Issue 50

November 2018

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb 1 10/29/18 8:58 PM Issue 50

ONLINE www.thecutmagazine.com

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/TheCutMagazine

ADDRESS The Cut Magazine 5000 Forbes Avenue UC Box 122 Pittsburgh, PA 15238

COVER PHOTO Megan Naji

November 2018

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb Custom V 10/29/18 8:58 PM Editor-in-Chief Brooke Ley Assistant Editor Trevor Lazar Photo Editor Matthew McGehee PR Editors Dalia Laredo Issue 50 CJ Rosado Letter Design Editor Jackie Chou Copy Editor Wilson Ekern From Writing Staff Clare Lai Aramya Trivedi Julie Heming The Lexie Rodriguez Michelle Ng Cassie Scheirer Clara Enders Editor Mei Leng Daniel Yeh Claudia Osorio Shambavi Mishra Earlier this semester, I got We’re catching up with We have retrospectives on Emma Blank the chance to hear Hanif plenty of albums released this both BROCKHAMPTON Aramya Trivedi Abdurraqib give a talk on summer and early semester, and Young Thug, along with Megan Naji campus. I was extremely some exciting and some disap- looking at the artists who Leila Berger excited to catch him since he pointing. You can check out have been making tracks for Omasan Richardson wrote my favorite collection our whole staff’s music taste soundtracks. We’re also look- Natalia Santiago of music essays, They Can't Kill as of late through our list of ing at the death, or perhaps Jamie McArthur Us Until They Kill Us. I made songs and albums we’ve been shift, of the genre of rock and Bernice Yu sure to mention that I was the listening to. You can also see our new least favorite singing editor in chief of Carnegie our music taste as of 2002 in competition, The Four. Design Staff Julie Heming Mellon’s only music magazine our monthly Mixtape featuring And so, with all of the great Michelle Ng and frequently told my writers my girl Britney Spears. work from our team, the Jenna Kim to refer to his works if they Our staff has also been magazine isn’t just living, it’s Lena Banchero wanted inspiration. When I attending all kinds of concerts thriving, and I’m glad you’re Daniel Noh asked him to sign my book, in the city ranging from Years able to enjoy the result of Sophia Kim he wrote, “Brooke! Keep the & Years to the Pittsburgh everyone’s effort. Erin Lim magazine alive!” Symphony, with equal levels Guillermina Tocalini And so here I am. of sparkle. We’ve also had Brooke Ley Cassandra Scheirer Letter But truly, I don’t think I’m the opportunity to interview Editor-in-Chief Arpita Nag the one keeping this maga- Mayday Parade, Rubblebucket, Natalia Santiago zine alive. Rather, we have and Carnegie Mellon’s own Yuri Lim an excellent group of writers, William Torres Jr. Jaclyn Saik From photographers, artists, and In Hanif Abdurraqib designers working on making style, we also have plenty of Photo/Art Staff Megan Naji some incredible stuff! essays on music this issue. Misa Kim Clare Lai The Mei Ling Jamie McArthur Editor

4 Masthead Letter From The Editor 5

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM What We’re 8 Listening To

Essays A Retrospective on Brockhampton, Rock’s (Not?) 9 Dead, and The Three on The Four

Album 16 Reviews

Interviews Rubblebucket, Mayday Parade, 26 and William Torres Jr. 38 Concert Reviews Table of Contents 7

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM Ponyboy Head In The Clouds thinking 2 much SOPHIE 88rising, Joji Jeremy Zucker

Inchman Goya Soda Tip Toes A Retrospective Jack Stauber's Micropop Christine and the Queens half•alive The righteous wrath Catch One More on Brockhampton of an honorable man Allie X Yaeji by Omasan Richardson Colin Stetson YOUNG Focus Johnny It's the Last BAEKHYUN H.E.R. seven members, and help you sive of the three, understand- “CHICK” uses the pitched Time understand their styles and able as it is the first entry to up vocals again over a more Raveena 1st Century Schizoid Acid Rain flows. Ameer Vann, on the the trilogy. The intro tracks aggressive beat switch to lead Man Thomston intro track “HEAT”, builds the are much more energetic than into the most passionate song Legacy King Crimson aggression felt throughout the the later half of the album, on the album. “JUNKY” shows Logic Ruler Rebel entire song with the “gangster” with “BUMP” being the the balance that Brockhamp- Wait a Minute! Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah style lyrics and the interroga- exception to this. The second ton has learned through SAT 1 End Of The Road Willow The Hip-hop “boy band” tive chorus “Who done called half of the album the group is and SAT II. The passion in this Boyz II Men Charcoal Baby “BROCKHAMPTON” out of the cops on my niggas?” much more introspective and song comes from Kevin’s intro Horror Show Blood Orange Texas has seen an explosion of Merlyn Wood follows after raps about struggles that they verse, in which he raps about My All DJ Shadow success as of late. Without any Ameer, giving a passionate have had growing up such as rejection from his mom and Mariah Carey I Wish I Missed My Ex outside promotion through verse showing off his love of Ameer’s past criminal activ- his issues as an openly gay rap Music To Watch Boys Mahalia radio play or even physical ebonics to both stay on beat ities and Merlyn’s struggles artist. Matt Champion then If You Really Love To releases, they saturated 2017 with the song and deliver a with dropping out of college. also goes off on “JUNKY” as he Nothing Lana Del Rey Venus with the sequential release unique flow. Lyrically, Dom This Introspective nature calls out people on problemat- Interpol Woven In Hiatus of three albums aptly named McLennon offers the most follows them to their second ic behavior and sexual assault. Honey “The SATURATION trilogy”. clever wordplay, which he con- SATURATION II. With this His verse on “JUNKY” serves Rose Golden Robyn Buffalo The release of this trilogy was tinues to deliver throughout album, the group builds off as a reassurance of the bands Kid Cudi, Willlow Inner Wave the first time the group saw the trilogy. Joba shows his tal- of what worked in SAT I, respectful and progressive Tranz commercial success as their ent as a bridge to connect the while working on cohesion nature. “JUNKY” serves as How Far Must We Go? Gorillaz Lonely album preceding the SATURA- two members Dom and Matt between the tracks. The tonal the climax to the album, with Horsebeach Russo TION trilogy was more a pop Champion together, but comes shift in SAT II is very natural, “FIGHT” following with some Radar (ft. HONNE) album with hip-hop influ- more into his own as a rapper starting high with “GUM- of the energy, but eventually IRL Whethan Negai ences. Like a senior in high as the trilogy progresses. Matt MY”, “QUEER” and “JELLO”, diffusing as the album closes. Killer Bee Zoology school, Brockhampton was let delivers a smooth flow talking then ramping down through SAT II is where Brockhampton loose on to the world and had about his personal life and “TEETH”. Brockhampton likes hits their stride as a collection SICK GIRL to find themselves. how that has changed him as to use pitched up vocals in a of artists and it only builds ABRA SAT, from as early as the a person. Kevin Abstract, who variety of their songs, often from here. first track, shows the evolution is the most popular standalone used to change the mood SATURATION III starts off that they have made in such a member of Brockhampton, is of a song like in “TEETH”, with the most energetic intro What We're short timespan and that this absent on the first two tracks where the beat was relatively track of all 3 albums. “BOO- is first and foremost a hip-hop other then the hook, gives soft. The pitched up vocals GIE” acts as a celebration of album attempting to reinvent the other members a chance added aggression to Ameer’s the groups achievements, with Listening To what pop music is. This sense to showcase their talents. powerful lyrics serving as re- multiple call backs to previous of reinvention follows them Bearface is also missing from taliation to the issues he faced songs, such as Joba calling throughout the entire trilogy. a majority of the albums, and as a youth such as poverty and himself “The Chiropractor” The first three songs do a is mostly reserved for more racism. The album keeps this after his bridge in “HEAT”: great job of establishing the melodic ballads than rapping. much softer vibe until about “I’ll break your neck so you presence of a majority of the This album is the least cohe- the midpoint, where the song can watch your back!”. If SAT

What We’re Listening To What We’re Thinking About 9

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM Rock’s (Not?) Dead by Aramya Trivedi

It’s a long debate for rock fans, and while traditional rock acts has even received criticism with rueful guitar melodies as but the writing appears to have seen less success among for his albums being rough the base to extremely atmo- be on the wall for the genre American audiences, more and mixes of very distinct genres, spheric rap tracks. In doing so, II was a cheeseburger with every member is on their established in SAT II and SAT ing another stage of their lives. after hip-hop’s explosion in more rap artists have picked up with acoustic-heavy tracks both artists found tremendous- all the ingredients stacked A-game. III It is more similar to SAT I But like the themes of many of popularity. According to Niel- rock elements in their songs. like “Stay” alongside more ly large audiences who related up to deliver a stellar meal, With the success of this in that it is the start of a trilogy their songs, the past may have sen’s 2017 Year-End Report, Increasingly, rap’s biggest traditional tracks like “Same to the topics of depression SAT III is a soup with all the trilogy and the group finally and has clear lines between gotten them here, but the con- eight of the ten most popular stars are finding a coolness fac- Bitches”, although he does and suicide that distinguished ingredients mixing together coming into their own things the songs meant to be more troversies do not define who artists by total consumption tor in associating with rock. This manage to hit the sweet spot, them from a lot of other con- and complementing each seemed to on the upswing for emotional and the “bangers”. they are, and they still have so were hip-hop or R&B, Taylor was exemplified by twenty year- with “Better Now” from the temporary hip-hop artists. other. SAT III is digested as a the group. Controversy then This album isn’t a complete much room to grow. Swift and Ed Sheeran the only old rapper Jaden Smith, who, same album hitting third on Genres mixing and shifting whole, as it’s so interconnected hit as prominent member, and step backwards, however, as two exceptions. In streaming, along with the announcement of the charts while mixing rap is nothing new. If hip-hop is not just with itself, but with literal face of the last three it does make progress in that hip-hop alone accounted for his music video for “Watch Me,” beats over guitar chords. His including greater rock influ- the other two albums in the albums, Ameer Vann was ac- Joba and Bearface, the most the nine top artists. In an tweeted “Rock N Roll Is The connection with rock has ences, the remaining powers trilogy. Every member gets cused of sexual and emotional underutilized members in op-ed for The New York Times, New Wave.” Kid Cudi also has even led to some truly bizarre in today’s rock landscape are a moment to shine. SAT III abuse by an ex-girlfriend. Due the SAT trilogy carry more of music journalist Bill Flanagan furthered his sound by creating moments, like his MTV Video doing the same in the reverse really emphasizes how, while to this, and other information their own weight. The song pointed to the radio Top 40, some beautiful atmospheric al- Music Awards performance direction. The Arctic Monkeys, your past may have gotten not made public, Ameer was “WEIGHT” also shows that dominated by electronic pop ternative tracks with heavy rock with Aerosmith, after which arguably one of the largest you to where you are now, it removed from the group. they haven’t completely lost and hip-hop, as a sign that influences on his more recent Tyler Perry declared Post “the rock acts currently, finally doesn't define who you are as The future of Brockhampton what they had learned in the “in 2016, rock is not teenage albums. In February of 2018, Lil future of music.” broke the American market a person. This album overall seemed very uncertain after SAT 3, as it has music.” Without the guitar Uzi Vert declared himself the But perhaps the biggest with AM, an album that cites has higher production values losing the second most used a beautiful piano intro leading heroes of the past like Clapton “only living rockstar,” mirroring influences of this new wave artists like Dr. Dre, OutKast, then the first two, and doesn’t rapper on their successful into a much more aggressive and Hendrix, electric guitar Post Malone’s chart-topping of rock influence are from and Aaliyah as influences. One confine itself to having songs Trilogy. But after a hiatus and beat later in the song, while sales have dropped 33 percent single “rockstar” featuring 21 rappers even younger than of the biggest and youngest that are”bangers” and songs 10 days at the Abbey Road continuing the self reflection in a decade, with Clapton Savage, where he conflates his Post, notably the extremely bands to break, The 1975, that are more thoughtful and Studios, Brockhampton came of the SAT trilogy with Dom himself selling off a chunk of experience as one of the biggest controversial XXXTentacion seemingly mix elements from slow. Most songs on SAT III back with the start of a new lamenting the pressures his collection. In fact, 2017 new names of hip-hop to the and Lil Peep, both of whom rock, hip-hop, electropop, and blend together high energy trilogy “The Best Years of that come with being public marked the first year in which experience of the rock legends channeled the energy of emo everything in between. For with deep meaning and slower Our Lives” starting with the spotlight. hip-hop crossed rock as the of the past. rock onto rap tracks before rock purists, this change may parts. “SISTER/NATION” is album Iridescence. This album In conclusion, Brockhamp- most consumed genre. While Lil Uzi Vert can brag their untimely deaths. XXXTe- seem alarming, but change a good representation of this is a very large departure from ton has seen immense success So, is rock really dead? an endorsement from contro- natacion’s sophomore album is necessary. One of the big goal to blend together their the SATURATION trilogy. The as a group with audiences able Perhaps in a zero-sum versial industrial rock figure ?, with tracks like “the remedy criticisms of rock is that it two main styles of music as it beats are no longer the pop to see them grow live. The music world, one might agree; Marilyn Manson on his debut for a broken heart (why am has remained too stagnant is literally two songs bound like tracks that were seen SAT trilogy will ring true with however, on closer inspection, Luv is Rage 2, Post Malone cites I so in love)” and “ALONE, following the post-punk revival together with the dynamic with the SATURATION trilogy. young adults who graduated I’d argue that rock music is Metallica as a major influence PART 3” , and even more so Lil of the early 2000s. Maybe the “SISTER” leading smoothly With electronic influences and at the time of its release, as it actually experiencing a renais- and is famously attached to his Peep’s Come Over When You’re only way for rock music to into the mellow “NATION”. much more experimentation really encompassed coming sance of sorts, if not in the acoustic guitar, an instrument Sober, Pt. 1, with tracks like return resurgent is through a This album is production wise in with beat progression and into one's own and evolving as most traditional way. Genres he picked up following an “Benz Truck”, “ Awful Things”, little detour. their most intricate album and bass usage, the album seems a person. With the release of have a tendency to be cyclical, obsession with Guitar Hero. Post and “The Brightside”, start showcases what happens when to regress from the cohesion Iridescence, the group is enter-

What We're Thinking About Rock's (Not?) Dead 11

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM 13 10/29/18 8:58 PM

The Three of The Four by CJ Rosado - - The Three of The Four The Three Some good news about all ence into exactly what she Of all of these it to be. wants women who have incredible on this show for been robbed done the great she was fools, She demonstrates est injustice. the full artist package in every and I thank her performance, for that. greatly of is of the women I’ve spoken original mu- that they all have music and more sic on Spotify, I coming out in the future! up keeping highly recommend with these magnificent people, the performanc- and watching , be on The Four es they gave easy to see how they cause it’s in can be making some waves So although they the industry. on this been robbed have may pitiful television competition, their own they’ll be paving music with their paths through behind them. talent raw - She managed to successfully defend her seat every episode, writing her own lyrics every a new and rocking episode, and iconic outfit every epi- to mention, Sharaya Not sode. cancer J had been battling of the show, for the entirety and in the final episode she announced that the tumor in had complete her right breast So not only ly disappeared. she delivering electrifying was featuring her performances, that never failed to own lyrics, she was excited, get the crowd time! beating cancer the entire love for has a strong Sharaya so she sampled hip hop, 90’s a Bitch” such songs as “She’s Said “Mama by Missy Elliott, J, by LL Cool Out” You Knock Notorious by The and “Juicy” stage presence Her B.I.G. is something that no other contestant on this season can knows how to She surpass. command of an entire take and shape the experi- room The last contestant I want to contestant I want last The on a lot of classic R&B singing on a lot of classic R&B Have such as “Times songs, Thomas, Changed” by Irma and Carey, by Mariah All” “My by Love You” Always “I Will she Yes, Whitney Houston. to cover one had the audacity A song of the untouchables. that would normally be a death tryingsentence for anyone to kind the judges on any impress of singing competition, but Ali the best cover gave Caldwell ever of the song that I have not singing it exactly heard, but still doing Houston, like That justice. the song a great performance alone speaks a capability amount to Ali’s great as an artist. Sharaya J. touch on is Sharaya worker easily the hardest was season. As the in the entire who consistently only rapper she had a on the show, stayed She to the judges. lot to prove going up against some was and had vocalists, incredible to do so. to above and beyond - - The next contestant I want contestant I want next The but performs it in a way that but performs it in a way She makes everyrespects note. it a point to sing the music and her love for that she likes, the music becomes apparent it to an she relays in the way audience. Caldwell. to speak about is Ali is a special case Caldwell Ali also robbed because she was on the eleventh season of The She made ex in 2016. Voice in both shows, cellent progress but fell just short of the finals time on Ali’s In in both cases. acknowl , she was The Four reckoned be to force a as edged to people wanted with. Few because of her challenge Ali strength Ali’s vocals. incredible power, the range, comes from She of her voice. and control has easy access to all kinds of notes and can pack the weight behind them, all topped off with an impeccable vibrato her performanc- that makes es sound clean and elegant. she took While on both shows, - What We're Thinking About What We're The first contestant I want first contestant I want The cus” by H.E.R., and “Call Out “Call by H.E.R., and cus” by the Weeknd. Name” My every unique tone makes Her song that she sings on the her own. The show sound like com- judges would often make ments about how she doesn’t because anyone sound like her tone is just that distinct. Whenever she brings a song to can tell that she the stage you feels the music she is singing. She does not just sing through completed, a song until it’s cusing on the talent that I took cusing on the talent that people this show, from away can for that I think to watch to the add something of value music industry. to talk about is Leah Jenea. old, 18 years Leah is currently on when she arrived however full just 17, she was The Four Leah stormed of life and vigor. to last the show on the third her demonstrating episode, She mastery in new age R&B. tackled such songs as “Best “Fo Caesar, by Daniel Part” - This summer, I had the great the great I had summer, This displeasure to feast mine displeasure upon the last three own eyes singing episodes of a television The competition known as some show featured The Four. talent, with artists incredible something who all brought table and lit up to the fresh with their voice and the room I can truly some say presence. of these performances will be sticking with me for a long I know what you’re Now time. “Did he not just say thinking, that he had the displeasure this show?” Yes, of watching is because despite I did. This all of the amazing talent on still the mediocrity this show, managed to rise to the top. way melodramatic my is This none of the people of saying to win the who I wanted actual show actually won. The winner of the show does not close to what offer anything an effort to In the others do. taste of minimize the bitter going to be fo I’m this essay, 12 THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages THe Cut Nov2018.indb AllPages

Illustration by Misa Kim Mixtape five butstuckwithus for life. Songs thatcameout whenwe were 2002 Beats "Can't Stop" "A by ThousandMiles" "I'm aSlave 4U" "Complicated" Vanessa Carlton You knowhowyou have I thinktheopeningpianoriff Peppers Everything aboutthissong Everything — Claudia Osorio Mina Tocalini Misa Kim Brooke Ley awesome band. and thinkingitwas totally childhood? Mineishearing oddly vividmemoriesfrom by Red Hot Chili by Britney Spears by Avril Lavigne Simply aclassicsongbyan performance—is I-C-O-N-I-C. performance—is in thetitleto2001VMAs this songatthepublicpool from theuseoftextlanguage says itall. beautiful. Mixtape "She WillBeLoved" by "Hero" "Work It" “Will” andprobably hasAdam Jackie Chou A classiclovesongwitha 16 years later, andMissyisstill Shambhavi Mishra tried tolearnthelyricsof. That onerap songeveryone by Eminem Yourself""Lose Maroon 5 Shambhavi Mishra Because everyone hastriedto Because everyone Levine’s voiceburnedintheir Dalia Laredo Dalia an embarassingly longtimeto by EnriqueIglesias by Elliot Missy reverse. realize thesecondhalfof the coolest.Also, ittookme mind. hit thatawkward highnoteon hook was justthefirsthalfin beautiful guitarpart. "Hey Juliet" "Hey Juliet" "Fell inLove witha "Hey Ya!" Anthem""The Aramya Trivedi Amanda Vallon Girl" The masterclass oncreating This songdoesn’t messaround Is there anything more 2002 One ofthose(somewhat Clara Enders Omasan Richardson cliché) songsaboutnotfitting one hyped up. by LMNT by TheWhite Stripes by OutKast Charlotte by Good when itcomestobeagreat in asakid. page you twice?" party song andgetting every than thelyric"I'vetriedto two minutes. the perfectrock songinunder 10/29/18 8:58 PM - 15 For six months following the like “WEIGHT,” “DISTRICT,” stunning outro by the London release of the final installment and “HONEY” feature inter- Community Gospel Choir. of BROCKHAMPTON’S esting, distinct sections that “NEW ORLEANS” sounds SATURATION trilogy, fans transition in an unrestricted most like BROCKHAMP- Album endured album tease after way due to the lack of a central TON’s old sound, and I found album tease before the release hook, but “BERLIN,” “WHERE myself wanting more of that iridescence of iridescence, PUPPY, the best THE CASH AT,” “J’OUVERT,” throughout the album. They Brockhampton years of our lives and TEAM and the “LOOPHOLE” inter- dropped a series of singles over EFFORT were supposed to be lude are less coherent, seem- the summer (“1997 DIANA”, Reviewsreviewed by released before Ameer Vann ing more like trial runs for “1988 TRUMAN”, and “1999 In this issue, we review the latest from Clara Enders left the group following assault the group than instant go-tos WILDFIRE”) that were a per- Brockhampton, Young Thug, Hozier, allegations last spring, so the for fans. The highlight of the fect mix of new and old, and remaining members were album is certainly “SAN MAR- featuring some of these on the Mitski, Troye Sivan, and more. forced to reestablish their COS,” a much slower song album would have been a bet- sound, as well as themselves. than others on the album. It is ter way to ease into a different Instead of relying on the an interesting transition from sound. Overall, while some of catchy hooks and deep bass SATURATION’s slower songs the experimentation on irides- of the SATURATION trilogy, like “BLEACH” and “SUM- cence is successful, as a whole, iridescence is much more of an MER” due to its elaborate vers- iridescence is under-SATURAT- experimental album. Songs es, guitar riffs, violin solos, and ED, and over complicated. Released soon after turning tracks, the rest of the project is with the standard designer himself on an eight-count pretty standard fare for Young shoutouts and flex bars. arrest warrant, Young Thug’s Thug, if a little low-key. It’s Young Thug’s prolific output new EP On the Rvn delivers definitely not as stuffed with can sadly result in projects some classic Thugger sounds bangers as something like like this, with similar beats On The Rvn on a relatively by-the-numbers 2016’s JEFFREY, but the beats (half the tracks are produced Young Thug project. The standout tracks, and features help make for at by London), and similar name like “Climax (feat. 6LACK)” least a fun and relatively short drops (Chanel) resulting in reviewed by and “Sin (feat. Jaden Smith)”, listen. The last track on the tracks tending to run together Wilson Ekern use their features to great tape, “High (feat. Elton John)”, sonically. Not that any on this effect. Jaden Smith may seem samples Elton John’s “Rock- EP are bad per se (there are like an unorthodox choice, but et Man”, which, like Jaden no bad Thug songs), but it’s over the sinister beats from Smith, works way better than just disappointing not to have London on da Track, his nasal- I might’ve expected. Thugger new classics every project. ly voice and insistent flow fit has definitely moved on from Hopefully the Georgia courts the vibe of the project surpris- the celebratory mood of his go easy on Mr. Thug, or On ingly well, while “Climax” uses earlier projects, with lines the Rvn won’t just be an album a fantastic hook and interest- like “Money’s the reason I’m title, but a headline. ing guitar riff to great effect. sinning/Money’s the reason I Aside from these standout gotta take Ritalin” contrasting Illustration by Mei Ling Album Reviews 16 Album Reviews Album Reviews 17

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM Hozier’s new EP Nina Cried open arms. The deep piano his previous album. Poweris a tribute to the spirit and drums in the background Hozier never fails to rede- of protest (“rattle your chains emphasize the gravity of a fine the meaning of the word if you love being free”). After burning world, contrasted alternative. No two tracks on a long hiatus, Hozier, in the with whispery vocals that the EP soundAlbum the same, and midst of political insanity, bring forth a completely the explorative vocals in “Nina Nina Cried Power was inspired to delve into the untroubled feeling. Like his Cried Power” highlight his Hozier chaos. The EP opens with previous debut hit album, knack for experimentation. title track “Nina Cried Power,” Hozier maintains his stylized This EP breaks the silence reviewed by a soulful rock and roll piece finesse of biblical allusions in more waysReviews than one. It Jamie McArthur influenced in part by Nina (“to Bethlehem”). “Moment’s re-invites Hozier back into the Simone that pays homage to Silence (Common Tongue)” music scene, puts forth the re- other great names in Ameri- follows as the next track. Its minder of just how much strife can music and history. It also subtly provocative, for lack the world has experienced, features legendary artist Mavis of a better word, lyrics are and how the voices of Civil Staples, whose gravelly voice reminiscent of the countercul- Rights still ring loud and clear. fuels the fire within the song. ture period of sexual liberation This EP is anything but quiet, The next track, “NFWMB”, is and rock and roll. Finally, the so if you’re looking to tune in, a haunting tune that, instead EP closes with a softer, folkier put it on full blast. of fearing the burning chaos piece titled “Shrike” that is of the world, invites it with most evocative of the music in

Synth-pop has seen a resur- promise as creatives and talent is the album closer, captures gence in the music world over as songwriters and performers. a similar tempo and mood the past few years, in no small The album hits hard as the album opener at first, part thanks to a wave of 80s from the start, transitioning but eventually builds into a nostalgia that has consumed effortlessly from the droning victorious showcase of Walton all aspects of media. TV shows repetition of the opening and Hollingworth’s fantastic, I'm All Ears and movies like Stranger Things instrumental “Whitewater” complementary vocals. Let's Eat Grandma and It bank on the popularity to the brutal, industrial, The album as a whole of neon-soaked classics to Sophie-produced “Hot Pink.” feels cohesive yet varied, a reviewed by reach audiences young and Walton and Hollingworth hit rare accomplishment in the Trevor Lazar old. But if synth-pop is the their creative peak on “Falling synth-pop genre these days. musical equivalent of 80s Into Me,” which unapologeti- Let’s Eat Grandma finds a rare nostalgia fever, then British cally embraces the bubblegum balance of experimentation, duo Let’s Eat Grandma have quality in the duo’s vocals. And accessibility and individuality completely modernized it. yet, the detail, mastering and on I’m All Ears. There really Rosa Walton and Jenny writing behind the song makes is something for everyone on Hollingworth burst onto the it an unabashed success. “I this album, from the slow-burn music scene in 2016 with a Will Be Waiting” follows a guitars on “Snakes & Ladders” critical darling debut album similar pattern, drawing an to the classic piano balladry on that felt as fresh and experi- immaculate third-act key “Ava.” This duo has carved a mental as it was developed. change that is pure bliss. whole new lane for themselves Illustration by Jamie McArthur Album If 2016’s I, Gemini was a foray There is a great deal of and raised the bar for an entire into the dark, psychedelic power and restraint in the genre in the process. corners of experimental pop, longer tracks on the album, And they did it at 19. They this year’s I’m All Ears is a “Cool & Collected” and “Don- certainly have a bright future Reviews tantalizing refinement of their nie Darko.” The latter, which on the horizon. 18 Album Reviews Album Reviews 19

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM Let me preface this review by inative guitar track, are a Didn’t You Stop Me” or “Come saying I wholeheartedly want haunting exploration of Into the Water”, otherwise Mitski to raw me. Now that womanhood and the isolation lovely lyrics are swallowed I’ve established that, let’s talk that comes with existing in an by melodramatic piano and Album about ugly women. This is not ‘unpalatable’ body. Even the guitar. “Why Didn’t You Stop Be the Cowboy me saying Mitski is ugly; this simplest lyrics are an ode to Me” in particular keeps her Mitski is me discussing heteronorma- just existing as a woman who vocals in the background, with tive white men’s interest in the can’t, no matter how hard an odd synth and dogged beat reviewed by fantasy women that the mass she tries, gain the approval sometimes overshadowing the ReviewsEmma Blank media upholds as the pinnacle. of men. This is spotlighted in interesting production on her With that out of the way, the song “Nobody”, where no voice. The instrumentals are Mitski’s album is for ugly line has hit as hard as “I’ve fascinating, just not for this women. To be more precise, been big and small and big and song or this tone. Mitski’s album is for unreli- small and big and small again/ Besides some overproduc- Interpol will most likely never meaningless and unconnected is a master of turning seem- able narrators who can’t stop But still nobody wants me/ tion on some of the tracks, the leave the shadow cast by the song titles like “Untitled”, “Ob- ingly absurd lyrics into lasting dwelling in their miseries. still nobody wants me”. Most overall nature of the album is critical and commercial suc- stacle 1”, and “Public Pervert,” emotional landscapes, relying Its unapologetic womanhood women struggle with their female artistry on a damn high cess of their first two albums. the band seems suddenly very on that deep baritone. — recognizing ourselves as weight and size. There’s no level. Sure, there are clichés, While Turn On The Bright concerned with explaining ar- Despite all the good that flawed, desperate to survive way to be this perfect image and sometimes the lines are Marauder Lights and Antics helped shape tistic intent, with Banks break- can be said about the album, in a world built around male of a woman that most people a bit obvious. However. this Interpol the rock music as a whole in ing down the album track-by- it’s undeniable that in the approval. It’s a damn good see in popular media. But even album is polished, with high the 00s, Marauder celebrates a track. Famously brooding, on greater catalogue of Inter- album to put on in the shower with the changes to her body, production value and little ex- reviewed by different style of achievement Marauder Banks gives himself pol records, it will remain when you’re spiraling, or Mitski says, she still can’t get cess. I could not recommend it Aramya Trivedi for Interpol: outlasting their the room to croon, like on “It uninspiring. Despite gorgeous sitting on your bedroom floor, the approval she needs from higher. But maybe only listen peers like The Strokes and the Probably Matters”, or rattle off Kessler guitar melodies and leaning against your bed and men to feel good about herself. to it if you’re in the mood to Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, and remain- lines quickly in the swing track surrealist Banks lyricism, the thinking about all the people Her lyrics are impressive in feel anguish or scream-cry in ing one of the last bastions of “The Rover.” album does not reach the that you’ve wronged or that’ve every single song, but some- frustration about your Tinder American indie post-punk. At the same time, it ex- same awe that earlier Interpol wronged you. times the instrumentals either dates not texting you back. Part of this success is emplifies many of the band’s records did. It’s undoubtedly Most lines, even if they’re wash her out or can’t keep up. grounded in Interpol’s con- best qualities with Daniel the most fun that the band surrounded by an unimag- In songs like “A Pearl” or “Why sistent effort, exemplified by Kessler spinning out some of have had creating a record, a vigorous Instagram media Interpol’s best guitar melodies and while this fun doesn’t in- campaign and Paul Banks on “The Rover”, “Number 10”, spire the same lasting impact, appearing everywhere from “Surveillance”, and “Mountain Marauder still has some of NPR to Genius. However, the Child”. Kessler and Banks also Interpol instant classics like “If larger success of this record is mismatch the measures of the You Really Love Nothing” and in one to reinvent their sound vocals and guitar like on “It “Flight of Fancy.” and approach. Probably Matters” and “Flight If nothing else, Marauder Marauder is Interpol’s of Fancy,” creating a subtle is an inflection point. There’s first foray into the world of call-and-response effect. Banks no knowing where the band cohesive concept albums, as also shines as a songwriter, may go after a record like this, well as their first records with drawing on his quality of creat- but for the first time in maybe overt societal statements, with ing beauty with very little with a decade, there’s excitement tracks like “Surveillance” and lyrics like “I see you trace that about where Interpol may be “Party’s Over” touching on so- hole upon your chest/Give me headed fromAlbum here. And for cial media use and hedonism. a goodbye and a kiss” or “The a twenty-one year old band, For a band that used to care pink house returns to gloom/ that’s not bad at all. very little about explaining And becomes the fundamen- meaning, famously creating tal/The elemental hue.” Banks Reviews 20 Album Reviews Album Reviews 21

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM Chicago-based rapper Fatimah really drive the message of her occasionally comments on the Warner, who goes by stage music home. Her words are current political and social name “Noname”, has blessed deliberate, like the haunting climate, she remains pretty us once again with a beautiful keyboard on my favorite song earnest in her desire to have it and intimate project following of the album, “Window," just be a genuineAlbum depiction of Room 25 her debut in 2016. Room 25 is which transitions from a herself and the world around Noname a candid reflection on the last soft piano melody you’d hear her. In between witty lines few years of her life and her wandering through the forest and funky beats, Noname is reviewed by metamorphosis into adult- in the early morning to a full ultimately trying to say that Megan Naji hood. In between features accompaniment of strings in order to findReviews internal peace from frequent collaborators and percussion. I feel like this and acceptance, we have to and fellow neo soul artists saturation of sounds is meant first accept the existence of such as Ravyn Lenae, Smino, to remind you of the breadth our inner demons and flaws. Phoelix, and Saba, we get of possibilities once you make She is vulnerable, she classic Noname with her it out of that forest. is honest, she is growing “scramble-think” rhymes laid In many ways, the compo- and searching for herself, over melancholy beats. She is sition of “Window” parallels and through all that she already at the top of her game Noname’s discography, where has produced yet another from the first song, “Self”, but her debut album Telefone is breakthrough. I recommend the album really reaches its her entrance into the world/ that everyone set aside the 34 peak on the celebratory bop, music scene as a timid but minutes needed to listen to A beautiful blend of jazz, cal artists. The pieces in the py love, Jon Batiste uncovers “Ace” which highlights her excited 25 year old. Room Room 25 in its entirety, and R&B, blues, and classical album “What A Wonderful a variety of stronger messages recent accomplishments. Her 25 follows as the words of a really hear her out. With the music is exactly what you World” and “Chopinesque” such as the value of friendship, verse in this song ends almost woman who in the last two first words of “Self” still ring- will find in Jon Batiste’s new are variations on the original feeling content during a time like she’s being interrupted as years has taken the time to ing in my head, “Maybe this is album, Hollywood Africans, songs “What A Wonderful of hopelessness, persevering she implores, “I’m just writing start finding herself, and is the album you listen to in your Hollywood released on September 28th, World” by Louis Armstrong, at every moment in life, and my darkest secrets like wait now using her delicate voice car/ When you driving home Africans 2018. The album consists of and “Nocturne in C Sharp experiencing love that cannot and just hear me out/ Saying to describe life in its sharpness late at night/ Really ques- Jon Batiste solo jazz piano improvisations Minor” by Chopin. As a lover be expressed through words vegan food is delicious like (“Blaxploitation” and “Prayer tioning every god, religion, on classical pieces, voice and of both slower jazz songs, and but only through music. While wait and just hear me out.” Song”) and sadness (“Don’t Kanye, bitches/ Maybe this is reviewed by piano duets, and new piano so- sad classical nocturnes both of keeping a light hearted tone This is just one example of Forget About Me”), but also the entrance before you get to Shambhavi Mishra los. Like his previous albums, these pieces were my favorite throughout the album, you how she combines clever lyrics its joys (“Montego Bae” and the river”, at the very least you Jon Batiste taps into emotions to listen to. Not only do they can still feel the weight behind with thoughtful delivery to “Ace”). Even though the album won’t be wasting your time. of hope, love, sadness and bliss redefine the original songs, but each piece as he tries to create in every piece. After listening they add a layer of playfulness, a piece or a story for the listen- to Jon Batiste’s album it’s im- intensity, and freedom within er to invision while listening. possible not to experience an their respective genres. In When hearing an artist use emotional rollercoaster. From “Chopinesque”, we can really their talents as a means of the soulfulness in his voice see the true virtuosity and tal- communicating a message or to the delicacy of the piano, ent of Jon Batiste’s jazz piano story of great emotion, that is the album is perfect if you skills, as each melody line is when music itself becomes a are looking for some smooth spiced up with complex jazz language of organized sound background music while rhythms. In “What A Wonder- that expresses the raw and studying, or a voice to lift up ful World”, the simple piano instinctual emotion of human your spirits. voice with different lyrics are experiences. Jon Batiste’s new Album This album not only almost like a humble homage album, Hollywood Africans, achieves an emotional connec- to Louis Armstrong through a does exactly that- an album tion with the listeners, but it more minimalist point of view. meant to move its listeners also creates a historical link Unlike the clichéd pop and leave them wanting more. Reviews to previous jazz and classi- songs on the radio about pup- 22 Album Reviews Album Reviews 23

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM The Neighbourhood’s Ever a sloppy mess, a release of ful Oblivion” is downright Changing is taking the band’s rejects, or songs put out too strange, like a bad spoken attempts to change in a quickly. No song sticks out, word poem put to a heavily strange direction. The EP, the although “Livin in a Dream” electronic rap beat. Album band’s first release since their featuring Nipsey Hussle was In the end, Ever Changing Ever Changing self-titled The Neighbourhood the first release and the face of doesn’t know what it wants to The Neighbourhood in March 2018, consists of five the album. be. The EP was released right songs, with features from the The album is not abysmal. before the band’s upcoming reviewed by likes of Ghostface Killah and The Ghostface Killah featuring tour, perhaps more of a way ReviewsLelia Berger IDK. The song is both a relic of track “Beat Take 1” has a to keep the band in the public earlier styles the band has ad- strong background track and eye. But the band’s style has opted and a haphazard attempt some of Jesse Rutherford’s changed so much since the to fit in with the new genre of more comfortable vocals. The days of “Sweater Weather” that alternative rap. lead singer has been using I doubt they are getting any The album’s first track, “Kill more vocal editing, which new listeners. Down the line, Us All,” featuring Denzel Curry was especially prevalent in his the EP will probably become sounds like it could be a remix solo album Blonde, creating a the band’s most forgettable, of a discarded song from their disjointed sound to the band’s acting as both an attempt 2014 mixtape. The album has most recent work. to adapt new styles and to elements of recently popular- “Paradise,” could easily resurrect old ones, creating ized mumble rap, high pitched have been taken straight from a zombie of an EP. Not quite Jackson Five-esque autotune, Wiped Out!, down to the drum new or old, boring or fascinat- and the California beach wave beat. The song is probably the ing, good or bad. style the band used in 2015’s album’s best and the only one Wiped Out! The end result is without a feature. “Beauti-

Troye Sivan’s second album is album, I was worried. Cheery, imaginative, maybe the simple a surprising disappointment. bubblegum pop was never lyrics would not be so blasé. The young artist gathered Sivan’s strong suit. Sivan also unsuccessfully great momentum unusually Having heard the album, I attempts a sexy, darkened quickly in 2014 with his EP am now dissatisfied. Previ- vibe in songs like “Animal” or Bloom TRXYE. The EP was amateur ously, songs like “Cool” and “What a heavenly way to die.” Troye Sivan in production quality yet held “Wild“­—songs that most Instead of portraying intense promise in its intriguing sub- closely resemble the recent passion, the songs come across reviewed by ject matter and tonal choices. ones—had good beats but as timid and uncomfortable, Dalia Laredo From there, Sivan’s debut just needed something more both in lyrics and in musical album improved vastly. Some to enhance the sound. The experimentation. songs on Blue Neighborhood majority of Bloom has no such Sivan held immense remained unpolished, however small fault. Many tracks are promise and raw talent as the singer’s voice skillfully monotonous and repetitive. he entered the music world. accomplished both sweet The lyrics don’t display Sivan’s Too soon, he became another and haunting songs. This trademark eloquence but lemming in the pop indus- unique mix of melancholy and rather overuse basic phases. try. Sivan’s new songs lack pop clearly took thoughtful Among these trite lyrics are: dynamism andAlbum won’t sustain crafting to achieve. Thus when “let’s stop running from love,” multiple listens. it came out that Bloom would “my my my” x1000, and “Age In short, it’s boring. have a greater contemporary is just a number.” If the rhythm pop influence than the first or instrumentals were more Reviews 24 Album Reviews Album Reviews 25

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM The Cut got the chance to catch up with Interview: Kalmia Traver of art-pop band Rubblebucket Rubblebucket to by Brooke Ley talk about their new album and current tour.

THE CUT: So there’s some upcoming Rubblebucket tours, correct? KALMIA TRAVER: Oh yeah, big time. That’ll basically be kicking in like mid-October until the end of the year.

TC: Are you looking forward to it? KT: Very much so! It’s fun we usually don’t have such a break between album coming out and then the touring so it’s been kind of interesting to just have this- I wouldn’t call it empty space because of my solo project Kalbells and a lot of other stuff. But it’s exciting to think about the album percolating, and everyone has kind of had the chance to listen to it and get familiar then we’ll start playing shows. Hopefully, people will be singing along.

TC: Yeah, I always have a problem when someone’s touring a new album. I can never sing along. Concerts can still be fun despite that, and your concerts must be a great time and super groovy. You were in Pittsburgh a few years back I believe for Thrival festival. KT: I’m trying to actually pinpoint when I was there last. I have a lot of memories of playing in Pittsburgh at the old church.

TC: Yeah, Mr. Smalls. KT: Yeah, we’ve had some amazing shows there.

TC: Are you a fan of touring? With your genre I would guess that audiences across the nation would have a great time. KT: Definitely! Live shows are something that are so important to me and to all of us. It’s one thing to make an album. I mean they’re kind of two separate universes in a way. But doing it live, it’s really a chance to make memories. These days, there are so many things that are happening through the tubes of the internet and on a tiny little box that’s under your face. A live show is a chance to be free of that and just have something powerfully

Interviews Rubblebucket 27

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb 26-27 10/29/18 8:58 PM physical that’s happening in a space that we’re all sharing. It feels TC: Yeah it can definitely be overwhelming at times. like a really important kind of act or ceremony. You started to touch on this but what were some of your influences for this latest album? “Alex and I had a lot of this KT: Well, we've been making Rubblebucket albums for a long fictional backstory that we had time now, and I always think there's a conversation that happens created for the album around after an album cycle has concluded thinking about what we'd want to change for the next one and who we are and what we the idea of a sun machine and want to show. We started recording the basics for this album almost a futuristic Black Mirror- three years ago. Things have definitely changed in that span, esque implant that would be like but something that really stayed consistent was this idea of the a happiness device.” album to be really bouncy and syncopated and have a lot of forms. A little more-so than our previous album, I'd say there TC: I think you guys have been really successful in creating was almost like rock n' roll and darker. We also agreed that we music videos that still feel powerful and exciting and fun. wanted this thing that we called "dream element" that was just “Came Out of a Lady” is one of my personal favorite music beautiful arpeggiated synthesizers. We wanted to make sure videos. You released a music video with an animation. What every song had a little bit of dream element in it. Those are more was the process for that like, along with your connection to like internal decisions. This has been such a time of change and this artist? Did the band have a creative say in it? so much great music. I think we both have come a long way KT: I have a very dear friend—Alex and I have a dear friend- in our ability and skills as music producers and engineers. We Nadja Oertelt who produces science educational videos and has learned how to engineer ourselves and we did a lot of this album KT: I totally forgot about SOPHIE. It's funny. Alex swears this a website that she's actually CEO of. It's called massivesci.com, just recording it in our own bedrooms, especially horns and is how this is how it happened. I just believe him, but I'll never and basically their mission is to science education accessible to vocals and synth overdubs. Really finding that comfort zone and know for sure. He writes really often using this "song a day" the general public. It's like a subscription service. Anyways, encourage our best takes and capture the magic of the moment. where you just write a song a day with the only requirements I've been a fan of her work for a long time, and she works with being that it has two verses and a chorus. You don't worry at a whole slew of amazing animators and she's always catching all about production. You just work on getting the words and me up to speed with what she's doing. One day she showed me “Something that really stayed melody and the chords out there. We both employee that a lot. a piece by Amanda Bonauito and in the back of my mind I was consistent was this idea of the Anyways, before the end of the day, before you go to sleep, you thinking "what would it take to get something from this animator album to be really bouncy and have to make an mp3 of whatever you're working on. He was for Rubblebucket." I just thought it was one of the most beautiful syncopated and have a lot of writing "Lemonade" all day and finished it and made the mp3 things I had ever seen. Finally, for this album cycle we received forms... We wanted to make and went to bed. Woke up the next day and Beyoncé's new album an Apple grant to do a video and that was the first thing that Lemonade had just been released. It's kind of crazy. We spent a came to my mind, so we wrote Amanda and it all came together. sure every song had a little bit of lot of time working on figuring out what the name of that song I was pretty jaw dropped at how she did it. I cried when I dream element in it.” should be. Finally, whatever, it's "Lemonade." watched that the first time. I really wanted to give her as much free reign as possible cause I often think that results positively TC: I think that's something that's really nice about live TC: So you are going to be back touring in Pittsburgh in when you let somebody add their own voice and creative ideas in shows, too. Getting that magic of the moment. It's great that December. Is there anything you want to say about the tour? it. We just sat down for an hour and talked about the album and you're working on translating that into your recordings. KT: It's just been a while since we've done a really full fledged the song. Alex and I had a lot of this fictional backstory that we KT: It really has been a process, I think. We were so focused on tour. We really love it. We've been spending the past few years had created for the album around the idea of a sun-machine and live in the earlier phases of the band. We both had big dreams of just basically doing weekends and one-offs and west-coast for almost a futuristic Black Mirror-esque implant that would be like touring and living that lifestyle. We were making that happen. six days. I'm just really excited to get in the van and to be in a a happiness device. Mulling around a lot of questions we have But making a recording is just a totally different thing. That's rhythm. Having a whole new road-show and new lights, new about an era of mindfulness and wellness are at the forefront of been a little bit more of a learning curve. everything. New band! We're excited and looking forward to a lot everyone's list of concerns. But at the same time, it feels like the and connecting with some places we haven't been to in a while. hardest thing to achieve because there's just so much going on. A TC: I think you're doing a great job! I've been loving the new Pittsburgh is definitely one of those. lot of revealing is happening in our society where we're starting album. One track I wanted to talk about was "Lemonade." to uncover these deep wounds, and it's just a lot to take in. I have joked personally with some friends that you could TC: We’re looking forward to it! probably make an entire playlist out of songs that have to do with lemonade from Beyoncé to SOPHIE. I was wondering You can catch Rubblebucket with The Kids and Jack Stauber on what lemonade meant to you. December 1st at the Rex Theater.

28 Interviews Rubblebucket 29

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb 28-29 10/29/18 8:58 PM THE CUT: You worked with a lot of producers on this album, the main ideas for them. I had more help with “Take My Breath what was the best part about working with that many Away”; Jeremy, Alex, and I kind of worked that together. Jeremy producers and new producers? had a really cool little melody for the chorus and I was able to put BROOKS BETTS: Well, we wanted to do it because it’d been a more lyrics to that and I had gotten far with that. One day, we minute since we’d worked with some guys who were kind of were in the studio, actually, when we wrote it and I was like “Alex known for their writing capabilities and, you know, being able I can’t finish this,” and he was just like “Just say take my breath to make something a little bit more mainstream I suppose. So, away at the end it makes perfect sense.” And I was like “You’re that was kind of the idea going into it and at the end of the day I right that’s perfect.” So, I mean, that was more of a good example don’t think we did too much of that. We had more opportunities of a song that I was steering, but needed help and the guys pulled to veer down different paths and we kind of stuck more to just through. what Mayday Parade does anyway. But I guess to really answer the question as to what it achieved was that even though it was a TC: What are your favorite songs to perform on the album? little bit more difficult working with people that we’re not used BB: Well, it’s hard to say so far because we only did Warped Tour to working with, we got really good results out of a lot of songs. since its release and it doesn’t leave you a lot of room to play new Maybe a little bit different than what we would’ve had otherwise, songs, but we were doing a couple and “It’s Hard to Be Religious” say with just working with Zack [Odom] and Ken [Mount], which is my favorite so far. We’ll see coming up in the fall. We’re going is what we’re used to; we work really well with those guys, we’re to add in a lot of the new ones and kind of switch a couple out so very like-minded, but it doesn’t give you any kind of opportunity we’re not too heavy-handed on the brand new stuff and just kind to veer down a weird path as much as it does with working with of experiment and see what the crowds really like. somebody that thinks differently. TC: Are there any plans to make more music videos for the TC: I’d say your sound as a band has evolved, especially with album? these last two albums. Do you find that this new sound has BB: We are going to do some more, but we’ve actually had a little attracted a different or more broad demographic of listeners? trouble lining up the right guy to do them because we did plan BB: I think it does, yeah, I think there’s more in [the album] for on having some for the tour, but we wanted to be a little bit more everybody. I think what you’re kind of referring to is that Black thorough with how we approach it and that’s made the process a Lines is probably the most different of all the records we’ve put little elongated, but we’ll have some more out. Interview: together. In my opinion, it’s my favorite, but I know also that people would miss the pop punkiness of the earlier stuff if we TC: During this year’s Warped Tour you had been going continued to just do that. So we tried to do a good combination around selling signed $10 Sunnyland CDs at the different venues. Being that you guys headlined Warped Tour and are a Mayday Parade "I think that’s one of the reasons big band, was it nice to interact with the different people and why we’ve been a band for so fans there at such a close level? Tallahassee-based band Mayday Parade has just celebrated great BB: Yeah, it was cool because you get good feedback. Obviously long and have been able to have success over the release of their sixth studio album, Sunnyland back it, kind of, hurt the record through Spotify, but honestly the successful records is because we in June. The band, comprised of Derek Sanders (lead vocals), Jake reason we were signing them was because people like that, don’t try and put out the same people love to have the actual album signed. That’s a really cool Bundrick (drums, vocals), Jeremy Lenzo (bass), Brooks Betts (rhythm exact thing every time." thing and we realized that people were attracted to that, so we guitars), and Alex Garcia (lead guitarist), recently begun performing were really selling it to people who were just listening to our the album on their tour, with the exception of the songs they of that with Sunnyland, as well as opening up new doors, too. I records on Spotify and Apple Music and stuff like that. So, I was performed at this year’s Vans Warped Tour. I recently got a chance think that’s one of the reasons why we’ve been a band for so long actually getting feedback of what songs they [the listeners] liked, and have been able to have successful records is because we don’t which ones were their favorite, and sometimes they just liked to to speak with rhythm guitarist Brooks Betts about what try and put out the same exact thing every time. tell you their experience with your music, you know, and how went into making and producing the album along with other long they’ve been listening and all that which is really cool. events this past year. TC: In what songs on the album do you have a heavy influence? BB: There’s three of them which were “Take My Breath Away”, TC: Did doing that make you feel nostalgic of the band’s start by Jamie McArthur “Satellite”, and “How Do You Like Me Now.” Usually what with selling CDs at Warped Tour? happens is every member brings most of a song to the group and BB: It did for sure, it’s kind of like a humbling thing to do, you the group makes it a lot better. So, for those three I had most of know. A lot of people thought it was maybe crazy that we would

Interviews Mayday Parade 31

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb 30-31 10/29/18 8:58 PM Alex and I had a lot of this fictional backstory that we had created for the album around the idea of a sun do it, but I think it was a good thing to do and it keeps us down album you had the name Jade and in the past there’s been machine and almost a futuristic Black to Earth and helps reaffirm that we’re not too big to go out and be Katie, Jessie, etc. Mirror-esque implant that would be sweating in the crowd and getting sunburnt and all that. BB: Well, sometimes they’re real people, like in the instance of like a happiness device. Katie, but then sometimes it’s more metaphorical, you know, Jade TC: You guys have a very special authenticity, how have you is actually more of a description of someone who’s jaded so, you managed to keep the authenticity throughout the years even know, that helps [the song]. though the industry and the music scene has dramatically changed? "Not trying to make a song a pop BB: I think that’s by diversifying our music a little bit. Some punk song just because we feel of that naturally happens, but what I think bands get in trouble like we need more of that, has with is, for one, they only have one guy who writes in the band, so that guy can only come up with so many great ideas. There’s helped keep things interesting exceptions to the rule, for sure. There are phenomenal writers throughout the career." out there who can just write hit after hit and keep going, but I think because we’ve all been writers in our own music that helps TC: What do you do on the side as a hobby to keep your keep it going and fresh. It gives new perspectives, it gives new creativity flowing? song ideas that might not have been there. You know, you could BB: Well, I try and mess with some other bands’ music here go and you could co-write with these guys that aren’t in your and there. There’s a band from Tallahassee called Brightside band, and we’ve done that, we even did that for Sunnyland, but that I kind of work with a little bit that’s really good. Stages and none of those songs made the record because they didn’t feel like Stereos is another good band and we have fun and mess around. Mayday Parade. So, having us all involved in that process and I mess around with stuff with Daniel [vocals/bass of Stages and not being afraid to follow what the song really wants to be, and Stereos] here and there, but nothing too serious or, at least not at not trying to make a song a pop punk song just because we feel the moment, you know. We just kind of mess with stuff together like we need more of that, has helped keep things interesting because writing music isn’t just a job, it’s fun. So, I do that, but throughout the career. other than musical stuff, I’m really into the ecology of forestry and the environment where I live here so I spend a lot of time in TC: Would you say that you’re more experimental in the the woods and working with the land to try and make it better songwriting process or do you keep close to a sound that the and restore it back to a more natural state. band is known for? BB: It really depends. Some of the songs that I wrote, even for this record that didn’t make it, are experimental. There are songs that we’ve done that I’ve worked on or the guys have worked on that are experimental and we kind of just let them be that and not try and go too hard in one direction. A good song will speak for itself, so you have to kind of do it it’s own justice and not taint it. I think by not trying to make everything pop punk, that just lets the song speak for Photo by Le grande ana, used under Creative Commons itself. So, to answer your question I don’t worry about it too much, what I do is I rely on the band as a whole to say if something is too far left or too far right to kind of bring it back to center.

TC: Do you guys consider yourselves to be strictly pop punk or sort of a mix of musical genres? BB: I mean, I just kind of call it emo, but, you know, I think we have everything from ballads to heavier rock stuff and, you know, we’re pop punk but we’re rock and roll, emo, we’re all those things. It’s hard to say what you call it, it’s just Mayday Parade.

TC: This is just out of curiosity, but where do you get the inspiration for the names of people in your songs? In this

32 Interviews Mayday Parade 33

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb 32-33 10/29/18 8:58 PM THE CUT: When did you start composing? I play. I’d say french horn or brass, and in terms of voices I love WILLIAM TORRES JR.: I started composing as young as I’d say writing for the male voice, specifically the tenor-tenor-baritone- in middle school… not composing original stuff but I remember bass ensemble; working with The Originals for the past three having a project in my music class where we had to write years, it’s definitely been so cool to discover all that you can do arrangements for different pop songs... I helped arrange the song with the male voice. “Don’t Stop Believing”... I think ever since I was young I would come up with different melodies, and add to music that we were TC: Why do you compose? already singing. I’d say when I first started actually composing WT: I compose because I have something in my heart, in my was the summer right before my junior year of high school when mind that I know I can share with the world, and I honestly truly my teacher asked me to compose a piece of music for the choir mean that. I am just thankful to God that He has blessed me with that I was in. It was an awesome project; I got the help of my the opportunity to express myself through music, and I always gifted program teacher to help make it a reality and it was an feel like I’ve been given inspiration and melodies that just mean awesome experience.” so much to me that I want others to feel. I love the idea of people coming together with a common goal and influencing others, and TC: Who influences or inspires you when you compose? that’s with a lot of things. Music is especially good at doing that. WT: My influences have definitely changed. When I first started I just love the sense of community that music has and brings to composing I’d say that my biggest influences were Eric Whitacre people and I love making people feel something. and Morten Lauridsen from the chorus perspective. I think that they were the people I would study the most in high school, and "I compose because I have Interview: I would just try and learn the secrets to what they made work something in my heart, in my mind with voices and in choir settings. I’d say right now my biggest influences are definitely composers from the 20th century like that I know I can share with the William Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, Benjamin Britten, world, and I honestly truly mean and Gustav Holst. that. "

TC: Are there certain scores that you love? If so which ones TC: Do you feel that it’s important for the audience to be Torres Jr. and why? able to deduct your ideas when listening or playing your WT: So something that I did a lot for all four years of high school compositions, and is goal for the audience to feel exactly and I still do now is participate in marching band, and I feel that what you are feeling? a lot of the music that I latched onto came from marching band. WT: When I compose I definitely… want to evoke emotions. I’m I started getting into this thing called Drum Corps International totally fine with however the audience takes it, because music is by Shambhavi Mishra which is like a professional marching band in a nutshell, but the such a versatile concept and idea. It’s not meant to be taken one music that they used was the stuff that really peaked my interest. way only. Music has so many sides to it, so when I write I am So I’d say that the first piece that I really latched onto and … has aware that people will interpret it differently. However, when a very special place in my heart is “Angels In The Architecture” I do write ... and I feel that it’s not cohesive or not matching William Torres Jr. is a junior music composition by Frank Ticheli. It’s a concert band piece that starts out with with a) what I intended or b) the flow of the piece, I definitely this soprano singing from a balcony, and singing about forming backtrack and find something that best gets the emotion that I major pursuing music education and music a band together to fight against this demon army. It’s just really am trying to evoke. I never try and force anything when it comes technology at Carnegie Mellon University's cool, and I feel like I definitely had a transformative experience to writing. So applying back to the whole emotions and audience, after listening to that. I love the idea that music can be interpreted many ways, and College of Fine Arts. His most recent composition when it comes to my music I definitely try to keep in mind the is an opera titled The Year Without Sleep that TC: Do you have a favorite instrument or voice that you love emotion and flow of the piece so that it can be best conveyed to composing for? the audience. will be premiered Saturday, November 17th WT: By far I’d say the most fun instruments to write for, again 2018 at the Compōs-it Opera Festival. this is coming from my influence of marching band, is brass. I TC: Your most recent composition was an opera, what is it love writing for brass, and actually one of the first pieces I wrote called? Can you give us a brief summary on what it’s about? was for brass ensemble, because I wanted to evoke this sense of WT: This opera is entitled The Year Without Sleep and the libretto marching band—big, bombastic. There is nothing cooler than a was beautifully written by Aleksandra Ambroziak. She is a junior fanfare… especially french horn, because that is the instrument vocal performance and writing major. The whole story is about a

Interviews William Torres Jr. 31

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb 30-31 10/29/18 8:58 PM little girl named Charlie who has sleep paralysis, and with sleep to make through writing this opera. I am really grateful for this starting this was only the beginning, especially when I could paralysis, it’s like you wake up and you can’t move. The entire opportunity to have written this.”. explore the use of more instruments, that just opens up a whole opera takes place in the room of Charlie, and she is encountered new world of opportunity. I definitely to explore the stories of by a ghost like figure of her deceased brother, Julian. There is TC: What were some challenges that you faced when writing the Bible, because that is something that I’ve always wanted turmoil in the household and through the sleep paralysis, and the opera? to dive into and bring to life. I am also going to start working through seeing Julian, she comes to terms with losing her brother WT : So it’s not just like a full fledged opera, it’s actually a on a soprano solo for my good friend, Julia Marcus - vocal as well as learns how to bring her family together. It’s just a very chamber opera which means that the ensemble has to be smaller. performance major, for her recital, as well as a trumpet and dream-like, very inward opera… Something that I really wanted When writing this I had to confine my pitt ensemble to be five percussion duo piece... Lots of things on the horizon, but I have to mess with was the communication between the brother and instruments—clarinet, saxophone, french horn, baritone horn, been overjoyed by the whole process of writing this opera and I sister, as well as the communication between her and the house, and cello. I think that was one of the biggest challenges, just trying can’t wait for what the future holds for me. so a definite thing that I use throughout the opera is Julian using to write in the style that I like to write in while having less of an the house to communicate with her. The way I do that is by using instrumentation. Something that I tried to maximize on was the a vocal ensemble—standard sextet. Using the human voice adds use of to vocal ensemble which adds to the pitt, and adds a different a whole other layer and texture to the writing that really brings texture to it. I’d say another part that was challenging was trying the house to life and really extenuates how Julian and Charlie to write while keeping in mind the blocking and where the singers communicate with each other.. on the stage would be placed, because at the time of writing it we hadn’t had any blocking or any stage directions… This was very TC: How did you come up with this idea, and why did you much me imagining it in my head where the singers would be when write it as an opera? singing. Opera is very weird, especially with mine where it’s very WT: Last year, Josh Brown and Russell Henry Holbert, who are dream-like; the whole concept of time just gets thrown out the the founders of the Compos-it Opera Festival where this will window. You could be spending five minutes on just two words of be performed at, mentioned it to all the composers that this dialog... That’s how time works in an opera. Things are emphasized opportunity would happen, and I never really ever gave thought more, so I think that there was just a slight delay in writing and to opera which is crazy to think about. Opera is something trying to keep in mind how the story would be staged and how the that never crossed my mind, in fact it was something that I story would flow. What I do is I rely on the band as a whole to say was opposed to earlier in my life, because of TV ‘Oh opera is if something is too far left or too far right to kind of bring it back to so boring’, but it’s quite the opposite. I think when Josh and center. Russell brought it up it peaked my interest, because I think that opera does something a little more than regular pieces "Opera is very weird, especially which is storytelling, and that is something I really wanted to with mine where it’s very dream- explore when doing this. Watching the performance last year that Russell and Josh put on, it was just such a wonderful and like; the whole concept of time just moving experience that I knew I wanted to try my hand at it. gets thrown out the window. You So, I came up to Aleksandra Ambroziak, and I was like ‘Hey did could be spending five minutes on you hear about Compos-it?’ and she was said ‘Yeah, I actually just two words of dialog... That’s want to write libretto for something’, and I asked ‘Do you want how time works in an opera. Things to team up and work on this?’, and I am so thankful that she are emphasized more, so I think was up to the challenge. Towards the end of spring last year we came together and started throwing ideas off of each other, and that there was just a slight delay in she told me about a short story that she wrote about a little girl writing and trying to keep in mind named Charlie titled “Waffles”, but it was such a wonderfully how the story would be staged and beautiful story and it’s like the backstory to what our opera is. how the story would flow." It was so wonderful to work with her and seeing the story come to life. I remember the moment where we were like ‘We should TC: If you were to describe your opera in three words, what use voices and they should represent the house’ and we were would those three words be? like ‘Oh my gosh this is amazing!’... We are all used to musicals WT: Innocence. Mending. Love. but I think that operas are very different in the singing style, the type of music that you use, and the sound pallet. It’s been TC: Are there any new projects that you are working on? wonderful trying to discover my voice, and sounds that I like WT: I definitely want to keep exploring opera because I feel like

32 Interviews William Torres Jr. 33

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb 32-33 10/29/18 8:58 PM THe Cut Nov2018.indb AllPages 38 Concert Reviews Concert Reviews Concert Reviews Concert "They clearly loved clearly "They play." we astheaudience being onstage,being and loved seeing them loved them seeing by Clare Lai Shonen Knife Concert Reviews Concert bright energy thattheycamefor. played agreat showandgave theaudienceexactlyintense, lar cuts, suchas“Rubber Band”and“BananaChips.” about thesongstheydidn'trecognize, aswell astheirmore popu- audience skewed olderthancollege-age. People were enthusiastic seeing themplay. They clearlyloved beingonstage, andwe astheaudienceloved friendliness and warmth that Shonen Knife showed theirfans. other thantheirfamiliar, headbangingtunes, was definitelythe of thebandduringentire show. The oftheshow, bestpart Risa showed offherskillsandenergized thecrowd withtherest joined byher54-year-old sisterAtsuko. The current drummer theirlatestPittsburghDuring show, 57-year-old Naoko was strong. The energy theybrought tothestagewas incredible. touring theStates. more well knownworldwide, and openingshowsforNirvana rock andpopvocals. instrumentation In the90s, theybecame the 80s, theyestablishedthemselves asabandwithdistinctalt- Nakatani. Inspired bytheRamonesandpoppunkrock from sisters Naoko Yamano, Atsuko Yamano, andtheirfriend Michie energetic shows, ShonenKnife was formedinOsaka1981by way-of-Japan soundintoourears. Famous fortheirextensiveand Spirit Hall onSeptember4thto blast theiruniquegarage-by- On yet anotherworldtour, ShonenKnife cametoPittsburgh's The overall concert was, inoneword, fun.ShonenKnife As iscommonforShonenKnife andthevenue, mostofthe 37 years aftertheirinception,ShonenKnife isstillgoing 10/29/18 8:58 PM 39 Concert Reviews

Shakey Graves If there’s anything to learn from attending a concert, it’s to go in with an open by Jamie McArthur mind. On a dreary day in Pittsburgh at Stage AE, we attended the indie-rock artist Shakey Graves’ concert, a show that was anything but dreary. At first, it almost seemed as if we had arrived at the wrong venue. There was a crowd of mid- dle-aged seemingly country rock fans, definitely not the demographic we expected. Although we were completely out of place, it wasn’t discouraging; the best kinds of concerts are the ones where you don’t know what to expect. LA-born band The "Although we were Wild Reeds opened the stage with an uncontested energy. The band consisted of completely out three female leads who sang impassioned three-part harmonies that resonated Blue Shift On September 22nd, Blue Shift performed in the Rex Theater located in South beautifully throughout the venue. The strength and richness in each of their by Natalia Santiago Side Flats. Blue Shift is a small local band composed of: Seith Reisz (guitar and of place, it wasn’t voices complemented their heart-wrenching lyrics of “Everything Looks Better lead vocals), Evan Rubin (bass guitar), Jack O’Connor (lead guitar), Ari Wynn discouraging; (In Hindsight)” and enhanced the fire of “Capable.” The colorful background and (keyboard, synthesizer) and Mike Stolarz (drums and backing vocals). Originally I the best kinds of lights put a psychedelic spin on their folk-hippie essence. Sometimes during an went to the concert as a favor for a friend trying to support the band and I was not concerts are the opener it’s hard to rouse the crowd because (unfortunately) less people care about really expecting much. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the band, composed "However, I was ones where you the openers. However, these ladies had no trouble making each audience member of a high school sophomore and college freshmen. They gave a professional and come alive. We absorbed their passion and swayed to the vibrations of the music. pleasantly energetic performance in which they played a varied set ranging from covers to don’t know what Each song smoothly transitioned to the next to create waves of liveliness amongst surprised by the original songs. to expect." everyone. band, composed During the show they played cover songs from Vampire Weekend and some This liveliness carried through to Shakey Graves’ performance. He of a high school original songs— “Benny’s Jam”, “Funk Jam”, “Last Dance”, “Event Horizon” and opened with a solo, “Nobody’s Fool,” a soft tune that entranced the crowd. After “Myiasis”. The band itself leaned towards an indie/psychedelic rock sound; in an that he began to build the show more, playing his higher energy songs with backup sophomore and interview with drummer Mike Stolarz, he informed us that the band is mainly in- musicians for most of the set, and it’s safe to say he sounded better live. We think college freshmen." fluenced by psych Bands from the 70’s such as Parliament and Prince, progressive one can only truly experience the beauty of his voice live because the natural raspi- rock and jazz fusion bands (Steven Wilson, Weather Report and King Crimson) ness of his voice when he effortlessly hits high notes is best in its raw, unfiltered and more modern bands (Vampire Weekend and Red Hot Chilli Peppers). The state. His gritty voice perfectly complemented the enchanting way he played the band is small and relatively new but they have already given quite a few perfor- drums with his heels. The mesmerizing blue-toned backdrop with rippling ab- mances in different venues, opening for Grouplove in September. They seem to stract shapes was unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. Like Nissan would say, it have big plans for the future with upcoming performances and ideas to release an was “innovation that excites.” One unexpected highlight of the show was watching album by 2019. To see any events or find more information they have an Instagram this middle-aged man repeatedly attempt to FaceTime God knows who, but he (@blueshiftband). Fueled by talent and a strong work ethic, Blue Shift is onto the tried his darndest. Shakey Graves’ passion for his music really shown through the beginning of something great. way he sweat so much more than his bandmates-his hair was completely wet, and his face gave off a glowing shine. Besides the sweat and persistent FaceTimes, the Shakey Graves show gave us quite a night. We went in expecting a mild show; instead got a sublime performance that transcended our expectations and was one to remember. Concert Reviews 40 Concert Reviews Concert Reviews 41

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM Pittsburgh Symphony Old ladies wore sparkly dresses so that they matched the sparkly glass on the Orchestra lights lining the balconies. They walked arm in arm with their husbands, whose by Mei Leng friendly face wrinkles deeply contrasted their ironed trousers and suits. AtConcert Heinz Hall, a magical palace complete with shiny gold decorations, an odd combination of young and old people, all looking fancy, gathered together to hear Pinchas Zukerman play with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as they celebrated the conductor Manfred Honeck’s 60th birthday. Unfortunately, I am poorly educated in the classical music genre. I had Reviewsno “At times the idea how to interpret the chaos of noise that hit my eardrums once the first piece sounds were so started playing. All I could do was sit in my comfy red chair and appreciate the painfully meticulous masterpiece made by someone unknown to me. At times the delicate; every sounds were so delicate; every single instrument quieting down just enough to single instrument feature the fluttering of a flute or a bassoon’s echoey hums. Those sounds tickled Frankie Cosmos When I first listened to Frankie Cosmos I thought, “Oh cool, some soft music to quieting down just my ears. Other times, the violins started playing, followed by the shiny brass, oboe, by Megan Naji jam out to.” As I got more into it, I realized that there was so much more to her enough to feature bassoon, and other shiny instruments until we were surrounded by fluctuations short, punk songs. Seeing her perform at the Mr. Roboto Project (one of Pittsburgh’s the fluttering of the richest harmony created by musicians playing their instruments with as premier DIY venues) made this even more apparent. Looking at the faces of her and of a flute or a much energy as they could. I felt my ears and stomach vibrate during these parts. her bandmate Lauren (piano & vocals), you can tell how much soul goes into their Seeing the sea of violin bows move vigorously across the strings in unison was so music. Even though every song blends into the next, there’s a different story behind bassoon’s echoey satisfying. I also loved looking at Honeck’s speedy hand gestures–they reminded each of them, making her discography read like an honest book about her life. hums. Those me of Aang’s movements in Avatar: The Last Airbender. I wondered how muscular The concert is at a small venue, and is in many ways similar to a house show (with sounds tickled my one’s arms must have to be to hold them up for so long. the exception that it actually started on time). Both of the openers, Stef Chura and ears.” Pinchas Zukerman looks like the type of person that would make a nice, mellow Lomelda, perform with a raw intensity that Frankie Cosmos later matches. You can grandfather, but man, oh man, could he play his 276-year-old violin with fierce see the emotion that every lyric brings, and it takes you with them. During the set-up determination. He and his violin created such a sweet, yet piercing sound. He “We’re of different time between Stef and Lomelda, my friend and I take a seat on the floor where we switched notes so smoothly that there was a buttery feeling to the song, especially ages, coming from can close our eyes and bop along to the music. At about 9 pm, Frankie comes out of during the slow parts. Other than an accidental nap because the chairs were too different places, the back room carrying and setting down her Jansport backpack as she and her band comfy, my first symphony experience was unexpectedly cool. I look forward to the with different start setting up. A few minutes later she’s at the mic thanking everyone for coming next one. backgrounds, out and apologizing for the heat. We’re all sweating at this point, but it doesn’t matter because there’s nowhere else we’d rather be on a Tuesday night. “Alright,” she says, (P.S. quick shoutout to the percussion man in the back banging on wood with a mallet. and interested in “we’re gonna rock!” The beat was so fast and his timing was never off; it was truly incredible.) different things, Her intensely pure vocals take over the space and she begins the set with the first and yet we form a song on her newest album, Caramelize. It’s all so transparent—the music, the venue, community.” the artists—and it creates a special sort of intimacy. Everyone in the audience is connected over our excitement to hear our favorite songs finally sung directly to us from Frankie, who is standing on a small wooden stage only about a foot above the ground. As we all sweat and breathe in the same air, we are sharing not just a moment in time but a space. Everyone is engaged: bopping along, smiling, and when she sings her most popular songs, gently singing along. I smile because even though I am really far from home, I feel like I’m back in LA, amongst friends, jamming to our angsty girl music. And that’s another thing — the audience is a lot of what you’d expect: girls with bangs and big glasses (very similar in appearance to me), but beyond that very different. We’re of different ages, coming from different places, with different backgrounds, and interested in different things, and yet we form a community. We’re all strangers, but we’ve been connected through

Reviews Concert the lyrics of Frankie Cosmos, our girl role model. And in this case, it’s important that she’s a girl, that we’re all girls, that the line-up is all girls, because that’s a rarity in the world of band music.

42 Concert Reviews Concert Reviews 43

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM Concert Reviews

Years and Years In a black mesh shirt, dangly earrings, and patterned pants, Olly Alexander dances by Bernice Yu in front of a sold out crowd that clearly adores him. Frontman of British synth pop group Years & Years, Alexander is exuberant, sinuous, and unashamed. The tiny corner stage at Stage AE doesn’t do Alexander­—or the rest of the band— justice. When I bought my ticket for the show, I expected the performance to take place on the main Stage AE indoor stage, which spans an entire wall of the space and is raised off the ground about 4 or 5 feet, putting performers at eye level for

even patrons standing in the back. However, the show on the night of Saturday, Lai Clare by Illustration October 6th takes place on a tiny, floor-level stage in the corner of the room next “Every track… [is] to the bar, a space apparently called “The Club at Stage AE”, rather than just “Stage environment. The band primarily plays songs from their latest album Palo Santo, performed with AE”. The Club’s miniature stage not only limits Alexander’s ability to fully express including singles “Sanctify”, “If You’re Over Me”, and “All for You," with some anthem-like his explosive energy and avant garde dance moves, but also drastically limits the tracks from their first album Communion mixed throughout the setlist. Every track, fervor, and the audience’s ability to see him past the second row, causing noticeable tension and even Palo Santo non-singles like “Karma” and “Rendezvous," are performed with energy in the jockeying towards the back. I’m craning my neck for most of the performance. anthem-like fervor, and the energy in the room maintains a steady and joyous Years & Years hosts two openers. The first, Jess Kent, offers somewhat safe and pulse all the way up to the finale – a performance of “King”, their chart-topping room maintains a repetitive pop songs, like a more trite version of Charli XCX and a less vocally Communion single from 2016. steady and joyous impressive Ariana Grande. Kent starts relatively strong but quickly creates an awk- While it would have been nice to see them perform on Stage AE’s standard stage, pulse all the way ward dynamic with the audience when she attempts on several occasions to teach Years & Years succeeds in transforming this tiny stage with terrible sightlines into up to the finale” us refrains to sing along with her, often with lukewarm success. an engaging and even personal platform. Throughout the show, the audience is The second opener, CYN, presents much stronger stage presence, prowling effusive in their affection; for a portion of the show, Alexander holds a white rose across the small stage with confidence. Offering mellow beats, lush dance sounds, in the same hand as his microphone—a gift from someone in the front row. De- and pleasantly engaging lyrics, CYN is stylistically reminiscent of other indie pop spite – or perhaps because of – the audience’s overwhelming displays of support, acts like Marina and the Diamonds or St. Vincent. She properly warms up the the band remains humble and sweetly gracious, and there is clear joy and groove in Concert crowd for Years & Years, especially with her vampy tune “Believer”. their performance. Despite the limitations of the venue, Years & Years succeeds in engaging even “I love each and every one of you”, Alexander says, and reaches into the audience those craning at the back of the audience. Alexander’s powerful vocals - backed up to touch hands with fans. “We’re just a little band from the UK and we’re very hap- by Phebe Edwards and Joell Fender - and ecstatic energy are infectious, and the py we could come and play,” he says before their final song, “So thank you so much crowd absolutely loves them, singing along and dancing euphorically. Flanking Al- for coming tonight… use protection, be kind to each other." exander are bandmates Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Türkmen, colorfully dressed As “King” draws to a close, Alexander blows kisses into the audience. Reviews and with Goldsworthy donning face paint. The stage lights flood the stage with monochrome colored light, changing from reds to blues, magentas to yellows in between songs, giving each song a distinct mood and flavor; it’s a nice touch of designed simplicity, especially in this intimate

44 Concert Reviews Concert Reviews 45

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM Rap + Film: Analyzing Movie Soundtracks by Omasan Richardson

A movie’s soundtrack is very break records, but also served Black Panther: The Album Kamikaze. The song was used important to both the tone and marketing for the movie. This was used to enhance an as a tie-in track for the movie mood of a movie. A trend that could be an explanation for already phenomenal film. of the same name, but does has been slowly on the rise why artists seem to be more The harmonious marriage not fit cohesively with the rest since the early 2000s is the use keen on working with movie of African instruments and of Kamikaze. It's an example

Image by Batiste Safont, under Creative used Commons of popular artists to influence studios to produce soundtracks modern rapping offered more of a song in which the music how memorable a movie will or singles for a movie. dimensions to the movie. doesn’t really enhance the be. For example, the movie Hip-hop artist Kendrick These two cases of film in any way, nor serve as Suicide Squad, the story of Lamar, took this a step further popular artists in with an extension of the artist’s Batman villains-turned-heroes by actually collaborating with movie soundtracks show previous music. was received poorly by both rappers like Vince Staples and how influential an artist’s If this trend of artists critics and audiences, but Jay Rock, as well as R&B singer collaboration can be on the working on movie soundtracks the soundtrack was very well SZA, to record an entire album initial reception of the film. continues, it should be more received. The indie pop band for the Marvel film Black However, this is not always the in the vein of Kendrick Lamar Twenty One Pilots released Panther. The album followed case. Many artists may release and Twenty One Pilots, not a single, "Heathens," with themes and storylines from songs that do not fit the the minimal effort put forth by the album, that ended up the movie while also taking overall quality of music they Eminem on Venom. nominated for three Grammys into account Lamar’s personal have produced in the past, and one billion views on style. Unlike the Suicide Squad which ends up feeling like YouTube. soundtrack which seemed attempts just to cash in. This is This recognition not only to be a stand out from the blatantly evident in Eminem’s helped Twenty One Pilots otherwise mediocre film, song “Venom” off his album

46 What We're Thinking About Rap + Film: Analyzing Movie Soundtracks 47

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM The cultural zeitgeist today is of recycled flows and lyrics. just acknowledgement of his decided what “good” hip-hop a traditional Japanese dress in a undoubtedly ruled by hip-hop. The period of hip-hop right presence. was. Since Thugger’s sound full body photoshoot. A rapper It dominates the charts, social before his emergence is Any one song from Young didn’t adhere to the already named “Young Thug” having media, and every bar mitzvah undoubtedly hip-hop’s largest Thug’s extensive discography existing idea of high quality the audacity to go against after 2010. Just a quick glance slump. The late 2000s and has hundreds of little bits music, it was automatically traditional views of masculinity at the artists who dominate early 2010s was the era of and pieces that make his deemed bad. in one of the least progressive the scene can offer a reflection ringtone hip-hop. It was the music profoundly different. Despite all the critical genres was unsurprisingly met of our shifting values. It’s excessively commercial, flashy, Sometimes his flow gets so backlash, there was an with anger. Homophobic slurs mostly young, colorful-haired, and homogenous sound that excited his words start slurring unmistakably catchy and were constantly being thrown and off-putting personalities. filled amateur skating videos together in an intoxicating alluring quality to his music his way. We see the likes of Lil and club scenes for B movies. way. Traditional grammar rules that continued to shoot him Today, these choices are Yachty proudly farting on Coming fresh out of the and rules about the English up the charts. As he rose, ubiquitous. The colorful hair, live television, Lil Uzi Vert chaotic mess of hip-hop was a language in general get thrown other rappers started copying melodic mumbling, and ability dancing in front of a camera rapper whose name sounded out the window as he concocts his style in droves. His often to act differently from what the by himself for minutes on end, so mainstream, it was almost phrases that often just don’t yelpy and sporadic mumble- genre expected of you is now and 6ix9ine dribbling spit as satirical. Young Thug rose to make sense. His ad-libs can rap flows are seen in a flood of the norm. His influence can he screams to his Instagram fame slowly, with songs that sometimes be screeching that SoundCloud rappers today. On be seen in Ski Mask the Slump live audience. Today’s rappers generally fit into traditional lasts for several seconds. He his most recent mixtape, Slime God’s painted nails, the fashion don’t fit the mold of the hip-hop, but had a certain would often fall in and out Language, he features a wide choices behind Lil Uzi Vert, and stereotypical hip-hop artist a kookiness to them. of odd pockets where he’d be array of his label-mates that the army of Young Thug clones decade ago. We have Young The change to a slightly performing a hybrid of singing sound alarmingly like him. attempting to recreate his Thug to thank for the current more accepting community and rapping. The list of left- One of the reasons his sound iconic sound. state of the genre. and diverse sound did not field antics goes on and on. gets confused as mainstream There have been trailblazers From the birth of hip-hop, come overnight. It was At first, his style was met today is because he invented before Young Thug. Lil B has there was always an image reached through a slew of with confusion and hate. that sound, and everyone dressed in women’s clothing, Lil associated with it. Saying the pioneers each contributing in “Hip-hop is a lyrical genre” subsequently followed his Wayne has dyed his hair before, word “rapper” would often their own way. Young Thug is often one of the first lead. and Future also mumbled hazily invoke involuntary images of is a criminally neglected criticisms brought to his craft. However, his largest through his bars. However, hyper masculine black men. member of this group. He How could someone create influence on hip-hop is his Young Thug’s uncountable odds And to an extent, the culture both revitalized both the sonic hip-hop where the words effect on the culture. Many of and ends separate him from was dominated by these landscape of the genre and were often indecipherable or the trends in hip-hop started the rest. Due to his willingness figures for several decades. Of changed the social stigma simply bordered on absurd? because of Young Thug’s to deviate from norm and his course there were exceptions surrounding individuality in Because of his lack of diction willingness to try something relative success because of it, to this generalization, but for hip-hop. and lyrical substance, Young new. In fact, he was often hip-hop has started to prize a successful rapper to express His rise to fame can be Thug was perceived as hated for and ridiculed people’s individuality rather themselves in any way besides widely attributed to the fact objectively bad hip-hop. This because of his choices. He’d than punish them for it. And the status quo would have that he’s an artist’s artist. phenomenon is indicative often change his hair color since hip-hop is one of today’s been career suicide. While Various music legends ranging of a larger issue. It’s a classic and style, paint his nails largest cultural influences, this other genres like glam-rock, from Kanye West to Elton example of the is-ought fallacy. different colors, and use attitude shift has ramifications

Young Thug: Young Most Hip-Hop's PioneerOverlooked Daniel Yeh by disco, and synth-pop were John have praised his extreme This occurs when one believes language widely regarded as that extend far beyond music; already pushing the bounds of work ethic or other-worldly that simply because something effeminate. His album covers it’s a step forward in changing masculinity and progressive vocal performances. As he is a certain way, it should always generate buzz because the collective beliefs of an ideas all around, hip-hop ascended the charts, various always be that way. It’s exactly of this blatant disregard of entire generation. stayed stubbornly uniform. high-profile artists reached out this corrosive thinking that is social norms. On Barter In terms of the musical and gave exposure to his bright responsible for the hindrance 6, he is completely in component in hip-hop, Young and off-kilter sound. This of progress in almost all fields. the nude with only a shadow Thug was a sorely needed exposure came in the form In the case of Young Thug, the covering his genitals. On eclectic voice among a drone of features, cosigns, or even public had a set of rules that Jeffery, he wears

48 What We're Thinking About Young Thug: Hip-Hop's Most Overlooked Pioneer 49

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb All Pages 10/29/18 8:58 PM THe Cut Nov2018.indb AllPages

Frankie Cosmos at the Mr. Roboto Project Photo by Megan Naji www.thecutmagazine.com 10/29/18 8:58 PM The Cut Magazine Issue 50 November 2018

THe Cut Nov 2018.indb 52 10/29/18 8:58 PM