Pittsburgh newcomers 1,2,3 burst onto the scene this week with their new single "Confetti." In an age of synthesizers and computerized sounds, 1,2,3, take modern music back to its roots with strong guitars and tight arrangements that anyone can love. "Confetti," in particular, puts the power in "power pop" and is massive enough to really blow your speakers out. Mark my words: This band is going somewhere.
-Kiran Gollakota ‘13
Electronic: Massive Attack – “Girl I Love You”
It seems Massive Attack has never really been in a good mood, but there’s something irresistible about those slow electronic drumbeats and somber vocals. “Heligoland,” released this month, is not the creative shocker that “Protection” was, but it stays true to the low, spooky trip hop we all crave. Listening to “Girl I Love You” for the first time is like watching a good scary movie unfold. The song has a meticulously crafted kind of suspense, exaggerated by the lazy synth background and a haunting vibrato. Once again, Massive Attack takes its rightful place as a trip hop pioneer.
-Lisa Han '13
R&B: Usher - “There Goes My Baby”
I’ve always had a lot of respect for Usher, but since he introduced his protégé, Justin Bieber, to the music scene, it's hard to take him as seriously. I mean, what’s he doing backing such a high-pitched, squeaky little boy? (Sorry all you JB fans). Still, his new single "There Goes My Baby" reminds us why we liked him so much in the first place. It's a chill, on-the-slower-side R&B track that is still catchy, fun, intimate, and sexy. And, of course, it shows off Usher's awesome pipes. Not necessarily a club track, but certainly worth a listen, and perfect for nights in with that special someone.
-Jess Turner ‘12
Electronic: Phantogram - "Mouthful of Diamonds"
Starting off the band's debut full-length, "Eyelid Movies," "Mouthful of Diamonds" expertly combines synth pop, shimmering guitars, and R&B rhythms with breathy female vocals for a catchy, eclectic twist.
-Gracie Remington ‘11
Rock: Bomb the Music Industry! – “Slumlord”
At the beginning of February, literally without any prior announcement, Bomb the Music Industry! put out a six-song EP, “Adults!!!: Smart!!! Shithammered!!! And Excited By Nothing!!!!!!!”, which they recorded and mixed from start to finish in five days. Off of that album, “Slumlord” features one of the fullest instrumentations of any Bomb! song, piling on guitar, piano, horns, glockenspiel, gang vocals, and electronic riffs to craft what's either an incredibly bouncy punk song or an incredibly fist-pumping pop song; either way, it's unbelievably catchy. Frontman Jeff Rosenstock has never really been able to sing, but he can belt with equal parts earnestness and exhaustion to great effect. The lyrics, which focus on giving the finger to your landlord, may not be as relatable for the college crowd as the rest of Bomb!'s catalogue, but that’s hardly a problem.
-Dan Abromowitz ‘13
R&B: Usher - “There Goes My Baby”
I’ve always had a lot of respect for Usher, but since he introduced his protégé, Justin Bieber, to the music scene, it's hard to take him as seriously. I mean, what’s he doing backing such a high-pitched, squeaky little boy? (Sorry all you JB fans). Still, his new single "There Goes My Baby" reminds us why we liked him so much in the first place. It's a chill, on-the-slower-side R&B track that is still catchy, fun, intimate, and sexy. And, of course, it shows off Usher's awesome pipes. Not necessarily a club track, but certainly worth a listen, and perfect for nights in with that special someone.
-Jess Turner ‘12
Electronic: Phantogram - "Mouthful of Diamonds"
Starting off the band's debut full-length, "Eyelid Movies," "Mouthful of Diamonds" expertly combines synth pop, shimmering guitars, and R&B rhythms with breathy female vocals for a catchy, eclectic twist.
-Gracie Remington ‘11
Rock: Bomb the Music Industry! – “Slumlord”
At the beginning of February, literally without any prior announcement, Bomb the Music Industry! put out a six-song EP, “Adults!!!: Smart!!! Shithammered!!! And Excited By Nothing!!!!!!!”, which they recorded and mixed from start to finish in five days. Off of that album, “Slumlord” features one of the fullest instrumentations of any Bomb! song, piling on guitar, piano, horns, glockenspiel, gang vocals, and electronic riffs to craft what's either an incredibly bouncy punk song or an incredibly fist-pumping pop song; either way, it's unbelievably catchy. Frontman Jeff Rosenstock has never really been able to sing, but he can belt with equal parts earnestness and exhaustion to great effect. The lyrics, which focus on giving the finger to your landlord, may not be as relatable for the college crowd as the rest of Bomb!'s catalogue, but that’s hardly a problem.
-Dan Abromowitz ‘13
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment