. No matter how many polarizing think pieces (including this one) try to tear it down, it's built to be tough and permanent like a castle. Except its castle is made of sand, and it’s surrounded by the crashing of beach waves and the clicking of cicadas.