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In an article about her new album, Janelle Monae lounges on a lip-shaped pool inflatable.

Janelle Monáe Ushers in ‘The Age of Pleasure’

Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago

Janelle Monáe's new album celebrates queer love in the form of confident, upbeat summer anthems that are sure to get you up and moving.…

July 7, 2023

Chelsea Cutler wearing a sweater

‘When I Close My Eyes’ Is the Uplifting Album Everyone Needs Right Now

Esha Shah, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Chelsea Cutler's sophomore record deviates from her older music in the best ways possible, giving her fans hope for the present and the future.…

November 3, 2021

Billie Eilish in article for Happier Than Ever

‘Happier Than Ever’ Hopes To Put an End to Whispers of Billie Eilish’s ‘Flop Era’

Michelle Buckley, Chapman University

On her latest album, the young musician will hopefully put a stop to critics' insistence that she's entered a period of artistic stagnation.…

July 31, 2021

Olivia O'Brien and a group of friends sitting together in a living room setting for a music video from her album Episodes: Season 1. (Image via Google Images)

‘Episodes: Season 1’ Is Olivia O’Brien’s Chance To Be Her Own Main Character

Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University

In the first half of her sophomore record, the singer-songwriter has taken control of her own narrative, exploring a wide variety of musical genres.…

June 27, 2021

Photo of FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs Releases Powerful New Music Amidst Abuse Lawsuit

Isabelle Juan, Truman State University

In the multifaceted artist's new song, 'Don't Judge Me,' she transforms her knowledge of oppression into something truly restorative for all audiences.…

February 16, 2021

Image from the song Baptize from the album Spilligion

‘Spilligion’ Is a Rap Album That Explores the Problems in Our Society

Danielle Kuzel, Florida State University

In their latest release, Spillage Village uses religious motifs to address racism, police brutality, the pandemic and other prominent issues from 2020.…

December 16, 2020

An illustration of the singer Lorde for an article about her album "Melodrama."

Lorde’s ‘Melodrama’ Is the Anthem for 20s Angst

Eva McCarthy Mínguez, Stony Brook University

Her sophomore album defined a generation. Now fans are anxiously waiting for more of her reassuring lyrics.…

November 8, 2020

Massive Attack Eutopia cover

Massive Attack’s ‘Eutopia’ Isn’t Subtle With Its Politics, and That’s the Point

Mitchell Tanaka, Chapman University

England’s trip-hop icons aren’t afraid to tackle climate change, economic disparity and other contemporary issues transpiring in the world in their new audio-visual EP.…

August 26, 2020

1000 gecs

‘1000 Gecs and the Tree of Clues’ Embodies the Hyperpop Aesthetic

McKenna Uzelac, Columbia University

100 gecs' latest release is a remix album that features artists like Charlie XCX, Fall Out Boy and Kero Kero Bonito.…

July 29, 2020

kanye

The Latest Album by Kanye Is Just Like Its Artist, Manic

Giana Gayles, Stanford University

If you're an OG fan of the melodramatic rapper, you probably hate him now.…

December 2, 2019

We Made It

Louis Tomlinson’s ‘We Made It’ Is an Ode to One Direction and the Fans

Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University

Directioners, this is truly not the end.…

November 5, 2019

rex orange county

Rex Orange County Explores the World Outside Bedroom Pop on ‘Pony’

Meredith Day, Davidson College

The new album shows the 21-year-old indie artist expanding his sound, while still bringing catchy sad boy tunes.…

October 31, 2019

BROCKHAMPTON

BROCKHAMPTON’s New Album, ‘GINGER,’ Is a Dedication to the Unity of Brotherhood

Maddy Ipema, Columbia College Chicago

Their new album is a revelation of the struggles the band members have been through, and their honesty is inspiring.…

September 6, 2019

Harry Styles

What to Expect From Harry Styles’ Upcoming Album

Kathryn Milschewski, Carthage College

The former One Direction star's interview with Rolling Stone gives fans key insight into his upcoming album.…

September 4, 2019

Lover

Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ Shows Lyrical Maturity

Kathryn Milschewski, Carthage College

Taylor isn't crying over boys anymore.…

August 28, 2019

WILLOW

Willow Smith’s Debut Album, ‘WILLOW,’ Shines With Spiritual Confidence

Maddy Ipema, Columbia College Chicago

‘WILLOW’ finds serenity in the Cosmos.…

August 22, 2019

YBN Cordae

YBN Cordae’s Debut Album, ‘The Lost Boy,’ Conveys the Struggle of Finding Your Purpose in Life

Maddy Ipema, Columbia College Chicago

The raw debut album is a narrative toward self-discovery and meaning.…

August 16, 2019

Ed Sheeran

Breaking Down Ed Sheeran’s ‘No. 6 Collaborations Project’

Kathryn Milschewski, Carthage College

Each song has something to offer listeners — whether it be positive or negative.…

July 29, 2019

Dreamville

Dreamville’s New Compilation, ‘Revenge of the Dreamers III,’ Proves They Shouldn’t Be Treated as Underdogs

Maddy Ipema, Columbia College Chicago

Dreamville finds strength and inspiration in numbers.…

July 23, 2019

Gloria

The Lumineers Portray the Spiral of Alcoholism in ‘Gloria’

Madison Feser, Seton Hall University

The folk-rock band explores the generational impact of addiction.…

July 11, 2019

Goldlink

GoldLink’s Debut Album, ‘Diaspora,’ is a Bridge Connecting African Sound and Culture

Maddy Ipema, Columbia College Chicago

This album honors black pride and celebrates diversity.…

July 6, 2019

Elevate

5 Tracks From ‘Elevate’ That are Pushing Funk Music to New Heights

Eric Alexander, University of Colorado Denver

The funk group Lettuce continues to innovate and expand their sound on this amazing new album.…

July 1, 2019

western stars

‘Western Stars’ Is Springsteen’s Tribute to a Bygone Era

Madison Feser, Seton Hall University

Springsteen steps aside and lets the music take control in his new album.…

June 28, 2019

Cage the Elephant continues to confront prevalent societal issues in their latest album, 'Social Cues.' (Image via BC Heights)

‘Social Cues’ Is Cage the Elephant’s Most Compelling Album Yet

Layan Sasa, University of Texas at San Antonio

Through thick and thin, the band has focused on what’s most important… creating content that sends a powerful message to the world.…

May 1, 2019

cory wong

Cory Wong Preps to Release His Groovy Six-Day-Made Album

Remington Jensen, University of Idaho

It takes the average college student more than a week to finish a homework assignment, let alone an entire album.…

July 9, 2018

Drake

What You Can Expect from Drake’s New Album, ‘Scorpion’

Alexis Rogers, Temple University

The music world is on edge.…

June 28, 2018

Charli XCX

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

Grammy

The 11 Grammy Nominated Tracks of 2017

Bethany Knickerbocker, Emerson College

Don't miss out on these Grammy nominated tracks from the past year.…

December 18, 2017