Album review: Sandy’s releases superlative ‘Magic Mind’

Suffused with wisps of ‘70s hallucinogenic tangs, as well as suggestions of elusive surf-rock, Magic Mind is magically alluring and oh so creative.

‘Scatterbrain’ review: The Chills’ new album proves their longevity

New Zealand band The Chills released their first album, Kaleidoscope World, in 1986. Chalk full of pacey tunes and cult themes, it rocked the world. Nearly forty years on, in 2021, their seventh studio album, Scatterbrain, is a testament to the band’s longevity…

‘Nurture’ review: Porter Robinson’s latest album is a window to a bright and hopeful future

Nurture, the second studio album from the Atlanta-born, Chapel Hill-based artist, is a foray into some of his most emotionally driven work yet. Coming from his complextro era (a term he coined around his Spitfire EP), Porter ventures into a…

‘G_d’s Pee AT STATE’S END!’ review: Godspeed return with a daunting but worthwhile challenge about life’s progression

The goal of Godspeed You! Black Emperor has always been the same: they’re not here for your happiness, they’re here for your enlightenment. Since their ominous and apocalyptic debut, F# A# ∞ (1997), the band has spent the last twenty-five…

‘Green to Gold’ review: The Antlers return with luscious, dreamy, introspective folk-pop

It’s always funny to me how easy it is to draw parallels between two completely unrelated things or events. In the case of the Antlers and their newest endeavor, Green to Gold, it’s very reminiscent of the last Beach Fossils…

‘Flowers for Vases / Descansos’ review: Hayley Williams rides on the coattails of female indie stars

Over the past fifteen-or-so years, Hayley Williams has expressed an ability to push forward, be creative, and forge her own identity among the other members of Paramore. The group’s first few releases erupted, making them likely the most popular female-lead…

‘Little Oblivions’ review: Julien Baker stuns in her strongest album to date

Singer-songwriter Julien Baker has always been a shockingly honest performer with songs so cathartic and visceral in their rendering that it allows listeners to set their baggage alongside hers as a means of escape. She lays it all so bare,…