- Currents- Tame Impala
- To Pimp a Butterfly- Kendrick Lamar
- The Great Pretenders- Mini Mansions
- Glitterbug- The Wombats
- Blurryface- Twenty One Pilots
- Born Under Saturn- Django Django
- Another One- Mac Demarco
- Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit- Courtney Barnett
- Multi-Love- Unknown Mortal Orchestra
- Chaos and the Calm- James Bay
- How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful- Florence and the Machine
- Positive Songs for Negative People- Frank Turner
- Happy People- Peace
- COIN- COIN
- Caracal- Disclosure
Thursday, December 31, 2015
A List of my Favorite Albums of 2k15
I've seen a few of my other friends post lists like these, so I decided to take a stab at it myself. Here's a list of my favorite albums to come from 2015 (tentative order):
Thursday, October 1, 2015
New Semester, New Tunes (As published in The Exponent 24 Sept 2015)
As students become swamped with classes and coursework, it
is important to keep up with ways to de-stress. Luckily, music is a way to
escape from everyday troubles and is readily available.
New
music is continually being released. To keep students up to date as well as
bring back some oldies-but-goldies, I've compiled a Spotify playlist to start
this semester off right:
1. “Multi-Love” by Unknown Mortal
Orchestra
The first song off of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s latest album, Multi-Love draws listeners in right away with its blend of synth, bass and drums.
The first song off of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s latest album, Multi-Love draws listeners in right away with its blend of synth, bass and drums.
2. “Hurricane” by MS MR
Lead singer Lizzy Plapinger’s vocals blend well with the band’s orchestrated accompaniment.
Lead singer Lizzy Plapinger’s vocals blend well with the band’s orchestrated accompaniment.
3.“The Moment” by Tame Impala
Vibe out with one of Kevin Parker’s latest concoctions, off of Tame Impala's third studio album Currents.
Vibe out with one of Kevin Parker’s latest concoctions, off of Tame Impala's third studio album Currents.
4. “Pity Party” by Melanie Martinez
Sampling an old tune, “It's My Party” by Leslie Gore, Martinez gives the old a new electronic twist.
Sampling an old tune, “It's My Party” by Leslie Gore, Martinez gives the old a new electronic twist.
5. “East of Eden” by Zella Day
Day hypnotizes audiences with her pop voice and a catchy beat in "East of Eden".
Day hypnotizes audiences with her pop voice and a catchy beat in "East of Eden".
6.“New Americana” by Halsey
At only 20 years old, Halsey has already shown the world the potential she has. "New Americana" is an anthem for our generation.
At only 20 years old, Halsey has already shown the world the potential she has. "New Americana" is an anthem for our generation.
7. “Lane Boy” by Twenty One Pilots
These fellow Ohioans have been at it again to create sick rap/pop blends that manage to strike a chord in listeners.
8. “Mountain at my Gates” by Foals
Melancholy guitar riffs paired with the smooth tone of Andrew Mears' voice create an emotional melody.
9. “Power Hungry” by Albert Hammond Jr.
Reminiscent of The Strokes’ older albums, Hammond Jr gets audiences grooving with captivating bass lines and melodic guitar riffs.
10. “Pedestrian at Best” by Courtney Barnett
A native Australian, Barnett gives audiences a garage-band feel similar to that of The White Stripes and St. Vincent.
11. “Headspace” by The Wombats
Off of their third studio album, this Liverpool band slows things down with a jam that almost sounds like it’s right out of the 80s.
12. “Reflections” by MisterWives
Lead singer Mandy Lee’s vocals are packed with energy—paired with the band’s accompaniment, this song is sure to have you grooving anywhere you go.
13. “Slow Motion Jeans” by The Modern Electric
A sweet, slower tempo song that'll have you swaying with that special someone.
14. “Crystals” by Of Monsters and Men
The band blends together the sounds of Arcade Fire and Florence + the Machine to create the perfect end-of-summer tune.
15. “Stuck in my Teeth” by Circa Waves
Circa Waves’ summery vibes will have you dancing no matter what weather we’re having.
16. “Street Fight” by Smallpools
This
up-tempo song will turn walking across campus into your own personal music
video.
17. “I Wanna Get Better” by Bleachers
You’ll want to sing along with this track—it’s the perfect tune to blast in your car when you’re done with classes.
Be sure
to tune in to 88.3 FM The Sting to hear some of the artists listed above. Follow
this playlist as well as a few more I've created here: https://play.spotify.com/user/gabychu223/playlist/5BrS7TFIlhtBv1ewivkYgW.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Album Review: Currents, Tame Impala
Yesterday, Tame Impala released their third studio album, Currents. Fans waited with anticipation since January, when the first single for this album was released. Was it worth the wait? In my eyes, yes; this album is a good follow up to 2012's Lonerism. It shows the band's progress with a synth-heavy sound, yet still has a good balance between upbeat and slower songs.
As evident by the title (and some song titles), this album is about changes. The title seems to be an ode to the ocean of music pushing and pulling them with currents. Opening with "Let It Happen", the nearly eight minute tune sets the tone for this album. Its use of Kevin Parker's vocals and drums give it an upbeat, funky tempo. All the songs flow well together, and even short songs like "Nangs" and "Gossip" act as good transitions and pull the album together as a whole. "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" has a bittersweet tone that closes the album well. The synth in this song is reminiscent of Mac DeMarco, yet is still uniquely Tame Impala.
Quite a few times I found myself headbobbing to songs, and I don't expect that to quit. Give it a listen when you get the chance and see how you like it yourself.
Rating: 8.9/10
Favorite tunes: "The Less I Know The Better", "Disciples"
As evident by the title (and some song titles), this album is about changes. The title seems to be an ode to the ocean of music pushing and pulling them with currents. Opening with "Let It Happen", the nearly eight minute tune sets the tone for this album. Its use of Kevin Parker's vocals and drums give it an upbeat, funky tempo. All the songs flow well together, and even short songs like "Nangs" and "Gossip" act as good transitions and pull the album together as a whole. "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" has a bittersweet tone that closes the album well. The synth in this song is reminiscent of Mac DeMarco, yet is still uniquely Tame Impala.
Quite a few times I found myself headbobbing to songs, and I don't expect that to quit. Give it a listen when you get the chance and see how you like it yourself.
Rating: 8.9/10
Favorite tunes: "The Less I Know The Better", "Disciples"
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Concert Review: The Pillory with Jordan Thompson
Sunday, May 31st, I had the chance to see two local musicians perform at The Foundry Concert Club in Lakewood. Starting off the night right at 6:30, The Pillory took to the stage, playing with a full band live for the first time.
The Pillory consists of singer/songwriter Jimmy Wilkens. Wilkens began his musical career in 2006, shortly before starting high school. Since then, he has recorded two EPs and four full length albums, all of which are available at his bandcamp.
With Wilkens on Sunday were Sam McGowan on bass and Adam Grimm on drums. The three together played a balanced show and proved to hold a decent amount of stage presence to get the crowd pumped.
Opening with "Get Get (Die for Me)", the trio immediately set the tone for this rocking set. A nice highlight of the set was the transition between Gentleman's Club and Not a Saint- it flowed smoother than a fresh jar of skippy.
Vocals by Wilkens and Grimm during the grungy "Elixir" blended well and held a nice balance. McGowan and Wilkens led the audience in a clap for the transition into a cover of Nirvana's "Lounge Act".
DMF (a personal favorite) seemed to pick up the tempo and grab more of the audience's attention. "Dragonfly" slowed things down a bit more into a surprise cover closer.
Closing with a cover of Blur's "Song 2", Wilkens was able to get the crowd to join in the "woohoo"s. It was a great song to close on, showcasing the group's take on a popular tune.
My biggest critique goes to the vocals of the show. For almost the entire length of the show, it was difficult to understand what Wilkens was saying, especially with his bandmates blasting out tunes.
Overall, it was a high energy performance by three talented musicians. Keep up with The Pillory's future concerts by following him on twitter and facebook.
Appearing on the stage at 8:45 was Jordan Thompson, solo singer/songwriter, who played an acoustic set. This was only Thompson's third show, but he was already at ease on stage, talking to the crowd in between songs.
Thompson, still a new musician, alternated between covers and originals for his set. Opening with "Northern Downpour" by Panic! At The Disco, Thompson made his pop/alt influences clear.
Though he played a cover heavy set, Thompson was able to show the audience his talent through his unique take on each song. No cover was identical to the original artists', showing off his individuality.
His originals, though short, showed promise for the future of his musical career. With a smooth quality to his voice, I am eager to see what he will do next musically.
Thompson's closing number was played on ukulele, a combination of "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" that transitioned straight into " House of Gold" by Twenty One Pilots- a common combination lead singer Tyler Joseph does during his shows.
Overall, Thompson's third show proved a success. Keep up with Jordan Thompson on facebook and soundcloud.
The Pillory consists of singer/songwriter Jimmy Wilkens. Wilkens began his musical career in 2006, shortly before starting high school. Since then, he has recorded two EPs and four full length albums, all of which are available at his bandcamp.
 |
| (pictured from right to left) Wilkens, Grimm, and McGowan as The Pillory on May 31, 2015 |
Opening with "Get Get (Die for Me)", the trio immediately set the tone for this rocking set. A nice highlight of the set was the transition between Gentleman's Club and Not a Saint- it flowed smoother than a fresh jar of skippy.
Vocals by Wilkens and Grimm during the grungy "Elixir" blended well and held a nice balance. McGowan and Wilkens led the audience in a clap for the transition into a cover of Nirvana's "Lounge Act".
DMF (a personal favorite) seemed to pick up the tempo and grab more of the audience's attention. "Dragonfly" slowed things down a bit more into a surprise cover closer.
Closing with a cover of Blur's "Song 2", Wilkens was able to get the crowd to join in the "woohoo"s. It was a great song to close on, showcasing the group's take on a popular tune.
My biggest critique goes to the vocals of the show. For almost the entire length of the show, it was difficult to understand what Wilkens was saying, especially with his bandmates blasting out tunes.
Overall, it was a high energy performance by three talented musicians. Keep up with The Pillory's future concerts by following him on twitter and facebook.
Appearing on the stage at 8:45 was Jordan Thompson, solo singer/songwriter, who played an acoustic set. This was only Thompson's third show, but he was already at ease on stage, talking to the crowd in between songs.
 |
| Jordan Thompson at The Foundry Concert Club |
Though he played a cover heavy set, Thompson was able to show the audience his talent through his unique take on each song. No cover was identical to the original artists', showing off his individuality.
His originals, though short, showed promise for the future of his musical career. With a smooth quality to his voice, I am eager to see what he will do next musically.
Thompson's closing number was played on ukulele, a combination of "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" that transitioned straight into " House of Gold" by Twenty One Pilots- a common combination lead singer Tyler Joseph does during his shows.
Overall, Thompson's third show proved a success. Keep up with Jordan Thompson on facebook and soundcloud.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Album Review: Junk of the Heart, The Kooks
Junk of the Heart is The Kook's third studio album that was released in 2011.
The album starts off with "Junk of the Heart (Happy)". It immediately grips the listener's attention with its upbeat tune. It's dance-able and really is happy. The track moves right into "How'd You Like That", which I felt had a very Kooks sound to it. The guitar in the chorus was nice, and the verses flowed well especially the pre-chorus into the chorus. The guitar solo felt a bit lacking, and I felt they could have done more with it. "Rosie" is a slower tune, still using a simple guitar line with some electronic tones from the last song. The fourth song, "Taking Pictures of You", is The Kooks I know. The beginning of the verses are almost acoustic-y, and the harmonies are absolutely lovely. "Fuck The World Off" has a funkier beat and is a nice change of pace from the past songs. It has a nice transition from the past track. When "Time Above the Earth" popped on, I thought it was an instrumental. It's a nice song with it's use of different instruments. "Runaway" had a cool beat to it, with a pre-chorus that blended the whole song together. It transitions nicely into "Is It Me", which has a melodic feel to it. The drums seem to drive this song along, as it flips between a slower feel to a more upbeat jam, especially when the guitar solo comes in. The guitar in the pre-chorus of "Killing Me" is great, but the pre-chorus/chorus itself doesn't sound like them too much--in a way, it's too slow. "Petulia" has a great intro, and I love the simple guitar it uses. The lyrics are cute, and the harmonies really help make this song. "Eskimo Kiss" reminds me of their older stuff, with it's quirky feel. The last song of the album, "Mr. Nice Guy" has awesome melodies and a steady, driven tempo. The use of piano is wonderful.
Overall, I thought the track transitions could have been made a bit better. The songs alone are nice to listen to, but put together they sound a bit clunky.
Rating: 6/10
Personal favorite tracks: "Is It Me", "Petulia", "Eskimo Kiss"
The album starts off with "Junk of the Heart (Happy)". It immediately grips the listener's attention with its upbeat tune. It's dance-able and really is happy. The track moves right into "How'd You Like That", which I felt had a very Kooks sound to it. The guitar in the chorus was nice, and the verses flowed well especially the pre-chorus into the chorus. The guitar solo felt a bit lacking, and I felt they could have done more with it. "Rosie" is a slower tune, still using a simple guitar line with some electronic tones from the last song. The fourth song, "Taking Pictures of You", is The Kooks I know. The beginning of the verses are almost acoustic-y, and the harmonies are absolutely lovely. "Fuck The World Off" has a funkier beat and is a nice change of pace from the past songs. It has a nice transition from the past track. When "Time Above the Earth" popped on, I thought it was an instrumental. It's a nice song with it's use of different instruments. "Runaway" had a cool beat to it, with a pre-chorus that blended the whole song together. It transitions nicely into "Is It Me", which has a melodic feel to it. The drums seem to drive this song along, as it flips between a slower feel to a more upbeat jam, especially when the guitar solo comes in. The guitar in the pre-chorus of "Killing Me" is great, but the pre-chorus/chorus itself doesn't sound like them too much--in a way, it's too slow. "Petulia" has a great intro, and I love the simple guitar it uses. The lyrics are cute, and the harmonies really help make this song. "Eskimo Kiss" reminds me of their older stuff, with it's quirky feel. The last song of the album, "Mr. Nice Guy" has awesome melodies and a steady, driven tempo. The use of piano is wonderful.
Overall, I thought the track transitions could have been made a bit better. The songs alone are nice to listen to, but put together they sound a bit clunky.
Rating: 6/10
Personal favorite tracks: "Is It Me", "Petulia", "Eskimo Kiss"
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