Indie pop is one of the more exciting genres of music in today’s landscape. Artists like Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers have produced modern hits with smooth melodies and catchy lyrics. Enter Claud, a Chicago area bedroom pop artist who is starting a new chapter in pop on their debut album, “Super Monster.” Filled with heartbreak and hope, Claud explores the wonders of life while also exploring their own emotions.
Listening to Weezer in 2021 is like listening to a time capsule holding classic pop and rock songs of the past generation. Since the days of their debut album and “Pinkerton,” Weezer have crafted quirky and ravishing tunes that have spoken to millions of fans.
Lee Ji-eun, or more famously known as IU, has shaken the Korean music charts again with her newly released song and accompanying music video, "Celebrity," on Jan. 27. "Celebrity" draws listeners in with its pop rhythm, choreography, stylish wardrobe and uplifting message.
With how disastrous 2020 has been, it is refreshing to look back and think about something that is not COVID-19. This has been a solid year for music and picking only five albums was an arduous task. With that in mind, here are some of the best records from 2020.
Miley Cyrus is one of the most polarizing names in music. Some people love her free-spirited approach to music that started in 2013, while others long for the return of the “Party In The U.S.A” era Cyrus.
One of the most exciting rappers to emerge in the past year is Megan Thee Stallion, a rapper from Texas whose raunchy lyrics and fast flow have garnered her two No. 1 hit songs in 2020. Those songs are “Savage Remix” featuring Beyonce and “WAP” with Cardi B.
Forty years ago, Australian rock band AC/DC released “Back in Black,” an album that has sold over 50 million copies to date and gave us hits such as “Shoot to Thrill” and “Hells Bells.” In the two decades following “Back in Black,” AC/DC has released 10 albums with varying degrees of success. Their newest album, “Power Up,” sees the band trying to stay relevant in a new decade, and while there are moments of progression and innovation, AC/DC provides more of the same on this LP.
There are only a few artists in this time who can cut onions from miles away and still get something out of me: Adele, Rex Orange County, Ellie Goulding and Solange. But then there’s Sam Smith, and let me just say they can cut a whole bag full.
The world of experimental hip-hop has been overlooked in favor of more mainstream-sounding music. Acts like Death Grips and JPEGMAFIA have been at the forefront of shaping rap music that is creative and innovative. One group that is often left out of the conversation of experimental hip-hop is clipping. Based in Los Angeles, clipping. consists of rapper Daveed Diggs and producers William Hutson and Jonathan Snipes. After listening to their latest album “Visions of Bodies Being Burned,” it is safe to say that clipping. produced one of the finest albums of the year.
It seems only appropriate that a year as strange as 2020 would see the release of a new album from the off-beat British virtual band Gorillaz. Their seventh studio album, “Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez,” is another great addition to their innovative, fun and weird discography.
Few acts are bigger in the synthpop scene than Future Islands. This North Carolina-based band came on to the music scene in 2014 with their album “Singles.” Since then they have only grown in popularity. However, with their latest album “As Long As You Are,” the band seems to have gone ghost.
To turn your attention away from the current political turmoil and the frequent “I hate it here” phrases that every aspiring expatriate seems to utter these days, I thought it would be a good idea to delve into the musical culture of a country other than America.
With his latest project “My Life 4Hunnid,” YG raps about topics ranging from police brutality to spending time with women. The result is an album that has a strong message but could have used some fine tuning.
