Jadon Bienz

April 19, 2022

On This Day: Nas’ “Illmatic,” The Gold Standard of Rap

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

The songs and stories of “Illmatic” represent the perfection of every trait associated with purist hip-hop, from tales of struggle to intricate writing to unique instrumentals.

January 13, 2022

Record Recap: 53 Years Since Led Zeppelin’s Explosive Debut

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

However, on Jan. 12, 1969, a new band would define the sound and look of rock and roll in the 1970s and beyond with their debut album: Led Zeppelin.

November 9, 2021

On This Day: A Tribe Called Quest’s “Midnight Marauders,” Rap’s Most Uplifting Classic Album

By Jadon Bienz

A Tribe Called Quest's third studio album, “Midnight Marauders,” is the pinnacle of their fun style and has stood the test of time as a never-ending party inviting all to join. 

October 28, 2021

Artsweek On Spotify: Spooky Halloween Bangers Throughout the Years

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

From orchestral compositions to heavy metal classics to hip-hop collaborations, the exploration of horror through music is ubiquitous in every genre of music.

August 20, 2021

On This Day: Shades of Sentimentality in Frank Ocean’s “Blonde”

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

With his genre-blending on “Blonde,” Ocean once again pioneered a new style of R&B.

July 10, 2021

On This Day: Frank Ocean’s First Masterpiece, “channel ORANGE”

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

His 2012 debut album “channel ORANGE” showcases Ocean making a splash with a lush and intimate collection of songs about the awkwardness of navigating maturation and relationships.

May 26, 2021

On This Day: The Beatles’ Escapism Through “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

Prior to their 1970 disbandment, The Beatles refreshed their creative drive via the escapism central to their historical concept album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

May 2, 2021

On This Day: Upbeat Loneliness Through New Order’s “Power Corruption and Lies”

By Jadon Bienz

“Power Corruption and Lies” has cemented New Order as one of the most interesting and three-dimensional groups of the ‘80s and beyond.

April 13, 2021

On This Day: Van Cliburn, The Pianist That Broke The Cold War

By Jadon Bienz

As cheesy as it sounds, Cliburn became the epitome of the commonality of art between all of humankind, pushing past extremist notions of anti-Communism.

March 21, 2021

On This Day: The Weeknd’s Drearily Hedonistic Debut Project, “House of Balloons”

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

The project has become a landmark in 2010s R&B — a dynamic showcase of The Weeknd’s insecurities about love and coping dive into the maximums of hedonism.

February 23, 2021

Record Recap: In Memoriam of Chick Corea, Trailblazer of Jazz Fusion

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

Corea was a highly lauded pioneer of jazz fusion — a genre that reinterprets jazz music by using alternative inspirations like rock, metal or Latin music.

February 7, 2021

On This Day: “Donuts,” J Dilla’s Parting Gift

By Jadon Bienz

James Dewitt Yancey, better known as J Dilla, released his album “Donuts” just three days before his passing on Feb. 10, 2006.

January 27, 2021

On This Day: The Best And The Worst Of The National Anthem

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

The national anthem has had its share of musical and sociopolitical controversies throughout the years.

January 10, 2021

Record Recap: In Memoriam of MF DOOM, “Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Rapper”

By Jadon Bienz

Being the perfect fictional anti-hero of rap, DOOM consistently maintained a villainous shroud of mystery, while audiences could only stand back and watch him flex his rapping superpowers.

January 6, 2021

Record Recap: What To Expect With Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy”

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

Given Drake’s success with his stylistic charisma, the naming of his next album hints at the project being symbolic of a victory lap filled with allusions to his previous work.

October 21, 2020

Record Recap: In Memoriam of Eddie Van Halen

By Jadon Bienz, Evan Gonzalez

Eddie Van Halen was not only one of the most innovative and unique guitarists of all time, but a musical inventor and a pioneer in guitar construction and technology.