Category: Album Reviews

Hippo Campus – “landmark”

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By: Matthew Jadlowski

Hippo Campus’ debut album landmark is set to be released February 24. However, on Sunday, February 12, at The Electric Fetus in Minneapolis, the band had an in-store show and signing for the release of their album’s exclusive blue vinyl.

The record opens with the ethereal “sun veins.” The short song draws the listener into the newly developed sound of the band, and transitions into the familiar “way it goes.” Side A includes songs like “epitaph,” featuring vibrant synth sounds and vocal alterations, which seem to be influenced by Bon Iver while still maintaining the classic Hippo youthfulness as the song gains momentum; and “western kids,” which has the upbeat, fun summer feeling of past favorites like “Sophie So”, and a song structure that is also reflective of those on past EP, Bashful Creatures. The positive energy of this song seems to look to the band’s bright future by mentioning the love of their transition “from the ‘burbs to the streets.”

Side B of the vinyl opens with singer Jake Luppen’s smooth falsetto on “poems” which transitions into a beautiful instrumental and later adds a powerful vocal with heavy guitar. This dynamic song introduces the both more somber, and up-beat pop rock sound of Side B which includes already released tracks “monsoon” and “boyish.” The vibrant lyrics and steady drums of “vacation” tell a story of struggle and mystery of finding one’s self cloaked in a dreamlike, but positive sound. “interlude” then offers a pause in the album that includes deep drums as well as brass by DeCarlo Jackson, with an overall feel of freedom and passion that sounds much more like an old Edward Sharpe song. The album concludes with “buttercup” which has all the elements of any favorite Hippo song; upbeat and robust guitar riffs, a rhythm that can be danced to, and passionate lyrics and vocals which eventually lead up to a powerful yell of “I’ll be fine, I’m alright, it’s my body/gonna stick to my guns like you taught me.”

The album overall has a new and polished sound compared to past EPs. The lyrics are deeply poetic and the music is both nostalgic and hopeful for the future. Though the band has grown and matured a lot since Bashful and South, the songs are all authentically and distinctly Hippo Campus. landmark is available everywhere February 24. The band kicks off a spring tour in support of the album on February 15.

Glass Animals – “How to be a Human Being”

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By: Liz Legatt

If you haven’t engulfed yourself in the latest Glass Animals album yet, I recommend doing so ASAP. “How to be a Human Being” is the perfect blend of Alternative, Indie, and Hip Hop. Needless to say, I am obsessed and have been since day one… Which was back on August 26th, 2016. Four months later and I’m still listening just as much as I did the week of its release.

Glass Animals’ second full-length album grasps inspiration from the real-life interactions of lead-singer Dave Bayley, with fans during his travels across the world. The album features 11 banger tracks, each detailing the story of 11 different characters that Bayley has come across. Every character has their own personality; therefore every song has its own flavor. This genius idea creates a diverse album, drawing me back in and causing me to love it more with each listen. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve recommended “How to be a Human Being” to, but I can say that I have no plans to stop.

My favorite track off the album is without a doubt “The Other Side of Paradise”, which tells the story of a man who heads to California in search of fame, leaving behind his lover and resulting in him losing himself amidst the ambitions of Hollywood. The emotional build up as the woman he leaves behind repeats over and over, “I know you don’t but I still try, / my thunder shook him down, / that girl is gone but I still try, / I think it’s over now…” sends heart-wrenching goose bumps shooting down my spine without fail EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

I had the unforgettable opportunity to see this group at the Myth Nightclub back in October and can say that not only was I not disappointed by any aspect of the night, but also that this experience is now ranked in my top concerts. The amount of energy, combination of new and old music, and connectivity with the crowd made me feel as much a part of the performance as the band. My friends and I were able to reach front row for the encore, when Bayley personally grabbed our hands before heading offstage. The post-concert-depression I experienced was the worst I’ve had to date. I definitely have plans of seeing them again next time they roll through town and highly suggest you do the same!

Run the Jewels – “Run the Jewels 3”

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By: Sam Schultz

“I hope, I hope with the highest of hopes, that I never have to go back to the trap, and my days with dealing with dope” I hope you don’t have to either Killer Mike…because your music has me grooving more than the grooviest man that ever lived. This is the opening line in the intro track from RTJ3 titled ‘Down’. The slow build up this song brings is incredible. One of my personal favorites from the album, this song makes me feel like skydiving out of a plane, parachuting down to the love of my life and proposing. It leaves the listener with a thought like…holy sh*t, this album is about to be lit.

‘Legend Has It’ is this album’s head banger for sure. The beat is aggressive and the production is magnificent. Killer Mike and EL-P trade off verses and during the chorus a glorious “Wooooo” can be heard. Honestly it makes me feel like I just beat my elementary school arch rival in a game of 4 square.

Listen to to ‘Hey Kids’ because Killer Mike tears up the establishment and Danny Brown is featured.

‘Stay Gold’ is another aggressive song with an amazing electronic beat. The rap is pure and reminiscent of old school flavor. Stay gold everyone.

‘Don’t Get Captured’ is the rallying cry for those of us who want to keep the revolution going. Verses of White,corrupt politicians who want to shut down any possibility of change ring through the song. Keep fighting, just don’t get caught.

‘Thieves’ might be the most political and moving song on the album. It talks about the view society has about riots for social causes. All rioters being labeled as thugs, uneducated, and specifically in this song..”thieves,” this song spins that view and blames those looking on as the thieves. From police unjustly taking innocent lives to CNN reporters not understanding the implications of their words. This song shares the voices of the oppressed who continue to fight for their equality. Words from Martin Luther King make up the outro…”I think America must see, riots do not develop out of thin air. Certain conditions continue to exist in our society, which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots, and the final analysis is a riot is the language of the unheard” Think about that White America…think about that.

‘Panther Like a Panther’ it’s freaking lit. The beat is insane so get ready to dance.

‘A Report to the Shareholders/Kill Your Masters’ is the last song of the album. It details Killer Mike’s frustrations with the injustices that continue to plague Black people and the group’s frustration as a whole with the events of recent times(seems to point to the past election season) One verse has Killer Mike relaying that when RTJ was started it was all fun and there wasn’t necessarily a purpose. At this point RTJ has a bigger purpose.

Run The Jewels brought an insane amount of energy to RTJ3. Throughout the album I was so hyped up that I felt like I could do anything I set my mind too. Seriously..it felt like I just downed 10 Red Bull’s. And I think that’s part of what RTJ is doing with this album. They want people to hear about our country’s issues, and injustices, and simple everyday life problems too! But they also want us to act on them and do something about it! This album is a party starter and political dialogue all in one and I absolutely love it. Each song’s beat transfers into the next so seamlessly that the whole album sounds like one continuous song. With Run The Jewels 3, the same energy from previous albums was brought, if not more, but deeper messages were brought too, which leaves me to say that RTJ3 is the best album yet from this dynamic duo. Do yourself a favor and listen to this album.

Lil Yachty – Teenage Emotions

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Released: May 26th, 2017
By: Elli Dubanoski

Lil Yachty’s lengthy debut album is a colorful and catchy demonstration of the importance of individuality in the hip-hop industry. There is something very charismatic about Lil Yachty’s comfort with his own uniqueness as he introduces his own interpretation of rap music, something he calls “bubblegum trap”.

Teenage Emotion provides its listeners with a variety of tracks from heavy rap tracks to upbeat party tunes to solemn heartbroken songs. “Teenage Emotions” is a collaboration between Lil Yachty and his alter ego Lil Boat, immersed in Auto-tune. Lil Boat proves his ability to hold his own on his more aggressive rap tracks but the album feels most authentic on Lil Yachty’s more romantic, pop-inspired songs. While Lil Boat raps about not caring about the haters and other more stereotypical topics, Lil Yachty balances the album by singing about loving girls and his mom.

At only 19 years old, Lil Yachty creates a youthful well-rounded representation of recent radical originality in the genre caused by shifting trends, changes in influences, and the impact of the Internet. He is part of a new generation of hip-hop stars who find themselves less influenced by legends such as Biggie and Tupac due in large part because they grew up in a later era. More inspired by Kanye and Coldplay, Lil Yachty makes music with different melodies and subject matter.

Lil Yachty proves his place in the modern day rap industry is earned not because he follows a set mold, but because he is courageous enough to be himself. Love or hate his music, Lil Yachty at least deserves respect for his individuality alone.

Charles Bradley – “Changes”

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By: Sam Schultz

At 67 years old, Charles Bradley still puts out some of the most soulful music you’ll ever hear, and his newest Album “Changes” seeks to keep it that way for a long time to come. “Changes” is not only a representation of Charles’ understanding and appreciation for love, but it’s also a representation of the surrounding world that he sees himself in currently. The song, “Change For the World” has Bradley urging people to change the way they look at one another. “Blacks depreciated, If we’re not careful, we’ll be back segregated./Change for the better of your soul/We gotta change our love/We gotta change for the world/ I got to give you my love.” Growing up in the Civil Rights Movement, Bradley knows first hand the hard and difficult path for equality and he fears that any progress we have made is on the verge of reversing at any time. His music asks us to make a simple change, a change towards love. “Put away the guns, and take this love.” These words paint a picture of the ever-present police brutality that continues to plague our country. Charles has been very active in the media, voicing his opinions on gun violence and this song reiterates his feelings.

In “God Bless America” Bradley preaches about his home of America. “America, you’ve been real honest, hurt, and sweet to me/Just know that all the pains I’ve been through, It made me stronger, to stand strong that know that America represents love for all humanity and the world.” Even though Charles has endured hardships in this country, America is still his home, and for him home is a place where you should be loved and able to live without fear. This song really strikes a cord with me. With all the problems our country faces these days, it’s hard sometimes to think of America as a place that represents love for all, but if Charles can still see the good in America then I think anyone can. Our country is such a diverse mix of people that are beautiful in so many unique ways and Charles sees America as a loving home for everyone.

It wouldn’t be a Charles Bradley album without a song our two about love when it comes to relationships. “Things We Do For Love” is a relaxed but groovy song about the lengths many of us go to in attempt to receive love from someone. “The things I do and say to you baby, for love.” Although the pursuit of love can be hard and frustrating, Charles’ voice comes off as cheerful and almost as if he is laughing at what love does to us. When pursuing love many of us often find ourselves changing how we act or saying what we think someone wants to hear in an effort to convince him or her that we are worth loving. I think what Charles wants us to understand is that we shouldn’t have to change ourselves to receive love. Love is, and always should be, a two way street. It needs to be reciprocated equally between both people. I picture Charles looking back on times when he changed himself for love and smiling. He knows what a powerful force love is and what it can do to us. So, what I believe this song tells us is to keep pursuing love, but to be yourself and try to enjoy the journey. If we do that, eventually love will come naturally to us all.

The song that best demonstrates the adversity that Charles has faced in his life is his cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes.” “My heart was blinded/ Love went astray/ Wish I could go back and change these years/ I’m going through changes.” A sad tone can be heard through most of the song, but it almost ends on a triumphant note with trumpets ringing in the background. From growing up in the Civil Rights Movement, to his mother dying, Charles recognizes the hardships he has faced, but he continues to change and move forward in life putting to rest any doubts that the world throws at him.

“Changes” sees Charles Bradley making a genuine call for people to understand not only what love is but to spread that love to everyone and anyone we may come to pass in life. Sometimes love is forgotten by many of us, and I think this album is a way for Charles to remind us what a powerful force love is. I encourage everyone to take some time and listen to “Changes” all the way through; You may just start to see that making a change towards love can not only benefit you, but our country and the world too.

Tame Impala – “Currents”

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By: Elli Dubanoski

Tame Impala’s lead singer and songwriter, Kevin Parker, proves yet again to be a savant of psychedelic rock in his band’s captivating new album Currents.  Armed with only the ear to remarkably mix music and the masterfully cool capability to evoke the emotions of listeners, Tame Impala seems to find more of itself with age, a rare quality within the music industry. Surreal melodies strung together with Parker’s slow ethereal and echoic voice characterizes Currents as he lays out melancholy lyrics of forlorn love, recognition of transforming times, and recollected regrets riddled with self-doubt on Tame Impala’s best work to date. Preceding the album was the free-to-download song, “Let It Happen”, followed by the album’s singles, “Cause I’m a Man”, “Disciples”, and “Eventually”. Tame Impala’s success lies within its ability to remain refreshingly current with clever renovations of an already brilliant music-making formula.

Frank Ocean’s upcoming album

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While the anticipation builds, here are 7 things we’ve heard about Frank Ocean’s upcoming album

By: Elli Dubanoski

 

  1. The album title has not yet been revealed. Although many suspect and have reported that the album may have the title Boys Don’t Cry, a representative of Frank Ocean has confirmed to Billboard that the title of his third full-length album and second studio album has not been announced.
  2. After three years in the making, it will be released sometime in July 2015. Much about Ocean’s follow-up to his 2012 album Channel Orange has been kept in the dark, but according to Billboard, it will drop sometime in July of this year.
  3. This album should feature plenty of guest artists. Frank Ocean has revealed that Pharrell Williams, Tyler the Creator, and Danger Mouse will all be featured his new record. He has also expressed interest in working with Tame Impala and King Krule in the past. Ocean has stated that he found influence in both The Beatles and The Beach Boys for this album.
  4. Frank Ocean has been working in the studio with a variety of notable producers on his new album. Ocean has been collaborating with a variety of new producers including Hit-Boy and Rodney Jerkins while also working with artists he has used on other projects such as Happy Perez, Charlie Gambetta, and Kevin Ristro.
  5. In November 2014, Ocean released a demo snippet of a new song called Memrise. While it the full song is expected to make an appearance on Ocean’s new album, the teaser consisted of Frank Ocean singing softly over an easygoing and deliberate dreamy melody.
  6. This is his first album with his new management team. Ocean was previously under the management of Christian and Kelly Clancy of 4 Strike Management, known for their involvement with the rap group Odd Future, but decided to move in a different direction late last year when he signed with Three Six Zero, who manages artists such as Calvin Harris and Deadmau5.
  7. Frank Ocean will be releasing a publication in July called Boys Don’t Cry. Earlier this year, Ocean posted a picture of him with his also upcoming Boys Don’t Cry magazine. In fact, the picture showed two different versions of the magazine and a caption that said, “I got two versions. I got twoooo versions.” The magazine is said to be a fulfillment of Frank Ocean’s previously stated desire to be creative outside of his music by writing. Also known about the magazine is that it will include an interview of Lil B done by Ocean himself. Lil B stated that in addition to the interview, the two have new music coming soon. Nabil Elderkin, who photographed the Lil B for the magazine stated that Ocean’s new album, “blows the sophomore-album myth out of the water.”

Allan Kingdom – “Northern Lights”

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By: Elli Dubanoski

Minnesota-based rapper, Allan Kingdom, remains a trailblazer in the genre of hip hop with his new mixtape Northern Lights. After garnering a great deal of attention due to his recent two Grammy nominations for working on Kanye West’s single “All Day”, there was plenty of impatience to hear what Kingdom would create next. Kingdom brings pride to the Land of 10,000 Lakes as he raps some lyrics about his home state and stands before a backdrop of his beloved north woods on his mixtape cover. Northern Lights is executively produced by Kingdom with help from the prominent Plain Pat and Jonathan Kaslow. Kingdom’s distinctive vocals are an intriguing combination of hard-hitting and melodic, built-up by his exceptional beats. Also on this mixtape are features from talented artists including Chronixx, Jared Evan, D.R.A.M., and Gloss Gang. On Northern Lights Kingdom raps, “I’m influencing/Never pretending/I ain’t wanna blend in.” With all the unparalleled sounds and fresh vocals Allan Kingdom brings to the table, this trendsetting “Northern Gentleman” will never be at risk of blending in.