On Nov. 16, Young the Giant released its fifth studio album and biggest project yet: American Bollywood. The album is split into four acts led by frontman Sameer Gadhia, who takes us through an epic conglomerate of universal human truths guided by Indian mythology
Arts & Culture
Snail Mail’s “Valentine” is an Intoxicating Ode to Heartbreak
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“Valentine” firmly solidifies Jordan’s place as a masterful songwriter and indie-rock icon. It’s a powerful work of art, and an ode to the sensitive and lovesick that should become a modern classic.
Arts & Culture
’30’ — Who Knew Divorce Could Be So Relatable?
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The album’s closing three tracks make for Adele’s best songwriting to date.
Arts & Culture
Belgian Singer Stromaé Celebrates Pandemic Heroes
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In short, Stromaé is asking us to raise our glass to everyday working-class heroes, to celebrate essential workers who kept our communities safe and healthy for the past two years. In the music video, cooks, waitresses, fishermen and security guards take center stage.
Arts & Culture
‘Music of the Spheres’: Coldplay’s Foray into Outer Space
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The connection between the cosmos and love is a constant message throughout the album, but the band never fully uncovers what it wants this to mean until the album’s closing track.
Arts & Culture
TEST SPINS | Revelación and Retirement in Review
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As an entity, the EP is full of life and energy. Every song is catchy, upbeat and definitely dance-worthy. Selena has stepped out of her comfort zone and it has proved to be worthwhile.
Arts & Culture
TEST SPINS | DJ Khaled’s ‘Khaled Khaled’: As Inconsistent As Ever
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‘Khaled Khaled’ is the mediocre assortment of jams that is pretty much exactly what one would expect out of a 2021 DJ Khaled album.
Arts & Culture
TEST SPINS | Dayglow Brings More Sunshine on Harmony House
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Harmony House started as the soundtrack to a fictional sitcom. Sloan Struble, the man behind the music/dayglow, was inspired by the soft rock of the late 70s and early 80s, as well as the old TV show Cheers. From the synths to the lyrics, the whole album is drenched in the welcoming, nostalgic vibe of an old sitcom.
Arts & Culture
TEST SPINS | Vic Mensa’s ‘I TAPE’: A Look Into Life in Chicago
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‘I TAPE’ might not be the best project in Vic Mensa’s discography — it’s hard to surpass ‘Innanetape’ — but its ambitious scope and clever writing give it an edge to stand out in the waves of modern music.
anna sorokin
TEST SPIN | Ben Howard’s ‘Collections from the Whiteout’
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Overall, Collections From the Whiteout is an album that I respect more than I like — it clearly represents an artist pushing themselves to their boundaries and putting an immense amount of thought into crafting their perfect album, but a casual music listener like me doesn’t necessarily need an album to be high art.
Arts & Culture
TEST SPIN | Joji’s ‘Nectar’
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His vocals have shifted from that of the king of lo-fi music to a capable pop singer’s.