Issue 51

December 2018 Issue 51

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COVER PHOTO Cassandra Scheirer

December 2018 Editor-in-Chief Brooke Ley Assistant Editor Trevor Lazar Photo Editor Matthew McGehee PR Editors Dalia Laredo Issue 51 CJ Rosado Letter Design Editor Jackie Chou Copy Editor Wilson Ekern From Writing Staff Amanda Vallon Clara Enders Clare Lai The Claudia Osorio Emma Blank Izzy Sio Jamie McArthur Editor Julianne Tippett Julie Heming Leila Berger Winter has come in best soundtracks. Finally, if you holiday cheer. Lexie Rodriguez Pittsburgh, despite what the you’re looking to leave your I’m also particularly fond Megan Naji recent 60° day might make significant other before you of this issues , an Mei Leng you think. With the changing have to bring them home for imagining of a new Shrek Michelle Ng of seasons comes the joy of the holidays, check out Clare movie through its potential Omasan Richardson finals and the push towards Lai’s write up on breakup soundtrack. I had the Shrek Shambhavi Mishra the end of the semester. What songs. If you’re the one who soundtrack on CD growing better way to cheer yourself up has been broken-up with, up, so this one hit particularly and relax than with Carnegie check out Jamie McArthur’s close to home. "My Beloved Design Staff Arpita Nag Mellon’s very own music guide to who can help you Monster" by the Eels still goes Jenna Kim magazine. through this time. . Julie Heming If you need something We also, as always, have our So with that, be sure to sit Michelle Ng to warm your cold, winter reviews on recently reviewed down and warm up with a Mina Tocalini heart, I’d recommend Mei and concerts that have cup of hot chocolate and your Yuri Lim Leng’s essay on the cuteness come through the ‘burgh. favorite music magazine. of . If you’re lost Read through our thoughts on on who that is, check out everything from k-pop band Photo/Art Staff Amanda Vallon Claudia Osorio’s write up on EXO to good old fashioned Brooke Ley Cassandra Scheirer his musical style. Looking for Britney Spears. Editor-in-Chief Michelle Ng Letter a way to procrastinate from The Cut also got the finals? Read up on music to chance to catch up with study to by Wilson Ekern or Pittsburgh local and internet prep your Oscar’s list with art-pop legend Jack Stauber. I From Shambhavi Mishra and Leila recommend his video “Trent The Berger’s catch up on this year’s the Baby's Christmas” to bring Editor

4 Masthead Letter From The Editor 5 What We’re 8 Listening To 9 Essays

Album 18 Reviews

Interview 30 Jack Stauber

Concert Reviews

Photo by Cassandra Scheirer 36 Table of Contents 7 Albums and EPS "Drunk in LA" Warm Hi-Fi Melodies to Beach House All We Know Is Falling "play the part" Procrastinate and Stress To Paramore ROLE MODEL by Wilson Ekern The Window "Sweet but Psycho" Cécile McLorin Salvant Ava Max

We Can Die Happy "Tthhee Ppaarrttyy" Tennis Justice feat. Studying sucks, mostly. It needs extended focus, looking over easily from page to brain, all the while “over it” by ṰṏỞ↑ἧᾯrṰḩ material you’ve seen before, doing problems you either can’t leaves your mind detached and relaxed, but still laser focused. Trench "All my best friends do at all or can do all too well. Will it be on the test? Am I just Words would just get in the way - this is your time, your Twenty One Pilots are metalheads" wasting my time? Why do I even want to be in school? Questions, preparation, and no fancy lyrical tricks or turns of phrase will Less Than Jake questions, and an ever-spiraling anxiety that threatens to turn distract you from chasing that GPA. Michl time spent studying into time spent frantically procrastinating. Not that literally anything that lessens the sometimes- Michl "Party for One" Thankfully, there’s a solution to soothe even the most nerve- unbearable, chest-crushing anxiety that can come with sitting Carly Rae Jepsen wracking, nail-biting, high-stakes study sesh. I’m talking Chill down for several hours at a time, trying vainly to force your Songs LoFi Hip-Hop Beats To Study and Relax To. In our anxious brain onto the knowledge track. You could try checking "Bless the Telephone" times, what with fascism on the rise and the crushing weight of every other practice problem, or standing up and stretching, or "Wednesday" Labi Siffre student loans heavy on our shoulders, what we need is not a 10- just stare at and wonder if it’d really be that bad to fail O.C. Ska Kids hour YouTube playlist of dramatic instrumental classical movie just this once. I don’t discount any of those options - I’m a well "Tints" soundtracks, but the lush, warm, syrupy sounds of chopped and seasoned work-avoider, as my 112 grade can well attest. The "The Heights" Anderson .Paak feat. screwed production, lacking even a single spoken syllable to nice part about playing music while you study, whether some of Thomston distract your fried and exhausted brain from whatever else you’ve the chill lofi hip hop beats to study and relax to, experimental been trying to cram in there. thrash- fuzz grime rock rap, or just static interrupted "Stupid Deep" "Nowhere2go" Connoisseurs of the art form might recognize the connections by screams every few minutes (cathartic!), is that you’re not all Sweatshirt to Vaporwave, the somewhat-ephemeral genre of slowed down the way there, in the library or the dorm room or the nice shady 90s , forever reaching for a nostalgia that never spot under that huge oak on the Cut. You’re somewhere else, in "All Your Yeahs" quite existed: a dream of empty polished tile flooring, muted a world that someone wove from sound, just so you could listen Beach House fluorescent lighting, and the worry-free end of history. Think and be, however momentarily, taken away from your back- of the typical chill lofi hiphop beat to study to as touching on a breaking load of responsibilities. In these rip-roaring times, we "Honey" similar longing, one in which the Sorrel’s study pods are always could all use something a little chill, a little lofi, and maybe even Johnny Balik open, the lights overhead bright but calming, the words and a little hip hop, to help us keep on keeping on. numbers and code and whatever else must be learned flowing "I'm Goin' Down" Mary J. Blige What We're Listening To

8 What We’re Listening To What We’re Thinking About 9 by Jaie McArthur Himself Joji's Reinventing We’ve all seen serious dubbed “Filthy Frank”. As exemplified during his time artists reinvent themselves his popularity grew, he began on Youtube. His art under throughout their careers. creating more personas, the alias “Joji” has revealed From the moving like “Pink Guy”, eventually a much more emotional from hardcore punk to hip reaching his comedic peak and vulnerable side of his hop to cutting ties with the creation of the well- creativity. This shift from with her country image, it can known “ Shake” dance. absurdist rap songs to Article and be difficult for serious artists Throughout his Youtube career melancholy R&B ballads is a Illustration by to completely change their he wrote satirical rap songs unique occurrence, and not Mei Leng Cutie image, especially if that image under the character Pink Guy. many can pull it off. However, has been well-established Soon after, he released an Joji seems to be mastering the in their career. However, titled that art of self-reinvention and this transition can be more made it to the upper half of making it look like a piece Posty difficult for some than the . of cake. Joji is not the first Scanned with CamScanner others. For former Youtube Now, Joji is paving a new Youtuber to set out to have a sensation George “Joji” Miller, path for himself. He recently serious music career, but he Maloney the transition from Youtube debuted his first album, is one of the most distinctive. comedian to serious musician , a collection of Leaving his old path behind is seemingly out of the mellow and heavy-hearted and blazing a new trail is ordinary, but he’s managed to love (or lack thereof) songs. inspiring, and it’ll be exciting do it. Joji debuted on Youtube This album is the complete to see what he will bring into Every time anyone calls Post Let’s move on to his eyes. mesmerizing eyes paired the sides of his peach face melts in 2011 with a character he opposite of everything he the world next. Malone ugly, I cry a little bit The main point here is that the way he smiles with all his teeth my heart everytime I think inside. In order to reduce physical aspects of the eyes are conveys a carefree zest for , about it. Not to mention, his my tears, I guarantee I will not as important in judging full of magical hopes, dreams, mustache is precisely the convince all the fools out there cuteness compared to the kind and naivety. I mean, this is the shape of two dogs kissing. who dare to insult him that, of energy that they convey. Some same man who got a portrait of I would like to end with this other than penguins when people have what I call dead himself riding a horse tattooed haiku that I made: they fall down, Post Malone eyes; even while smiling, their on his arm. is the cutest living organism dull eyes reveal that everything Post Malone’s dad bod posty maloney, ever. good in this world has left their is reminiscent of Snorlax’s what can I say you are a If Post Malone was a fruit, body and will never return–dead exquisite figure when his sweet caterpillar. he would be the sweetest, eyes never fail to send chills squishy arms and legs are fuzziest peach. His cheeks through my shoulders. On the sprawled across the ground often have a slight baby other hand, Post Malone’s eye napping. I could use both of pink tinge to them, as if he’s sockets cradle kind, beautiful, them as a pillow all day. blushing from shyness. The blue eyeballs that sparkle and The small, quirky things, way his tender cheeks form shine even when he’s in his like accessorizing with bolo two soft mounds when he dark feelies singing “Feeling ties, or the black nail polish on smiles and how they slowly Whitney”. The way they twinkle his pudgy fingers contribute so curve into a gentle point at his like the little fairy lights lining much to how adorable he is. chin reminds me of a warm my dorm room walls, radiating When he talks, the raspiness baby peach rolling around. the feeling of someone who in his voice from smoking way The facial hair only adds to hasn’t been let down by the too many cigarettes warms my this look, resembling delicate world yet, someone who needs heart. That one hairstyle he wisps of translucent peach to be swaddled into a protective had with the bangs and two fuzz. burrito blanket. Those dainty pigtails framing the

10 What We're Thinking About What We're Thinking About 11 Let me preface by saying of Kpop to the West, it's also BTS, because “all Asians Think back to 2017. If you at the time, peaking at record labels alike. I’m Korean-American (more the source of my anxiety. look the same,” right? When turned on the radio, odds are Number 8 on the Billboard At first glance, Post Malone American than Korean), and Of course, I’m glad to see BTS’s member RM dropped “Congratulations” by Post Hot 100. However, Post seems to be like any other that I only got into Kpop two how receptive people of other his mixtape, iTunes called Malone featuring Malone had been on the rap artist, rapping about all of years ago. I used to think that cultures have been. The ability it Kpop, even though it’s was playing. The fifth single music scene long before that. the cars he owns or the drugs all Kpop was manufactured, to relate to others despite r&b and hip hop, because off of his first studio album In 2015, he uploaded his first he’s done, but after further sugar-coated pop with bright cultural and linguistic barriers apparently only English is Stoney, “Congratulations” single “” to inspection it’s clear to see colors and cute smiles. testifies to the universality of worthy of music genres. was probably the first time SoundCloud. The song went that there is so much more to But I reconsidered after music. And I’ve loved seeing And for every non-Asian fan you heard the musician: it viral and quickly caught the him than that. Post considers hearing BTS’s “Save Me.” The people call out Asian traits, who appreciates Kpop idols, was his most popular single attention of the media and himself to be genre-less, saying track is nothing like what I like monolids and darker skin, there’s another who crosses expected Kpop to be. It has because they’re beautiful, and the line into fetishization and

a slightly dark tone, the raps not because they’re “ugly.” appropriation. by Claudia Osorio Popularity Post Malone's slap, and the lyrics are honest. But for all the positive very And as Kpop fan bases have in an interview with Hits Daily song on “Psycho,” and one of evolving and diverse style, Now, I’m a huge fan of positive reactions, xenophobia, grown, Western artists have Double, “If a song makes you the greatest hype songs on there’s no telling how much BTS, and Kpop in general. racism, and fetishization taken advantage of this. Some feel nice or it makes you feel “rockstar.” But Post Malone’s further Post Malone’s career But I’m also tired of it, and still occur. Some examples: artists mention Kpop acts as sad or if it makes you feel shining peak probably comes will go. Despite coming onto the issues of race and culture An American interviewer a way to earn free publicity anything, what does it really with “Stay” off of his second the music scene in 2015, that inevitably surround it. As mistakenly called Kpop because if they do, they can matter what category it is?” studio album Beerbongs his stardom has reached happy about the spread group NCT 127 by the name count on Kpop fans to like and He has mentioned multiple & Bentleys. This slow and incredible heights in such a times that his music tastes acoustic tune stands out as short amount of time, and this (including genres such as Post’s most heartfelt song. recognition is well-deserved. hip-hop, pop, rock, and even With lyrics like: Post Malone brings something retweet them. Of course, it’s blend of style and ideas led to gain America’s approval to country) were inspired by “Maybe we're used to this to the music industry that very hard to sort out whether or not some great songs and showed remain relevant. his dad. His eclectic taste is Tell me, what are we to do? few people are doing lately: someone is a “true” fan (and a healthy mix true to both East In a way, music is an am- apparent in his music when It's like we only play to lose He is showing the world that what that even means), but and West. bassador for the culture it comparing songs such as the Chasin' pain with an excuse,” it’s okay to bounce from genre Charlie Puth is one notori- But Kpop just seems to be comes from. If Kpop basically country-driven “Leave”, to the Post Malone shows a more to genre. The most important by Julie Heming by ous (potential!) clout seeker, the “next big thing” in the becomes Western pop, what pop-based “Deja Vu” featuring vulnerable side of himself-- part of making music is not West using Kpop groups’ popularity West and, like all big things, does that mean for the rest of , and the R&B very much in contrast to his what label gets stamped to boost his own over social destined to become obsolete Korean culture and influenced “Takin’ Shots.” usual lyrics. This song is raw onto it, but how that music media. when the West moves on. The language? But even his more and honest, providing his makes you feel and how much Yet other Western artists are entire culture is readily avail- rap-influenced songs have fanbase with a song to listen someone may be able to relate working with Kpop groups able now, while it’s popular, elements of rock and pop, and relate to when they are to it. in genuinely collaborative it’s still all too easy to imagine as Post sings most of his feeling down. ways, and have no need for America throwing it away verses instead of simply His divergent style isn’t

Kpop & the clout. Examples include Nicki once the novelty wears off. speaking them. This unique stopping here. He just released Minaj and BTS, who worked I hope I’m wrong. I hope Kpop component he brings to rap a single “Sunflower,” with together on “Idol,” NCT and continues its growth and lon- music can be best observed artist , for the new Marteen, who created the gevity in Korea, the West, and in the singles “Pyscho (feat. Spider-Man: Into the Spider- track “What We Talkin’ Bout,” around the world. But I also Ty Dolla $ign),” and “rockstar Verse. “Sunflower” is playful and BLACKPINK and Dua hope that, as a genre, it doesn’t (feat. ).” His half- and easy-going, a perfect song Lipa, who collaborated on the feel the need to Westernize, singing/half-rapping makes for the animated film. song “Kiss and Make Up.” The incorporate more English, or for a harmonious and chill With his constantly

12 What We're Thinking About Post Malone's Popularity 13 Songs from the Screen by Shambhavi Mishra and Leila Berger

January: March: April: May: that utilizes both the heart Mission Impossible: Fallout incorporates many of the November: The ’s soundtrack, Love, Simon is a movie that Movies like the A Quiet Place Alan Silvestri’s Infinity War pounding atmosphere of may have the best score of the staples of a western score with For a homage to Queen, composed by Sanjay Leela everyone fell in love with, are driven by their original score is another addition to the the film and the existential series, with heart racing and new life. Bohemian Rhapsody’s Bhansali and Sanchit Balhara, and the soundtrack is just soundtrack and Marco unremarkable Marvel score reflection of the lengths we bold music that elevates the Like most horror movies, soundtrack is so much better is a is beautiful score with as amazing. The collection Beltrami’s score is a prime pantheon, utilizing a theme will go for meaning. film to an astonishing degree. The Nun is full of dramatic than the movie and with the many classical Indian singing redefines a classic love story of what music can that may be familiar to long strings, eerie glissandos, and new addition of Rami Malik’s and instrumental styles, with modern pop songs such express when words cannot. time fans but lacks attention Hereditary’s soundtrack takes With such a marvelous extremely tense moments of voice, each song reminds us of providing both an intense as “Love Lies” by Khalid The soundtrack is both for most listeners. influence from Classical cast and an original movie suspense through silence and Freddie Mercury’s voice. soundscape and delicate and Normani and timeless delicate and full of intensity to composition to make a score soundtrack that we all loved sounds. This score accurately melodies. throwbacks like Whitney create both a sense of security, When you have an orchestra that both unsettles and singing along to, Mamma gives no indication of any December: Houston's “I Wanna Dance tension, and suspense. play in the style of rock, add a amazes. Mia! Here We Go Again gives jump scares and keeps the Into the Spider-Verse is one February: With Somebody (Who Loves few EDM tracks, and classic us with even more songs audience at the edge of their of my most anticipated Black Panther’s soundtrack is Me)”. The overall soundtrack Isle of Dogs’s soundtrack is as Marvel cinematic theme then For a movie that took fourteen to keep singing. From slow seats. soundtracks, said to be an invigorating collection of has a little bit of everything for unique as its cinematography. you get the original soundtrack years to make, the Incredibles 2 ballads to -like beats, inspired by Miles Morales’ black artists mixing African all generations. The score is grounded by of Deadpool. The overall score soundtrack by Michael this soundtrack is a perfect October: own music taste, with songs roots with modern hip-hop extremely complex rhythms, itself is not as memorable, Giacchino reminds us that combination of the old and Justin Horowitz’s First Man already announced from Post and rap, accompanied by a For a science fiction movie, a very lively and diverse however one song that is a it was worth the wait. The the new. score is another solid addition Malone and Swae Lee. score that, when taking risks, Ready Player One’s soundtrack percussion section, and reflection of the superhero classic jazzy Incredibles to his filmography, filled with proves innovative to the takes us back to the classic occasionally a combination himself is ”You Can’t Stop theme that was all know from August: enough beauty and wanderlust Disney’s newest Mary Poppins traditional Marvel formula. throwbacks, including artists of , low winds, and This Mother F*****” in the Incredibles is definitely Crazy Rich Asians is benefitted at parts to keep the listener will fill the musical slot this like Prince, Blondie, Earth, brass. The soundtrack is which the choir is dramatically revisited and added on to with from a unique soundtrack of engaged. Christmas with a soundtrack Annihilation’s ambient score Wind & Fire, Bees Gees and quite fun and engaging to singing every curse word more rhythmic diversity and Chinese covers of popular that is sure to dazzle both the perfectly matches the wild many more. However, the listen, combining styles of imaginable in an extremely brass melody lines. English songs that well makes A Star Is Born featuring the young and old. and earthly dread of the film, original motion picture score jazz and Japanese percussive operatic style. up for its by-the-numbers voices of and creating an atmospheric sound by Alan Silvestri is much more influences. July: score. Bradley Cooper is a beautiful that fills the listener with cinematic, dramatic, and feels June: Eighth Grade’s soundtrack combination of classic country, wonder and anxiety. very much like the orchestral Anne Nikitin’s American displays director Bo Burnham’s September: funk, and fun rock styles. This scores of the Star Wars Animal's music is an fascination with modern synth The Sisters Brothers’ score movie being about music has franchise. simplistic, emotionally rich, music to make a score that’s from recent Oscar winner been composed with great care and technically sublime score filled with as much heart as Alexandre Desplat is vibrant and makes us fall in love with the film itself. with an old timey feel that old voices and new.

14 What We're Thinking About Songs from the Screen 15 Shrek the 5th We imagine Shrek 5's future soundtrack.

"The Impression That "Despacito" "" I Get" by Luis Fonsi by Post Malone by The Mighty Probably would be inserted I’m not sure if there is an Mighty Bosstones in some fourth wall breaking acoustic version of this song, All I’m saying is that for a mov- dance sequence where donkey but if there is I think there is ie that came out in the early mentions how popular the a 12/10 chance it would be in 2000s, the Shrek series never song is when it comes on after this movie. I picture this song had enough Ska. This song, fancy at a ball. playing when Donkey is reel- however, was on the Digimon Maybe includes a joke about ing after Dragon leaves him Movie soundtrack which also how it’s popular on ThouTube and takes the children because featured "All Star." and it will make me want to die. he hasn’t been the father that Brooke Ley Leila Berger he used to be. CJ Rosado

"Radioactive" "Tik Tok" by Imagine Dragons by Ke$ha An upbeat cover of this song Tell me there wouldn’t be would be played over the some makeover/bachelorette opening credits as Shrek and party montage with this song. his family. I need to see the dragon let- Amanda Vallon ting loose with a bottle of jack. Emma Blank

"Life is a Highway" "Shut Up and Dance" by Rascall Flats by Walk The Moon Covered as an homage to Cars There would probably be some and providing roadtrip music massive dance number at the as Fiona and Shrek go on their end of the movie to this song. next adventure. Potential Claudia Osorio cover artists include: Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Evanes- cence. Trevor Lazar

16 Mixtape Mixtape 17 Album Reviews

In this issue, we review the latest from In the world of K-POP’s con- out music that showcases the memorable track that opens EXO, H.E.R., Nothing but Theives, stant releases, performances, performance aspects of an with what sounds like a Termi- and rebrandings, having an artist, and this new release is nator sound effect. Britney Spears, , and entire year between studio no different. Over the course of all their more. albums is surprising. But EXO What is different on this experimentation, EXO has Don't Mess Up has returned at last with their album? EXO is more polished found a sound that works My Tempo new album, Don’t Mess Up My than ever, and the album open- for them. They play to their EXO Tempo, following their fourth er is a great example of how strengths, but also continue to reviewed by album: July 2017’s The War. In their sound has evolved. The play with new trending beats Claire Lai line with their usual style, the title track “Tempo” weaves and musical styles. Whether album emphasizes the vocal together 80’s synth blocks, 90’s that’s for better or for worse skills of members of the group R&B groove, and an entirely depends on the song, but Don’t and cushions their perfor- unexpected a capella bridge Mess Up My Tempo is one of mances with lush backing with soaring harmonies that their stronger releases when tracks and slick production. makes the song stand out. The taken as a whole. The management company be- overall retro vibes continue hind EXO, SM Entertainment, throughout the album, espe- has always focused on putting cially on “Gravity”, another

Album Reviews 18 Album Reviews Album Reviews 19 Album Coming back with the second children and parents at the sounds produced, creating part of her series of EP’s, I Used Mexican border, and how more realistic sounds even in To Know Her, H.E.R. brings it becomes harder to watch the songs that are still mostly back the new age R&B vibes the news as days go by. Her production. She accomplishes that we know and treasure in ability to convey her message this while keepingReviews her I Used to Know an adjusted form, paired with in rhyme and rhythm in this music recognizable with Her: Part 2 some new lyrical themes. song is truly mesmerizing classic graceful melodies H.E.R. In this sequel, she covers and adds appropriate weight that sound like a gentle but topics seemingly related to to the matters she chooses to purposeful breeze. All of the reviewed by her personal relationships elaborate. songs manage to sustain an CJ Rosado and touches on spirituality The music of this EP overwhelmingly relaxing and social issues as well. In includes more recorded feeling that can make you the ballad, “Fate”, she instruments than the previous forget any time you haven’t seems to be interacting with EP or even in her debut been still. These songs will some higher power, discussing album, H.E.R. Despite this make people want to sink into the feeling of being lost and shift in sound, she manages a nice couch until they become hopeless and begging for to keep her serene musical a part of it, letting their eyes mercy on her life, and if life themes recognizable using drift close, and laying their is really out of her hands. In and basses in songs like head back for an hour or two. the track, “Lord Is Coming”, “Carried Away”, “Can’t Help Thank you H.E.R.: we all need she brings up topics relevant Me”, and “Lord Is Coming”. In some time to chill every now After releasing their smash break. Parts of songs like biggest stand out has got to be to the political situation general, it seems like she has and again. album Blurryface in 2015, it “The Hype” echo fun ukulele “Chlorine”, which is Twenty in America, such as mass decided to loosen the reins seemed as though another riffs sampled in their earlier One Pilots at their finest. shootings, the separation of on how much of her music Twenty One Pilots album work, but slower tracks like Featuring a catchy chorus and was imminent. Instead of “Legend” and “Smithereens” a more lyrical verse than other striking while the iron was prove that they have really songs on Trench, it could very Trench hot, members Josh Dun and honed in on crafting slower easily be the next single off Twenty One Pilots Tyler Joseph took a 3-year songs, expanding their musical of this album. It ends with a break, only releasing singles range as a group and maturing cinematic fade out, allowing reviewed by “Jumpsuit” and “Nico and from older love songs like listeners to really process Clara Enders the Niners” this summer. The “We Don’t Believe What’s what they’ve just listened to resulting project, Trench, is on TV”. Album highlights and completely live in the well worth the wait. While include “Morph”, which experience. Trench was a long the group focused on a experiments with techno- time coming, but Twenty One variety of alternative beats inspired orchestrations, Tyler Pilots has combined their old in Blurryface, Trench shows Joseph’s falsetto, and more and new styles into a fantastic, Album just how much the duo grew complex rapping than their cohesive album that is a over the course of their previous work has had. The perfect comeback. Reviews

20 Album Reviews Album Reviews 21 Friends Chris Bailoni and synth that drives every song this project. Bailoni, known Clay Frankel started a band by Bailoni is chaotic, but as Home-Sick, is a producer over a drunken conversation somehow blends together to who specializes in obscure 80’s in a bar about New create a unique , while Frankel comes Album Order and Japanese new wave sound. You can hear bands from the band Twin Peaks, Grapetooth music. What formed was like the Cure and the Smiths who is influenced by the Grapetooth their synth driven, self-titled inside of the melodies, but the Rolling Stones and The Velvet album Grapetooth. Their non- whole production ultimately Underground. The last song reviewed by linear storylines and dreamy results in a project that is on the album, “Together”, is a ReviewsJulianne Tippett basslines transport you to thoroughly original. Frankel’s rowdy pub song that doesn't your bedroom floor, passing -esque voice molds necessarily match to the sound around a bottle of wine with perfectly into the rhythm, of the rest of the album, but your friends. It leads you making you feel like you are is a great way to end it off. throughout the culmination melting. There is a folksy “Together is the best place of your night as the upbeat element tied into the album to be” is slurred on top of a dissonant synth pop anthems that can only be pulled off bar somewhere, yielding to a yield to hazy ballads about by this duo. In “Hallelujah,” round of applause. This album loneliness and heartache. a harmonica whistles in the is for you and your friends to Their first single, “Trouble” background, cradled by a synth drive around your city and feel Nothing But Thieves always Well” breaks the band’s typical Whereas established British only has about 10 words but, “I beat and the accompanying nostalgic about whatever it is seem on the periphery of themes, focusing instead acts have increasingly been don’t mind livin, I don’t mind . This song perfectly you left behind. breaking through the British on a “dirty,” purely physical, taking their time on new givin it up” is really all that showcases the two worlds rock scene, their hard-hitting relationship. As the band age, projects, Nothing But Thieves is needed to scream out of a that Bailoni and Frankel have Standout Songs: "Violent", style of rock mirroring that it’s clear that they no longer continue to churn out work at car window. The underlying brought together while making "Blood", "Red Wine" What Did You of other British acts such as make the music of spurned a dizzying pace, dropping this Think When You Royal Blood and Foals. Relying teenagers. EP in the midst of a whirlwind Made Me This on angsty baselines and front But for those who love the tour for Broken Machine Way? man Conor Mason’s powerful typical heavy sound of the Nothing But Thieves have Nothing but Thieves vocals, their debut effort band, they have their classic seemed prime to break into reviewed by Nothing But Thieves was certified silver in the “Gods” as well as the slower rock, and this EP marks the in 2015 with heart-wrenching “Take This band’s work ethic, as well as their follow-up Broken Machine Lonely Hurt.” Their heavy- their potential over-ambition hitting second on British handed approach towards in securing their relevance. charts. lyricism is best seen in these This EP is a sampler, giving What Did You Think When tracks with Mason singing, a taste of the music the band You Made Me This Way? is “Gods/You can’t escape/Don’t may make, a mix of past and indubitably the biggest jump you know fame/Oh it’s their future. In the long run, this the band has made, with next religion” and “we draw a EP won’t be the record that the riffs like in “Forever and line in the sand/We say ‘don’t defines Nothing But Thieves Ever More” being more fun cross this or else,’ and then and the future they envision, and loose than anything the we put a flag/Oh, how we but in a decade, it might be band has produced, almost worship the things we don’t just the turning point to look playfully falling apart near understand.” back on. the end. “You Know Me Too Album Reviews 22 Album Reviews Album Reviews 23 Thom Yorke, the frontman for are instrumental, featuring spooky). My favorite songs on the legendary band , lots of strings, piano chords, the (long) album were “Has is a busy guy. Following the and some kind of flute type Ended”, with another vocal 2016 release of Radiohead’s instrument. feature from Yorke, and “Volk”, latest album, A Moon Shaped Notable exceptions include which featuredAlbum some strange, Pool, Yorke, after refusing “Suspirium”, which, while haunting, echoing synths and Suspiria (Music for several times, began working the piano, strings, and weird distorted horns. the Luca on his latest release, Suspiria, flute instrument were there, If you’ve ever listened to Guadagnino Film) the soundtrack for the 2018 also had Yorke’s high, strained Yorke’s solo work, like Eraser Thom Yorke about dancers in voice singing about an extend- or Tomorrow’sReviews Modern Boxes, 70s Berlin. I have no idea if ed dancing metaphor. The I think you’ll find this a wel- reviewed by the movie’s any good, but I’m a tracks tend towards the eerie come entry to the discography! Wilson Ekern huge fan of Yorke’s solo work, and unsettling, often holding so I was excited to dig into this single notes for an uncom- project. As befitting a movie fortably long time, backed soundtrack, most of the tracks by a disjointed choir (always

Let’s take a trip back to the late album has the ability to training from being in choir 90s. Pokemon was all the rage, transport listeners back to the as a child. Despite being a and frosted tips were in style. 90s. With the title track “... bubblegum pop album, she It was a great time for many, Baby One More Time,” Spears pushes her own style further including a teenage artist ensnares the listener with a on more instrumentally com- hailing from Tennessee. This catchy chorus and a funky plex songs like “Born to Make …Baby One teen starlet would go on to instrumental. The same can You Happy.” You can hear More Time open for many bands that were be said about a multitude of her start to develop the more Britney Spears part of the Boy Band Phenom- tracks on the album. It feels advanced sound she expanded enon, such as NSYNC and the designed to be sung with a on in her later works. These reviewed by . Soon after, group of friends driving to the stylistic changes in the album Omasan Richardson she created the best selling mall. make it very easy to listen to, debut album by any artist of Despite Spears’ young age at but it offers enough complex- all time. This musician is none the time of the album’s release, ity to keep the mind satisfied. other than pop legend, Britney her voice definitely shows her As Britney Spears’ debut Spears. wide range and her potential album, it is no wonder that …Baby One More Time is to evolve vocally. “Soda Pop” the album was so universally the epitome of “bubblegum and “Deep in My Heart” are liked. Overall, the album is pop”, a genre generally enjoyed what one would typically her most popular work, as its by tweens and teenagers. With expect from someone of her combination of a nostalgia and Album such innocent slow ballads age, as they are inoffensive pop excellent production appeal to as “E-mail My Heart” - which songs that are only improved a wide audience. would not sound out of place by Spears’ vocal performances, Reviews on the Disney Channel - the showing off a bit of her vocal 24 Album Reviews Album Reviews 25 Vince Staples isn’t one for Vince, too, implies that easily make their way into convention. His body of work FM! is no traditional album. your car. is as diverse as it is abstract, And it shows in the concept What the project lacks and he runs with ideas for on the project. It plays like in length it makes up for in Album entire albums that seemingly a radio station, quickly nuance. Vince is, as usual, FM! come from nowhere. Last bouncing from boppy idea to bitingly funny. But the greatest Vince Staples year’s Big Fish Theory idea and spliced with radio achievement of FM! is its still presented listeners personalities on skits and image of Southern . reviewed by with another puzzle to transitions. The concept here LA is on full display, and while ReviewsTrevor Lazar crack, as its 36 minutes run is uncharacteristically straight- Vince brings his sarcastic, jam-packed with skeletal forward for Staples, but it critical lens to his hometown, production over a clever dark, works given its connections to he does so with love. “Feels nautical theme. materialism. Like Summer” brings that The 22 minutes on FM! The album is in your face. idealistic California glow to With the release of Glory Even the album cover has The album focuses mainly on come as an even bigger Subtlety is buried beneath the forefront of the listener’s Sound Prep, Jon Bellion once a beautiful, surrealist look. the value of love and the real curveball. In the lead up to its a layer of commercialized mind, and while he spends again claims his place as The album is an inventive definition of fame. Standout release, Staples said, “I took adverts and track snippets. a part of the album shining “The King, The Legend” of experiment in hip-hop mixed songs include “Blu”, “Stupid time off from recording my Traditional album interludes a light on its dark corners, electrifying pop. Bellion is an with pop, but don’t let its many Deep”, “JT”, “The Internet”, next album to make a very are replaced with actual Vince never dehumanizes or Glory Sound Prep exceptionally experimental tone shifts intimidate you. It and “Mah's Joint”. “Stupid special project dedicated to new music from Earl villainizes the people. Artist artist who manages to have only reveals further artistry as Deep” also has fascinating my biggest fan and supporter Sweatshirt and Tyga. Skits are The authenticity in released a completely unique you revisit the songs more. lyrics such as "What if all since day one. He said he commentary breaks. capturing the city of reviewed by set of songs with every Bellion also excels at the things I've done are just needed something that But even with such a short appearances on tape is a Dalia Laredo album whilst maintaining eloquence. Often good attempts at earning love." The represented him and where runtime, Staples doesn’t waste testament to the artistry of his signature sound. I would pop production somehow echoing keyboard and wind he comes from so here it is.” a second. The meat of this Vince Staples. love to be in the room when coincides with repetitive instruments enhance the He is, of course, talking about album is punchy, bass-heavy Bellion produces his songs. lyrics. Instead, Bellion tackles melancholic mood. “Blu” has himself.The release was paired hip hop that might actually He makes unorthodox choices personal ideas in interesting romantic instrumentals and with a picture of young Staples find some radio play. Tracks with the beat drops, synth prose. In “Conversations with lyrics to describe the idea Jon in California. “FUN!” and “Tweakin’” could with vocals, and sources of My Wife,” he describes the is designed for the woman he percussion sounds, yet it strength of their bonds with is singing to. Bellion tackles works. Specifically, Bellion the lyrics: “I dreamt I slept on fame well in “The Internet,” employs explosive , a sidewalk, but you still laid with clever lyrics like "Life , vocal distortion, radio with me, I dreamt I fell in a became dangerous the day static, and even car horns. lion's den, and you still came we all became famous." Time Nonetheless, the album for me, I dreamt I lost all of again and again, Bellion nails reliably sounds deliberately my faith, and you still prayed this new, whimsical honesty of crafted instead of chaotic. for me.” He goes on to discuss Glory Sound Prep. There is a clear vision of celebrity status as his own dreamlike glory in the music. coined term “digital jesus.” Album Reviews 26 Album Reviews Album Reviews 27 by Clare Lai Breakup Song Art of the On November 3rd, 2018, just celebrity culture, but the completely new. I still written by others. Obviously, is written by one person considered overly dramatic. To weeks after her breakup with social media enabled “thank occasionally listen to Back to not every musical performer and performed by another, write a song about a breakup comedian Pete Davidson was u, next” to immediately hit #1 Black, not only because I love is a as well as a both parts of the process are may be read as being even publicized, Ariana Grande hit on YouTube’s Trending, to be , but also singer, but in the discussion of necessary for a song to become more dramatic, but getting us with a “surprise” single, promptly and relentlessly (but because I want to get into the why breakup songs resonate a piece of art experienced past all the judgement to “thank u, next” that was in lovingly) memed on. mindset that comes with it. with people, the authorship by an audience. When, for produce a final, vulnerable fact no surprise. Musicians put On “thank u, next”, Breakup songs stem from can and should come up. Back instance, a classical song product is brave. Taking out tracks about their fraught Grande isn’t bitter, but really, a lineage of songs expressing to Black was co-written by composed in the 15th century control of their own narrative romances all the time, and genuinely thankful to her sentiment. In some ways you Amy Winehouse and producer is performed in 2018, the allows the artist a kind of Grande’s past tracks about her list of high-profile exes, and can look back to torch songs, Mark Ronson, and references emotions contributed by both catharsis to begin to recover personal life have always been most importantly, to herself. a genre of love songs. As the a specific past relationship the writer and the performers after a breakup. welcomed by her audience, so Ultimately, “thank u, next” is an name comes from the phrase Winehouse had. On the other affect the final result. When that song is it made sense for her to write ode to self-realization. Because “to carry a torch” for someone, hand, Ella Fitzgerald’s iconic Of course, this is a published, that catharsis a new song about the end of of that, it feels different from you can imagine the emotion “Cry Me a River” was actually discussion that has persisted becomes accessible to others. their relationship (Grandson? other breakup songs that might common to them is one written by Arthur Hamilton, for decades and will likely With the release of her song, Periana? Davidana??) to come to mind, like with Taylor that’s very one-sided. Singers and also performed by many continue into the future. The Grande showed her emotions contrast her earlier song Pete Swift’s pettiness or the Revenge traditionally known as torch other artists. separation between art, artist, to the world. “thank u, next” Davidson. It also made sense of (“Before song singers include Frank Are breakup songs without and audience might never be was a surprise gift. Because for her to drop it without He Cheats”). But on a deeper Sinatra, Billie Holiday, and personal experience behind fully defined, because in some of the message, the writing, much more notice than a level I find breakup songs are . them still genuine? And even ways it doesn’t exist. Breakup and the emotions that people tweet the day before. popular and easy to relate Interestingly, famous torch if they aren’t, are they still songs are an ultimately experienced listening to This is the art of the to because they speak to an singers tend to be women, and worth listening to? declaration of emotions, but the song, they took to it breakup song today. Since experience we’ve all had. Even oftentimes, their songs are I say yes. Even if a song whether positive or negative, immediately. The success most celebrity relationships someone like me, who’s never conflict can arise from the of the song indicates an tend to be public, the gone through an acrimonious, judgment of the public. Like understanding that we should moment a song referencing publicized trainwreck of a torch songs, the majority of all come to: the relationship a relationship of any kind breakup, can relate. breakup songs are associated you have with yourself is the comes out, there’s speculation Music is expression, and a with women, and no matter most impactful of all. about the parties involved. breakup song expresses the the setting, women are subject Now go listen to “Somebody The relationship builds feeling of change. Everyone’s to more and generally harsher That I Used to Know” and publicity for the release. gone through that phase of judgment. Women’s emotions pretend it’s 2011 again. These discussions have always turning a corner in their lives are often dismissed and In been common in music and and getting into something a breakup a woman is often

28 What We're Thinking About Art of the Breakup Song 29 Interview: Jack Stauber by Brooke Ley

The Cut got the chance to catch up with Pittsburgh local and Avant Pop legend Jack Stauber about some of his process and upcoming projects.

THE CUT: What does the typical process for creating your videos look like? JACK STAUBER: A shower, an idea, sometimes a song, then twelve pencil drawings. Then sometimes clay, sometimes MS Paint, and then I run all that through a VHS tape and go back to sleep.

TC: You produce both short, 30 second songs and full length albums. How do they differ, and have they influenced each other? JS: I’ve always made lots of short music at this rate. A long one always starts as a short one. It’s like people.

TC: As a side project, Micropop, you've been turning your short songs into full length versions. What inspired you to do this and why did you decide to keep it separate from your other songs? JS: MicroPop are the small songs. The elongated songs are arti- ficially lengthened songs. It’s GMO music. I’m currently trying to release them all. MicroPop™. It will not be an album. Just MicroPop.

TC: A lot of your songs have gone "viral." I personally dis- covered you through your Peppermint song and only later learned that you were a Pgh local. How have you reacted to this and has it changed your production at all?

Interviews Jack Stauber 31 S: I’m really happy. I remain dedicated to making lots of things and continuing to learn how to make new things. TC: You've come up with a lot of characters for your various

“A shower, an idea, sometimes a song, then twelve pencil drawings. Then TC: How does Pittsburgh influence you? What are some of TC: What upcoming projects can we look forward to? sometimes clay, sometimes MS Paint, your favorite parts of the city? JS: I see MicroPop, walking people, talking screens, and a larg- and then I run all that through a VHS JS: Pittsburgh is cool. The bagels are alright. I love the Carnegie er-scale project currently in the works with . Fibrous Library. It has a book about almost everything I want to know. revelations and beige clay. Much to come, Brooke. tape and go back to sleep. ” TC: Who are some of your biggest inspirations right now? JS: I like to keep an eye on the Space Lady. Going grocery shop- shorts and songs, from Hamantha to Trent the Baby. Do you ping is always an interesting outing. have a favorite that you've developed? JS: Trent’s a cool baby. Everyone I’ve worked with has been really pleasant. "MicroPop are the small songs. The elongated songs are artificially TC: How do you go about performing live, especially when many of your songs have electronic or video components? Is lengthened songs. It’s GMO music. performing live something that you enjoy? I’m currently trying to release them JS: I use a looper to make me sound like more people. I’ve played around with projectors and small TVs displaying exclusive video all. MicroPop™. It will not be an art during sets before. I plan to build on multiple elements of my album. Just MicroPop." live shows. I love playing live. It feels good.

32 Interviews Jack Stauber 33 Photo by AmandaVallon 34 Concert Reviews Concert Reviews Concert Reviews Concert " A few ofmy and excitement accidentally got unpredictability unpredictability their toes. anda surfers, kept people on kept people but theairof bykicked crowd few people fell,few people friends andI " by AmandaVallon Waterparks Concert Reviews Concert Waterparks fan. fans atWarped Tour, andfeelingitagainmakes mehappytobea a peoplebentdowntohelpherup. from Ifeltthesamesupport return themtoher. When anothergirlfellwhilecrowd surfing, off herface, peoplearound herstoppeddancingandhelped they hadjustmet.Whenacrowd surferkicked onegirl’s glasses their lateteens, theywere incredibly supportive, evenofpeople unpredictability andexcitement kept peopleontheirtoes. kicked bycrowd surfers, andafewpeoplefell,buttheairof crowd surformosh.Afewofmy friends andIaccidentallygot a little tosuccessfully lessexperiencedandsometimesstruggled their handsthatprevented themfrom getting drinks—theywere fewpeople were over21,asshownbytheXsdrawn on side—very crowdstarted surfing. Becausethecrowd was ontheyounger Awstenthe endofconcert, asked ustomake apit,andpeople were abletokeep thecrowd invested thewholetime. Towards of heavier andlightersongs, includingtwo acoustictracks, they ment Tour,” buttheyplayed oldersongs, too. By playing avariety album, Entertainment,sincethey’re currently- onthe“Entertain (2016) andEntertainment(2018)sincetheyformed7years ago. have released three EPs andtwo full-length albums, DoubleDare Otto Wood allofwhomare (drums), intheirlate20s. They Knight (vocals, guitar),GeoffWigington (guitar, vocals),and ready forWaterparks. crowd neartheendofhisperformance. Revved up, fanswere energy finallyreached apeakasDallon walked through the another bandthatmany Waterparks fanslistento. The crowd’s ist, Dallon Weekes, isaformermemberofPanic! At theDisco, (IDKHow), post-punk atwo-person revival band.Their vocal ly gotpumpedupastheexcitement forWaterparks grew. who were amuchbetter fitforthecrowd’s vibe. The crowd final crowd’s interests. Then came Super Whatevr, analternativeband, energy was great, buthismusicdefinitely didnotmatchthe the crowd. The nextopenerwas Nick Gray, anotherrapper. His combined withrap (and,attimes, screaming) helpedwarm up Waterparks, butthepiercing, melodicguitarandthumpingbass a hip-hop/rap hisgenre artist, didnotexactlymatchthatof pumped toseethemagain. ence, fansmademelike themevenmore, andsupportive soIwas at Vans Warped Tour thispastsummer. Their energy, stagepres- a fanofthemforfewyears now, andIfinallygottoseethem in Pittsburgh, Iboughtmy ticket almostimmediately. I’vebeen When Waterparks announcedatourdateatMr. Smalls Theatre As awhole, were becausethefansatconcert mostlygirlsin Most ofthesongstheyplayed were from theirmostrecent Waterparks poppunkbandmadeofAwsten isathree-person Their lastopener was IDon’t Know How ButThey Found Me They hadfouropeners, thefirstofwhichwas De’Wayne. As - 35 - Concert Reviews

MCMB MyChildren MyBride is a band that almost no one you’d ask would know of. An by Lexie Rodriguez unfortunately unknown metalcore band, MCMB made waves upon the release of their first album, Unbreakable, which proved to be a success and was followed by their second album, Lost Boys. After their self-titled third album, the band went on hiatus for five years, when they released their 2017 album Vicious World, bringing an eerie and whispery tone to their otherwise standard heavy metalcore sound. For the past few months, the band has been on a ten-year anniversary tour for their "The crowd first album Unbreakable, singing the album from beginning to end at every show. surged forward On November 6th, after voting, I took part in the celebration of the album when On November 6, Mayday Parade rocked Stage AE on their Pittsburgh stop of the they came to Millvale, Pennsylvania. by Jamie McArthur Welcome To Sunnyland Tour. This tour’s show, celebrating the release of their in excitement latest album Sunnyland, was an incredibly unique performance. Artists like as the lead The concert was meant to have four opening bands, but the final opening band Mayday Parade never fail to outdo themselves creatively. To begin the show, they singer Matthew was unable to play due to van troubles that left them stranded elsewhere, so the presented three openers: Oh, Weatherly, a high-energy pop-punk band that hails Hastings concert ended a bit earlier than everyone had expected. The first opener was Half from Dallas, Texas; William Ryan Key who paid homage to his now-dissolved band "It gave the crowd joined his band Hearted, a heavier punk band that added some variation to how heavy the concert by performing “Ocean Avenue”; and This Wild Life, who presented would become. They prepared the crowd for the next opening band, Earth Groans. a feeling of their soft alternative album, Petaluma. This may seem excessive to some extent, members on the Earth Groans, a South Dakota-based metal band, pumped the crowd up through sincerity to see but for the traditionally inexpensive ticket prices that come along with Mayday stage." their numerous kicks, jumps, and shock-factor screams that reverberated in the them perform Parade tours, it was one hell of a deal. Three openers for a show allowed the crowd small venue. The final opener, Capture, was a bit lighter than Earth Groans but such a variety to be exposed to a lot of new music, and it heightened our anticipation as we still just as good as pumping up the crowd through their loud screams. waited for the main act. of their music The show truly picked up when Mayday Parade came on stage. The stage was When MCMB’s performance began, the crowd surged forward in excitement as on a tour for a adorned with trees and a lit-up starry background that put you in the forest-like the lead singer Matthew Hastings joined his band members on the stage. One new album. This world that is Sunnyland. They opened with the first song on the album “Never particular song that got the entire crowd jumping was “Headshot,” a song that show made for Sure,” which had a vigor that really revved up the crowd. Afterward was a surprise Hastings wrote about Halo, a popular video game. Throughout the concert, an authentic for the audience; “Never Sure” was one of only four tracks from Sunnyland that Hastings interacted with the crowd by giving fans the mic to scream classic lyrics, experience that they played from a 16-song setlist. However, the crowd wasn’t disappointed in the jumping with them, or even asking everyone to raise their right hand and give the least. They played songs from each of their albums including their famous “Jamie person next to them a high five while he high fived fans in the front row. bridged the gap All Over” along with less recognized songs like “I Swear This Time I Mean It,” a between artist wistful track from their second album. It gave the crowd a feeling of sincerity to After the concert, I got to meet Hastings, take a few pictures with him, and even and audience." see them perform such a variety of their music on a tour for a new album. This trade a few Pokémon with him and his girlfriend. Personally, I always appreciate show made for an authentic experience that bridged the gap between artist and when bands hang around after their concert, as getting to have a real conversation audience. It was a killer night. and take pictures with the band is always a way to create a new connection and deepen my appreciation for their work. I can definitely say that this concert was one of the best that I’ve ever attended, and though the lack of a real mosh pit was disappointing, it was an extremely fun and personal concert. I would definitely keep this band on your radar for both new music and concerts, especially if you are a fan of metal or metalcore. Concert Reviews 36 Concert Reviews Concert Reviews 37 EDEN On the fourth leg of his five-part Vertigo World Tour, Irish singer-producer by Michelle Ng EDEN brought both impressive vocal performance and production quality to Pittsburgh’s Stage AE on November 2nd. He initially started releasing EDMConcert tracks independently in 2013 under the alias The Eden Project, before rebranding as EDEN in 2015, changing genres to a mix of alternative, electronica, and . Besides recording and releasing under his own label MCMXCV, he also produces and provides uncredited vocals for many other artists, including Crywolf, Puppet, Jeremy Zucker, ATO, and Illenium. Reviews LA-based singer-songwriter Sasha Sloan opened for the show with drummer Tyler Johnson and keyboard/guitarist Danny Silberstein (affectionately referred to as shitdanny69). Her heartfelt-yet-awkward performance started off slow, but the relatable, introverted lyrics of “Normal” and “Runaway” off her sad girl EP quickly piqued the audience’s interest. “His bittersweet The crowd - mostly high school and college students - erupted in screams lyrics coupled throughout the entirety of the one-note introduction, cheering for a good five with his raw, minutes before EDEN even appeared on stage. Leading off with a pitch-back stage unfiltered voice and the first track “wrong”, the audience members immediately began singing lent an intimate along. He played a mix of crowd favorites and unreleased music, complimented by the simple set design and lights show. There were no projections or background yet bright feel videos, just thin flashing light columns and smoke, lighting up the stage in that makes his monochromatic color. After a series of newer and more experimental songs from show fantastic." his debut album vertigo such as “wings”, “forever//over”, and “gold”, EDEN moved on to rock-and-roll influenced songs from his sophomore EP, i think you think too much of me, including “XO” and “Fumes”. With the audience sufficiently hyped up, he followed with two unreleased tracks, “dive” and an indie-rap song similar to his collaborations, as well as the instrumental song “stutter” reminiscent of The Eden Project. To round out the show, EDEN pulled out his most pop-oriented EP, End Credits to the audience’s enthusiasm, playing “End Credits”, “Gravity”, and “Wake Up”. Despite the freezing weather, the EDEN concert gave the crowd a warm welcome. His bittersweet lyrics coupled with his raw, unfiltered voice lent an intimate yet bright feel that makes his show fantastic. The intense energy of the crowd singing along made this show incredibly worthwhile.

EDEN in Concert. Photo by Michelle Ng Reviews Concert

38 Concert Reviews Concert Reviews 39 Concert Reviews

Sofi Tukker In October, I had the pleasure of seeing the based Musical Duo, Sofi by Omasan Richardson Tukker, at Stage AE. Doors opened a bit ahead of schedule, but before hand I got to get a good look at the audience for the show. Despite being a relatively new more electronic style group, I was surprised by the age of the audience the group MAX There’s something special about MAX—New York-based singer and one half of the attracted. Many seemed to be in their late 20s and it was not uncommon to see by Izzy Sio electronic duo Party Pupils. But in the six years that I’ve followed his career, it only people who were in their 40s in the crowd. Some of them looked a bit out of their took me until early November to realize what that is. element, as one middle aged woman went into the pit with a full glass of beer and MAX performed a sold-out show on Saturday, November 3 at The Rex Theater, "Sophie was wild, proceeded to spill it all over the floor almost instantly. had two open- a surprisingly cozy but still sizeable concert venue. In fact, The Rex Theater only from singing ing acts, one being the fantastic “Femme House” DJ LP Giobbi, who specializes in added more to the feelings of community, home, and belonging I’d felt that night making music celebrating women. The second was the funky group Crush Club, "There’s no among my friends and even the strangers I’d met in the line at The Rex Theater. on top of the who made me a fan through their energy and crowd engagement, despite my barrier or red MAX had two opening acts for his Pittsburgh show: EZI and Bryce Vine. speakers, to unfamiliarity with their music. After those two came the headliners Sofi Tukker. tape between The up-and-coming LA-based EZI had a mystical, ethereal air to her voice and having the crowd The group is known for their high amount crowd interaction, and this show was a presence that spread throughout her songs, such as recent hit “Dancing in a the persona he surf her around." no different. Sophie was wild, from singing on top of the speakers, to having the Room”. It was calming yet still joyful and lively, leaving me feeling refreshed and crowd surf her around. She also took gifts from fans and gave high fives through- embodies on exuding positivity. out the night. Suffice to say, I was very satisfied with the show, especially since the stage and the Following EZI was Bryce Vine, who brought the energy in The Rex Theater tickets were under 30 bucks. If you have the chance to see them, you should go. It's man that he is to heights that I was absolutely not prepared for. When the NYC-based rapper a great time for both the crowd and the performers. offstage. " took the stage, he awakened this small but loud and passionate section of the crowd that screamed all the words to his latest hit “Drew Barrymore.” They were instrumental in getting the rest of the crowd – including myself – hooked onto his laidback charisma, easy energy, and natural talent. By the time Bryce closed his set with his two hits “Sour Patch Kids” and “Guilty Pleasure” from his breakout 2014 EP Lazy Fair, I felt completely awakened. When MAX takes the stage, you can tell that he’s being completely transparent. He gives all of himself to his performance; there’s no barrier or red tape between the persona he embodies on stage and the man that he is offstage. He performed a mix of hits from his album Hell’s Kitchen Angel, features with various EDM artists like ’ “Satisfied” and Audien’s “One More Weekend”, and Party Pupils songs. It’s impossible to take your eyes off him the moment he hits the stage. But what really makes MAX special is that the energy he generates each night comes from his love and kindness. While performing one of his newer singles “Still New York”, MAX dedicated the song to the people of Pittsburgh after the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Whenever MAX performs his breakout “Lights Down Low”, he asserts that “whether you’re gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, you should love who you’re destined to love and the way you are.” It was those feelings of love and acceptance that truly made the entire night special and unforgettable. And at end of the concert, I immediately wanted Concert to relive the night again. Reviews 40 Concert Reviews Concert Reviews 41 Hippo Campus at Stage AE Photo by Cassandra Scheirer www.thecutmagazine.com The Cut Magazine Issue 51 December 2018