album review

The Last Dinner Party Explores Haunting Melodies and Depths with Prelude to Ecstasy

Archie Wagner, University of Iowa

The Last Dinner Party's debut 'Prelude to Ecstasy' stands on its own amongst a sea of poppy rock.…

April 2, 2024

Spanish Rock Band Airú Sparkles On Their First U.S. Tour

Roberto Soto

The Spanish rock band, Airú, transcends with a hopeful energy and quiet optimism on their first U.S. Tour. …

March 18, 2024

Five Best Songs from Ariana Grande’s ‘eternal sunshine’

Roberto Soto

Ariana encapsulates the peaks and potholes that come from love and heartbreak in her 2024 album "eternal sunshine."…

March 11, 2024

Three women in white t-shirts and colored bob cuts -- left to right: white, blue-green and blue -- stare blankly at the front. They are standing against a white background, the phrase "GIDLE" spelled out above their heads in a graffiti-like texture, as musical notes dot the screen.

(G)I-DLE’s Second Album 2 Hits the Ground Walking

Cerasela Hanseter, University of California, Berkeley

Despite a strong first album (G)I-DLE failed on the follow-through. For their second album, the group could really have had a stronger start.…

February 25, 2024

Album Review: P1Harmony’s Debut ‘Killin’ It’ Strikes a Chord in K-Pop Evolution

Emma Troise, Manhattan College

From Seoul to Global Stages: P1Harmony's Debut Album Showcases Their Capabilities and Opens Doors for K-Pop…

February 5, 2024

Ethel Cain, ‘Preacher’s Daughter’ and Childhood Trauma

Julia Ray, Northern Arizona University

Ethel Cain lives through the adult effects of childhood trauma in her 2022 release.…

January 23, 2024

An illustration of Mckena Grace and her sixteenth birthday cake with red balloons in the background.

Album Review: Mckenna Grace Has a Music Career?

Sarah Deavers, University of Virginia

Straying from her childhood acting roots, Mckenna Grace jumps into the music world with her debut album “Bittersweet 16.”…

September 29, 2023

In an article about Tyler, the Creator's recent development as an artist, a drawing of Tyler with a picnic basket reading, "The Estate Sale."

Is ‘The Estate Sale’ The End of An Era for Tyler, The Creator?

Malaki Lingg, The University of Texas at San Antonio

‘Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale’ has monumental implications.…

September 27, 2023

In an article about Tinashe's new album 'BB/Angel,' a woman with blonde hair looks up. She wears a white tee shirt with a slip dress over it. A hand-drawn angel halo is above her head.

Album Review: Tinashe Keeps it Solid on ‘BB/ANG3L’

Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago

The R&B empress delivers a divine collection of seven forward-thinking earworms. …

September 19, 2023

A graphic of Isabel LaRosa in a short white dress holding a wooden cross upside down against a wire fence.

Unholy Heartbreak: Isabel LaRosa’s New EP

Sarah Deavers, University of Virginia

Secret relationships and a belief in a higher power are unveiled in Isabel LaRosa’s new EP, “YOU FEAR THE GOD THAT LOVES YOU.”…

September 12, 2023

In an article about Kevin Atwater, a user scrolls through Atwater's latest EP on a smart phone connected to earbuds.

‘Downers Grove’: Kevin Atwater Embraces Tears and Fears

Sarah Deavers, University of Virginia

The singer-songwriter's recent EP explores toxic masculinity, sexuality and unrequited love through soft vocals and moving verses. …

September 7, 2023

In an article about Lorde's album "Melodrama," three beautiful, dramatized silhouettes of Lorde singing against a black background.

Lorde’s ‘Melodrama’ Captures the Modern Coming of Age

Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago

Six summers later, Lorde’s sophomore album remains a razor-sharp representation of being “19 and on fire."…

July 31, 2023

In an article about Kim Petras' new album, a black-and-white sketch f Petras alongside a brief list of the album's most popular titles.

Kim Petras Instructs Us To ‘Feed the Beast’

Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago

Petras' first major-label album ranges from darkly exciting Europop to upbeat dance numbers.…

July 8, 2023

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

In an article analyzing Noah Kahan's "Stick Season," a forest of pine trees sits inside the hole of a guitar, with guitar strings covering it.

Noah Kahan on Growing Up and Being Left Behind

Anne Bannon, Scripps College

In his third studio album, the singer-songwriter muses on his perpetual case of small town blues.…

July 5, 2023

an illustration of Kamasi Washington 's album

Kamasi Washington and the Modern-Day Epic

Niall Calvert, Wesleyan University

In a world where jazz is seemingly in decline, few musicians perform the genre. Kamasi Washington seeks to transform it.…

August 21, 2022

Kelly Clarkson on the cover of When Christmas Comes Around vinyl

‘When Christmas Comes Around’ Offers a Whole Lot of Heart and a Whole Lot of Buzz

Rory Conlon, De Anza College

In her newest holiday album, Kelly Clarkson makes her mark by combining fresh, personal lyrics with traditional carols: It’s a dazzling gift to give and receive.…

December 17, 2021

‘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

In an article about Happier Than Ever, an illustration of Billie Eilish

I Have Complicated Feelings About ‘Happier Than Ever’

Olivia Wisse, Hofstra University

Billie Eilish’s sophomore album ends critical whispers of her 'flop era' but is it possible to forgive her often problematic persona?…

August 16, 2021

‘OK Orchestra’ Is a Coming-of-Age Album for a Lost Generation

Darby Williams, University of Michigan

Indie-pop sensation AJR’s newest EP explores self-reflection and what it means to be a grown-up — whatever that means.…

July 29, 2021

In an article about Sarah Kinsley, a girl plays guitar in the spotlight with a red crown over her head.

Sarah Kinsley Begins Her Reign as ‘The King’ of the Music Industry

Michelle Buckley, Chapman University

This promising indie music star's latest EP tells a story about growth and demonstrates a positive turning point in the artist’s rising career.…

July 21, 2021

On Her Solo Debut, ‘R,’ Rosé Forges Her Own Path

Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

The Blackpink singer has conquered the world alongside her fellow girl-group members. Now she is ready to shine on her own and pay homage to her past.…

April 6, 2021

An stylized illustration of popstar, Zayn Malik

On ‘Nobody Is Listening,’ Zayn Delivers His Most Vulnerable Album Yet

Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

With his third studio album, the former One Direction member sets out to express his innermost thoughts through soft R&B melodies and melancholic lyrics.…

March 5, 2021

‘Evermore’ Reflects the Pain of an Isolated 2020, Seeks Hope in 2021

Haven Worley, University of Rochester

The effects of COVID-19 can be heard in the somber themes of Taylor Swift's newest album.…

December 22, 2020

These three albums tell a story throughout.

3 Albums That Masterfully Balance Storytelling With Musicality

Sarah Gudenau, Oakland University

Here are three amazing universe-building concept albums that you need to add to your Spotify queue. …

August 30, 2020

‘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

Is the New Yoste Album, ‘A Few Brief Moments,’ Lacking Something?

Megan Stager, University of Pittsburgh

The musician's latest release is apathy in musical form, and not in a good way.…

July 21, 2020

On ‘Punisher,’ Phoebe Bridgers Taps Into the Anxiety of a Generation

Caleb Mullenneaux, St. Olaf College

On her commanding second album, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter writes about the fears that come with depression and a life of touring.…

July 10, 2020

Austin Plaine Is a Singer-Songwriter With a Penchant for Raw Storytelling

Jackie Sizing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Minneapolis-born country-folk artist uses his music to create narratives worth sharing.…

July 2, 2020

Notes on ‘Notes on a Conditional Form,’ the 1975’s Latest Album

Sarah Gudenau, Oakland University

Some say that the release runs a little long, but its experimentation, as well as lyrics that are both sentimental and politically charged, make it something memorable.…

June 9, 2020