In nearly every moment of my free time, I find myself searching for the best new music. That task proves to get even more complicated when summer rolls around.
Five years ago, recent UW-Madison graduate Kristian Iliev was sitting in his high school English teacher’s homeroom. On the other side of the room rested an acoustic guitar that seemed to call out to him. On a whim, Iliev picked up the guitar and began working on a simple chord progression that would eventually become the foundation for his song, “Mrs. Supernova.” When it came time for lyrics, Iliev said the rugged progression needed something equally as raunchy. Inspired by the quirky lyrics of ZZ Top, the track was one of the first pieces put out by The Racing Pulses.
Summer returns in cycles. Whether or not we connect most with ourselves during the summer, music has always been a platform of change. Like many artists looking to reinvent their image around this time, we would only hope that their music matches the reasons we listened to them in the first place.
Atlanta, Ga. is a musical mecca. There is something about the way we find the extended idea of culture in every corner of the southern Bible Belt. A melting pot at the mouth, the Black Hollywood comes alive in more ways than one.
Kendrick Lamar’s discography is nothing short of extraordinary. Section.80 told the story of a generation that grew up in a crack era.
After teasing a mixtape for what seems like ages, Playboi Carti’s debut, self-titled tape is finally here, and despite the hype, it’s pretty underwhelming.
The summer is a good time to remind ourselves how easily we can fall in love. It is a simple time to find happiness in the outrageous.
Indie music’s favorite disgruntled hipster has returned with a fresh gospel on what we’ve screwed up since last time.
On his debut album in 2015, Brooklyn MC Joey Bada$$ rapped, “Always drop hot s--t / Toroidal Flow keep constant / And I won't stop 'til I reach Christ Conscious.” With his latest project, ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, he’s still dropping hot shit, and he’s one step closer to fully understanding how the world, and more specifically, America, works. In an interview with Genius at the end of February, Joey made a bold statement; he claimed to be a better rapper than Tupac.
You could argue that a Gemini has multiple personalities all in one hour. It makes for an exciting conversation on the brink of anticipation.
There is something about sexuality that will never stop talking. It carries itself on the streets of Amsterdam or in the crude parts of Berlin Sexuality is a two-sided mirror in rotation.
What would you get if you mix the vocal range of James Brown, the energy of André 3000, and the emotional deep south blues of B.B. King? Look no further than Earl St. Clair’s debut EP, “My Name is Earl.”
His debut in 2011 delivered pop reflection on ourselves and the sensibility of meaningful music. Childish Gambino returns with funk and pushes the hip-hop limits.
Bruno Mars returns in a head-turning, hypnotic fashion, and brings us along for the ride through a Vegas night at its finest, the city of glitz and gambling.
Oddball rapper Danny Brown has returned after three years with his new album Atrocity Exhibition.
Kehlani brings back the assurance of self-love and pride with release of her new music video “CRZY.” The video is directed by Benny Boom and features a catchy beat and eye-popping visuals to match.
Just one year ago, 25-year-old Julia Jacklin was a factory line worker making essential oils in a Sydney suburb
Pittsburgh based rapper Mac Miller released his The Divine Feminine LP last weekend. The initial EP, turned full 10-track album, is a mixture of funk and electro R&B samples accompanied by a slew of features. The once keg-standing “frat rapper” has grown since the days of Blue Slide Park and his craft has benefited as a result.
It’s been three years since the queen of pop filled our speakers with another club banger and the wait is finally over with her latest release of “Perfect Illusion.” Gaga’s new single is co-written and co-produced by Mark Ronson, Kevin Parker, Tame Impala and BloodPop. Coined as one of the biggest pop stars of our generation, Gaga is back with a lyrical vengeance and few customized metal shorts to match.
Kanye West’s long-gestating, and perhaps still unfinished The Life of Pablo is a beautiful, heartfelt mess.
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Solutions by The State News
