Inside Darlingside
(08/14/23 10:09pm)
What happens in college a cappella doesn’t always stay in college a cappella.
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The Forever Discoverability of the Banana Album
(07/19/23 5:00am)
“Peel slowly and see,” reads the tiny text pointing to the tip of a bold yellow and black banana peel. Underneath the sticker, at least on the original copies, is pink, fleshy fruit. This phallic imagery and tongue–in–cheek humor—a signature of Andy Warhol's aesthetic brand—make up an iconic cover artwork that has earned the nickname "the Banana Album," but for those who have spent time justifying their pretentious music taste and idolizing the ’60s art scene of New York City, it's better known as The Velvet Underground & Nico. It’s the kind of album cover that has become ubiquitous with the music world, and one that you recognize without ever having listened to the band.
Becoming a Swiftie, Slowly
(07/07/23 12:22pm)
My whole life, Taylor Swift has been an omnipresent refrain in my life. As each new album was released, everyone in my life—be it classmates, family members, or coworkers—would arrange listening parties and obsess for hours about the intricacies of each song, lyric, and supposed easter egg. All that time, I was left out, declining to participate as Swiftie culture conquered nearly everything around me.
Taylor Swift’s Self–Serving White Feminism
(06/09/23 3:43pm)
I vividly remember my ninth birthday and the excitement that rushed over me as I opened up my present: an MP3 Player. That same day, with the help of my parents, I eagerly downloaded "Fearless", "All Too Well", and "Red."
The Soundtrack for Your Summer Might Be Korean
(06/16/23 5:00am)
From North and South Korean star–crossed lovers to blind dating CEOs, K–Dramas have covered every single possible love/drama/murder/mystery scenario one could ever think up. They demand addictive engagement— an hour of entertainment packed within each episode. They contain multiple storylines, introducing a variety of couples and family nuances while retaining the trademark Korean humor—that careful balance between dry comebacks and over–the–top reactions. They invoke second lead syndrome (warning: don’t watch Reply 1988 unless you want a severe case of this), where the main character doesn’t end up with the person you were rooting for. In other words, they’re incredibly entertaining.
Lights, Camera, Anxiety
(04/20/23 6:21pm)
It’s not an uncommon thought to dream of being famous. Strangers knowing your name, having an infinite amount of money to spend, taking luxurious vacations, and doing what you love for a living—all of these prospects seem quite enticing.
The Fantastical Death and Rebirth of Crybaby
(04/21/23 10:00am)
Melanie Martinez has made waves in the music industry through the exploration of her alter ego Crybaby. Her debut album of the same name followed the twisted world of Crybaby as she dealt with kidnapping, murder, and aching loneliness. Martinez’s follow–up album K–12 navigates Crybaby’s school years with a full–length film being released alongside it. Martinez is dedicated to the craft of concept albums and telling a singular narrative across the entire tracklist. But her latest iteration of the character may just be her most ambitious project yet.
Battle of the Frat DJs
(05/19/23 5:00am)
From wordless EDM you can’t sing along to, to 2010s pop songs that everyone and their mom knows the lyrics to, frat music certainly spans a wide range of genres. For me, music is the component that makes or breaks a night out: if I can’t enjoy whatever tune is pouring out of the speakers—at a volume definitely not safe for human ears—then I’m quick to suggest that we head to a different frat. Read on to see my expert opinion, based on my extensive time halfheartedly pumping my fist in sweaty frat basements, on how all the genres stack up.
Composing the Future with James Diaz
(04/17/23 3:51am)
What started as a sophisticated night at the ballet quickly descended into a near–riot: the audience throwing objects at the stage, shouting over the orchestra, and even breaking out into fights. This infamous night was the first premiere of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, which is now remembered as one of the most controversial performances in music history. To the audience’s horror, Stravinsky had broken all the rules of what was considered good composition, but now this piece is ubiquitous in concert music—being performed this year by the New York Philharmonic and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Shakira Teaches a Master Class in the Art of the Revenge Song
(04/09/23 5:34pm)
Revenge songs are not new in the music industry, and neither is Shakira. Music Session #53, Shakira’s newest collaboration with BZRP, exists in the intersection between revenge songs and Shakira’s essence—and it is a song birthed from her long–term partner Pique's alleged infidelity.
'Daisy Jones & The Six' is the Epitome of Sex, Drugs, & Rock ‘n’ Roll
(04/02/23 5:53pm)
The ‘70s are back in style. Faux fur coats, art deco glasses, flared jeans—almost too many trends from this era are resurfacing half a century later. Coinciding with this resurgence of ‘70s trends was the timely release of the miniseries Daisy Jones & The Six.
“Baraye” is the Sound of Hope
(06/26/23 3:58pm)
The U.S. has had its fair share of popular protest music, like Childish Gambino's “This is America” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” but songs have always played a key role in social movements across the world by inspiring people to mobilize. As an art form, music has the ability to not only serve as entertainment, but also to build a sense of community through chants, and as rallying calls in protests and demonstrations. Specifically in Iran, music has fueled protests during the recent uprisings as songs refer to the oppressive conditions under the current regime.
Kali Uchis' Spiritual and Sensual Journey in “Red Moon in Venus”
(03/29/23 12:00pm)
Hot girl summer came early thanks to Miss Kali Uchis. Her third studio album—Red Moon in Venus, released on March 3—is classically her: sultry and airy vocals, stocked with the most relevant features in the industry, such as Omar Apollo, Summer Walker, and her boyfriend Don Toliver. Isolation traditionalists fear not—Red Moon in Venus takes after her revolutionary debut album. She doesn’t shy away from her highly feminine and spiritually sexy powers, which has effectively altered her listeners, colloquially called Kuchis. Multiple TikTok users claim they have glowed up after listening to Uchis, called “the Kali Uchis effect,” with proof to support it.
Brazilian Funk is Making Waves Across International Waters
(03/26/23 7:50pm)
From Rihanna to Cardi B, Brazilian Funk has been enjoying its time in the limelight, but in the midst of its rise and international recognition, the musical genre still suffers from critical prejudice and criminalization from higher classes. Even in its own country of origin, Brazilian Funk is an export product that Brazil’s own citizens have not yet learned to value.
Street’s Favorite Albums of All Time
(04/07/23 12:00pm)
What qualifies an album to be the best? Year after year, Rolling Stone, Anthony Fantano, and countless TikTok users try their hand at curating and re–curating their top albums ever. With various factors involved, whether you care more about profound lyrics or inventive melodies, what it really comes down to is this: How has this record stood, or how will it stand, the test of time?
A Marxist Analysis of Fred Again
(03/27/23 4:00am)
Focus, focus, focus. Read, words, notes. Study. Focus.
“Her Loss” Is Our Controversy
(03/16/23 10:01pm)
From copyright lawsuits to misogynistic lyrics, Drake and 21 Savage’s album is riddled with scandal. If you were on TikTok in 2020, you would know the Vogue magazine challenge, in which users made fake covers showcasing photos of themselves. Fast forward to 2023, and people are getting sued for it—just ask Drake and 21 Savage. While not a TikTok filter, the duo promoted their collaborative album, Her Loss, by editing themselves to be on the cover of Vogue. This album has been a constant source of controversy, not only because of trademark infringement issues, but also due to the subtle sexism sprinkled throughout the album.
Stop Separating the Art from the Artist
(03/02/23 1:00pm)
Content warning: The following text describes assault and can be disturbing and/or triggering for some readers. Please find resources listed at the bottom of the article.
Grammys Recap 2023: The Night’s Biggest Winners
(03/19/23 5:37pm)
Arguably the most important night in music, the 65th Annual Grammy Awards show was packed with surprise wins, broken records, and emotional tributes. Beyoncé became the most–awarded Grammy winner, surpassing the previous record with 32 total wins. A talented team of influential hip–hop stars, including Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, Lil Uzi Vert, Queen Latifah, and others, took to the stage to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip–hop. Takeoff and Loretta Lynn, both artists who died in 2022, were remembered in a heartbreaking “In Memoriam” performance. And Kim Petras, winner of Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her collaboration with Sam Smith on “Unholy,” was the first transgender woman to win the category. But now for the moment of truth—who won?
A Heaven–Sent Musical Milestone
(03/13/23 4:00am)
Kim Petras and Sam Smith stunned this year’s Grammys with a killer performance of their release “Unholy,” surrounded by fire and luxurious Valentino wear. Petras sparkled in a red dress—not even the cage could diminish her stellar voice and fanfare from the crown. Smith performed in a bizarre red top hat with devilish horns. In the days following the award show, conservatives criticized the performance “sent from hell.” It’s clear that Petras and Smith walked away from the 65th Grammy Awards leaving an astounded crowd on every side.
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