I know what you’re thinking: Glass Houses (1980)? Not The Stranger (1977), or 52nd Street (1978), or even Piano Man (1973)? I get it — those are his most popular records and contain some of his most iconic songs. But I’d like to make a case for Glass Houses. In a scathing 1980 review of the album, Rolling Stone’s Paul Nelson wrote: “Joel sings in a voice that’s pushy and bossy and whiny at the same time, like a rush-hour bus driver bawling out his hapless, weary passengers.” He went on to say that “his material’s catchy…but then, so’s the flu.” I’ll admit, Glass Houses is an interesting take on the development of rock and roll music.
Arts & Culture
‘Laurel Hell’ – A Discovery of the Reasons to Live for the Knife
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On “Laurel Hell”, her sixth studio album, Mitski does the unexpected, entering the realm of synth-pop with the signature ferocity of her musical penmanship. This shift into synth-pop isn’t the result of a label’s wishes, but the artist’s choice herself.
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.