Issue 49

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Cover Photo Liam Van Oort Issue 49

Spring 2018 Editor-in-Chief David Dwyer

Assistant Editor Brooke Ley

Creative Director Serina Liu

Photo Editor Liam Van Oort

Copy Editor Julie Heming

Public Relations Dalia Laredo

Chief Web Editor Daniel DeLuca

Writing Staff Amalia Baker Eugene Luo Nick Longney Luk Philippe de Bree Steven Montinar Wilson Ekern Chris Ng Robby Fry CJ Rosado Lindsay Glick Jackie Chou Kirman Hanson Louis Suarez Cassie Howard Izzy Sio Ali Kidwai Adam Tunnard Trevor Lazar Stephen Yamalis Laura Rospigliosi Jacob Paul

Photo Staff Nick Boston Izzy Sio Mairead Dambruch

Editing Staff Lucy Denegre Longney Luk Wilson Ekern Izzy Sio Robby Fry Adam Tunnard Lindsay Glick

Design Staff Anna Gross Laura Rospigliosi Yoonyoung Kim Mimi Jiao Letter Erin Ryan From The Editor

3 Masthead I’ve been listening to more music recently. As the semester picked up, I found myself needing much more music to alleviate the Letter day-to-day stress that I know a lot of us experience. I’d put SZA, Carly Rae, and that new (fantastic) Cardi B on, and I was and we cannot ignore the persons immediately made powerful. Studying and behind the music anymore. From studio sessions became less stressful, and also doubled as a time for exploring music. This, of course, is not to say we I went and explored more obscure pop than should ever deny the escape that the I have previously, including Jessy Lanza and music itself provides. Music should be The Natasha Kmeto, and listened to SOPHIE’s enjoyed, and there are so many new “Hard” to give me a jolt of energy when I out to take a listen to! Wilson was maybe not in the best of sorts. Ekern found that the new MGMT Editor album revitalizes the ’s career, one I have so many recent memories related to that has been floundering for a decade. music, so a personal suggestion: never be CJ Rosado found that the ex-Fifth afraid to blast Dua Lipa’s incredible “One Harmonizer, Camila, has a promising Kiss.” For one, it’ll immediately put you in new future as a solo artist. And on the best mood possible. It also is undeniable, the more disappointing (but totally and people will join you in your good mood. entertaining) end, Trevor Lazar found Music has this immediate influence, but the endless corniness in JT’s Man of the music, and its creators, can also be troubling Woods. I personally would dissociate as well. as far as possible from it, but you’ve been warned. We put a scalpel to the industry this semester. Our weekly meetings had conversations Coming to the end of my tenure as the that were oftentimes uncomfortable but Editor-in-Chief, I’d like to say to The always challenging and engaging. Adam Cut members that it has been such an Tunnard took a closer look at one of his amazing and challenging opportunity to favorite artists, Tyler, The Creator, and work with you all. You all continue to examined what his newer, less aggressive show me how amazing music is, and Letter persona means. Hannah Daniel explored the how interesting music criticism can be. implications of the #TimesUp and #MeToo To my readers, thank you for allowing movements, and questioned how it would us the space in which to share our manifest itself in the music industry. opinions, our obscure music, and our From passions with you. Thank you for a These questions are becoming more and great year. more important to even the casual music fan. We have to make judgments about what we David Dwyer The pay attention to as we are consuming music, Editor

Letter From The Editor 4 SaintMotel at Petersen Events Center Photo by Liam Van Oort What We’re 7 Listening To

Essay In Defense of Tyler, the 11 Creator's Controversial Past

Concert 13 Reviews

Main Interview 15 Dean Wareham 25 Album Reviews Table of Contents 6 Black Panther: The The Saplings EP Album The Saplings Music from and Inspired by Kendrick Lamar Psycho Post Malone ft. Ty Dolla Rock Island $ign Palm Look Alive GT Ultra BlocBoy JB ft. Drake Guerilla Toss Free Room Painted Shut Ravyn Lenae ft. Appleby Hop Along Never Be The Same Twin Fantasy Camila Cabello Car Seat Headrest Get You Cry Baby Daniel Caesar ft. Kali Uchis Demi Lovato I Like It I Never Dream Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Against All Logic Balvin

'Till It's Over Anderson .Paak

Short Court Style Natalie Prass

Nice for What Drake

What We’re Listening To

What We’re Listening To Best Censored Versions

Rusty [Live on Sorry not Sorry by A playlist of censored songs to keep Letterman] by Tyler Demi Lovato in mind if you ever have to create a the Creator, with The lyrics “Payback is a playlist for your grandparents. Domo and Earl bad chick/And baby I’m the This track is a brutal baddest/Y’all playin’ with assault on Tyler’s early a savage” are adequately career critics, and in bad-ass for what Demi is the studio version, it is going for in this jam, and wrought with profanity. they are appropriate for a Hearing the creative ways camp full of young ears. they spin their original Note to self: the original words is nothing short of version is not appropriate brilliant. They jokingly for a camp full of young over-censor themselves ears, so it would be wise just for kicks, while to double-check before maintaining an unsettling accidentally playing the and abrasive vibe. And, explicit one in the wrong Letterman definitely hated setting. every second of it. Stephen Yamalis Adam Tunnard Rockstar by Post That's What I Like by Malone ft. 21 Savage Bruno Mars, KIDZ BOP This song is already super Version catchy as it is, but I heard Nothing beats sitting on it on the radio a couple a three-hour bus ride full weeks ago and realized of children about that the station literally “Strawberry Milkshakes could not play the hook so nice” or an invitation of the song. They also to “Hang by the fire all immediately followed night.” Lucky for you, this through with Ludacris’ song does just that, and it’s “Move B*tch”, so clearly sung by a choir of children. they didn’t really care. Stephen Yamalis Eugene Luo

Mixtape 8 #timesup Hannah Daniels

If you watched the 2018 lawyers was dismissed and the it in mass media, actors and Grammys, you may have noticed ruling was upheld. actresses need (and yearn) to be a subtle sign of protest from recognized on a large scale. There some of the artists. No, it wasn’t On the other hand, we’ve seen the is no SoundCloud in Hollywood. Kesha’s powerful performance drastic upheaval and ousting of Music is logistically simpler to of “Praying,” or Janelle Monae’s many Hollywood directors and make and produce, so musicians powerful speech on gender producers (Harvey Weinstein and are less reliant on their producers inequality in the music industry. Woody Allen come to mind). Yet, to “make it big.” In music, there Instead, some artists chose to wear as writers of The Cut sat down seems to be less reliance on the white roses on the red carpet. to talk about the #TimesUp and producer. #MeToo campaigns, we noticed This effort was organized by that these movements have not Also, #TimesUp’s current lack of Meg Harkins and Karen Rait, the hit the music industry as they impact in the music industry could two women behind the Voices have restructured TV and film. It be due to the depersonalization in Entertainment movement as seemed like Kesha’s lawsuit had, that is inherent to music. When a formal acknowledgement of tragically, come too early, at just we watch House of Cards, we are the larger #TimesUp movement. the wrong time. forced to see Kevin Spacey’s face The mobilization was last minute for 45 painstaking minutes every and scrambled, but artists from We had a few thoughts about why episode. Recent allegations make it across the country came together these issues, while sadly relevant hard to look him in the eyes, and to protest sexism and abuse in the to the music industry, has failed to thus we stop watching his shows music industry. transform music as drastically as and movies as a form of protest. it has for Hollywood. For starters, On the other hand, music focuses This wasn’t the first time that the connection of an artist to a on a different sense: hearing. We artists have come together to make label or production company is may see pictures of artists and statements about sexual assault, less emphasized by musicians. I, watch interviews on TV, but their misconduct, and general sexism in for one, don’t know who produces art is not dependent on their look, the music industry. Kesha’s lawsuit the music for some of my favorite like it is in Hollywood. Because in 2014 against her producer, bands, but I can tell a Woody of this, we can distance, in our Dr. Luke, is a tragic but excellent Allen movie from a mile away. The minds, the artists from their art. example of the injustice towards names of actors and actresses are Music is disembodied in a way women that is sometimes revealed closely linked to the projects they that film and TV fundamentally in the music industry. The charges work on and studios they work in, is not. of physical and sexual assault date but musicians have more creative back to 2005, and through the freedom and distance from their Even though the music industry suit, Kesha asked to be released labels. (Take Macklemore as an has been thus far “shielded” early from her contract with Dr. example: he released his first from the upheaval of #MeToo Luke. The case ended up at the album independent of a record and #TimesUp, no industry is New York Supreme court, where label). This may be because the impervious to change. And just they denied Kesha’s plea and music industry is so accessible: like the #TimesUp movement is did not allow her to terminate anyone with a recording device beginning to reshape Hollywood, her contract. Even though many and internet can join SoundCloud everyone can agree that change artists, including Ariana Grande, and produce music. However, is coming. Historically, musicians , Lorde, and Taylor the acting industry is more have never stayed silent on issues Swift, voiced their support and streamlined. Hollywood is a that matter the most, so why outrage, the appeal by Kesha’s network of names, and to make should this be any different?

9 What We’re Thinking About #timesup Hannah Daniels Fee Lion at Ace Hotel Ace Lion at Fee Photo by Liam Van Oort Van Liam by Photo

10 In Defense of Tyler, the Creator's Controversial Past

Adam Tunnard

Musicians who spend much of their careers in and gruesome. Their purpose, Tyler has the public eye have always had to deal with explained, is to represent different evils that controversy surrounding their work. Issues exist in the world, talk about controversial relating to domestic abuse, homophobia, and issues, and express unadulterated anger. racism shroud the careers of many once-well- That and “to piss off old white people like regarded musicians. This is a good thing; you,” as Tyler told BBC’s Stephen Smith. people need to be held accountable for their actions. But what about cases that are less One of the worst parts of his early work was clear-cut? that it attracted a concerning audience: people who thought he just “wasn't afraid to tell This is where I find an uncomfortable amount it like it is,” when in reality (in my opinion) of nuance. What should listeners do in these he was not condoning these problematic situations of controversy? Similarly, what behaviors. Rather, he was expressing anger, do we even know to be true in music? Let’s telling fablistic stories, and being overly edgy take, for example, the work of renowned hip to gain attention. He definitely, consciously hop producer and rapper Tyler, The Creator. responded to this image and his audience with He was banned from the United Kingdom in Flower Boy. 2012 and faced widespread opposition due to the rampant homophobic and violent themes The above excerpts show a certain that occur in his early work. characteristic no longer found in Tyler’s current work. Lots of new and current Tyler Some examples include the following quotes: fans would be on the ‘boycott Odd Future’ “Half your body laying on my chest, The trend years ago had they ever heard his rest is in my stomach, that's including your early career work prior to Flower Boy, an breast”, on the track “Sarah” from Bastard in album that paints a much more soft-spoken, 2009, or “I fuck bitches with no permission thoughtful, poetic, and (hopefully) accurate and tend to hate shit, brag about the actions picture of Tyler’s life. It is a work that in a rhyming pattern matter, then proceed brings about a new, seemingly truthful, and to sat her down when I go splatter in her inoffensive wing of Tyler’s career. chatterbox” on “Tron Cat” from Goblin in 2011. His music was absolutely riddled That being said, Tyler’s work, new and with this kind of imagery, as well as nearly old, both represent extremely complex and constant homophobic slurring. personal issues. He is vulnerable across his discography, discussing the issue of These works are unabashedly problematic growing up without a father being bullied

11 Essay in school,having suicidal thoughts, and being in the closet for most of his career. The main difference in his new work is that Tyler is manifesting his feelings in a less angry and abrasive way than he did in his past work.

Artists often struggle to get people to understand their work. Tyler, the Creator, has faced warranted opposition his entire career, and struggled to get people to “understand” the ostensibly sadistic, violent, and homophobic imagery all over his diverse works. Criticism makes sense: his early work is ridiculously problematic and appears downright evil. It seemed he was making work that was purposely challenging.

Even though some might try to appropriate his lyrics as homophobic or misogynistic ammo, it’s a bit complicated: Tyler himself is a recently-out bisexual man with an untraditional upbringing and a unique way of manifesting it into his music. His music is full of brutal lyricism, but at least in his early work, he was attempting to play characters as if he were an actor in a horror movie. Whether or not he did this successfully is always up for debate, but in my opinion, it's pretty clear that he went way too far almost constantly in his early work. So what are we to make of Tyler, the Creator now?

Essay 12 Concert Reviews

Yung Lean Yung Lean and Thaiboi Digital, despite their dreamy nature, somehow Daniel Ekern inspired constant moshing in the crowd at Spirit Hall. I bore witness to two pairs of broken glasses, a few smashed phones, and an incredible number of lost hats, all illuminated in various shades of red and purple. All the greatest hits were there: “Hurt,” “Yoshi City,” “Kyoto,” “Plastic Boy,” and whatever other stone-cold cloud-rap masterpieces Yung Lean “... provided the has unveiled since 2013. sweatiest concert experience I've The two performers provided the sweatiest concert experience I’ve ever ever witnessed” witnessed. The front row was oppressively hot: the condensed atmosphere paired well with the propulsive beats. A fluid crowd caused the front rows to become violent struggles, and it was hard to maintain footing while around some very damp dudes. I got to touch Yung Lean himself during his crowd dive, which almost got me trampled in the ensuing chaos. Luckily, even the rowdiest of crowds watches out for itself, and one of the many good samaritans I saw throughout the night got me back up before it got too messy.

The pace of the setlist was fantastic, with an ebb and flow of energy that gave the audience a nice respite between the violent jump-fests that came with Lean’s more kinetic cuts. I escaped relatively unscathed and with some absolutely top-tier merch. I rate Mr. Lean a very good show. Concert Reviews

13 Concert Reviews Dem Atlas at Dem Atlas Stage AE Photo by Liam Van Oort Van Liam by Photo

Concert Reviews 14 Dean Wareham By Nick Boston

Introduction

I spoke with Dean on the phone Thanksgiving week. Luna played at the Carnegie Lecture Hall on November 15 last year.

Interview

ME: Hey Dean, just a heads up, I’m recording this conversation. Just letting you know so I don’t end up with a felony charge.

DEAN: Whenever people don’t record, they’ll just take notes, you read back and say ‘that doesn’t actually sound like me’. The turn of phrase is always different. Make sure you put in all the ‘uhhs’ and ‘umms’

ME: Yea I’ll get all of those [chuckle]. How’d you enjoy playing in the Carnegie Lecture Hall?

DEAN: I’ve played that venue before. I played some old Galaxie 500 songs at the lecture hall. It’s a strange little space, I like it. Some people like to stand up, they don’t want to sit down. I’m not sure how many great options Pittsburgh has. But it’s a nice room with a very unusual load in walking through the dinosaurs with our amps and . [laugh]

ME: Luna released this cover album along with the instrumental EP of original songs. I was curious how you came to that decision.

15 Main Interview Dean Wareham

DEAN: Well, it was one decision, and then the "But doing the lyrics is other decision. The first suggestion from me was lonely and difficult, it that we just do an album of covers. I thought doesn't get any easier" that would be a way for us to ease back into recording together for the first time in like 12 years. And because, well you know what Andy Warhol would say. They would ask him “why are you making films instead of painting?” “because it’s easy.” It’s a good answer, and he’s right in a way, it IS easier. And once we were in the studio we thought “why not do something else?”

ME: It must be less stressful to do an instrumental and not have to worry about lyrics.

DEAN: Yeah, it’s certainly less stressful. Look, I mean, by far the hardest part of writing a song is doing the lyrics and the melody. You know, it’s really easy to get a song to a certain point, just to have an idea for a song, you have an “A section” and a “B section,” but to finish the jigsaw puzzle, that’s where the real work is. It’s more solitary work. The other part is collaborative and easy. But doing the lyrics is lonely and difficult, it doesn’t get any easier. At least for me, I don’t know.

ME: What exactly is your process for the lyrical approach?

DEAN: Well, I guess it starts with gibberish. The first thing is the melody, humming a melody. Once I have that, I try writing sentences that I can sort of squeeze into that melody. Sometimes they all make sense together and sometimes they don’t. I don’t necessarily sit down and write a story. I don’t know, sometimes I do.

Main Interview 16 "Some of the songs we've played 400 times."

ME: So for you, it’s about getting presence? A lot of your songs are we’ll get back to it. Some of the the cadence down. definitely meant for the stage. songs we’ve played 400 times. So there’s a certain effortlessness to it. DEAN: Right, so I might write DEAN: I guess we make the album And something I appreciate about down like four pages of lines that and then figure out what works on the band, having gone away and are for a given song, then I go back stage. Some of them are hard to making some solo records and through and pick them from here play and some of them are easy to done other things where you’re and there until it makes some kind play live and work well and you teaching all your songs to a new of sense. I’m sure this is completely sort of figure it out after a few days band, with Luna it’s just easy. And the wrong way to do it. But that’s of playing them. with the four of us, it sounds like the way I do it. The hardest part Luna pretty easily. is writing the chorus. And often ME: Has it gotten more the less you have to work with, comfortable with age? ME: It does. There’s something the harder it is. Like finding six about the instrumental EP on the syllables that repeat. DEAN: Well, it’s pretty easy for first listen where it sounds super us to sound good on stage. The comfortable since you guys have ME: So it’s been 12 years since band’s been together for a long such a trademarked sound. the last iteration of Luna. What’s time. And, you know, it’ll take us been the change in terms of stage an afternoon of rehearsing, but

17 Main Interview DEAN: Yes, it’s true. On the DEAN: Oh, cover a recent artist? I’m going to see you in it. Do you have instrumental EP without me even not really sure. As far as what I’ve any plans to appear in any upcoming opening my mouth you can tell its been listening to, Angel Olsen, Cate Noah Baumbach projects? Luna. I think. [laugh] Le Bon, Beach House, Papercuts. I’m sure there’s many more. [pause] Oh, DEAN: Well, I’m not in that movie ME: You’ve talked about your affinity Ultimate Painting, that’s a band I but I do have one line and Britta [wife for twin bands, namely The really like. and fellow band member] and I did Feelies and Velvet Underground, and the music for the student film, if you I feel like we’ve been seeing less and ME: Oh yea, I love those guys, they’re can call it music. [laughs] less of this in current . Any very Velvet Underground-y thoughts on why this is? ME: Often when I play music with DEAN: Exactly, they’re very mellow. my friends, the guitar playing always DEAN: Yeah, I think it seems like a They’re great. But I try to keep up devolves into very Galaxie 500 style lot of the indie bands have moved with things. I make an effort. guitar riffs - away from things that feel “rockish” and masculine. You just don’t see ME: What’s your go-to means of DEAN: [chuckles] It’s pretty easy to many bands pulling out guitar solos finding and listening to music: Spotify, play. anymore, whereas we have a guitar Bandcamp? solo on, like, every song. But we try ME: It’s like once you guys created not to be too indulgent with it, and to DEAN: You know what website I love that sound and we heard it, it’s the keep it concise, but it’s a big part of is Aquarium Drunkard. They have most intuitive and comfortable style what we do. But to be fair, there are some new stuff but they have a lot to play. still bands playing guitar solos: The of obscurities from the 60s and 70s War on Drugs, Kurt Vile, Steve Gunn. and 80s and beyond. They put out DEAN: Galaxie 500 played a mixtape every Friday. And I check Pittsburgh, it must have been around ME : That leads nicely to my to my in on Pitchfork occasionally, though 1988. We stayed at somebody’s dorm next question. Which bands and I generally don’t agree with a lot of room at Carnegie Mellon, and we labels have you been following in the their opinions. [chuckles] played at the Sonic Temple. I’m not past 5, 6 years or so? And if you were sure if the building’s still there. to cover a recent song, any idea what ME: I just saw the Meyerowitz stories that might be? the other day, I was hoping I was

"We stayed at someone's dorm in Carnegie Mellon, and we played at the Sonice Temple. "

Main Interview 18 Dean

ME: Well I’ll get this one out of the DEAN: Well I like my 335 that I’m way. It must be your most asked playing right now. A Gibson 335. I question, but after experiencing don’t know if it’s the best guitar, but a reunion tour with Luna, has it I like it. That’s what I used to play in changed your perspective on doing a Galaxie 500 too, it’s lighter than a Galaxie 500 reunion tour? Les Paul. What were the other things that I can bring? DEAN: Eh, no not really. I think a simple explanation is that it comes ME: A pedal and an album. down to the numbers of it. Like Luna’s a four piece band and so DEAN: Ah. Hm, I would bring there’s enough room for the tension my delay pedal. It’s made by this to be spread around, whereas company called Strymon. It’s called Galaxie 500 is a three-piece band El Capital. It’s like a tape echo with a couple in it, and I don’t know. simulator. I mean I have a lot of It’s just sort of an awkward number pedals, but that one sounds nice for a band. always. And I can bring one album. I will bring Crazy Rhythms by The ME: That makes sense. Feelies just because I can listen to that over and over and over DEAN: It just creates some sort of again. Or maybe Beethoven’s 6th awkward third wheel situation, you symphony, I like that too. know? So, no, that’s not going to happen. ME: Which recording?

ME: Okay, so one final question DEAN: Oh, Bruno Walter. I think before you go. If you were in some it’s Columbia Orchestra. My parents scenario where you could only bring had it when I was a kid, and I love it. one guitar, one pedal, and one album, what are they? ME: Thanks so much again for chatting and good luck on the tour. DEAN: Well, it’ll have to be an acoustic if I can’t bring an amp. DEAN: Thanks, I’m happy we could do this! ME: Okay, I’ll modify the question, you can have an amp [chuckles]

Wareham Dean

19 Main Interview Dean

Dean

20 Panic! at the Disco at Peterson Events Center, Photo by Liam Van Oort 350+ 350

Izzy Sio favorite artist grows up when yourdo to What Growing up sucks. It’s messy, but it’s Boy” for nothing, right? something that we’re forced to learn with and deal with. For musicians, that last While selling out has been one of the band’s sentence is heightened in every possible biggest criticisms, haven’t way – mostly from the fact that everything been the only musicians to be criticized for they do is so public and so open to scrutiny a drastic change in their music. Look at from the rest of the world. For popular Taylor Swift. Kanye’s infamous “I Love musical artists, their music has become so Kanye.” Justin Bieber. All Time Low. integral to many people’s lives that there is Many artists from my childhood have gone pressure to change while remaining current through an image and music upheaval. and relevant. Every musician needs to make changes to Over the summer, I went to Take This Back their music at some point in order to thrive To Your Grave, a Fall Out Boy tribute show in a fast-paced industry. Eras must come to at Pittsburgh’s Black Forge Coffee House. an end as another era begins. One’s music I was joined by a handful of friends who must mature – it’s hard to take in, but it’s knew how much I loved Fall Out Boy and a understandable and inevitable. few who shared this sentiment. Seven local bands just starting their rock or pop-punk It’s especially hard when the things we’ve career (some of them even still in high loved for so long go through so much school) played a few of their own songs change. We set some songs, some albums, alongside their own Fall Out Boy cover. and some artists at such a high bar when Peculiarly, none of these covers were from growing up, not just because their music is this decade. This does make some sense great but also because sometimes we owe coming from a tribute show whose title them everything. We’ve laughed because of references Fall Out Boy’s first album. Yet, this certain song, we’ve cried because of this alongside covers of “,” album, we’ve changed our lives (and maybe “Saturday, ”and “Sugar, We’re Going even saved our life) because of this band. Down,” were jabs at Fall Out Boy’s present We protect these music memories fiercely. and future, including a closing statement on When we later discover that the very thing how anything Fall Out Boy released after we’ve been protecting can change, right 2012, or when they got back together, was before our eyes, it can be a little shocking. garbage. But we have to change as well. It doesn’t feel However, I think what they had really like that when we’re younger, but suddenly meant was that Fall Out Boy’s new music ten years will pass by fluidly, stealthily, and was too different. Since 2007, Fall Out Boy rapidly. We’ll go through fads, trends, and began to incorporate more pop influences phases of culture, expression, and music. into their music. They incorporated these And for the most part, we’ve turned out elements even more rapidly when they got fine, and music has – and will – too. back together in 2012; and it predictably pushed their audience away. Where was Growing up can be scary. When we grow that loud, crazy pop-punk band that played up, we go through puberty, self-discovery, the smaller, intimate shows and weren’t and ultimately a ton of unexpected afraid to get close with their audience? emotions from different places. Music helps Where was that band that didn’t give a us through all that, and I’m now realizing damn about record labels and were totally that music also has to grow and change too. shameless? They weren’t called “Sell Out

350+ Word Articles 22 350+ 23 Is Melanie Martinez Over? Christopher Rosado movement? Or is itsimplybecauseshe’s a it betheemergenceof#MeToo music foralongerperiodoftime? Could the otherartistshaven’t madeprominent has beenpopularmorerecently, whereas different? Coulditbethefactthat Martinez In Herre,” sowhatmakestheseartists rock outtosongslike “Ignition” and “Hot little socialconsequences. Peoplewillstill accused ofsexualassaultbutfacevery artists likeR. KellyandNellyhavebeen being accusedbyoneperson, whilepopular of Martinez’s fansweretodropherupon of howswiftandwillingalargeportion This entiresituationisinterestingbecause hashtag “#MelanieMartinezIsOverParty”. Melanie Martinezmerchandiseunderthe videos ofthrowingawayorburningtheir dropping anyaffiliationwithher, sharing the allegations. Othersrespondedby timeline andusingthatevidencetocounter defense byanalyzingHeller’s Instagram fans respondedbycomingtoMartinez’s Martinez, especiallyonsocialmedia. Some consensual. This createdadivideinfansof happened betweenthemwascompletely the allegations, sayingthateverything mid-December. Martinezwassaddenedby account postedto Timothy’s Instagramin These allegationswerefirstlodgedinan had performedonherwithoutconsent. described thesexualactsthatMartinez hers. Timothy Heller, Martinez’s friend, rape allegationfromaclosefriendof to oneofswifterasureasaresult from beingoneofadmirablesuccess The storyofMelanieMartinezhasgone 350+ Word350+ Articles sexual assault? someone whoisaccusedcurrentlyof her fansreact. But, shouldwesupport If shedoes, itwillbeinterestingtoseehow music sheisplanningtorelease. incorporates theseaccusationsintothe It willalsobeinterestingtoseeifMartinez to hermusicagain, likenothinghappened. be thatallofherlostfansbeginlistening she isgoingtoreleasenewmusic. Itcould critical momentinhercareercomingup: for hertorecover. However, thereisa doesn’t seemtobemanyjustifiableways base andataintedpublicimage, there in itstracks. With ahugelossofherfan at itnow, itseemsasifhasstoppedcold affect hercareerinthelongrun. Looking couple monthshavepassedishowthiswill What remainsinquestionevenaftera know. these factors, butthereisnosurefirewayto attached tothem?Itcouldbeoneorallof lexicon thatwecanignoretheperson songs aresuchapartofpopculture Or, isitbecausethoseaforementioned female artistwhiletheothersweremale? 350+ in Hip-Hop Sexuality Longney Luk Photo by Liam Van Oort Van Liam by Photo Misterwaves at Peterson Events Center, Center, Events Peterson at Misterwaves

350+ Word Articles 24 350+ Album Reviews

Mania by Fall Out Boy When discussing Fall electric guitar, the song closer, “Bishop’s Knife Out Boy’s MANIA to feels like a combination of Trick,” tries to achieve Alternative Press, bassist everything Fall Out Boy’s the same kind of vibe and talked about older music was against: it energy as “Save Rock and how the Chicago-based includes a possible Britney Roll,” and is reflective band’s seventh album Spears reference and – in a passive-aggressive was written “for kids dear Lord – dubstep. But way. “Wilson (Expensive who are trying to figure the song’s calculated pace Mistakes)” is the spiritual themselves out.” He gives it thought and depth successor to “Grand Theft mentioned how MANIA while its comparatively Autumn/Where is Your is meant to sharply simpler lyrics add a little Boy.” It features lyrics that contrast the band’s two bit of pizazz as well. speak to rebellious youth previous releases since “” is like “I hope the room flies their 2013 return to interestingly jarring, and off and we get blown up music, Save Rock & Roll does its intended purpose into space,” and “I’ll stop and American Beauty/ of asserting that MANIA wearing black when they American Psycho, and is here and no one can make a darker color.” It to signal a new era in stop it. incorporates a mystical the band’s history. While and introspective take on some say that in MANIA Wentz further described their pop-punk/rock roots. they are “Reinventing MANIA as “an overdose the Wheel to Run Myself of dopamine,” and at No matter what, Fall Over,” as a song title times this resonates in Out Boy couldn’t care suggests, Fall Out Boy wavering degrees of less about what you have actually produced a quality. While most of think about them. The record that is largely self- the songs off MANIA band firmly establishes aware while erratically feel like safer versions MANIA as a movement Izzy Sio revolutionary. of their earlier songs, and a vehicle into a new all invoke a sense of era. You could even say “Young and Menace,” rebellion. “Champion” they are also “kids trying the first single off the is a more motivational to figure themselves out” album, immediately version of “Centuries” and trying to find the establishes the fact that that would fit well in next logical step in their this album is going to be with the background discography. very, very different. On of a Rocky movie or an the surface, without an NFL game. The album Album Reviews 25 Album Reviews Album Reviews

Black and Blue by Old BLACK AND BLUE uninspired, oversaturated What results from all Folks by Old Folks Home is a and theatrical pop rock. of this is a record that quintessential piece of Simply too much going feels like it is calculated 2010s cheesiness than on at once, without a to make money. It is a warrants a constantly basis that makes those hodgepodge of late 2000s fluctuating response musical additions pop tropes, complete between grin and grimace. interesting. Most of the with unnecessary acoustic The album is definitely record sounds like how guitars, group vocals, a unique take on pop an 2008, overfiltered, and handclaps, while also music. Yet, in almost all vignetted, Instagram containing every other experimental attempts, it picture of white bread pop gimmick of the last awkwardly falls flat. To be would sound like. 30 years. Drum machine fair, it is difficult to make with and Adam Tunnard a unique, fresh-sounding, Aside from the average very poor synth-pop, alternative/pop rock track on this LP being followed by corny poetry record. However, almost rather unimaginative, sung over the same chords every ‘unique’ part of this there are some outlying you’ve heard a million record is unique due to it moments of head-scratch- times in your life. being uncomfortable for inducing music. Track 3 the listener. That being would be best described There are definitely said, let’s start with the as 3OH!3 meets Of interesting moments on positives. Monsters and Men. It is this record, but they are obnoxious and makes so few and far between Where the band shines your skin feel weird. that I would probably not are in minimalistic, Track 8 sounds like 80s recommend this album to emotional moments like modwave , and anyone. This is a record the piano, strings, and not the kind that’s made a that is paradoxically vocal arrangement in comeback. To be honest, noncohesive and boring; a track 4, or in the striped- it’s the kind that dad rock combination of countless back, fuzzy guitar sections bands would cover in annoying music trends. of track 6. These tracks midwest dive bars. The The musicianship isn’t are interesting and frankly vocals are the only thing inherently flawed, but good, but they don’t fit that maintain cohesion, the ideas and execution well on the album. Aside and they mostly give off certainly are. from these two tracks, white-male, ska-pop-punk, Album most of the album is just ‘where’s my hug?’-vibes. Reviews Album Reviews 26 Album Reviews

Expectations by Wild While searching her for the releases of Fools somber. These songs Child name on spotify, my and Expectations love this focus more so on vocals friend, Anna Maria, was new album. On the other versus instrumentalism. delighted to find that Wild hand, earlier listeners This particular style is Child had a song named (who grew up with The reminiscent of their third after her. From then on, Runaroud and Pillow album Fools. The majority she was hooked, and Talk are disappointed in of the songs on this she got me into them as Expectations because the album, however, feature well. We bought concert album doesn't reflect one a newfound style: a mix tickets the day that she single musical style. of heavy bass, drums, and introduced me, and in raw vocals (very typical of February (much to my Expectations seems to the Indie Rock genre). delight), they released be a smattering of songs Many of the reviewers of their fourth album from a few different Expectations voiced the Expectations. genres. The song “Alex” same opinion: the album is reminiscent of one of feels like Wild Child was Expectations has gotten Wild Child’s greatest hits, still trying to find their mixed reviews from critics “Crazy Bird,” and it even unique style. There is no and fans alike, with the features a small child one reflected most common sentiment saying “Silly Alex, don’t throughout this album, being that Wild Child think that way!” at the which is unusual for the missed their mark on this beginning of the track. band. No matter how fans album. I disagree, and I In contrast to the upbeat, feel about the irregularity think it has to do with folksy feel of “Alex,” of the album tracks, one Wild Child’s disparate songs like “Sinking thing is certain: regardless Hannah Daniel fanbase. Here’s my theory: Ship,” “The One,” and of style, Wild Child excels recent fans, like myself, “Goodbye Goodnight,” at creating emotionally who were only around are more subdued and raw, beautiful music. Album Reviews 27 Album Reviews Diamond Shapes by Straight from the vaults breathy voice punctuated completely drowns out her Diamond Shapes of The Cut comes by country-tinged yelps, voice. I did really like the Diamond Shapes, from which she uses on every vibe of most of the tracks, Album the Pittsburgh-based folk track to varying degrees of and as a whole, it proved band, Diamond Shapes. I success. It sounds best on fun to listen to. According had a totally blank slate the ones like “Where Your to the Diamond Shapes for this one, didn’t even Mind Goes” or “Wild Bandcamp page, they have Reviews know the genre, and Strawberries,” where a new project coming had to track down a CD her voice floats over in 2018, so definitely player just to hear it. I sparse instrumentation: something that will be on was prepped and ready for a strumming guitar and my radar. Glad to have a surprise. What I got was maybe a or found that CD player! some pretty interesting, two as accompaniment. if overlong, folk tracks, “Honeytree” and “Blue” Daniel Ekern so as far as surprises feature some light electric go, a pleasant one! The guitar, which also sounded singer- Lianna pretty sweet, but its Ankney sings with a high, overuse on the title track

Confession of a Song Kristin Errett’s 2011 LP and rainbows. This is are glaringly simple. Bird by Kristin Errett Confession of a Songbird not entirely a bad thing: Their poor writing is very distinctly from rather, it’s jarring in a and lack of complexity 2011. Errett’s album nostalgic and unexpected bring down the album’s harps on pop sounds that way. This album calls quality. What’s promising, feel reserved for TV shows back memories of middle however, is that she also on Disney Channel and school, being thirteen, and experiments with certain Nickelodeon’s live-action fangirling over whatever techniques elsewhere line-up. Even Errett’s Justin Bieber and the on the album. She album cover has a similar members of One Direction incorporates some jazz theme as the single cover were doing. elements that try to give art of Nickelodeon era edge to her bubblegum Ariana Grande’s “Put Upon hearing the first pop in songs such as “Mr. Izzy Sio Your Hearts Up.” In a note of “Don’t Call Me Imperfect.” Her wimpy way, Ariana’s vibe and Sweetheart,” the first song lyrics, though, betray this image falls in line with from her debut album, experimentation, and what Errett puts on you know immediately cause her to become an display in this album, what to expect from the alternative to any Disney but Errett additionally rest of the album - a lot of Channel talent. tries to be more down- hopeful-sounding piano to-earth in an unfulfilling chords and melodies way. This element only (even in breakup songs) contributes more to the and incredibly simple Album album’s explosion of too- lyrics. In fact, her lyrics Reviews happy pop and sunshine Album Reviews 28 Album Reviews

Man of the Woods by Oh, how the mighty fall. Track titles like “Flannel” acoustic guitar that is and “Livin’ Off the Land” missing on the rest of the Justin Timberlake has don’t help, either. On album. journeyed from ramen- these joints JT loses the hair aficionado to tuxedo barely-radio-friendly It’s a shame, then, that trailblazer, and his latest edge that elevated the rest of the album is so transformation has him to such legendary lackluster. Single “Supplies” somehow landed him star status. Tracks like follows recent pop trends in faux country-pop. In lead-single and album- of appropriating Atlanta interviews, the Oscar opener “Filthy” try to trap sounds, but even more nominee -- for his semi- recapture the FutureSex/ insufferable are its lyrics. tolerable smash “Can’t LoveSounds magic, but JT sings, “Saw you bein' Stop the Feeling” from the feel derivative at best. cornered by some guy you movie soundtrack Gone too is Timberlake’s used to know / Stepped in -- has described his willingness to divulge and between the both of y'all latest effort Man of the fully explore his intricate / Said, ‘I'm leavin', do you Woods as a tribute to his production. Underrated wanna go?’” What a hero! Trevor Lazar hometown. The proverbial B-side “Only When I Walk Finally, women have found South’s influence over this Away” on his last album, the savior they desperately record is hard to miss, but The 20/20 Experience needed! The only thing not for the right reasons. stuck out as a one of the less authentic than the At its best, Man of the longest tracks he’s ever album itself is JT wearing Woods rides just on the recorded. Similarly, on a #TimesUp pin at the edge of pop, country, and Man of the Woods he Golden Globes. Better luck , but at its worst it finds the most success on next time, Justin. sails full speed off the “Midnight Summer Jam.” edge of a cliff and crashes Coming in at just over 5 in a ball of flames a few minutes, the track finds hundred feet below. the balance of 808’s and Album Reviews 29 Album Reviews Album Reviews

Little Dark Age by It’s been five long years title track and an absolute plodding, uninteresting MGMT since the psychedelic- standout, epitomizes this cuts. On another level, flavored pop/rock curious relationship with “When You’re Small” and group MGMT’s last music that could have been “Hand It Over” call to album, MGMT: a fuzzy, lifted almost wholesale mind the longform tracks experimental, fully strange from an Incubated Sounds in MGMT’s backlog like ride. With , cassette, paired with lines “Metanoia,” by featuring they move forward by like “I grieve in stereo/the dreamy melodies floating looking back, plundering stereo sounds strange.” The over lowkey, winding the sounds of the ‘80s and echoes of the old bangers instrumentals. recasting them in sardonic, like “Kids” or “Cool Song gothic tunes. The album No. 2” can be faintly After their long absence, opens with “She Works heard, but the sound is Little Dark Age is a great Out Too Much,” a song altogether fresh. “When step forward from a group about a failing relationship You Die” gives another that has struggled for and an incompatibility taste of this new MGMT, relevance in a new decade with modern life set to gently strumming guitars of music, and I’m looking Daniel Ekern the bubblegum and leg mixed with reverberating forward to seeing their warmers of an aerobics synths and a decent dash Renaissance. video. The vocals swim in of demonic laughter sparkly distortion, and the samples. There are some album’s curious incongruity hits in the later tracks - I is shown between bright, really enjoyed the crunchy almost saccharine tunes synths on “One Thing and dark lyrics. Left to Try.” Nonetheless, “James” and “Days That “Little Dark Age,” the Got Away” are pretty Album Reviews Album Reviews 30 Album Reviews Culture II by Migos has been commercially successful One of the biggest Migos everywhere this year, with album Culture. Migos surprises on this album is each member grabbing believes they are the Takeoff, who consistently headlines wherever they epitome of culture. The has the best verses and go. For instance, Offset problem is, at 106 minutes is the sole reason “Gang dropped Without Warning long, Culture II simply Gang” stands out as one with 21 Savage and Metro overstays its welcome. of the better songs. Boomin last Halloween It’s very hard to make an and recently got engaged engaging album at such There is enough quality to Cardi B. Quavo has a long playing time. It’s scattered inside this been featured on multiple even worse because within 24-track album to make albums and collaborated these minutes, Migos is a much better 15-track on Huncho Jack, Jack extremely repetitive. It’s album. When Migos Huncho with Travis more of the same quality focus and try to deliver, Scott and grabbed an that we have come to they are very successful MVP award at the NBA expect from them. as shown in “Narcos,” All-Star game. Takeoff is which has every member currently working on two The highlights of this performing at their best. collaborations, one with album mostly come from If you’re a fan of Migos Ernesto Morales Lil Yachty and another the featured artists and you’re not going to be with Carnage. They’ve all some genre-swerving fully disappointed by this been super busy with their production, like the album, but you will feel solo projects. Pharrell-produced “Stir like they can do better. Fry.” Drake steals the They should be able to Back together again, show on “Walk It Talk It” do better, considering all they dropped Culture II, and 21 Savage delivers a they have done since they the sequel to their most quality hook on “BBO.” entered the mainstream.

Camila by Camila After leaving Fifth album also focuses on the a more reggae-type vibe, Cabello Harmony in 2016, Camila good and bad of romantic with more percussive Cabello has come out with relationships, all while features and fewer her debut solo album, calling back to her ethnic electronically-produced Camila. Not surprisingly, roots. sounds. The songs “She she covers her departure Loves Control” and in this album, but she Camila strays from the “Inside Out” really does not limit herself feel that Fifth Harmony showcase Albumthis sound, with to this topic alone. The is known for, exploring catchy rhythmsReviews that will 31 Album Reviews have you unconsciously of her time with Fifth other, “Something’s Gotta swaying before the song Harmony, as almost every Give,” she uses a somber Christopher Rosado is over. “Inside Out” song features Camila piano ballad to showcase Album additionally features filling up sound space by her feelings that led to her some Spanish lyrics, an harmonizing with herself. departure. acknowledgement of Cabello’s background. On the track “Real Camila demonstrates a Reviews Another side of Camila is Friends,” she talks about good start for Camila on display: she ventures how she felt betrayed by Cabello as a musical into the realm of piano Fifth Harmony after her artist. Although not every ballads with more solemn split into a solo career. song can be classified as a topics, on “Consequences” “I'm just lookin' for some banger or a bop, Camila’s and “Something’s Gotta real friends / All they ever work on the album has Give.” Although she does do is let me down.” This a nice cohesive feel, and explore a lot of new song is the more biting shows a promising future sounds in this album, of the two that have to for her career as a solo we can still see remnants do with the group. In the artist.

Blue Madonna by With his second album, into a smooth falsetto. If there’s one thing that I BØRNS Blue Madonna, BØRNS Some songs feature loved about this album, focuses more on a synth- bongos, marimbas, and it was the presence of heavy sound. Though this pan-flutes, indicating that Lana Del Rey on two album shares the same BØRNS drew on tropical songs: “God Save Our melancholy feeling as his house as a main influence Young Blood” and debut album, Dopamine, for this album. On top of “Blue Madonna.” Lana there’s something about these acoustic elements, on background vocals Blue Madonna that makes the use of synths is also gave these songs more you wish there was evident. So, if you’re a fan dimension without being something a little more. of psychedelic, ~wavey~ distracting. Although, synth music, I think you’ll I did it funny that such The 12-track album is enjoy this album. Because a prominent artist was very cohesive: it’s one of this different sound, I relegated to background Catherine Xu where you can sit down, spent most of the album status. Even though I found listen to the whole thing, waiting for the few guitar- this touch to be humorous, and imagine that it’s based, rock-influenced this album as a whole did all one long 42-minute songs (“Faded Heart” and not live up to the power of song. He croons his way “We Don’t Care”) that his first album, Dopamine. through all of the songs, are more reminiscent of occasionally transitioning Dopamine. Album Reviews Album Reviews 32 The National at Stage AE Photo by Mairead Dambruch www.thecutmagazine.com The Cut Magazine Issue 49 Spring Semester 18 36