Music

Music

Boygenius makes their triumphant return

By Henry Chandonnet | January 30

Nearly five years after its seismic self-titled EP, boygenius has returned for its indie pop crown. Made up of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus, the trio was known for their rock-infused melodies and biting lyricism. Those words stung in their beauty and sincerity. Take one of their leading hits from 2018, “Me & My Dog,” in which the girl group croons, “I wanna be emaciated / I wanna hear one song without thinking of you / I wish I was on a spaceship / Just me and my dog and an impossible view.” With that sonic poetry under their belt, one would expect a grand return to the industry. And, if its three-song preview tells us anything, it’s that boygenius is coming back with a bang. 

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Music

Seasonal smash: Christmas songs rewrite Spotify and Billboard records

By Jack Clohisy | January 18

As Billboard has loosened the reins on its rules over recurrent songs on its Hot 100 list over the past decade, there has been a resurgence of Christmas music dominating the charts. In addition, as the magazine started counting streaming services toward chart points in 2012, older music, specifically holiday hits, has seen great success because of such chart modifications.

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Music

Spotify Wrapped 2022: Here's what happened this year

By Jack Clohisy | December 2

On Nov. 30, Spotify released its annual streaming report popular among listeners: Spotify Wrapped. Every year, users anticipate receiving their own personalized playlists detailing their most-listened-to 100 tracks of the year, alongside a comprehensive recap of their listening trends, top genres and favorite artists. Let’s dive into some of the highlights from this year’s Spotify Wrapped.

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Music

Taylor Swift navigates her insecurities on 'Midnights'

By Jack Clohisy | October 27

Taylor Swift is a mastermind; she said it herself. The effortless sonic transitions from country to pop to alternative records cement the songstress as an unwavering force in the music industry. A country legend who ushered in a new era of crossover country-pop. A pop titan who invigorated the 2010s mainstream scene. An unlikely, but welcomed, alternative experimenter who comforted the masses with quarantine albums to cling to. The groundwork was laid, and it was only a matter of time before Swift returned with her latest effort. With her milestone 10th studio album “Midnights” (2022), Swift returns to her most successful battleground: pop music.

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Music

On ‘The 7th Hand,’ Immanuel Wilkins seeks divine inspiration

By Miles Singer | February 23

Although he is only in his early 20s, saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins has already risen to prominence as one of jazz’s brightest stars.His debut album, “Omega” (2020), released on the famed Blue Note record label and earned a No. 1 spot on The New York Times Best Jazz Albums of 2020 list. On his sophomore album “The 7th Hand,” which was released on Jan. 28, Wilkins brings together the same quartet featured on “Omega,” consisting of pianist Micah Thomas, bassist Daryl Johns and drummer Kweku Sumbry.

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Music

Your Valentine’s Day love song recommendations

By Odessa Gaines | February 14

This Valentine’s Day, let’s not talk about anything but love. Today, we’re dropping some songs that you have to play this Valentine’s Day, whether you’re spending it with a lover, friends, by yourself or with your cat.

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Music

Mitski dances with darkness on 'Laurel Hell'

By Jack Clohisy | February 9

Mostly absent from the mainstream,Mitski has rarely resurfaced since the viral success of her previous LP "Be the Cowboy" (2018). However, on her latest Feb. 4 release "Laurel Hell" (2022), Mitski unleashes the darkness with the use of synths, grandiose instrumental builds and razor-thin lyricism. As is evident with the album's lead single"Working for the Knife,"Mitski feels the weight of being yet another cog in the machine of the American workforce. As she realizes the world will move on with or without her, Mitski laments, "I just didn't know it would go without me." Existentialism is in abundance on Mitski's sixth studio album with themes centering on the purpose of being and the challenge of pushing societal boundaries.

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Column

K-Weekly: Fall in love with IVE and 'Eleven'

By Odessa Gaines | February 9

Last semester I made it a habit to write about K-Music which was at least a year old. I originally set out to cover larger K-hits to add to your playlist, but as the semester went on I realized that first, I should start introducing older music that still feels new. Today, however, I will be opening your eyes to a girl group just over two months old. 

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Music

The road less traveled: Students pursue ‘underground’ majors at Tufts

By Elizabeth Zacks | January 19

While many Tufts students stick to the beaten path of popular majors such as international relations or computer science, others are taking the road less traveled. From astrophysics to human factors engineering, some Tufts students are majoring in fields that are often unfamiliar and overlooked.

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Music

Gayle and Winnetka Bowling League capture crowd at intimate venue

By Sadie Leite and Ellie Lester | December 7

On Nov. 29, rising alternative indie band Winnetka Bowling League performed at Boston’s Brighton Music Hall in an intimate but lively combination of bouncy melodies, cardboard cutouts and deadbeat dad jokes. 

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Music

Is Summer Walker 'Still Over It'? She really is.

By Jack Clohisy | November 19

Thought Summer Walker was over it and moved on? Nope. She's quite literally still over it. It has been two years since the release of her critically acclaimed debut LP "Over It" (2019). Since then, Walker has been crafting her next album entangled in the same themes as her prior work. "Still Over It" (2021), Walker's follow up, was released on Nov. 5, and it's clear that some relationships continue to prove tumultuous. In this newest work, Walker dives into herself to identify the emotions she's experienced throughout her pregnancy and introduction to motherhood.

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Music

Silk Sonic transcends genres, generations on debut album 'An Evening With Silk Sonic'

By Maeve Hagerty | November 17

There are certain feelings that cannot be put into words. That feeling which is a combination of joy, good vibes and a solid bass line, and which is best encapsulated by “An Evening With Silk Sonic” (2021), is one of them. Released on Nov. 12, the album is the synthesis of creative genius. Pop culture icon Bruno Mars and the masterful Anderson .Paak are Silk Sonic, and their shared project “An Evening With Silk Sonic” is the perfect blend of ‘70s soul and disco topped off by a large dose of modern charisma. With the legendary Bootsy Collins narrating the album throughout, the album is an ode to the music and style of the ‘70s, but “An Evening With Silk Sonic” is entirely unique to Mars and Paak. Highlighting Paak’s effortless rapping and Mars’ signature vocal style, the album isn’t just an imitation of ‘70s music — it’s a reflection on its influence on modern music.

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Columns

K-Weekly: Twice's 'Alcohol-Free' will leave you drunk in love

By Odessa Gaines | November 8

The world of K-pop, like most other fields of music, art and life, is unfortunately dominated by male groups and artists, but the women of K-pop never fail to remind us that they earned their right to be there just as much as anyone else. They have been turning out bops since the beginning of K-pop, and every year gives us something new to jam out to. One of the biggest and most well-known groups is Twice. 

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Music

'Blue Banisters' explores the cinematic world of Lana Del Rey

By Jack Clohisy | November 3

Less than a year after the release of "Chemtrails Over The Country Club" (2021), Lana Del Rey returns with her eighth studio album, "Blue Banisters" (2021). Just two years ago, Del Rey released her widely-acclaimed "Norman Fucking Rockwell!" (2019), and now, Del Rey shows she still has much to offer.

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Music

The debacle over country music: What makes country 'country'?

By Jack Clohisy | November 1

After securing the Grammy Award for Best Country Album and the coveted Album of the Year, Kacey Musgraves' "Golden Hour" (2018) was a major success for the genre. Incorporating alternative sounds and pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a country artist, Musgraves became an innovator. However, Musgraves' follow-up project "Star-Crossed" (2021)won't have that same opportunity. Revealed this past month, "Star-Crossed" won't be considered for Best Country Album at the upcoming 64th Grammy Awards. While "Golden Hour" took an alternative approach to country music, "Star-Crossed" incorporated elements of pop. Why is it that Musgraves, who labels "Star-Crossed" as a country album, is being left out of the genre she calls home?

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Columns

K-Weekly: I 'Don’t Recall' why Kard isn’t in your playlist

By Odessa Gaines | November 1

When most people hear the word “K-pop,” they think of pop music but in Korean and with more dancing. For the general public, K-pop music has one distinct sound and is one genre on its own. However, this isn't exactly right. K-pop is a generalization for what is considered ‘Idol Music’ in South Korea, but K-pop artists take influence from genres beyond pop. One of the best examples of a K-pop group who brings in non-pop sounds is Kard.

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Music

Liz Cooper shows 'Hot Sass' at the Brighton Music Hall

By Yas Salon | October 13

Liz Cooper’s "Hot Sass" tour not only marks her first headlining tour since COVID-19, but also a transformational moment in her career. The tour and accompanying album, "Hot Sass," which was released on Sept. 3, is her first solo album; until "Hot Sass,"Cooper performed under the band name Liz Cooper & The Stampede. Cooper also departs sonically from her previous folk-rock releases. In place of her old sound, Cooper comes into her own with a grittier, soft-rock sound. 

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Music

Weekender: Nothing could ever stop Samia from showing up

By Jack Clohisy | October 7

In true indie-pop concert fashion, college students lined up outside of the Brighton Music Hall on Oct. 1 to get a glimpse of one of their Spotify discoveries first seen in person when Samia Najimy Finnerty, known mononymously as Samia, traveled to Boston for her fall tour.

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Music

A reunion with Phoebe Bridgers

By Jack Clohisy | October 6

​​Over a year has passed since Phoebe Bridgers released her Grammy-nominated second LP "Punisher" (2020), and after the pandemic delayed most chances for Bridgers to perform live in front of her fans, she finally hit the road with her band on a reunion tour in September. Traveling nationwide, this is the first time Bridgers is able to perform her newest hits in front of audiences ready to break out their best screams for "I Know the End" and tears for the remainder of her catalogue.

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Music

'Golden hour faded black': 'Star-Crossed' and Kacey Musgraves' magnificent rebound

By Jack Clohisy | September 22

Dusk came quickly for Kacey Musgraves soon after winning Album of the Year at the Grammys for her glistening piece "Golden Hour" (2018). Divorce meant the bitter end for Musgraves' most acclaimed era, and with the glow of her iridescent fourth LP fading behind her, it was time for Musgraves to pick up the pieces and pioneer forward. Despite the vicissitude, pain turned to progress, and Musgraves stitched back together her broken heart with "Star-Crossed" (2021).

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