By Yesica Gonzalez |Staff Writer| Hip-hop and rap group Migos, dropped their new sophomore album "Culture" on Jan. 27. Never in the past had I listened to a particular rap album that was intriguing and different from other artists out there. This album would most likely be enjoyed by students who enjoy fast-paced raps and upbeat music. Migos is an American group from Lawrenceville, Georgia, and consisting of members: Quavo, Takeoff and Offset. The group was formed in 2009 and had one album prior that did not reach the success of their current one. They had reflected that their last album was not very much expressing who they were, unlike the present album, which they felt … [Read more...] about “Culture” Migos review
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Rihanna gifts us with “Anti”
By Andrea Jimenez | Staff Writer| International pop and R&B singing sensation, Rihanna, has filled her fans with much anticipation these past four years. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight back in November 2012, Rihanna had announced a new album coming. "I'm really excited about the music that we've been working on, so I can't wait for people to hear it," said Rihanna This left everyone wondering and she refused to announce any release dates for the album. It wasn't until January through April that she released three singles: "FourFiveSeconds," "Bitch Better Have My Money," and "American Oxygen." After teasing fans for years, she built the hype to release her 13 … [Read more...] about Rihanna gifts us with “Anti”
Welcome to the New Broken Scene. 5 Seconds of Summer (Album Review)
By Melanie Limon | Staff Writer | Depression, rejection and heartbreak, the Australian pop-punk band 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS), welcomes us to, The New Broken Scene, a fandom where people who've struggled or have dealt with issues can come together and find positive vibes even if it’s just for the duration of a song After being discovered on YouTube, and opening up for other artists like Hot Chelle Rae and One Direction, 5SOS members Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin went from performing for 12 people at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney to performing for thousands of people for their own headlining shows around the world. 5SOS break the typical "boy band" … [Read more...] about Welcome to the New Broken Scene. 5 Seconds of Summer (Album Review)
Snoop Dogg Album Review “Bush”
By Jose Alvarez | Staff Witter | After the failed attempt of changing his persona to Snoop Lion a couple years back, Snoop Dogg is back releasing his new album "Bush," on May 8, with Pharrell Williams as his main producer. With Mark Ronson's hit single "Uptown Funk," Kendrick Lamar's new album "To Pimp A Butterfly," and now Snoop Dogg's new album "Bush," it seems like funk is making a comeback. There are all sorts of big names featured on this album, ranging from Pharrell Williams to Stevie Wonder, T.I., Rick Ross, and even Gwen Stefani. My expectations were simple, I expected that with the name Snoop Dogg making a return, we would see some of that old school west coast rap that … [Read more...] about Snoop Dogg Album Review “Bush”
Vinyl Making a Comeback
By Jose Alvarez |Staff Writer| It is oldie-but-goodie time with the vinyl record crowd. Vinyl records have been gaining popularity again in recent years, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States, with Official Vinyl Charts launching in the United Kingdom on officialcharts.com. Currently standing on the vinyl albums chart for the first quarter of 2015 are artists such as Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Led Zeppelin, and the Arctic Monkeys. Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd also appear on the top ten vinyl albums list. “Ballad of the Mighty I”, by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying, Birds is the number one vinyl single in the United Kingdom. This is followed by “The … [Read more...] about Vinyl Making a Comeback
Nick Jonas gets grown up and sexy on now album
By Cesar Perez |Staff Writer| Popular tween sensation Nick Jonas released his second self-titled album, and reinvents the image of his boyish days as a Jonas Brother. The self-titled album was released on Nov. 10 by Island Records, and is produced by Jason Evigan and Jonas himself. Since I wasn't a fan of the Jonas Brothers, I was not expecting much from the album, but was pleasantly surprised how well the album was made. Jonas's soft and high-pitched vocals make his voice stand out from other artists in the industry today. The album has received positive reviews from musical critics upon its release, and is becoming a hit among CSUSB students. CSUSB senior Marlen Hernandez … [Read more...] about Nick Jonas gets grown up and sexy on now album
The Ex Hex get some recognition
By Dalal Museitef |Staff Writer| The ultra glam punk rock band, Ex Hex, have earned their name as the modern-day Ramones. Their latest album, Rips, has assured the punk rockers of our generation that rock ‘n’ roll is still a valuable genre in modern music. Mary Timony, lead vocalist and guitarist, is known for her short tenures with a variety of bands, in addition to creating her own content. Her exemplary songwriting skills are highlighted in three albums, “Autoclave,” “Helium,” and “Mind Science of the Mind.” After her most recent solo album, “Ex Hex,” she was inspired to form a band. Her new collaboration, Ex Hex, has caused a stir in the punk rock community. Guitarist Betsy … [Read more...] about The Ex Hex get some recognition
Forget the gun and grab your brushes
By Ofelia Fuentes |A&E Assistant Editor| American alternative indie rock band Warpaint followed up their debut album three years later with another successful self-titled album. Warpaint is a Los Angeles formed band, created in 2004 and composed of lead vocalist Emily Kokal, guitarist Theresa Wayman, bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg, and drummer Stella Mozgawa. As the band began to make preparations for their new album, they decided they would write the songs in a spontaneous way. In an interview with New Musical Express, bassist Lindberg explained that the songs were simply written by “just jamming and free flowing on stage." The band developed the tracks on this album in a … [Read more...] about Forget the gun and grab your brushes
White Denim pours a cup of “Corsicana Lemonade”
By Alyssa Gradias |Staff Writer| White Denim released their fifth studio album, Corsicana Lemonade, Oct. 29. They are a four-piece, indie-rock band with a variety of music influences from blues, psychedelic rock, punk rock and soul. The band formed in 2005 and have been banging out EPs and full albums ever since. Corsicana Lemonade focuses on the aspect of growing older yet still trying to figure things out, reflecting the just-turned thirty year olds' outlook on life and where it is going. For example, lead James Petralli sings, "I know you think that it’s easy to change, but it’s a symptom of age,” reflecting their coming-of-age stage. This album is a bit different from … [Read more...] about White Denim pours a cup of “Corsicana Lemonade”
She & Him returns with vintage sound in Volume Three
By Shannon Luster |Staff Writer| She and Him returned with a 14-song compilation of catchy and foot-tapping good tunes in their third album Volume 3, recently released on May 14. Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward make up the band, which has become wildly popular, especially in the independent music circuit. The band’s music is an influence from 1960s bands like The Beach Boys, well known for their breakthrough, psychedelic album, Pet Sounds, in 1966, including popular songs like “Good Vibrations.” She and Him’s vintage fashion sense also reflects their music, both a throwback to an earlier era, but with a modern twist. One of the songs Deschanel sings in Volume 3 is “Hold Me, … [Read more...] about She & Him returns with vintage sound in Volume Three