6 PLAYLIST Line-Up lets you in on jams that were
released in November.
8 INTERNET BABIES A direct product of SoundCloud success,
Oh Wonder talks their debut album.
10 OP-ED How media has whitewashed black culture. 11 NETFLIX: CHANGING THE GAME How the streaming service became a
platform for various social issues.
12 A WHOLE NEW WORLD DJ/producer Matoma dishes on his travels
with The Chainsmokers around the US and the never-ending album, Hakuna Matoma, he released this month.
16 JOCULAR Our monthly Los Angeles photo shoot.
contents
22 MAKING HIS MARK Known for YouTube videos, Connor
Franta is not just a personality but a blossoming businessman and vivid entrepreneur with clear goals set.
30 LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST Madison Beer is always on her grind. We
checked in on her to learn about her new single and future plans.
32 ALBUM REVIEWS What’s good and what’s not. 36 THE COUPLES A Washington, DC photo shoot.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Evan Candelmo TALENT COORDINATOR Taylor Connors CONTENT EDITOR Sid Espinosa COPY EDITORS Annika LaVina, Iris Vukmanovic EDITORS-AT-LARGE Amanda Gross, Danielle Sklarew MANAGING EDITOR Valeria Kaufman
SENIOR WRITERS Charles Bloomer, Owen Brinker, Camilo Calvo-Alcaniz, Jeffrey Cirillo, Andrea Keefe, Carly Meyers, Eve Morris, Mariana Rodriguez WRITERS Ryan Cirillo, Reece Dennison, Morgan Grizzle, Sophia Holland, Aniston Morris, Julia Souza MULTIMEDIA DIRECTORS Solenn Cabrera, Naila Parker, Megalene Tamara VIDEO PERSONALITIES Charlie Havens, Grace Hazlett, Charlie Kanter, Ryan Mayhew, Edom Mesfein, Jackson Miller, Danielle Moss, Madison Moss, Celine Nugent, Vicky Oliveira, Sarah Sabet, Julia Souza ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Molly Spillman ONLINE COPY EDITOR Aniston Morris PLAYLIST EDITOR Camille Stacho OP-ED EDITORS Sophie Brenits, Jasmine Neisser LEAD PHOTOGRAPHERS Elizabeth Batwinis, Erin Malloy CONTIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Sarah Schecker, Ofri Shmul, Rakeb Teklehiwot MODELS Mari Esteves, Sebastian Martin, Hitomi Mochizuki, Liz Roa, Shawn Royster COVER CREDITS Connor Franta: Erin Malloy Matoma: Jimmy Fontaine
masthead
MARKETING MANAGER Jordan Metzman MARKETING TEAM Edom Mesfein, Vicky Oliveira, Emma Zwick BUSINESS MANAGER Zack Shapiro FINANCIAL ADVISORS Valeria Loo-Kung, Kerry Ramos
Adele
Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
Allie X
Never Enough
Bibi Bourelly
Ego
Coldplay
Adventure Of A Lifetime
Coleman Hell
Sitcom
Dua Lipa
Be The One
Grimes
California
Jeremih
Oui
Justin Bieber
The Feeling
Kelela
All The Way Down
Lady Leshurr
Queen’s Speech 4
Little Mix
Grown
MØ
Kamikaze
Noonie Bao
Pyramids
The Neighbourhood
Cry Baby
Santigold
Can’t Get Enough Of Myself
Sara Hartman
Monster Lead Me Home
Sigala
Sweet Lovin’
Snakehips
All My Friends
Selena Gomez
Hands To Myself
Tkay Maidza
Ghost
Troye Sivan
Youth
Youth Lagoon
Free Me
playlist
By Camille Stacho
OH WONDER
Music has never been more easily accessible. Today, the consumer can choose to stream, digitally download or purchase a physical version of the music. Within that, the consumer can pick their streaming services and the digital or real-life stores they buy the music from. While many artists like Taylor Swift may not embrace the change that is occurring, others such as Josephine and Anthony of Oh Wonder have used it to their advantage and have actually achieved fame because of the changing industry.
Starting out, Anthony found inspiration in his uncle from Kansas when it came to songwriting while Josephine met a man in university who inspired her. “He really opened my eyes to the power of music and told me I had the cards in my hand, I just needed to play them,” she said. They eventually met through a mutual friend and found they had many favorite songs and artists in common. After heading into the studio, Oh Wonder was born. Their mission was simply to release the songs they had so much fun writing. Originally, Josephine and Anthony released a song a month on free music sharing site, SoundCloud. “We wanted to challenge ourselves as songwriters and instil routine and structure into our creative output. We also wanted to write a collection of 15 songs that were celebrated and promoted in their own right,” they expressed. The songs eventually got lots of traction in terms of listens, currently racking up at 19 million plays. After countless music blog features and buzz, the duo signed with Republic Records, home to today’s top artists. This past September, they released their debut album and took it on the road. “We really wanted to inject a raw live energy into our live performance, so we enlisted the help of our two friends Yves and Frank, who provide bass and drums respectively. They make the live show dynamic and brimming with life.” As for future plans, they will start recording album two after their tour, but as for now, there’s no doubting the duo will continue to be groundbreaking on any level, despite their main goal, to continue to have fun releasing music, being simple. Story and Interview by Evan Candelmo
From popularization of typically African-American styles such as dreads to African-American sounds such as rap, blues, or rock and roll, the impact of black culture on today’s media is widely spread and felt.
op-ed
Yet it is typically white actors, artists, or performers who are profiting off of this culture rather than those to which this culture is inherent. This whitewashing of black culture is so embedded into our society that people, in particular celebrities or those in positions of power, are often forgetting the struggles and hardships truly associated with living the life of an African-American. Artists such as Iggy Azalea and Miley Cyrus have all consistently gained fame from their appropriation of black culture, while subsequently marginalizing and dismissing the hardships associated with being black, noting instead only the “swag” that is connected to the black community. This celebrities, however, all notoriously remained silent in light of issues in both Baltimore and Ferguson. Singer Azealia Banks best summed up Hollywood’s approach to the black community when she tweeted “...Black Culture is cool, but black issues sure aren’t huh?” (12/03/2014).
The privilege white people have over people of color when appropriating other cultures is best showcased by the media’s response to similar events. When Kylie Jenner, a Caucasian girl known for her style as much as her wealthy family, instagrammed a photo where her hair was styled in dreadlocks, she was met with praise from fans and online blogs alike. Jenner wore her hair like this as a fashion statement, with seemingly little to no knowledge of the history or significance behind the hairstyle she choose to model. To contrast, when African American actress Zendaya wore her hair in locs on the Oscar’s red carpet in hopes of conveying a message about the power and beauty of this hairstyle as well as the strong, independent women donning it, she was met with racist slurs such as those from Giuliana Rancic, who joked that due to her hairstyle and status as a black woman, she must smell of “patchouli” and “weed.” The controversies surrounding the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation are endless, and not something that will be solved overnight by any means. But a good way to start would to be to focus on the root cause of the problem, and begin with attacking the underlying, systematic racism that exists within the media. This means dismantling tropes too often seen in both society and Hollywood, such as the “angry black women” or the “token black friend.” This means understanding and respecting the culture and history behind a practice of a person of color before even being tempted to recreate or adopt it. This means giving people of color more representation in the media, and more acknowledgement for their works and achievements. Hollywood has whitewashed black culture for far too long, and it’s time to give both black culture and black people a chance to reclaim their individuality. Story by Sophie Brenits
netflix: CHANGING THE GAME Today with Netflix, we can access an enormous cinematic library from the convenience of our homes. For a small sum each month, you can watch almost any movie or TV show that you want. Netflix has so completely pervaded popular culture that it’s difficult to remember our world before it. It’s evolved into an outlet for expression and social change. It provides a platform for unheard voices and continues to be a significant vehicle of expression. This fall, two of the newest and most successful shows have been Jane the Virgin and Master of None. Both have received critical acclaim for their uniqueness and honesty, and illuminate different aspects of growing up in this day and age. Aziz Ansari’s new show, Master of None, knows its millennial audience; it explores the many nuances and difficulties that living in the modern era presents, from casual sex to the overwhelming presence of social media. Dev Patel, played by Ansari, is a struggling actor, competing with white men for commercial and television roles and often losing. Through his character’s difficulty to get casted, Ansari questions the lingering racism in the entertainment industry. His feminist side also shines through the unfortunately realistic mistreatment he notices his female colleagues receiving from men. This show may also be first to truly demonstrate the unique dilemma
children of immigrants face; when the series opens, Dev ignores his parents, but later on he bothers to get to know them and realizes how much he underappreciated them in the part. Master is a social critique that addresses the some of the most touchy subjects in today’s society. It’s a sitcom, but with a gravity that makes it an instant hit and relatable to every young viewer. Jane the Virgin, on the other hand, is simultaneously a soap opera, or telenovela, and a parody of one. It follows the story of twenty-three-year-old Jane Villanueva in Miami, a Catholic woman who has been raised by her extremely religious grandmother and freewheeling single mother. Growing up, she was taught that premarital sex is an unredeemable sin, and she vows to be chaste until marriage. When the show begins, we see Jane still living at home, juggling her teaching degree, her relationship with a detective named Michael, and her job as a waitress at a nearby hotel, The Marbella. Then one day, her new gynecologist, distracted by her wife’s recently discovered affair, artificially inseminates Jane. The sample of sperm she uses is from the owner of the hotel Jane works at, Rafael, who is also the gynecologist’s brother, who also kissed Jane once five years ago. Jane is then confronted with a dilemma: to give up the baby to its biological father and his wife, or keep it and permanently change the course of her meticulously planned life? The true genius of Jane the Virgin lies in its genre-defying versatility. It has the humor of a comedy, the drama of a telenovela, the romance of a love story, and the mystery of a crime show. With its quick pace and engaging style of storytelling, the show captures the viewer’s attention and keeps it. Jane herself is a breath of fresh air; smart, ambitious, grounded, positive- she’s the lovable protagonist that television’s been missing recently and not to mention that most of the cast is hispanic, a groundbreaking choice at The CW. Both these shows add a new dimension to the art of television. As America grows more and more diverse, television has adapted to reflect that. Dev and Jane embody the unprecedented complications that come from becoming an adult in the twenty-first century; we laugh with them, relate to them, and learn from them. They show us that everyone’s just figuring it out as they go along. Like us, they’re taking those first steps into the blinding reality of adulthood; their eyes haven’t totally adjusted yet, but so far, they like what they see. Story by Jasmine Neisser
a Whole new world DJ/producer Matoma dishes on the road to his success, his travels with The Chainsmokers around the US and the never-ending album, “Hakuna Matoma�, he released this month. Story by Evan Candelmo Interview by Camille Stacho Photos by Olab Stubberud and Jimmy Fontaine
There’s much more to our favorite artists than we know about. Social media doesn’t share everything and nowadays, we don’t even know if an artist is writing from personal experience or just using one of today’s many ghostwriters. This can’t be applied, though, to Norwegian DJ/producer Matoma, known for his sensual tropical house hits and remixes that easily get a club started. Matoma, born Tom Stræte Lagergren, started out at a young age pursuing classical music, eventually working his way up to performing alongside famous Norwegian pianists. “When I was 15, I practiced too much on the piano and I just hit the wall. I wasn’t really inspired to [play it] anymore. I didn’t touch the piano for a year and bought myself a computer. I would start to drag and drop samples and do mashups and learn basic production skills. I got more and more interested in that and I bought myself books on music production, technology and how sound moves in space and nature,” he said. Even then, though, there weren’t signs of pursuing a career in music. Matoma went to high school and focused on the electronics of flights. It wasn’t until after high school that he wanted to study music. After completing the two required years of military work in Norway, Matoma went to university to get a bachelors degree in music production and technology. “The experience at the university was great because my professors challenged me in ways where I had to learn more about myself.” After graduating, Matoma set out to make a name for himself. A couple of years later and we’ve seen him succeed. His debut album, Hakuna Matoma, is a groundbreaking concept that allows Matoma to continue to add music to it past its release date similar to a playlist. “It came from the idea of SoundCloud,” he explained. “On SoundCloud, if you are active and interact with your fans, it shows if your music is special and original. If you don’t put out content frequently, people forget about you. When I wanted to release an album, I wanted to have the same concept where I can easily release music without a [big] single or an EP. I said to the label [that] we have to think differently. We’re living in a world where streaming is so common now. So, why can’t you be more diverse in releasing music? I presented it to iTunes and Beats, and they all liked the idea of an album that’s more like a playlist.” And his idea is proving to be a hit. The Spotify playlist that acts as the album, Hakuna Matoma, has a couple thousand short of 20,000 followers, and the SoundCloud playlist’s tracks add up to over 18 million plays. As time progresses, he plans to cut the chapters of his life into albums similar to this. Now touring the US with The Chainsmokers and waking up to an unpredictable schedule filled with interviews, runs and breakfasts, Matoma is corroborating himself to be one of the biggest EDM acts of our time, but his goal is clear. Just to keep making music. His debut album, Hakuna Matoma, is out now on various streaming platforms, and his current single featuring Popcaan and Wale is available now.
JOCULAR Photographer: Erin Malloy Model: hitomi mochizuki
Making His Mark Known for YouTube videos, Connor Franta is not just a personality but a blossoming businessman and vivid entrepreneur with clear goals set. With his ingenuity towards any project he assigns himself to, Franta is one to keep an eye on. Story and Interview by Evan Candelmo Photo Shoot by Erin Malloy
It’s hard to complete a thought when talking to someone on the Internet. Rarely can you detect sarcasm in a text, and you can’t package emotions or facial expressions into an email. This case applies to most people. Connor Franta, a 23-year-old YouTuber with a fanbase of over five million subscribers, is an exception to this rule, but it isn’t because he converses with thousands every Monday for a living or because he’s an avid social media user. He’s just a genuine guy. Franta moved to Los Angeles over two years ago to pursue opportunities that weren’t open to him in La Crescent, Wisconsin, his hometown. While opportunities did open up, he mentioned that LA did change close to everything in his day to day life. “There are a lot more avocados and kale in it, that’s for sure,” Franta joked. In the past years, Franta left the YouTube channel that brought him to fame, Our 2nd Life, and came out as gay to his audience, yet these changes do not account for the changing environment he entered. Digital personas are now facing a dilemma, and Franta is no different. Now being recognized in traditional media such as television and radio, YouTubers and Viners have to figure out how to assimilate traditional media into a seemingly new digital frontier. Books, unfortunately, don’t cut it anymore for these new stars. For Franta, his unintentional answer is Heard Well, a music company started with his manager Andrew Graham and the head of Opus Record Label Jeremy Wineberg this past July. “I began working with Jeremy on music compilations over a year ago. Since the concept of compilations worked out so well and were so enjoyable to create, we decided to combine talents and begin a record label purely around the idea of connecting musicians with social influencers.” The compilations Franta speaks of is his popular Common Culture album series. A lifestyle brand at the least (the brand has worked on everything from apparel to coffee), Common Culture is to Connor Franta as Roc Nation is to Jay-Z. Aforementioned, though, this is no deliberate money-maker. It is very much a passion project for
Franta, who is an avid fan of music. “I can’t say anything else affects my emotions like music does.” While he noted it’s a very daunting task to take on, it does seem to be paying off. “My fans have really taken to Heard Well and have supported it immensely,” Franta said. Each compilation released off Heard Well is created for the audience of the YouTuber, which makes this so personable. Just as a mixtape back in the ‘80s symbolized a loving gesture, these compilations are like love letters to a YouTuber’s fan. They’re sharing a part of their life that you otherwise wouldn’t see past the five-minute video they release. “We’ve already put out compilations with Amanda Steele and Lohanthony.” Both sold out of physical copies. While 2016 will bring many exciting ventures that will keep Franta’s attention, including projects with Heard Well, Common Culture and tweaking to his current content on YouTube, there’s no doubting the amount of authenticity and hard work that will be put into Franta’s future. “I’m just so ready to turn the page and embrace each of the coming days to their absolute fullest.”
When Justin Bieber introduced Madison Beer to the world in 2013, many people were shocked at the teen’s powerful voice though were skeptical to this groomed soon-to-be star. As years passed and Beer matured, we found her to be carrying an uplifting message of hope and pursuing your dreams. Growing up in Jericho, Long Island, Beer started singing when she was four or five. Her music drawing inspiration from the one and only Rihanna, she was discovered by Bieber in 2012 after releasing a YouTube cover of Etta James’ “At Last”. She eventually dropped “Melodies”, which became a sleeper teen pop hit. Though Beer is being super selective about what she releases, seeing that she has only released a number of singles, she recently dropped the video for her latest single “All For Love”, which happened to feature her boyfriend’s duo, Jack & Jack. “Working with Jack & Jack was a dream come true. I’ve always been a fan and working with my boyfriend on set was so memorable,” she said. While her fans obviously outweigh the haters, they aren’t uncommon as her dating and career situation can make people jealous. “The best way I handle it is knowing there is no validity to what they are saying. It’s a poor reflection of who they are at the end of the day. It really just saddens me most because it makes me feel like they’re missing something in their lives to feel the need to be so hurtful to a stranger.” That being said, her positivity exceeds limits. “[I tell my fans] just to be kind and that we are all in this together. Don’t give up and stay true to yourself.” As she continues to mature as an artist, she hopes to go on tour in the near future, something we’re all waiting on our toes for, and of course, continue her passion. “I’d like to be doing what I love, [which is] producing amazing music that people can relate to and inspiring people to never give up on their dreams.” Story and Interview by Edom Mesfein
madison beer
Album
Reviews Justin Bieber- Purpose Justin Bieber´s fourth studio album, Purpose, arrived on shelves on this month, and you can instantly tell that Bieber is trying to make a comeback with his music. He succeeds...sort of. While his music is certainly better than before, I think we are still seeing a repetitive version of his lyricism. He´s going for the radio friendly but fails to tell a blatant and coherent story. Songs like ¨Sorry¨ and ¨Company¨ tell tales of regret and sorrow, and how he wishes he can go back and change the past because he misses it so much. On the flip side, songs like ¨I’ll Show You” incorporate some braggadocio. Although the production is crisp, modern, and extremely technological, it gets repetitive after a few times of listening to what really feels like the same song over and over again. But hey, it´s a start to what could be a nice underdog plotline and a comeback to the industry. -CB (3/5)
Adele- 25 It was well worth the wait for Adele’s third album, 25. While I was concerned that many would make the argument that Adele is too repetitive, I was happy to hear that the songstress experimented with new producers such as Danger Mouse, OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder and current it-producers, Greg Kurstin and Max Martin. In fact, though Adele’s normal production is very mellow with a soft piano riff, Kurstin incorporated flamenco-like guitars on “Million Years Ago”, and Martin echoed that effect by staggering it in the album’s most radio-friendly song, “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)”. Experimentation aside, her safer bets also shined, particularly on “When We Were Young”, a future classic co-written by Tobias Jesso Jr. and produced by Ariel Rechtshaid, a staple for all Haim fans. While there’s no doubting Adele’s strong argument to be the voice of our generation, 25 reminds us that, really, there is no competition. Adele is the voice of this generation and, likely, many to come. -EC (5/5)
Pentatonix- Pentatonix Pentatonix has changed the way people view acapella music. Now, after releasing their most recent album, they have proved to be the best at what they do. Blending different genres of music in one album while still sounding unified is not easy. For the most part, this group has managed to stay true to their original sound. In the past, their albums were mostly covers, but this album is mainly made up of original songs, with some awesome collaborations. Some criticism they have faced is the fact that Scott, one of the members, seems to lead every song, instead of dividing the solos equally within the group. However, this is not relevant because in reality they are all singing and backing each other’s vocals. Each member has an incredibly powerful voice, which gives the group a unique, yet seamless sound. Needless to say, the album is spectacular and will have everyone singing along with it. -MR (4.5/5)
Selena Gomez- Revival Selena Gomez’s new album, Revival, is a refreshing departure from the typical ex-Disney star music everyone expects to hear from her. Having a writing and producing credit on almost every one of the songs on the album, Gomez is ready to impress with her first album in two years. Gomez approaches her reinvention with an updated sound and effortlessly clever lyrics, and with grooving club beats infused with sleek EDM inspired vocalizations, Selena Gomez transitions from a pop princess to a cool and sexy young woman blazing her own music style. What distinguishes Revival from any other album is how personal all of the songs are and how they show a growth and maturity no one has seen from Gomez before. From the emotionally raw and vulnerable “Camouflage”, to the confident and coy “Hands to Myself”, there is sure to be a song for everyone on what is certainly Selena Gomez’s best album yet. -IV (4/5)
The Neighbourhood- Wiped Out! Sweater weather is finally here again, so, obviously, everyone I know is listening to the song by The Neighbourhood, but now the band’s sophomore effort, Wiped Out!, is released and isn’t seeming to get the same attention that their debut album did. It seems they dropped the British boy band sound and have become more indie than alternative. The title track is a bit more upbeat than most of the new songs. It doesn’t sound like their old work, but it differs from the rest of the songs on the album. “Cry Baby”, like most of the album, has a quieter sound than some of their previous work. They really toned down the vocals this year. Despite a lack of awareness, Wiped Out! is actually quite catchy. In all honesty, it was shocking to hear such a difference in The Neighbourhood’s music, but it’s also really refreshing to watch them grow and continue to produce music that fans love. This album managed to make its way on my playlist for the next few weeks and I’m excited to enjoy the variety in their work. -AM (4/5)
Logic- The Incredible True Story Logic has released an impressive and complex sophomore album that proves that he’s one of the most underrated MCs out there. There’s so many things to like about this album. There’s a highly prevalent theme of space travel, and a deeper, underlying theme of redemption and a rags-to-riches story. Standout tracks include “Young Jesus”, an homage to 90’s hip-hop with Big Lenbo, “Lord Willin’”, a mix of mainstream pop-rap with uplifting gospel-influenced lyrics about holding on to what you have and “Stainless”, a Frank-Sinatra 50’s style jazz-ish tune with 808 drums. The more you delve into this album, the more you find a sense of who Logic is to the core. The lyrics primarily serve to inspire, and the beats slap you in the face in tracks such as, “Like Woah”. With this second album, Logic proves that an album shouldn’t be merely a group of singles. It should be a conceptual, involved story that keeps you listening until the very end. Everyone should listen to it, even if you’re not a fan of rap. The Incredible True Story truly is incredible. -CB (5/5)
Grimes- Art Angels With an opening as regal as “laughing and not being normal”, a listener can easily go into Grimes’ fourth studio album Art Angels expecting a quality pop album. For me, there was always a cloud of confusion surrounding the popularity of Grimes and her previous album, Visions. Previous singles like “Oblivion” sounded like jumbled synths. After listening to songs on Art Angels like “California”, a standout on the album, and “Belly Of The Beat”, I understood that Clare Boucher cements herself as a trendsetter. Within the sugary synths of Art Angels, you can hear how up-and-coming stars like SOPHIE and Allie X were influenced by a unique musician. Art Angels is a phenomenal album that will continue to influence and intrigue aspiring SoundCloud mavens. -EC (4.5/5)
Demi Lovato- Confident In her fifth studio album, Lovato takes every opportunity to showcase her powerhouse chords and phenomenal range, taking a stab at emotional songs that go far beyond the depth of her previous work. Tracks like “Stone Cold” venture away from past bubbly hits, trading radio accessibility for the opportunity to establish herself as a truly great performer. Although in recent years Lovato has always been personal and revealing in her interviews, this album allows her to to tell her story through music. Singles, “Cool for the Summer” and “Confident”, are the singers most sexual yet, clear attempts to show the world that she is all grown up and just as sexy as other post-Disney starlets like Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus. The brazen attitude and upbeat dance tempo of the tracks make them excellent contenders for radio, but are misleading in representing the tone of the album. Demi Lovato isn’t just confident for a girl who used to be fueled with life-altering insecurities. Demi Lovato is just plain confident, and this album proves it. -AG (4/5)
Seinabo Sey- Pretend Pretend is in many ways what a good debut album should be: diverse enough to capture the listener’s interest yet focused enough to establish an identity for the artist. In this case, the focus is on Sey’s incredible voice, which cuts clear through the eclectic backgrounds. She sings about topics pop music doesn’t usually cover – finding motivation, her passion for music – but avoids feeling preachy or hiding behind clichés. Her instrumentation is as diverse as the Gambian-Swedish singer herself, covering genres from soul to electronic to hip-hop, often in the same song. The changes, while not always perfectly subtle, imbue the album with a fantastic variety and give us a taste of the incredible things this artist has to offer. -CC (4.5/5)
Alessia Cara- Know-It-All 19-year old Canadian Alessia Cara is a fresh artist you cannot afford to miss. Cara released her debut album, Know-It-All, complete with 13 songs, highlighting the relatable moments of teenage years. If you’ve heard of Cara before, it is most likely from her banger, “Here,” a song that is dominating the charts. An anthem about wanting to escape from a horrible party, it’s impossible to ignore the strength of Alessia’s voice, the slow instrumental beats, and the message of wanting to do your own thing. But not all of her songs are about being an “antisocial pessimist.” There are tracks like “Seventeen” with simulated hand-claps and looping chants about appreciating youth while it lasts. Other highlights on the album include “Wild Things”, “I’m Yours” and “Outlaws”. Don’t blink because Alessia Cara could be a household name before you know it. -DS (4/5)
Ellie Goulding- Delirium Delirium marks the third studio album for brit Ellie Goulding, and we’ve seen her come a long way from her “Lights” days. Her song, “Love Me Like You Do”, is one of the more well-known songs on the album, as it was featured in the movie, Fifty Shades of Grey, but that’s not to say other songs such as “Something In The Way You Move” or “We Can’t Move To This” won’t climb to the top of the charts. With a combination of catchy lyrics, fresh beats and Ellie’s unique sound, Delirium has songs for everyone, from songs you can dance to such as “On My Mind”, to those that showcase Goulding’s definite talent, including “Don’t Panic” and “Army”. - MG (4/5)
THE COUPLES Photographer: Rakeb teklehiwot Models: MARI ESTEVES, SEBASTIAN MARTIN, LIZ ROA, SHAWN ROYSTER