James tw RA ra riot
Lolo
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ISSUE 13 | BEYOND THE STAGE
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HONNE Arthur Ashe Kids Day Ra Ra Riot Now Night Out James TW LOLO Album Reviews Playlist
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Young The Giant | pittsburgh, pa | september 2016 | Photos by: stone Fenk
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Hey violet | houston, tx | September 2016 | Photos by: alicia rangel
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Photos by Gabi Talisman Words by Addie Whelan
Few people in the world will tell you that there is a more fulfilling experience than live music. As soon as the band sets foot on stage, the audience suddenly feels like there’s nothing better, and it’s all fueled by adrenaline. That adrenaline rush for HONNE, british electronic duo composed of Andy Clutterbuck and James Hatcher, is one of their favorite feelings in the world. “We have this core group of superfans that really know everything inside out and sing along. Last night, we played in Washington DC and we played tracks on the album we thought people might not have expected or hadn’t heard yet. There were people singing along to songs that we thought we didn’t know whether they had even heard them yet because they’re on the album and it’s so recent. It’s so cool to hear people hear songs that aren’t the singles,” recalled Hatcher.
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For Clutterbuck and Hatcher, HONNE was created back in 2014, when the two met at their university. Their musical influences were and still all are over the place, which has resulted in a completely unique sound and live show. “The best concert I’ve ever been to was probably Michael Jackson, that’s my favorite. But we don’t have a tank on stage and we don’t have jet packs, yet.” said Hatcher. “I saw a band play a couple years, maybe a year before we kinda started, a band called Ink, two guys from L.A., they came over to London and did a small intimate show but had a full band it was really really great,” said Clutterbuck. “The band they had touring with them were amazing and super talented players. I think from that point I was like I knew once we started that’s where I wanted to take it.”
“When we play live, it’s quite a bit different from our recordings. We’ve got a full band, we’ve got a drummer, (‘an amazing drummer’ echos Clutterbuck), a bass player, and backing vocalists. We really just wanted to try and make these tracks come alive and fill a big room, and be really energetic. So hopefully we’ve done that,” said Hatcher. As far as their recorded and produced sound, HONNE takes pride in their unique sound, Hatcher explained: “It’s romantic, so kinda brace yourself for that, I think it’s also very positive, like we don’t really talk about breakups too often, it’s more like the positive aspects of being in a relationship. I think a lot of people on our Twitter say ‘you make me wanna cry,’ but I think it’s in a positive way.” Their sound has progressed through several EPs, but finally, HONNE released Warm On a Cold Night in late July of this year. Following five EPs, the process for creating this record was completely different than the EPs. “I think for me, [the album] was harder [than the EPs] because we had to choose from so many songs on which ones to actually put on the album. The EPs were great stepping stones for us and a great way of showing people some songs that they would have never ever got to hear. At the start, we wrote a whole load [of songs] and we knew that there were special songs, but still [those songs] probably would have never made it onto the album. So we said fine, we’ll put them on an EP. But then we started a load more songs as well, probably when it came to choosing, between 20 songs, so that was the hardest part,” explained Clutterbuck. “There’s a track on there that came really easy initially, it’s called ‘Til the Evening.’ It’s one of our favorites, and the second we wrote it we were like, this is going on the album, and then, that was right at the start, though,” responded Hatcher. “‘Til The Evening,” along with their two biggest songs “Warm On a Cold Night” (the title track from their full length album) and “Someone That Loves You” have all created a sound that builds on itself, creating almost a persona that HONNE fills. They’ve premiered these tracks on BBC Radio 1, Annie Mac (who has also premiered new tracks from Coldplay, The 1975 and Bon Iver to put it into perspective) and skyrocketed to the top of the Hypem charts. “Then over those two years, we just kept on writing and producing and we learned so much how to make a song
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sound so much better and more interesting so we went back and revisited it and spruced it up,” finished Clutterbuck. Now, with their full length album out in both the United States and the Europe, they’ve played for crowds in almost every major city in the U.S. using their own unique instrumentation. “We play all of our tracks based around a Dave Smith Prophet 8, to get geeky on you, it’s that keyboard sound James Blake uses,” said Hatcher. “It’s getting really popular, quite a few artists use it now, but it’s just a great, almost organ-y sound, and we try to keep some of the elements that are on the record, try and keep the same. With Andy’s voice being quite a big one, the keyboard sound and lots of electronic elements as well are our live show.” “People often say, which is like really really great, they say, ‘it’s so much better live’ and I would agree, it kinda just comes to life when we play, so I’m quite glad. We’ve worked very hard on the whole thing,” he elaborated. The entire process that Clutterbuck and Hatcher have
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created has been seen in numerous cities in the world, with festival appearances at Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and more. Although they’ve played to some giant crowds, HONNE isn’t sure about which one they like better, touring or festivals. “It varies so dramatically, some festivals you get 20 minutes to setup, or less, and when we have our own gig, we have two and a half to three hours to do the same tasks. Festivals can be kinda stressful in that respect, but if it goes smoothly, and you can get a huge crowd at festivals sometimes, they just pile up, people just see something going on and flock towards it. That can be amazing,” said Hatcher of the difference. Clutterbuck agreed with his bandmate, “It’s great because with festivals, it’s not necessarily people there who know you, so it’s an opportunity to play in front of some new people, but yeah, it’s just sometimes they can be quite badly organized and it makes our life a bit hell. But other than that they’re great.” In the next year, HONNE has some very big plans. They’ve started to release remixes of popular songs, like The Temper Trap’s “Fall Together.” They’ve booked
more tour dates, added some of their songs to mainstream radio play and even been added to some of the most popular Spotify curated playlists. Later this year, Clutterbuck and Hatcher will perform for some of the biggest international crowds in Tokyo, Japan. In response to what they personally have plans for in the next year, they both had relatively the same ideas. “We would just like to have some really great shows, which we’re already excited to do so that’s pretty cool, I’d love to get lots of festivals booked for next year, just because that would be really fun,” responded Clutterbuck. And from Hatcher? “We just wanna do everything we can to get this album pushed out as far and wide as possible because we’re really really proud of all the songs and there’s lots of people who might like them but we just gotta get to them.”
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Photos and Interviews by Gabi Talisman
BTS: You just released “La La”, can you talk a little bit more about that? Laura Marano: So “La La” is out on iTunes right now. And it’s all about how you can just tune people out when they’re bringing people down and listening to yourself. When I was writing it, I came into the writing room and I said ‘I want to write a happy, celebratory, screw you song.’ Not frustrated, not annoying, but a little bit on edge. You can’t tell me who I am because I know who I am. Every time you tell me criticism, all I hear is “La La.” BTS: You have the album coming out soon, hopefully this year. Can you talk a little bit about that? LM: I’m done with the music, which is really exciting. So now we are doing some creative stuff and some packaging stuff and some really fun stuff with it.
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BTS: Is there anywhere you want to tour with the album? LM: Yes! Everywhere. It’s so awesome with social media that you can really get in touch with all of my international fans which is so incredible.
BTS: You’ve had a lot of success with radio singles, can you talk a little bit about the album? Zara Larrson: Yeah! It’s coming soon. It’s very exciting. I think it’s 11 new tracks. I’ve been working on that album for such a long time. I am just very proud of every single song and it’s pop, but it’s rock for at least one song on it, hopefully. BTS: Do you have any new collaborations on there? You’ve done a lot of collaborations. ZL: Yeah! There are collaborations. BTS: From all of the songs you’ve done, which song means the most to you? ZL: I think for me personally, “Never Forget You” with MNEK because it was the first song that I wrote myself. And there was just something special about being a part of the whole process. “Tiny” is cool, I wrote the chorus on that one. And you know, I definitely think that “Never Forget You” is like my baby. BTS: You’ve been touring a lot, is there a show really recently that you enjoyed playing or something that you are looking forward to? ZL: I loved V Festival in the U.K., that was amazing. I’m looking forward to touring, maybe this winter or in the beginning of 2017 when my album is out and people know about it. I would do a U.S. tour, because I haven’t really been doing much here in the U.S. and I’m really looking forward to it.
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Coast Modern | chicago, il | september 2016 | Photos by: addie whelan
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meghan trainor| Boston, MA September 2016 | Photos by: alyssa buzzello
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Photos by Stone Fenk Words by Madeline Shiffer
If there’s anything to learn from the artist scene on a college campus, it’s that some bands continue to thrive on their passion and others, as cool at that house party show was that one time, just aren’t meant to be. Fortunately for six-piece Ra Ra Riot, they’ve not only thrived, but flourished, on their eclectic pop passions. Formed in 2006 in Syracuse, New York in their last
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semester of college, Ra Ra Riot have gone through their fair share of artistic phases. Lead singer Wes Miles recalls their first live show being “really quick and we played a lot of covers. The vibe was that we were playing a lot of house parties, and that really formed the energy level and performance style that we have from the beginning.” Over the years, the band has developed that unique energy by taking their individual areas of expertise and
all came from different places,” Miles explains. “I think part of the reason that we’re like that is because we were a little older when we met and no one wanted to decide for anyone else.” And they didn’t have to get there alone. Ra Ra Riot’s relationship with producer ROSTAM, former member of Vampire Weekend, influenced the way their music evolved and became their own. “It was just great because he had so many ideas about what Ra Ra Riot could be,” says Miles. “From somebody who was there from the beginning and saw us starting out, and knows me so well - things that a producer wouldn’t know unless they’re really involved in the life of someone.” It’s also something you wouldn’t be able to tell if the music isn’t as good as it is. The complexity of each song the band has produced has something that continues to pull the listener in. And it’s created a fanbase that’s stuck around from the college days of 2006 to the massive shows of 2016. Need Your Light also comes with visual components that match the enthusiasm and artistic commitment of the album. The music video for the track “Water” offers a concrete storyline and endless cinematic possibilities. Miles goes on to explain the type of process needed to create a music video, saying “it was kind of an experiment kind of
creating something complex and interesting, such as using classical string instruments in their regular repertoire. Since 2008 the band has had four full length albums, including their most recent release, Need Your Light. Each release thrives on being more unique than the last, which isn’t hard for a band that manages to create their easy-going-synthetic-pop from classical string instruments. “We
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thing, we shot the whole thing in a day and we had to do a lot of bouncing around figuring out, you know, ‘is this the best location for this vibe?’ or where they wanted me to be. So it was a lot of problem solving, but a lot of fun.” And it shows. The video surrounds the concept that there is a desert we all need to get out of in order to find water, and you can take that metaphor however you want. Ra Ra Riot create an artistic platform that reflects the care and effort the band takes into producing every piece of it - from the music itself to its visual interpretation. And apparently, that’s all they really need. “We’re all getting ideas for the next record like we always do - thinking about it in abstract terms,” Miles tells us. “But really, we’re just excited to be doing what we’re doing. I think everyday we’re just going out and playing and that’s so fun.” And if you can’t wait to experience Ra Ra Riot in full force until the next album drops, Miles and the rest of the band will be continuing to support Young The Giant on their fall tour until November. And they want to see you as much as you want to see them. “We like to focus on the day to day stuff. Just playing and doing our job and being grateful for all of these opportunities. Getting to interact with fans and meeting new fans… Yeah, we’re just kind of loving the road right now.”
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Ghost | pittsburgh, pa | september 2016 | Photos by: stone fenk
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Photos by Anna Xu
DAYA
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TIMEFLIES
FIFTH HARMONY
JOJO
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Words by Madeline Shiffer | Photos by Gabi Talisman
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In 2016, the rise of a new pop star is one of the most hit or miss situations a person can encounter. And 18-year-old singersongwriter James TW is, fortunately, one of the biggest hits of the last few months. The YouTube sensation has gained quite the recognition over the last year after being recognized by fellow pop star Shawn Mendes. And although it was unconventional, his success wasn’t overnight. “I kind of grew up playing. The first instrument I loved was drums,” he tells BTS. “My dad plays in a wedding band and they had a gig that the drummer couldn’t make one night, so it was either a ten year old player or cancel the show. So I stepped in.” And since then, James TW has become quite the multitalented performer. Over the last year, James has gone from YouTube covers to signing with Island Records and joining Mendes on a world tour. “I just thought it would be quite cool to have a video on YouTube because none of my friends had done it,” he tells BTS. “My voice was breaking and at the time I thought it was really good, but it was really terrible. But then I just continued to do it and grew a fan base.” That fan base has granted James over 20,000 channel subscribers and 1.6 million views. So what’s the next plausible step for a YouTube musician? Touring the
world with a platinum-record-selling recording artist, obviously. James’s relationship with Shawn Mendes began in early 2015 when Mendes gave James a shout-out via Twitter, which eventually led to James joining Mendes on Island Records. It’s an experience that’s left James with as many questions as he has answers. “Along the way I picked up things that I saw [Shawn’s] fans reacted to when he performed,” he says. And he didn’t take the opportunity for granted. “When I look back on them, it’s surreal that it even happened in the first place,” he begins. “I would literally just sit in all the seats I wish I could sit in at a concert in that venue.” The tour stories didn’t stop there. James let us know the ins and outs of backstage tour life and his easily-goal-worthy friendship with Mendes. “We played hours and hours of ping pong, and we got much better than where we were at the beginning of the tour. So when I think of good times I think of a lot of ping pong, really.” But even day to day experiences have left a lasting impression on the young performer. “I think just the whole ‘being on a tour bus, waking up, playing a show, getting on a tour bus and waking up in a different city’ was a crazy experience...Very cool, and again, very lucky to have that so early in my career.”
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As fun as that all seems, the experience was still about the effort everyone made to have the best performance possible each night. “It’s hard work,” says James. Another learning point is a check off of every artist’s bucket list - performing on the Today Show in New York City. “I remember I set my alarm for 5,” James reflects. “I was a bit stroppy, to be honest. But the sound check went really well, I’m really happy with the performance.” This new found fame has come as a bit of a shock to James, considering the idea of acoustic singer-songwriters isn’t exactly revolutionary. After being compared to the likes of Shawn Mendes and John Mayer, James has come to the conclusion that there is still a place for him in today’s music industry. “They sound like someone else too, you know? I think what I’m doing is I’m coming from a singer/songwriter call...but then over time I did develop my own sound with the guitar, jazz and blues influence with pop in there too”. And he isn’t wrong - the thing that continues to amaze audiences is that it always works. And “stroppy” Today Show performance or not, people are listening. Listening over 25 million times on Spotify alone, to be exact. The EP they’re listening to, titled First Impressions, was released earlier this year, but the process of its production began long before James even realized it. “I’ve been doing this for eight years - writing songs,” he says. “I didn’t know when I was 12 and in the library of my school or writing a song at lunch -
I didn’t know that that would end up being one of the songs I’d have on my EP” - but they very much are. James’s young vocals lend him the flexibility to mix genres into something truly unique. First Impressions is a blend of soulful melodies next to up tempo jams with heavy beats - something that’s probably unexpected from most audiences when they first hear about James. With a variety of sounds and emotions in such a limited track listing, James accomplishes what most artists take years to even crack into. He creates a piece of audible art that keeps the listener interested, but manages to stay true to himself the entire time. “There may be a song on the EP that’s your favorite, but somebody else’s favorite is a different one. So I think no matter who you are as a listener there is a corner of my music that you will like”. With so much already discovered this early in his career, the future sound of James TW is an exciting unknown. If an incredibly mature debut release wasn’t enough, James takes his songs to the live stage as the supporting act for Shawn Mendes’s world tour, which is anything but easy. “I think you have to cater each show to, in this case, the headliner’s audience. The show that I finished the tour with was very different than the one I started the tour with,” he explains. “I picked up things that I saw his fans reacted to when he performed.” Translating what he knows into a unique experience each night is something he’s still learning how to do. “That’s been tricky...I’m still learning at every show.”
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The singer’s upcoming headlining shows will be the true test to everything he’s observed. Ending out the year with gigs across the UK, James plans to seize the opportunity he’s been given. “It is very different. Just because the people are there fully to see you at your headline shows, and that is one of those surreal feelings that doesn’t really kick in for a while.” “Catering to your own audience is kind of a mystery because they’re coming because they love your music and they love everything about you, so you need to accentuate what you do best,” which shouldn’t be too hard with skills and a passion as strong as his.
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But in the end, there’s no stopping in sight for James. 2016 was just the beginning and for a this bright-eyed newcomer, the possibilities of 2017 are seemingly endless. Make sure to keep an eye out for this one. Whether it’s a show on his upcoming UK tour or his latest self-produced YouTube cover, big things are definitely coming for James. “I definitely want a debut album to be released in that year. I want to continue growing in the live shows with the production and the performance. And I want to just continue writing better songs. Growing and growing in every aspect.”
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Photos and Words by Alyssa Buzzello
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LOLO, a Tennessee-born girl with a freshly reborn persona, is an empowering new reinvention project. LOLO has been on a crazy journey of self-discovery to get to the artist she is now. While growing up in a small town in Tennessee in the buckle of the Bible Belt, she began to write songs at the age of 14. “I’ve spent my life trying to be the good little southern girl”, she said. She even starred in the cast of Spring Awakening on Broadway. “I tried to be versions of what people wanted me to be or what people would express that they wanted me to be and at this point I can’t be anyone but who I am so I just can’t give a shit about opinions and stigma and things like that anymore.” So she took the fire from her past experiences and channeled it into the new album. “And that is where In Loving Memory of When I Gave A S**t came from.” You have probably heard LOLO sing on the song “Miss Jackson” by Panic! at the Disco, but you should get comfortable with her new full-length album. She is a force to be reckoned with. Filled with waves of self-accepting unapologetic cries, LOLO’s new record In Loving Memory of When I Gave A S**t is flat-out fierce. Every song on the album is more aggressively sincere and candid. Its sound is a perfect mix of alternative rock and funk with her powerhouse voice always on the forefront. “Heard It From A Friend” starts the album off immediately with an edgy tone and a sharp-tongued melody. The lyrics “Don’t you know that people watch, don’t you know that people talk, so when you gonna tell me you don’t want me no more?” are so personal but also so relatable, which makes
the song very deep and hard-hitting. “The Devil’s Gone To Dinner” is a bold and impressive track. It’s evident that this was an invigorating track to write for LOLO, the lyrics “I can’t ask you to forgive me, it’s not about the money” make it sound like it’s setting her free from deep past experiences. It’s amazing to hear such intimate material in such a grandiose way.
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“I think my personal favorite track off the album is “Shine” because it kind of gives me perpetual hope, personal perpetual hope,” LOLO said. “Shine” is a song about building up strength and power within. It’s apparent that this is a redemption song and it encourages everyone to just go for all of the seemingly unachievable feats, even while they’re in a dark place. When introducing the video for “Shine,” LOLO dedicated the song. “I’ve lost a few very dear friends to suicide and I’ve always been burdened by the feeling that there was more that I could have done. This song is in honor of them, a tribute to how beautiful they were and how beautiful they still are to me. I can feel them shining and it makes me want to shine for them,” she wrote. The song makes for such a beautiful tribute. “No Time For Lonely” incorporates some of LOLO’s old-school influences, adding doowops into the mix, which takes the already upbeat song to a whole new level. LOLO has an old-school soul, which comes out in the funk and soul incorporated in her writing. “If I could go back I would see Aretha Franklin around the time that ‘Say A Little Prayer’ came out or I would go to Woodstock. I would go just overall, not for one specific artist”, she says. “Not Gonna Let You Walk Away” and “I Don’t Wanna Have To Lie” are two songs that were on a previous LP, and have more of a laid back vibe that seems to reflect back on LOLO’s past in Tennessee. While the album does not end with the type of strong empowering ballads from which it began, it is completely captivating from start to finish. LOLO’s range of style and tone is so diverse that it is definitely an experience listening to the album from start to finish as a whole. After listening, it’s very inspiring to get rid of all insecurities and just no longer ‘give a s**t.’
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Lately, LOLO has been busy touring. Most recently she toured with label mates Panic! at the Disco on a college show tour. “We’ve had some really amazing things happen…We were opening for them and I then I would go out and sing ‘Miss Jackson’ with them which was amazing,” she said. “I also did a bunch of songwriting for the new record Death of a Bachelor, so to be on that tour and to be able to open up for them and to be able to perform the song that had come out together a few years ago was amazing.” LOLO loves the fan reactions too. “To be able to see the songs that I had written being performed and to see people really reach into them and love them, that’s probably been my personal favorite touring experience so far”. After touring with New Politics, The Griswolds, Andrew McMahon, and Panic! at the Disco, we caught her on the road opening for Thirdstory. Her live shows are definitely a big party while at the same time staying completely honest and intimate. It is so clear that she loves performing because of her pure
happiness pouring out on stage. “The best part about being on the road is being reaffirmed every day about the fact that there are beautiful people in the world everywhere and we get to meet a lot of those people every single day. That’s awesome.” LOLO has sure seen a lot of faces lately. “The worst part is showering is hard. And it’s harder when you’re a girl. And you when you have really long hair,” she jokes. The shocking one thing she cannot live without while she is on tour? “Outside of my cell phone, chapstick actually. I perpetually have really chapped lips so chapstick would be my go-to for a real necessity.” In a refreshing and great way, it is obvious that LOLO really d oes not care about the rules or being someone that she is not. Follow along on her journey, you definitely don’t want to miss out on this one.
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Photos by: Alicia Rangel
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Album Reviews We Move James Vincent McMorrow Faction Records Not many people can completely change their style of music and get away with it. When the world was originally introduced to James Vincent McMorrow, his high soprano voice sang very quiet, slow songs about love and heartache. His biggest career move, covering “Higher Love,” reached more than forty-two million plays on Spotify and was played to teenage girls using 8tracks everywhere. His first release in 2010 was full of acoustic guitar songs about leaving and now, two releases later, We Move reintroduced McMorrow to the world. Moving his sound from soft and quiet to an R&B and jazz influenced style, McMorrow’s We Move is filled with tracks that re-introduce his high soprano voice, but in a very groovy way. The first track, “Rising Water,” was also the first single that brought McMorrow back into listeners’ ears, completely surprising everyone. While they were expecting a rainymood inspired, Tumblr worthy album, they were instead given an R&B filled single that grabs at their ears, bringing them to an entire new dynamic. Halfway through the album, McMorrow’s new sound is completely established. In tracks like “One Thousand Times,” McMorrow’s comfort level is clearly established. He’s comfortable in his new sound and this is his new direction. Even towards the end of We Move, there’s never a faltering step. With tracks like “Surreal,” there’s clearly a way that McMorrow is going to bring in new listeners. His high soprano voice is confident over the synthesizer and electric guitar. If there’s one reminder of McMorrow’s old sound, it’s the final track on the album, “Lost Angels,” a simple, soft piano tune that goes easily to any obsession playlist. McMorrow’s new sound is an incredible feat, bringing in new influences and an entirely new audience with it. 5/5 - Addie Whelan
Wild World Bastille Virgin Records Alternative pop band, Bastille, gave us some fresh new music with their new album Wild World. We haven’t really heard from the band since 2013 and 2014, so the new album is a positive way to transition from summer to fall. The album opens up with the band’s first single from Wild World, “Good Grief.” The track includes of recording of Kelly Le Brock’s voice from the 80s teen film Weird Science: “So, what would you little maniacs like to do first?” Bastille has included spoken recordings in multiple of the songs on the album, ranging from old cartoons in “The Currents,” a news recording in “Warmth,” and even a recording from an episode of the 90s TV show Freaks and Geeks in the track “Snakes,” “Come on, boys. Let’s go tear this place apart!” The album’s main themes are coping with loss and dealing with the past. Lead singer Dan Smith’s lyrics on the album almost sound like he’s trying to stop living in the past, but he’s dealing with so much anxiety about the past that he can’t move on easily. On the other half, imagery ranging from violent to dramatic could be playing a big role on the album as well. No matter how you interpret the record, Wild World is definitely some of Bastille’s best work. They have an incredible artistic ability, both musically and lyrically and prove this by setting the mood and telling a story within their songs. 5/5 - Valerie McIntyre Download: “Fake It,” “The Currents,” “Good Grief ”
Download: “Surreal,” “Rising Water,” “Lost Angels”
Illuminate Shawn Mendes Island Records
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With several hits and a number one album at the ripe age of eighteen, Shawn Mendes has proved himself worthy of superstardom. His ability to capture the audience and craft a song has given him 7.2 million followers on Twitter, and hundreds of thousands of albums sold. Mendes’ loyal fan base has supported top number one hits (“Stitches,” “Treat You Better”), arena sized tours, both as headliner and opener for Taylor Swift, and now with his new album Illuminate, they could easily give Mendes another number one. The album’s leading single “Treat You Better” has skyrocketed up the charts, but it’s not even the best track on Illuminate. The single following “Treat You Better” was “Mercy,” a song that is single handedly one of the best of Mendes’ career thus far. It’s an album filled with John Mayer influences and deploys pop like vestments familiar to Sheeran. Highlights of the album include “Mercy,” “Honest,” “Like This” and “Patience.” These tracks alone bring a soulful
approach that is powerful and effective. Mendes’ vocals are proven to have grown exceptionally. And of course, the lyrics allow Mendes to break down the walls of superstardom, going above and beyond what we could ever imagine. What stands out the most is the eighteen year old’s ability to write. “Mercy” is the best example of this. “Consuming all the air inside my lungs / Ripping all the skin from off my bones / I’m prepared to sacrifice my life / I would gladly do it twice,” he sings, giving a profession of raw agony. The LP encourages the listener to say what they need to say when they need to say it. It’s an effort of raw honesty and vulnerability, making Illuminate one of the best projects of 2016 and Mendes’ most mature and sincere. 4/5 - Kara Johnson Download: “Ruin,” “Mercy” and “Patience”
Album Reviews (continued) Sunlit Youth Local Natives Loma Vista Recordings Back after more than three years of silence, Local Natives are wowing indie rock fans once again. This time, it’s with their junior release Sunlit Youth. Supported by a nationwide tour, performances at some of the biggest music festivals in the world and a full press tour, Local Natives are showing fans everywhere that they’re back. Filled with Taylor Rice’s signature voice, Sunlit Youth is a complete step forward for Local Natives, pushing them even higher onto playlists everywhere. For a band that’s been together for almost a decade, Local Natives are proving once again, that they can “do whatever they want and say whatever they need” (“Fountains of Youth”). Through the entire album, there’s never a moment of unsteadiness, especially in tracks that embody their classic sound like “Mother Emmanuel.” At the same time, there are tracks like “Psycho Lovers” that bring an entire new Arcade Fire-esque sound to the band. Something completely different for the band, “Jellyfish” is much more electronic, a synth that reminds listeners of Sylvan Esso plays in the background of Rice’s voice. It’s a definite change from the past albums, but represents a growth in their sound. Although Local Natives fans worldwide have been struggling to really get to know the album, a few listens will change things. Live versions have completely reintroduced the way listeners have approached Sunlight Youth and with more than three years between releases, there was some expected change in the sound. For fans who’ve stuck with the band for years, Local Natives’ classic sound was always recognized. And even with this record, it still is. There’s still an element of the indie, “chill” sound, just with a fresh new look. 4/5 - Addie Whelan
Glory Britney Spears RCA Records The original queen of pop has finally returned and it’s everything fans have dreamed of and more. Britney Spears’ newest album, Glory, combines her signature vocals with more mature production styles. Nothing short of pop gold, Glory definitely takes a few steps away from the bubblegum beats Britney is known for putting out. Each song has a complex variety of production elements, from intricate drum beats to literal bass drops, and it’s potentially the most exciting thing to see if you happen to be a long time fan. A truly wild ride, Glory lets itself take over the role of pure fun pop music. It’s that classic notion that Britney Spears has been giving off since the 90’s - you know from the moment you put this album on, it’s going to be a good time. Although Britney has definitely released an album that reflects her age and growth as an artist, she’s managed to keep alive that spirit of a sleepover soundtrack that sounds so good while you’re painting your nails with your best friends. Stand out tracks include “Man On The Moon,” “Love Me Down” and one of the arguably best pop songs of 2016 thus far, “Clumsy.” When this song says there are bass drops, it isn’t taking it lightly. As one of the maturely produced songs on the album, there’s an element that makes you wonder if this is what the bonus tracks of the 2010 movie Burlesque wanted to be. Everything about it makes you want to dance or have the ability to walk correctly in stilettos. All in all, it’s exactly what you would expect 17 year old Britney to grow up into, a full reigning pop queen who has no plans of quitting any time soon. 4/5 - Madeline Shiffer Download: “Make Me… feat. G-Eazy,” “Man On The Moon,” “Clumsy”
Download: “Villany,” “Fountain of Youth,” “Psycho Lovers”
Tidal Wave Taking Back Sunday Hopeless Records
Since their first release in 2002, Taking Back Sunday have become a well-known, established band in the alt-rock scene. Album after album, the band has proven their talent and their seventh album, Tidal Wave is no different. Each song on “Tidal Wave” is distinct, but comes together in one cohesive unit. There’s no doubt that this is the band’s most diverse album yet. Between songs that song that they would fit perfectly on their first album, Tell All Your Friends, to songs with purposeful autotune, the band has taken their talent to produce well-crafted, distinct songs that still fit together. The album begins with the title track, “Tidal Wave,” which is the outlier of all the tracks. It’s more pop than the rest, yet confusingly still punk rock. Songs like “You Can’t Look Back” and “All Excess” sound like older songs, and the bass and drums shine in the song “Holy Water.” The 12-track album is divided in the middle with a ballad—“I Felt It Too”—that is beauti-
ful, haunting and exactly what a ballad should be. “We Don’t Go in There” starts off slow, and singer Adam Lazzara really shows off his talent with shaky vocals and creating real emotion. Once again, Taking Back Sunday proves they know how to construct a great song with the nostalgic, acoustic driven “Homecoming.” Finally, the album comes to a close with “I’ll Find a Way to Make it What You Want,” that is once again filled with emotion and is hard to forget. After seven albums, Taking Back Sunday knows how to make a great one. Tidal Wave shows that their talent just gets better over the years. Each song is perfectly constructed and memorable. Whether a fan is new or old, there is something for everyone on this album. 5/5 - Delaney DeAngelis Download: “Death Wolf,” “Fences,” “I Felt it Too”
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Album Reviews (continued) Emotion Side B Carly Rae Jepsen Interscope Records To some, Carly Rae Jepsen is “that ‘Call Me Maybe’ girl.” To others, she is the singer behind “Run Away With Me,” one of the most memed songs of 2016. And yet, to many others, Jepsen is the most underrated popstar on the planet. Her 2015 full length Emotion made many critics’ end of the year “Best Of ” lists but failed to catch onto the public quite like one of the year’s best pop albums should have. That being said, Jepsen’s cult fans continue to keep their queen’s name relevant and the singer’s Gimme Love Tour was highly successful, being one of the most energetic live shows of the year. So how exactly does one follow a true pop spectacle like Emotion? Simple: Release Emotion Side B, a collection of tracks that didn’t quite make the first record. Jepsen’s collection of Emotion-almosts is as strong- dare we say maybe even stronger- than the original release. Clocking in at twenty seven minutes, the eight song collection keeps Emotion’s running theme of, well, emotion. In “Cry” Jepsen sings about a cold-blooded lover that shows very little emotion. “Higher” is a fun, upbeat song where Jepsen thanks her man for bringing out the best in her. “Roses” chronicles what appears to be the end of a relationship. “Store” is the catchiest song on the record, where Jepsen explains that she’s no good at goodbyes, but it’s okay because she’s “just going to the store / to the store, [she’s] just going to the store.” In short, Emotion Side B is an extended collection of songs from Carly Rae Jepsen’s pocket that didn’t quite make it onto Emotion, but to look at this body of work as just a B-side is undermining how great it really is. There is a reason that Jepsen is regarded as one of today’s most underrated popstars, and this small catalog of pop gold is all the proof you really need. 5/5 - Allison Lanza Download: “Cry,” “Store,” “Higher”
Disappear Here Bad Suns Vagrant Records It’s always debatable whether or not the sophomore album can live up to a band’s debut release. With the overwhelming success of Language & Perspective, anticipation surrounded Bad Suns’ release of Disappear Here – and it exceeded the hype. Between the driving chords, overlapping 80s-inspired guitars, and pop melodies, the album’s eclecticism truly shines. As the most dynamic and experimental project from Bad Suns, it’s no surprise every song has something unique and exciting to offer. Tracks like “Heartbreaker” and “Love Like Revenge” touch on themes of heartbreak and it’s consequences, while making you question your place in this world of love. This sense of introspection and self-reflection exists throughout the entire record. In “Love Like Revenge,” lead singer Christo asks himself, “Am I happy? No, I’m just distracted,” something we all can relate to. These contemplative lyrics contrast well with the upbeat melodies. Disappear Here makes you tap your feet and analyze your life all in one and this wasn’t just happenstance – the making of the album was a huge collaborative process. The band worked through the instrumentation together, creating such a diverse list of songs that all fit perfectly. Possibly the best song on the album “Patience,” was a cathartic experience, as Christo recalls. He asks the questions you try to avoid with lyrics like, “Your wasted dreams, that’s worse than death… close your eyes, be patient, it’s coming.” So, are you living your dreams? If no, why not? If yes, be patient because everything will happen for you in time. Overall, Disappear Here is the album you can jam in the car with the windows down. But it’s also designed to make you think about your life and who you want to be and where you want to go. The album is just so “Bad Suns.” And what that means is they’ve found their sound and it’s unique to them and that’s the sign of a long-lasting career for a band. Bad Suns make consistently solid music and they’ll be around for a long time, which we’re very excited about. 5/5 - Kristen Humphries Download: “Patience”, “Violet”, “Off She Goes”
Signs of Light The Head & The Heart Warner Bros. Records
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Seattle based indie-folk band Head and The Heart released their third studio album. Signs of Light is the band’s first major label release, as the band teamed up with Warner Bros. Records to complete it. For some fans, the release of this album from a major label is a change from their original sound. For those who are new to Head and The Heart, their supposed change may prove to be a way to gain new fans in a broader audience. The album itself is a tribute to frontman Josiah Johnson, who is currently on hiatus from Head and The Heart to recover from addiction. The tracks themselves reflect this, as each one tells a narra-
tive about being stuck, gaining self-awareness and personal truth finding. The lyrics are compelling, and the entire album itself flows together nicely. It is apparent that much care was placed in this album when it came to track listing, composition and overall musicianship. The sound of this album is light and relaxing despite the overall theme. Much can’t be said as to if veteran fans of Head and The Heart will enjoy this album as much as newcomers might, but overall it is an enjoyable listen. 4/5 - Rasha Shaker Download: “All We Ever Knew,” “Oh My Dear,” “Your Mother’s Eyes”
Album Reviews (continued) Schmilco Wilco Dbpm Records
Young As The Morning Old As The Sea
Passenger Warner Music Passenger has been under the radar since 2012’s catchy, top 40 indie pop track, “Let Her Go.” Young as the Morning Old as the Sea is actually the second Passenger album that has been released since then. There’s no debate that Michael David Rosenberg, the man behind the stage name Passenger, has found a sound that is his own. Most of his previous albums reflect this sound, and Young as the Morning Old as the Sea is more of the same. The 16 track album is full of what you would expect-- indie folk music with life lessons sewn into the lyrics. It all starts with the most notable track on the record, “Everything.” This track is an acoustic journey through the possibilities of losing everything all at once. Fellow British singer-songwriter Birdy makes an appearance on the aptly named “Beautiful Birds.” If there was hope that the duet would give the album some variety, that hope would be extinguished. Their voices sound nice together, but it’s not enough to carry the album. Directly following comes “The Long Road,” a song that seems to be “Let Her Go” with another tune. Another story about the same things: the grass being greener, wanting what you don’t have or who you don’t have, and of course, regretting it. The album moves through more of the same: “Fools Gold” and “Home” sound virtually identical and this pattern doesn’t really break until the title track comes in, with talk of journeys to amazing places something that could resonate with many. The deluxe album closes with an acoustic version of “When We Were Young.” A typical Passenger-style song, with a little more raw closeness to Rosenberg’s voice. The song has a sense of closure so it serves as a good choice to end the album with. Overall, Passenger fans will be happy with how this album turned out, but if Rosenberg was looking to expand the Passenger fanbase, this album just won’t do that for him; most likely non-fans won’t even notice it playing in the background of the local coffee shop. 3/5 - Lauren Klonowski
For any coffee shop dwelling, acoustic guitar owning music fan, you probably already know what’s coming as soon as you press play on a brand new Wilco album, and Schmilco doesn’t disappoint. There’s something so timeless about this band and the music they make- it’s always growing but almost always staying the same. The lead single “If I Ever Was A Child” takes all the class parts of Wilco’s indie sound and layers in thought-provoking lyrics about adulthood. The album continues to create a classic indie-rock appeal for its listeners, but also never slips into a less than interesting vibe. Other notable tracks include “Cry All Day,” “Locator” and the hauntingly enjoyable “Shrug and Destroy”. Schmilco absorbs its satirical title throughout the whole album - one chord from any of the twelve tracks and you know exactly what band you’re listening to. Interestingly enough, that’s not the only place the album goes. As a play on the band name, Schmilco ends up embodying everything that makes Wilco, Wilco. It’s an album that’s the perfect balance of classic rock sounds and the more acoustic and indie feel that fans are most likely looking for. Wilco delivers an album full of subtle melodies and mellow vocals that lend themselves to be expected, but always intriguing to fans new and old. 3.5/5 - Madeline Shiffer Download: “If I Ever Was A Child,” “Cry All Day,” “Locator”
Download: “Everything,” “Young as the Morning Old as the Sea,” “Beautiful Birds”
Why? Jacob Whitesides Double U Records
At age eighteen, Jacob Whitesides has already accomplished more than the average person. His career began on YouTube, gaining a huge following from all across the globe. Although the YouTube star could have signed to any label of his choice, he chose to create Double T Records, and it’s paying off. With three EPs under his belt, Whitesides is coming back full force with his debut full length album Why? It’s a 13-track collection of singer/songwriter jams with pop and R&B influences. But most importantly, the LP showcases an artist coming into his own.
specifically will be running through the listener’s head for days to come.
On Why?, Whitesides explores the many faces of love and heartbreak. Most importantly, he shows that he can write emotionally poignant lyrics in songs like “Love Slow,” “Bury Our Love” and “Hold On Honey.” In every song, the singer/songwriter shows off a different side of himself. He has a heart of love in one song and the next, he’s struggling with pain and heartbreak. But, of course, the rising star has a fun side in “Focus,” “Levitate” and “Lovesick.” These tracks
Overall, Jacob Whitesides created a promising piece of artwork that could create a lot more opportunities for the young 18-year old. He’s smart and intelligent in his craft, and that is beautifully displayed on Why? 3.5/5 - Kara Johnson
The highlights on the LP include “You Told Me So,” the funky “Jaded Love” and “Black and Blue.” These tracks show an exceptional side of Whitesides lyrically and vocally. “You Told Me So” could be the best on the entire album with raw lyrics of emotion such as, “You saw through all the dances I did through all your chances” and “You even loved a fool who made a mess of you.”
Download: “Hold On Honey,” “Love Slow.” “Bury Our Love”
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Jones | new york, ny | september 2016 | Photos by: gabi talisman
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The Spill canvas | Los Angeles, CA | september 2016 | Photos by: Marissa Sandoval
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The TEmper trap | chicago, il | september 2016 | Photos by: addie whelan
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