Music

In Review: Banks Slithers Her Way Toward Independence on “Serpentina”

April 14, 2022 by

With Banks’ era of immense change and suffering behind her, the growing pains of “Serpentina” — er, shedding pains? — are mostly understandable.
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In Review: Charli XCX Tries to Crash Into the Mainstream

March 22, 2022 by

“CRASH” is an album swerving in the direction of current pop sounds. The result is an album that veers off-course sometimes but ultimately has Charli in the driver’s seat, pedal to the metal.
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In Review: Beach House’s Dreams Come True On “Once Twice Melody”

March 5, 2022 by

Alternative musical duo Beach House awakens after the longest break in their entire 15-year discography with their eighth studio album, “Once Twice Melody.”
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In Review: Mitski’s “Laurel Hell” Waves Away Sad Girl Season

February 10, 2022 by

Mitski has just released her sixth studio album, “Laurel Hell,” but don’t get confused. It is by no means “Sad Girl Season.”
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Staff Writer Picks for Most Anticipated Albums of 2022

January 24, 2022 by

Here are Artsweek writer Lorna Kruesel’s most anticipated albums of 2022!
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In Review: The Lumineers Release Their Fourth Studio Album “Brightside”

January 24, 2022 by

“Brightside” is an ode to the love stories from all walks of life, and all the poignant and wistful pain that accompanies them. 
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In Review: We Are “SICK!” of It

January 24, 2022 by

Earl Sweatshirt’s new album “SICK!” is nothing short of greatness.
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In Review: Purgatory Sounds Like a Hell of a Time in The Weeknd’s “Dawn FM”

January 20, 2022 by

The Weeknd’s ambitions to bend genres and explore new sonic territories within his own paracosm results in a record that is quite commendable, if not dazzlingly timeless.
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In Review: Beach House’s “Once Twice Melody: Chapter 2” Fights Ephemerality Through Repetition

December 28, 2021 by

The chapter showcases the band’s versatile ability to stroll between experimentation, love ballads, psychedelia, shoegaze, and ethereal sounds.
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UCSB Alumnus THREEZERO Releases Debut Album

December 2, 2021 by

With a newly released album, “SEEING DOUBLE,” Santa Barbara musician THREEZERO is making strides with an ever-evolving sound.
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In Review: Lunar Vacation Cultivate Indie Pop Bliss on “Inside Every Fig is a Dead Wasp”

November 18, 2021 by

Lunar Vacation have finally dropped their anticipated full-length debut album, “Inside Every Fig is a Dead Wasp,” which takes their dreamy, layered aesthetic and elevates it to new levels.
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In Review: Pop Princess Taylor Swift Paints the Town Red With “Red (Taylor’s Version)”

November 18, 2021 by

“Red (Taylor’s Version)” is a re-recording of her fourth studio album “Red,” and it’s not surprising that it’s even better than when it first came out. 
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In Review: Beach House Releases the First Chapter of Their Upcoming Album “Once Twice Melody”

November 18, 2021 by

At midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 10, Baltimore-based musical duo Beach House sent their fans into a sublime trance with the release of the first chapter of their upcoming album, “Once Twice Melody.”
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In Review: ABBA Returns To Deliver More Polished Pop Anthems

November 11, 2021 by

After 40 years of downtime, demand from fans and numerous pushbacks, ABBA’s ninth album, “Voyage,” was released last Friday.
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On This Day: A Tribe Called Quest’s “Midnight Marauders,” Rap’s Most Uplifting Classic Album

November 9, 2021 by

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. 
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