Jack Brandon, University of Michigan, Author at Study Breaks

Embracing Your Anchors

To deal with the anxieties of college, find the rituals that help center you and then be intentional enough to use them.…

March 1, 2018

Going for a Joyride

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Four-part rock group Daddy’s Beemer delivers passionate ballads with deceptively intricate arrangements and good vibes.…

February 1, 2018

Brockhampton’s New Album Completes the ‘Saturation’ Trilogy Flawlessly

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

The rap collective, who released three albums in 2017 alone, are exploring new frontiers in hip-hop, both sonically and thematically.…

January 24, 2018

Charli XCX’s ‘Pop 2’ Is Her Finest Release Yet

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

'Pop 2' is Charli’s most challenging release to date, pushing the genre's boundaries and disputing commonly held truths about real pop.…

January 10, 2018

More Than a Memento

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Miami-based synth-pop group Souvenir defies the recycled, washed-out sounds of the genre with preternatural talent and candor.…

January 1, 2018

The 9 Top Pop Hits of 2017

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

From Charli to Carly and Dua to Lorde, here are 2017’s best pop hits.…

December 21, 2017

These 4 Grammy Nomination Categories Show a Step in the Right Direction

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

The Recording Academy has announced the nominations for the 2018 Grammys, and if they snub Kendrick a third time, that’s on them.…

December 20, 2017

Björk’s ‘Utopia’ Testifies for her Capacity of Love, Talent and Service

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Through her latest ensemble of pop and electronic beats mixed with naturistic instrumentals, Björk shows reinvention does not have to be derivative.…

December 12, 2017

TC Superstar Is Starting the Engine

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

The band's frontman Connor McCampbell brings charming, off-beat synthpop on stage with a pure love for performance.…

December 1, 2017

After 4 Pledge-Related Deaths This Year, Will Fraternities Change Anything?

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

The usual m.o. for negative press—pass a self-imposed ban, promise things will be different and then, when the smoke blows over, return to business as usual—might not work this time.…

November 27, 2017

Weezer’s ‘Pacific Daydream’ Is a Long Traipse Through a Boring Life

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

What do you get when you take a nerdy, Harvard-educated musician and try to put him in the public eye as a rockstar? Pacific Daydream.…

November 16, 2017

‘Good Booty’ Peruses the Complex Social and Sexual Factors of Music

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Have you ever wondered why some things are best expressed in song?…

November 12, 2017

MICA Student Victoria Escobar Incorporates Anthropology into Art

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Graphic designer and visual artist Victoria Escobar, a student at Maryland Institute College of Art, steeps her work in anthropology, sometimes verging on the macabre.…

November 2, 2017

King Krule’s ‘The OOZ’ is Unlike Anything Else Right Now

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Marshall’s third full-length release shows another young, once-in-a-generation talent for production, songwriting and artistry.…

October 29, 2017

St. Vincent’s ‘Masseduction’ Is a Pop Journey Into the Impossibility of Perfection

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Annie Clark, indie-rocker extraordinaire, has returned with a new album, a new haircut and a new persona: dominatrix at the mental institution.…

October 20, 2017

4 Cheap, Easy Meals for the College Student on the Go

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

For when the going gets tough, but your tough doesn’t want to get going.…

October 14, 2017

The Paradox of The Killers’ New Album, ‘Wonderful Wonderful’

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

How can a band with such a spotty track record hold our attention for thirteen years?…

October 6, 2017

Illustrator Kestrel Hendrickson Brings Fantasy to the Cartoon World

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Minneapolis College of Art and Design student Kestrel Hendrickson claims Miyazaki as an influence, and channels his profound, yet approachable style.…

October 1, 2017

XXXTentacion and Abuse: How Far Can an Artist Be Distanced from Their Music?

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

The politics and lessons of XXXTentacion’s abusive behavior—which is by no means exclusive to him—and rash of domestic abuse among young hip-hop artists.…

September 26, 2017

Zola Jesus’ ‘Okovi’ Attempts to Grapple with Death, but Falls Flat

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

On her fifth studio release, Zika Rosa Danilova tries to reach great heights, but ultimately cannot fulfill her ambitions.…

September 20, 2017

‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7 Finale Shows Cracks in the Narrative

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

For a series that has been so rich and layered in its earlier seasons, ‘Game of Thrones’ has become hollow in its final stretches.…

September 9, 2017

Grizzly Bear’s ‘Painted Ruins’ Is Worth a Close Listen

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

The quartet has returned with a beautiful, immersive album that’s innovative for Grizzly Bear—and that’s saying something.…

September 6, 2017

The Artistry of Digital Decay

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Wanbli Gamache, a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, creates immersive spaces that aestheticize digital decay.…

September 1, 2017

In ‘Rainbow,’ Kesha’s Caged Bird Sings

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

After five long years trapped by contract to an abusive music producer, Kesha returns with an album full of humility, love and integrity.…

August 28, 2017

Finally, There’s Going to Be an Emmy for Outstanding Music Supervision

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Given how critical music is to media, the real question is what took so long?…

August 16, 2017

Lana Del Rey’s Determined, Methodical Evolution

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

In her new album, 'Lust for Life,' Del Rey takes another step toward becoming the person she wants to sound like.…

August 9, 2017

Misery Loves Comedy

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Sacramento City College student Parker Newman is making a name for himself in the stand-up community for his dark, sharp humor and endless stream of self-deprecation.…

August 7, 2017

Where Bollywood and Hollywood Collide

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

USC student, filmmaker and New Dehli native Aman Adlakha reflects on screening his short film, 'The Spaceman,' at Cannes and the crossroads of Indian cinema.…

August 1, 2017

The 8 Best Albums of the 2010s

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

These are the albums that are (or should be) defining the decade.…

July 27, 2017

The 6 Best Love Songs of 2017

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Whether you’re crushing, heartbroken or head-over-heels, 2017 has provided a variety of songs for all kinds of love. Here are six of the best.…

July 20, 2017

Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Writer Profile

Jack Brandon

University of Michigan
English

Embracing Your Anchors

Going for a Joyride

Brockhampton’s New Album Completes the ‘Saturation’ Trilogy Flawlessly

Charli XCX’s ‘Pop 2’ Is Her Finest Release Yet

More Than a Memento

The 9 Top Pop Hits of 2017

These 4 Grammy Nomination Categories Show a Step in the Right Direction

Björk’s ‘Utopia’ Testifies for her Capacity of Love, Talent and Service

TC Superstar Is Starting the Engine

After 4 Pledge-Related Deaths This Year, Will Fraternities Change Anything?

Weezer’s ‘Pacific Daydream’ Is a Long Traipse Through a Boring Life

‘Good Booty’ Peruses the Complex Social and Sexual Factors of Music

MICA Student Victoria Escobar Incorporates Anthropology into Art

King Krule’s ‘The OOZ’ is Unlike Anything Else Right Now

St. Vincent’s ‘Masseduction’ Is a Pop Journey Into the Impossibility of Perfection

4 Cheap, Easy Meals for the College Student on the Go

The Paradox of The Killers’ New Album, ‘Wonderful Wonderful’

Illustrator Kestrel Hendrickson Brings Fantasy to the Cartoon World

XXXTentacion and Abuse: How Far Can an Artist Be Distanced from Their Music?

Zola Jesus’ ‘Okovi’ Attempts to Grapple with Death, but Falls Flat

‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7 Finale Shows Cracks in the Narrative

Grizzly Bear’s ‘Painted Ruins’ Is Worth a Close Listen

The Artistry of Digital Decay

In ‘Rainbow,’ Kesha’s Caged Bird Sings

Finally, There’s Going to Be an Emmy for Outstanding Music Supervision

Lana Del Rey’s Determined, Methodical Evolution

Misery Loves Comedy

Where Bollywood and Hollywood Collide

The 8 Best Albums of the 2010s

The 6 Best Love Songs of 2017

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Jack Brandon, University of Michigan

Writer Profile

Jack Brandon

University of Michigan English

University of Michigan
English