music

Me Against The Music: 2022

The pandemic is finally over... is a sentiment that I would love to share in total sincerity. But with COVID still looming, a global supply chain in shambles, and inflation undergoing a historic rise, the 2020s have proven to be challenging at best, and devastating at worst. Still, in the midst of this turmoil, we found refuge in art. Musicians helped usher in "the new normal", with fresh singles blaring from car speakers as we left vaccination appointments, and loved ones singing along to their favorite albums as gatherings resumed. These are unprecedented times, and although the next week seems…
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Album Review – EYEYE x Lykke Li ★ ★ ★ ½

While some believe that Sweden’s most valuable commodity might be machinery or vehicles, its greatest export might actually be that of pop music. From mold-breaking supergroups and iconic producers like ABBA and Max Martin, to more recent global breakthroughs such as Robyn, Tove Lo, and Icona Pop, it’s clear that the Nordic nation has a precise approach to crafting ear worms that borders on the surgical. Although many of the tunes that have the greatest crossover appeal in the United States are bright and bombastic, Sweden is no stranger to demure songs that pull your heart into your throat. And…
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Me Against The Music: 2020

In a world that was relentlessly ablaze, plagued by a global pandemic and injustice, music was a savior for many this year. People shared playlists for virtual happy hours, hosted midnight dance parties in their homes, and curated personal soundtracks to celebrate life's highs and grieve its lows. While we often look to artists to provide a bit of light, 2020 saw them elevated, riding in on white horses, pulling us from monotony and despair. There were so many phenomenal releases, too many to list here, so this is but a small selection of records that buoyed me on a…
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DIY Recording Studio Essentials

To the inexperienced, the world of recorded music can seem daunting. Despite having played both piano and guitar for years now, I felt the floor get pulled out from beneath me when I first contemplated laying down some tracks using digital tools. Initially, I'd always assumed that, with the right production, a lump of coal was just a diamond in the rough. I thought, "I'm sure I can use my phone to capture audio that'll do the job, and then spruce it up in post!" I went so far as to wrap up an EP just before COVID really hit,…
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