Lambrini Girls are a UK-based queer punk trio that recently released their first EP. Titled “You’re Welcome,” the EP combines their three singles and three new tracks.  Inspired by popular Riot Grrl pioneers like Le Tigre and Bikini Kill, their music is loud and raw. Lead vocalist and guitarist Phoebe Lunny is able to blend screaming with her singing, switching between the two in a satisfying show of energy and rage. They utilize pop culture references and slang, creating a sound that can resonate with a modern audience. The band’s most popular song, and the first track, is “Boys in the B ..read more

English pop singer and songwriter Charli XCX released her fourth studio album, “How I’m Feeling Now” in May 2020, an 11-track culmination of Charli’s explosive and ever-evolving pop sound.  This experimental concept album serves as a snapshot of Charli’s feelings during the period of quarantine while also showcasing a blip of positive collaboration during such a despairing time period. To this day, it remains a cornerstone of the unconventional and distinct subgenre of music known as hyperpop. Charli’s previous release in September 2019, “Charli,” was met with critical acclaim, with one o ..read more

Zach Bryan, the 27-year-old country singer from Oklahoma, has released a new self-titled fourth studio album. This album has 15 songs where Bryan presents country music in a new way, incorporating an indie rock and folk sound into his usual style. Throughout the album, he has multiple guest appearances, including Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, The War and Treaty and Sierra Ferrell. “I Remember Everything” with Kacey Musgraves is a track that sticks out. Throughout this song, they sing a story about a breakup that Bryan is struggling to get over. He goes back and forth between past and present ..read more

Oliva Rodrigo’s highly anticipated sophomore album “GUTS” was released on Sept. 8  2023, preceded by popular singles such as “vampire” and “bad idea right?” The 12 track album tackles the turmoil of difficult romantic relationships, personal struggles and raw, unfiltered rage.  The album kicks off with “all-american bitch,” an intense track which violently oscillates between fast and slow beats. Rodrigo’s angry sarcasm hangs heavy over each verse, clear through lines like “I don’t get angry when I’m pissed / I’m the eternal optimist / I scream inside to deal with it, like, ‘Ah.’” The ..read more

The acclaimed series released their sixth season on Netflix this June after a four year hiatus.  Five episodes with five separate story lines linked together through the irrelevant details the creator of “Black Mirror,” Charlie Brooker weaves into each episode. Often referred to as Easter eggs, these minor details are a “Black Mirror” classic. They add to the novelty of the watching experience and give the audience a purpose as they try to link together the puzzle that is the world of “Black Mirror.”  Some episodes have more meaningful content than others. But, as expected this seaso ..read more

What distinguishes a good self-help podcast from a bad one? “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” is a podcast dedicated to personal growth and self-improvement. With a variety of content as well as varying formats for episodes, Shetty’s podcast has gained significant prominence in the self-help world. He’s hosted a variety of incredibly well-known interviewees on the podcast, including President Joe Biden, actress Idina Menzel and reality star Kim Kardashian.  In an episode from July titled “Tom Holland ON: How to Overcome Social Anxiety & Beneficial Life Lessons You Can Learn From Family,” S ..read more

This summer was a tense one as Mapache, a California-based cosmic folk-rock, Americana band, teased us with single after single before releasing their fifth album, “Swinging Stars” on Aug. 18.  Led by the singer-songwriter and guitarist duo, Sam Blasucci and Clay Finch, Mapache has played together in some capacity since the two met in their high school guitar class. After going away to attend separate colleges, they found themselves back together in Los Angeles where they recorded their first four albums together: “Mapache” in 2017, “From Liberty Street” in 2020, “3” in 2021 and “Roscoe’s ..read more

Popular alternative pop band Hotel Ugly, best known for their song “Shut Up my Moms Calling,” just released an album full of music that is meant to chill too. Released in March, the title of the new album is “Ugly Duck.” The band consists of self-taught musically gifted brother duo Mike and Chris Fiscella. Mike does lead vocals and Chris does the music production as well as writes the songs. The duo is particularly great for their advocacy for mental health awareness as a part of who they are as musicians. After touring around Texas, they have reached out and offered their services to Mental H ..read more

Singer and songwriter Weyes Blood released her fourth studio album, “Titanic Rising,” in April 2019 to widespread critical acclaim. The album takes its listener on a journey through a beautiful dream-like landscape, while also showcasing Blood’s most raw and powerful songwriting to date.  Natalie Maring, known by her stage name Weyes Blood, explores a myriad of topics and themes within the album. Reflecting on love and the vast hopelessness of adulthood, the production combines chamber pop, folk vocals and an influence of 70s soft rock. The atmosphere in each of the 10 tracks is further e ..read more

Tennessee rock band Paramore released their sixth studio album “This is Why” in February of 2023, marking the band’s first album release in six years. The album showcased a lyrical and sonic evolution from the band’s previous records. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, drummer Zac Farro and guitarist Taylor York. The trio has previously worked together on their fifth studio album “After Laughter” from 2017 when Zac Farro made his return to the band earlier that year.  Some of the main focuses of “This is Why” include the general frustrations and anxieties in a p ..read more