By Natalie Padron |Staff Writer| Pop sensation, Ariana Grande, is finally back with her new album, "Dangerous Woman." After months of releasing singles and teasers, Grande shows off her more mature side with this album release. The 23-year-old singer expresses herself through dance hits and heartfelt lyrics with an experimental R&B sound. The first song on the album, "Moonlight," as well as the song, "I Don't Care," are very much a throw back to her last two albums, with their fuzzy doo-wop sound and beautiful crooning. The song, "Dangerous Woman," has proven to be a hit when it debuted in March at no.10 on Billboard's Hot 100. This single is something different for … [Read more...] about Dangerous Woman is Dangerously Good
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Fifth Harmony Album Review
By Lupe Perez |Staff Writer| The girls of Fifth Harmony released their empowering sophomore album titled "7/27"on May 27, assuring women can do anything if they work hard at it. The second season contestants of The X Factor, Lauren Jauregui, Dinah Jane, Camila Cabello, Normani Hamilton and Ally Hernandez make up the power combo of Fifth Harmony. Best known for their hits "Worth it" and "Work From Home," Harmony are back with a more mature sound. The meaning behind the album "7/27" is the date the girls were formed on The X factor which they received third place in 2012. Since then the band had their first album "Reflection" debut at number five on Billboard 200 and included … [Read more...] about Fifth Harmony Album Review
Music Soulchild converts to pop child
By Misty Williams | Staff Writer | Musiq Soulchild released his anticipated album "Life on Earth" On April 15. Musiq Soulchild, also known as Taalib Johnson is a gifted Neo-Soul artist who combines Jazz, Hip Hop, and Scatting all into one. The Philadelphia native was very creative and different with his album "Life on Earth," he incorporated the sound of jazz with pop, something he has never done before. "I think it was important and innovative because you have a lot of sameness going on. Not to talk down on anything or anyone, but after a while it creates a situation. It’s like, 'Do something else now.' Everyone can’t be doing the same thing and expecting the same response," … [Read more...] about Music Soulchild converts to pop child
Music Festival Playlist
By Lupe Perez | Staff Writer | With midterms around the corner students are already thinking of ways to procrastinate. Coachella and Stagecoach being one of them. These music celebrations range in different genres like Indie, Country, and Rap. Festival season is a great way to meet and experience artists that are unlikely to be heard of otherwise. Students elaborate on the festival favorites this year ranging from the main headliners to the rookies. Calvin Harris’s "Feels so close," inspired by Guns N' Roses song "Sweet Child O Mine," is a great addition to this playlist since both artists will be at Coachella, uniting two generations. Electronic and techno songs by DJ's like Zedd and … [Read more...] about Music Festival Playlist
The 1975’s rides the wave of funk
By Jaynene Moreno |Staff Writer| The 1975 released their second LP "I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It" on Feb. 26. Bold, audacious, and fearless are all words to describe what the band created with this masterpiece. The band made a daring move with the lengthy title choice itself. “Although I don’t like the title, I do think that it’s something unique to do. Albums are usually single worded, not a whole sentence long,” said student Manuel Macias. The album includes 17 creative songs—each of them have their own unique twist, different from what is typically heard in today’s pop culture. A mixture of genres are heard throughout the … [Read more...] about The 1975’s rides the wave of funk
Animal Collective’s “Painting With” Album Review
By Arthur Medrano |Staff Writer| A 4-year-long journey awaited the music industry for Animal Collective's new studio album, "Painting With" which was released Feb. 19. It is their 10th studio album, following the success of their last album "Centipede Hz." They hold a creative aspect in their art, drawing multiple influences from both electronic and pop music. Following the success from their song "My Girl," the band of old high school friends have mastered synthesizers and using harmonic vocals to create modern folk songs. "You can never have enough funky, unique music come from acoustic and synthetic sounds. They should add much more to intensify the expressions," expresses … [Read more...] about Animal Collective’s “Painting With” Album Review
Alessia Carra is Poppin’
By Justine Lopez | Staff Writer | The music industry needs to brace itself because Def Jam Recordings have officially signed a new artist who has taken over the charts. Alessia Cara debuted her first single, "Here," this April and has over 17 million views on YouTube. Her touch of sound is commonly linked to Amy Winehouse, which is not too bad for a 19-year-old from Ontario, Canada. Within the first week of the song's release it accumulated over 500,000 streams and became the recently added track on every teenager's playlist. Complex magazine even labeled it as one of the best Canadian songs of April, and Billboard also added it to their "20 pop songs you need for your … [Read more...] about Alessia Carra is Poppin’
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
Leighton Meester tugs on our Heartstrings
By Wendy Martinez |Staff Writer| Former “Gossip Girl” star, Leighton Meester, released her first album, Heartstrings on Oct. 27. Born in a small town in Texas, Meester rose up to talent as an actress and has now switched gears as an artist and performer. Meester has starred on television and films such as “Law in Order,” “Seventh Heaven,” “The Haunting on Sorority Row,” and “Country Strong.” She then surfaced in the music industry with her first single, “Somebody to Love” in 2009 featuring R&B artist Robin Thicke. Leaving Universal Music productions, Meester wanted to pursue more of an alternative groove side instead of her dance-pop side. The 28-year-old entertainer … [Read more...] about Leighton Meester tugs on our Heartstrings
“Princess of Pop” is here to stay
By Alyssa Gradias |Staff Writer| Britney Spears is the original triple threat; singer, dancer, and actress. She's had the crowd on their toes since the 90's where she was crowned the "Princess of Pop." It all started with her jump start into the entertainment industry on Disney's. From 1993–1995 Britney was a member of the Mickey Mouse Club when she was only 12 alongside Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, and Christina Aguilera. Ever since her breakout role as a child, Britney has been put under the microscope of the media. Her growth as an entertainer and pop icon has been epic, making her the epitome of an extraordinary superstar. She was known as America's … [Read more...] about “Princess of Pop” is here to stay