Articles tagged: Critical Voices

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Critical Voices: Pinact, The Part That No One Knows

Marking their first work as a newly minted trio, The Part That No One Knows is Pinact’s second album under the Brooklyn-based record company Kanine Records. With the addition of... Read more

By September 4, 2017

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Critical Voices: Arcade Fire, Everything Now

During the past few months, there were indications that Arcade Fire was nearing the brink of a 2007-Britney-Spears style meltdown. In addition to developing a tendency to refer to their... Read more

By August 14, 2017

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Critical Voices: Kendrick Lamar, DAMN.

DAMN., Kendrick Lamar’s latest project, continues his trend of creating exceptional, politically-charged rap that forges a distinct sound. While DAMN. is difficult to characterize stylistically, it is a clear departure... Read more

By April 24, 2017

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Critical Voices: Arca, Arca

Arca, Venezuelan electronic producer, DJ, and songwriter, opened his recent self-titled project with haunting humming, rich bass, and ethereal ringing. This sound so severely defies expectations that one finds it... Read more

By April 18, 2017

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Critical Voices: The Chainsmokers, Memories…Do Not Open

Will The Chainsmokers (Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart) ever come out with a song that matches the success of “Closer?” That question is left unanswered even with the release of... Read more

By April 14, 2017

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Critical Voices: Depeche Mode, Spirit

At first, it seemed like there was a mistake. This was supposed to be the new Depeche Mode album, but it sounded like my mother’s Depeche Mode. It turns out this... Read more

By April 10, 2017

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Critical Voices: Raekwon, The Wild

Raekwon the Chef delivers another strong installment in his solo career with his seventh studio album, The Wild. Coming 24 years after his debut as a member of the Wu-Tang... Read more

By April 10, 2017

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CV: Goldlink, At What Cost

As it currently stands, the world of hip-hop revolves more or less around three musical nexuses: LA, Chicago, and Atlanta. King Kendrick and his TDE label reign supreme on the... Read more

By March 29, 2017

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CV: The Orwells, Terrible Human Beings

At first glance, Terrible Human Beings, The Orwells’ latest album, has all the makings of a cult classic. The title is shameless, the cover art screams 90’s alternative with its... Read more

By March 1, 2017

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CV: Future, FUTURE

In his latest project, Future is focused on identity. After retreating from social media and laboring day and night on his latest album, FUTURE, Future has delivered a mixed bag... Read more

By March 1, 2017

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CV: Wyclef Jean, J’ouvert

After an almost four year hiatus, Wyclef Jean has returned with the release of his new EP, J’ouvert. The former Fugees frontman demonstrates that despite years of musical absence, he... Read more

By February 22, 2017

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Critical Voices: Homeshake, Fresh Air

Homeshake’s new album Fresh Air uses a blend of traditional guitar, electronic sounds and everyday noises such as footsteps to produce an album fit for chilling out and clearing your... Read more

By February 15, 2017

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Critical Voices: Original Broadway Cast, Dear Evan Hansen

Broadway is no stranger to bringing complicated and often taboo issues into the spotlight. From RENT, an honest examination of living with AIDS in New York City, to Next to... Read more

By February 13, 2017

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CV: Train, a girl a bottle a boat

The title of Train’s newest album, a girl a bottle a boat, reflects the band’s excessive effort to appeal to pop trends, but hardly matches the album’s actual emotions in... Read more

By February 7, 2017

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Critical Voices: Metallica, Hardwired…To Self Destruct

Metallica has taken teenage angst and made it a lifestyle choice as the band members, all around 50 years old, continue to create heavy metal music with no clear intentions... Read more

By November 26, 2016

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Critical Voices: The Movement, Golden

For well over a decade now The Movement has been flying under the radar as one of the most creative modern reggae groups in recent memory. Currently made up of... Read more

By April 18, 2016

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Critical Voices: Macklemore, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have not released an official album since “The Heist” in 2012, which contained hits like “Can’t Hold Us”, “Thrift Shop”, and “Same Love” and thrust them... Read more

By March 15, 2016

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Beautiful Yet Self-Aware: The 1975 Releases Expansive New Album

Last June, all of The 1975’s social media accounts dramatically disappeared for 24 hours. The move resulted in a mini frenzy among loyal fans, who anxiously speculated what was happening.... Read more

By March 4, 2016

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Critical Voices: Ra Ra Riot, Need Your Light

Ra Ra Riot has been on the scene for a full decade now, but their most recent album, Need Your Light, still manages to be refreshing and offers something unique... Read more

By March 1, 2016

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Critical Voices: Dr. Dog, The Psychedelic Swamp

There are a plethora of factors that can go into naming an album. Maybe the name comes from a hit single, or some particularly clever lyrics on a song, or... Read more

By February 23, 2016