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(11/16/16 9:12pm)
If there’s anything “Gilmore Girls” fans love, it’s debating Rory’s best boyfriend. With the revival taking place 10 years since we last left Stars Hollow, it’s likely Rory will have finally chosen between her three guys. Weekend makes a case for each.
(11/03/16 7:02pm)
As the Chicago Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians last night after going into extra innings, Game 7 of the World Series felt more and more like something out of a movie. From “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” to “Parks and Recreation,” Weekend breaks down film and TV’s most famous references to the Cubs.
(10/31/16 9:33pm)
Halloweekend is is just a day away — or sooner, depending on when your festivities begin. If you’re scrambling to sort out your costume, we’ve got a handful of easy-ish
last-minute costumes for
you to choose from.
(10/20/16 3:11am)
In preparation for Friday’s release of “Joanne,” Weekend reviews Lady Gaga’s discography so far.
(09/29/16 12:38am)
With fall officially upon us, Weekend takes a look at some of the most anticipated movies coming out this season.
(09/22/16 2:02am)
With the decade's reigning power couple no longer, what pair will rise to become the next Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie?
(09/15/16 5:37pm)
Print out a bingo card, grab some popcorn and get ready for Sunday night’s 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
(09/15/16 1:12am)
The 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards air Sept. 18 . Here are our predictions for some of the most anticipated categories.
(09/08/16 4:03am)
While this season’s “Dancing with the Stars” cast is already set and ready to groove for this Monday’s premiere, here are a few faces of 2016 we would’ve liked to see compete for the mirror ball trophy.
(08/18/16 4:06am)
Suicide Squad
(05/01/14 4:00am)
Stay cool this summer, and catch Weekend's top movie and TV picks
(02/06/14 5:00am)
Weekend reminisces on the show’s fallen survivors, ranking them from who we miss the most to who we’re glad ended up zombie chow.
(01/23/14 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Trust us, it’s not just you. January is scientifically proven to be the most depressing month of the year. In spirit of sticking it to your seasonal depression, Weekend has compiled the seven most surefire ways to make the best of your January.1. Develop a committed relationship with your Netflix accountWe’re all college students, so this may have already occurred. But if you haven’t, start making the most of the account probably paid for by your best friend’s cousin’s dad.Not only does the streaming empire hold countless critically acclaimed and award-winning movies, but Netflix now produces some of the finest “television” out there.Catch up on season one of “House of Cards” before the new season debuts next month, or finally watch “Orange is the New Black” because it’s as great as everyone says. 2. Go work out at the SRSCWe know, we know. It sounds like a horrible New Year’s resolution you don’t intend to keep. But if you stick with it for two weeks, we promise you’ll actually come to enjoy a few workouts a week.Plus, it’s a completely free, full gym at your service. All you have to do is show up and present your student ID to physically take out your winter anger on a treadmill or rowing machine. 3. Use your two free CAPS appointmentsJust by being a student at IU, you can keep winter depression at bay by using the two free counseling sessions provided by Counseling and Psychological Services when you’ve paid your student health fee. We aren’t saying you need to start seeing a counselor on a regular basis, but two free hours to talk to someone about whatever it is that’s getting you down? Sign us up. 4. Try a new recipe We don’t mean to sound like a Pinterest post, but trying new things in the kitchen can be really fun.You can even make a night of it and invite all your friends over for a big, family-style dinner. Just remember to keep it simple because you aren’t Julia Child.You aren’t even Martha Stewart. Stick to the recipe and see what wonders you can create without boiling water for Ramen noodles.5. Go to a restaurant in Bloomington you’ve never been to beforeBloomington is a hot spot for great restaurants, but you’re only human so you surely haven’t been to all of them. Hop on Urbanspoon or Yelp to figure out which hidden gems you’ve been missing out on for all these years and try them out.Chipotle and Jimmy John’s are great and all, but you can get them almost anywhere. Take advantage of the non-franchise Bloomington eateries while you still have the chance.6. SleepIt seems basic and something we shouldn’t have to tell you to do, but just sleep. Have a break in between classes? Sleep. Don’t have class until noon? Sleep. You can miss up to eight of your French classes? Sleep.It’s something your body physically needs, and you won’t be your best self if you keep yourself up every night until 3 a.m.So whether you can build it into your schedule or you prefer to take cat naps on a whim, take full advantage of everyone’s second-favorite horizontal pastime.7. Treat yourself to that extra cup of coffee (or glass of wine)There’s nothing better for the soul than treating it to the things you enjoy.Instead of limiting yourself to one cup of coffee in the morning and one glass of wine at night, let the liquid love flow.They both warm the soul during these frigid winter months. While a polar vortex may blow outside, you can be inside, curled up under a blanket with multiple drinks of your choice.
(12/05/13 5:00am)
We pick our favorite albums from the last year.
(12/05/13 3:07am)
Weekend picks its top five favorite flicks of the year.
(11/21/13 5:00am)
You voted, we counted. Here’s the results of Weekend’s annual Best of Bloomington poll.
(09/26/13 2:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Lotus World Music and Arts Festival celebrates its 20th year this weekend. Here's a preview of just some of the bands set to take the stage.Nomadic MassiveHip HopNomadic Massive embodies global
hip-hop. Hailing from Montreal, Nomadic Massive is a diverse
composition of emcees, singers and musicians. They perform energetic,
culturally conscious international music through the use of live
instruments, assorted vocal styles and multilingual verses.The
group’s cultural diversity and open-mindedness has earned them
international recognition. As a result, they have performed all over the
world, including performances at many world-class festivals.Their
performances will captivate you, and you’ll be hard-pressed not to
connect with their music. Their energy is undeniable. They are in
constant motion. This energy, combined with their lyrical and
multi-instrumental power, results in a cathartic experience.Nomadic
Massive creates music that will diversify and enhance your musical
arsenal. Their style and diversity are incomparable to any of their
hip-hop contemporaries. If you’re desperate for a comparison, their
musical style slightly resembles that of the Fugees. Nomadic Massive
will undoubtedly rock the crowd and enthuse the souls of all in
attendance.David Wax MuseumMexican-AmericanPerforming in what they like to call a “Mexo-Americana” style, David Wax and Suz Slezak, along with an interchangeable group of players since 2009 are an energetic, rambunctious group with Mexican-inspired tunes. Often switching up their instruments, Slezak plays the fiddle as well as the quijada, their secondary production instrument made from a donkey’s jawbone. Wax plays a Mexican guitar called the jarana.Together, the two sing two-part harmonies with fun and quirky lyrics. Their songs “Will You Be Sleeping?” and “Harder Before It Gets Easier” sound like something you might come across in a rundown bar in rural Mexico where a bunch of American travelers have gathered to jam together.The mix of Mexican quickness and American quirk really meshes with David Wax Museum, and their live performances are great for dancing and singing along.KardemimmitFinnish folkAll four female members of Kardemimmit play the same instrument. It’s the kantele, the national instrument of Finland, their home country.The kantele is a member of the zither family and can have up to 40 strings. One of the members of Kardemimmit plays a lower-pitched one, which serves as the bass for the group.The kantele is similar to the Japanese koto and the Chinese gu zheng, so the resonating strings sound oddly oriental, but the quaint four-part harmonies are anything but oriental.The ladies of Kardemimmit share vocal qualities with Olivia Merilahti of the Dø, another Finnish vocalist. Their slightly nasal voices are light, and the four of them are never overbearing.The Finnish language in which they sing might be off-putting for some, but the women glide over the words with whimsical ease.If you’re in the mood for accessible and exotic at this year’s Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, the charming and cheerful music of Kardemimmit is the way to go.The OnceNewfoundland, CanadaProviding a traditional acoustic sound with powerful, lovely voices, this trio comes out of Newfoundland with music to fall in love with on the first listen. Members Geraldine Hollett (lead singer), Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale (harmonies, acoustic guitar) met as actors who enjoyed singing together. They made the wise decision to form a band.They are a sweet and intimate contrast to Newfoundland’s noisier Irish-based, sailor-song music scene, sometimes stripped down to just their vocals (as with their gorgeous cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Coming Back To You”), or crooning to a couple of choice acoustic instruments. They have an immense power that can quiet a room.Whether they choose a melancholy love song or an upbeat folk song, the Once knows their strength and their understated three-part harmony. Their album “Row Upon Row of the People They Know” is a must-have for an evening at home.DakhaBrakhaUkrainian folkDakhaBrakha takes some patience. Its music, which is derived from traditional folk songs combined with Indian, Russian and Australian instruments, requires long compositions.It might compare to Icelandic post-rock group Sigur Rós in the way its songs dance and meander. But the band uses instruments sparingly, often only a cello or accordion or a lone human voice.Vocalists Iryna Kovalenko and Olena Tsibulska have haunting and angelic voices. Their melodies float and waver above the accompanying cellos and accordions.On its website, DakhaBrakha describes its music as “ethnic chaos.” Although it began with traditional Ukrainian folk songs, the band has experimented further with them. DakhaBrakha combines the songs with the rhythms of the Indian tabla and the African djembe. The vocalists even experiment with their voices in the way of Mongolian throat singers.The songs are long, but they are rewarding. This challenging and fascinating group will surely deliver a harrowing performance at Lotus.Edmar Castaneda and Andrea TierraColombian jazz/folkEdmar Castaneda plays the arpa llanera, a Colombian folk harp, with virtuosic energy. But he doesn’t play it the traditional Colombian folk way.The arpa llanera has a lower, more resonant bass range than the concert harp. Castaneda uses his left hand on the low strings to accompany himself, which is similar to the way a bass player might accompany a piano player in a Latin jazz band.And Castaneda can certainly riff like a virtuosic piano player. He uses his right hand to furiously finger-pick the upper strings to create frantic melodies and improvise fast phrases.He also experiments with the sound of the arpa llanera, palm muting and using other effects to change the tone of the instrument.He will appear on stage with his wife, jazz vocalist Andrea Tierra, who will combine her fluid vocal style with Castaneda’s furious harp.This guy will blow your mind. He’s sure to be one of the surprises of the festival this year.Pacific CurlsOceanic folk/popPacific Curls combines traditional Oceanic music traditions with modern pop soundscapes.Members Kim Halliday, Ora Barlow and Jessie Hindin use instruments like the ukulele, fiddle and guitar. They also use traditional Maori percussion instruments, as well as the nguru, a Maori nose flute.They also switch between styles of music at a moment’s notice. Since Halliday is Scottish, Pacific Curls also plays Scottish fiddle tunes frequently. It combines this with vocals sung in the Maori language.They use many Maori instruments, but the percussion instrument of choice for Pacific Curls is the cajon. Originally from Peru, the cajon resembles a large box, which the player sits on and strikes with his or her hand, producing a subtle bass tone.Halliday also frequently uses effects to make her violin sound like a bass guitar. All these elements produce a striking combination of exotic music from Pacific Curls. They play with energy and will provide some fun for festival-goers.Debo BandEthiopian-AmericanDebo Band, a band of 11 musicians led by Ethiopian-American Danny Mekonnen (saxophone), has received praise from National Public Radio and the New York Times. They’ve performed at a number of international music festivals such as the Montreal Jazz Fest and the Ethiopian Music Festival.Debo Band boasts the essentials of a jazz band (trumpet, saxophones, drums and bass), but the twanged color of their sound comes from two violins (electric, five-string) and an accordion. A diverse group in age, color and gender, Debo Band offers a robust sound that can turn from a bluesy Sousamarch to a polka in one phrase.The eclectic group pulls from many international genres to form their distinct grooves, so you’re sure to hear at least one piece you’ll love and something new that will inspire you to broaden your tastes.Srinivas Krishnan and friendsAsian classical music It’s common at Lotus World Music and Arts Festival to see musicians from different backgrounds play together who normally wouldn’t join one another on stage.That’s no different this year, as Indian percussionist Srinivas Krishnan, Uzbek frame drummer Abbos Kosimov and Afghan rubab player Homayun Sakhi will play together.Krishnan is a versatile percussionist. He plays the Indian tabla, the Middle Eastern dombek and the Irish bodhran, and others. He has worked with musicians from all over the globe.Kosimov is a renowned musician in Uzbekistan. His dexterous fingers dance across the skin of his dayereh, a frame drum popular in central Asia. He is a nationally recognized Uzbek musician, as well as an active ambassador of his country’s culture.Sakhi plays the Afghan instrument rubab, a type of lute that has 11 or 12 strings. Afghan music draws influence from India, central Asia and Persia, and Sakhi’s playing reflects those diverse origins.Performances like these reflect the festival’s emphasis on diversity.
(08/21/13 11:13pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Aaron Carter headlines a semester full of great upcoming concerts. Here's a look at his upcoming show, as well as a few other highlights.Aaron CarterBuskirk-Chumley Theater, Oct. 8Even though former pre-teen starlet Aaron Carter hasn’t released an album in 11 years, he’s visiting Bloomington. He comes to the Buskirk-Chumley as part of his “After Party Tour,” which could be a nod to the fact that he hasn’t released new music since he was 14. But now, at the ripe old age of 25, everyone’s invited to his party as he tours the U.S. and Canada. Even though he’s a legal adult now, it’s a safe bet that he still has a sweet tooth, too. Did you know that Carter’s hit “I Want Candy” is actually a cover from the 1960s? Carter’s brand of pop-rap worked well for his pre-teen self. He is the youngest male solo artist ever to have four top forty singles. But how will those hits stack up now that his voice has changed?Carter isn’t the only act coming through town this fall that will make audiences nostalgic. Even though we’re in a completely different era of music, most of us can still hum the “na-na-nas” in “Aaron’s Party.” Maybe that’s why he chose to stop in a college town full of millenials during this tour.Whether you choose to attend his concert ironically or sincerely, Carter ought to show you a good time. We’ll figure out if he’s still good at basketball.And, with any luck, Shaq himself might make a guest appearance.No AgeWaldron Arts Center, Sept. 15This L.A. duo comprised only of guitarist Randy Randall and drummer/vocalist Dean Sprunt is known for its experimental, noisy punk rock. But they come to Bloomington on the heels of their fourth release, “An Object,” which presents a quieter sound. Rather than the abrasive, driving punk of 2010’s “Everything In Between,” No Age let their songs brood and drone more on their new album. Having said that, don’t expect their live show not to be full of raucous energy. They are still a rock band, after all.WaxahatcheeRussian Recording, Sept. 22Brooklyn singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield brings her talents to Bloomington with her band Waxahatchee. The critically acclaimed “Cerulean Salt,” released in March, presents an unpredictable style of rock and roll. It’s sometimes loud and sometimes quiet, but always raw and emotional.Crutchfield’s folky vocals and harmonies combine with guitars and bass which are often fuzzy and distorted. The intimate setting of Russian Recording will provide a good environment for her well-crafted songs to flourish.Titus AndronicusThe Bishop, Sept. 23These New Jersey punk prodigies are still supporting last year’s underrated “Local Business” with one of the fiercest live shows in the country. Consequence of Sound named Titus Andronicus the Best Live Act of the Year back in 2010, and their performances have only gotten tighter with time.For three albums, the band has perfected the art of writing emotive punk songs. Patrick Stickles’ emotionally transparent and heart-wrenching lyrics combined with the band’s explosive guitar leads and aggressive, shout-along choruses are a match made in punk heaven. For any non-believer, be sure to check out the band’s impressive debut, “The Airing of Grievances,” or 2010’s truly epic masterwork, “The Monitor.”Danny Brown and Action BronsonBluebird Nightclub, Sept. 24The “2 High 2 Die Tour” should please the hardcore hip-hop heads in town. The tour brings together Detroit rapper Danny Brown, known for his acclaimed 2011 mixtape “XXX,” and New York MC Action Bronson, a front-runner for the funniest rap personality the genre has seen in some time.While they both have plenty of hilarious quotables throughout their songs, don’t let that undersell their skill. Brown and Bronson are two of the most consistent rappers in the underground, and their talent as rhymers is undeniable.It’s worth noting that both artists have had their fair share of notoriety in the live setting — Danny recently received oral sex while performing, and Bronson is known to abandon the stage mid-performance to spit rhymes from the crowd. Expect a wild night and don’t forget to bring munchies.Laura StevensonThe Bishop, Oct. 2This Long Island singer-songwriter brings her unsung talents to Bloomington once again. Stevenson released her third album, “Wheel,” in April. Her brand of rock and roll takes influence from the indie rockers of the 1990s — the brash noise of Built To Spill and the quirky melancholy of Neutral Milk Hotel. Even though the Bishop is an intimate setting, don’t expect Laura to hold anything back.Charles BradleyBluebird Nightclub, Dec. 7At first glance, Charles Bradley might seem like a washed-up soul singer from yesteryear. But at the age of 64, his music career is only a few years old. His debut album, “No Time for Dreaming,” was released in 2011, and he comes to Bloomington after the release of his sophomore effort, “Victim of Love,” in April.Though his stage antics might be more reserved than those of James Brown, his vocals certainly aren’t. Bradley wails and croons with all the emotion of the soul greats of old, and his set will provide some welcome nostalgia.
(04/25/13 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>We got the best of the best for your wet, hot American summer, from your blockbuster films to new albums from indie darlings.MoviesThe Great GatsbyEveryone, mark your calendars for May 10, because there’s no party like a Jay Gatsby party. Director Baz Luhrmann brings the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel to life on the big screen. The film plays out the relationship of Midwesterner Nick Carraway and his neighbor, the mysterious and affluent Jay Gatsby, and all the people who become intermingled in this 1920s-based drama. The star cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway. Besides all the beautiful people, the film has a banging soundtrack produced by Jay-Z, including songs from Lana Del Rey, Florence + The Machine and Jay himself. Get your finest flapper attire ready, because this party is about to blow.Iron Man 3 It’s a real shame to see as fresh a character as Tony Stark fall prey to the superhero rising-up-out-of-the-ashes-into-glory movie trope, a cliché used as recently as last summer’s “The Dark Knight Rises”. Here’s hoping that Robert Downey Jr. gets his fill of inflated self-satisfaction before Iron Man burns itself out completely. Midnight’s ChildrenThough Salman Rushdie’s Booker prize and “Best of the Bookers”-winning novel of the same name has been regarded as unfilmable, the electric, science fiction epic “Cloud Atlas” last year seems to have set a precedent for attempting to break new entertainment ground. Whether the director Deepa Mehta, best known for her work in George Lucas’ TV series “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” is the woman for the job, however, begs scrutiny. The Great GatsbyCapping off this year’s most controversial novel adaptions, Baz Lurhmann’s “The Great Gatsby,” while hardly the most faithful adaptation to the great American classic, certainly cannot be faulted for lacking vision. Never before have the roaring 20’s seemed so like the volatile powder keg that would erupt in 1929 — though it remains doubtful that the teacher who will be reading essays on the influence of Jay-Z and Beyoncé in Scott Fitzgerald’s novel will be as keen on the film. The Hangover, Part IIIMaybe if Little Five hadn’t been this past week it would be a bit more difficult for you to imagine an indefinite hangover. How this series of increasingly unfortunate events has managed to stretch its way past four years remains one of the Great Questions of the Universe, and while this installment cannot really promise a new premise — how many ways are there to be hungover and confused? — fans of the series should look forward regardless. It’s a mystery how the film will attempt to trump its own ante now that transsexual sex and hard nudity have been exhausted. Man of SteelSuperman is back. If the latest trailer is to be believed, this reimagining of Superman’s origin story is worth the retread. Zack Snyder, who helmed the hit-and-miss adaptations of “300” and “Watchmen,” brings his immaculate visual eye to the picture. Henry Cavill (“Immortals,” “The Tudors”) plays the titular man of steel Kal-El, who is living away from the spotlight. For reasons unknown, fellow Kryptonian General Zod (played by the disturbingly good Michael Shannon) is on a warpath to track down Kal-El on earth. Will Superman be able to stop the villain? Well, yeah, but it’s going to look better than ever.Star Trek Into DarknessWhether or not you’re obsessed with Benedict Cumberbatch, the “Star Trek” sequel promises to reach new heights of action and melodrama. In the long-awaited follow-up to 2009’s “Star Trek” franchise reboot, Captain Kirk(Chris Pine) and his USS Enterprise crew are caught off guard by a series of attacks on earth. The crew goes on the hunt for a mysterious human responsible for the violence, John Harrison (Cumberbatch). J.J. Abrams, the newly appointed “Star Wars” director, returns for his second “Star Trek” movie to go grimmer than “Star Trek” has ever gone before.Monsters UniversityI really don’t think it’s a coincidence Pixar decided to release “Monsters University” while I am in university. They knew my big kid façade was just that: a façade. It’s been far too long since Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan (Sully) have been on the silver screen back in 2001 with “Monsters Inc.” On June 21, “Monsters University” will premiere, chronicling the beginning of Mike and Sully’s friendship and how they overcame their differences to become the best friends we know and love today. Billy Crystal and John Goodman have returned to voice the green cyclops monster and purple furry giant, respectively. Everything good in the world is happening. So, thank you, Pixar, for continuously lengthening my childhood as far as it’s immaturely possible. Frances Ha Noah Baumbach is back with a film he wrote with star Greta Gerwig. Trailers suggest this would fit as a lovely companion piece to HBO’s “Girls,” detailing the ins and outs of being a twenty-something female in contemporary American society. Gerwig — always on the brink of stardom — is the sweeter, more awkward, blonde answer to quirky girl Zooey Deschanel. The Bling Ring Sofia Coppala, a true master of experimental film and storytelling, brings us into the true and seedy tale of Hollywood teens who robbed starlets like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan to attain fame. In the same vein as “Spring Breakers,” Emma Watson and her band of fabulous cronies will probably supply the most fun you’ll have all summer. Man of SteelSuperman has never really been my favorite. I’m much more a Spiderman guy. But Zack Synder’s reboot appears to be taking a page from Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. Things look bleak for Superman/Clark Kent: daddy issues and internal struggle abound. Pair that with some killer action sequences, Amy Adam’s Lois Lane and a rugged beard, then we’re on board. The Way, Way Back (opening July 5th) — Reuniting a few “Little Miss Sunshine” cast members and written by the Oscar-winning team behind “The Descendants,” this Sundance favorite looks to be indie breakout of the summer. Young love, a water park, unlikeable adults acting like teens. What’s not to adore?Blue JasmineWoody Allen’s annual release looks like a potential return to form for the director. While audiences fawned over 2011’s “Midnight in Paris,” I was underwhelmed. Allen heads to San Francisco this year to chronicle the breakdown of an unhappy New York housewife. Oscar winner Cate Blanchett stars as said housewife.Kick-Ass 2 The dog days of summer come to a close with this hardcore sequel. The self-made superheroes return with the addition of Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars and Stripes. While director Jeff Wadlow will have to strive to match the original in wit, the return of the foul-mouthed Hit Girl (played by the luminous Chloe Grace Moretz) is alone worth the price of admission. Epic “Epic” is brought to you by Blue Sky Studios and director Chris Wedge, who also brought you “Ice Age” and “Rio.” Although it’s a comedy, its name suggests “Epic” shouldn’t be taken lightly. The movie tells the story of Mary Katherine (Amanda Seyfried), who finds her way into a secret forest civilization of miniscule people and talking animals. “Epic” looks as if it’s aiming to please children and parents alike. The kids will laugh at its slapstick humor, while adults will appreciate the stunning imagery. “Epic” might not be on par with Pixar masterpieces like “Wall-E” or “Up,” but it looks to be a step in the right direction.The Lone RangerDisney, producer Gore Verbinski and eccentric actor Johnny Depp were all part of the team that brought you “Pirates of the Caribbean.” This time, they take to the old west. With “The Social Network” star Armie Hammer playing the titular character, “The Lone Ranger” looks to be another blockbuster hit for this winning team. Depp’s Tonto proves to be as memorable as his Captain Jack Sparrow, who should certainly be in the conversation for best movie character of the millennium. Since Disney is producing, “The Lone Ranger” will probably draw a PG-13 rating, so it will have universal appeal for kids, teens and parents alike.Grown Ups 2No.Music "ARTPOP" - Lady Gaga Of course Gaga is releasing the comprehensive experience of “ARTPOP” this summer with an indeterminate date. Keeping her fans hungry for more, the next single is said to drop soon with the album coming out later in the summer. With Mother Monster delayed in the hospital right now, we’re unsure as to whether the album will be here in a timely manner, but the facts are these: 1. “ARTPOP” must always be in all caps. It’s just how it is. 2. Gaga is collaborating with Azealia Banks and Kendrick Lamar for this release. 3. The album will be released in two volumes and will feature a supplementary mobile app that enhances the “ARTPOP” experience to the fullest. Thank you, Gaga.“Once I Was An Eagle" - Laura MarlingLaura Marling performs a new, unreleased song at every single show she plays, and “I Was An Eagle,” the title track of her upcoming album, may be one of the greatest lyrical compositions the indie folk pixie has written. Going a little more down the blues/rock ‘n’ roll road, her current singles “Where Can I Go?” and “Master Hunter” are fiercer, brassier and more instrumental than her past work. This album is guaranteed to be a change of pace.“Trouble Will Find Me” - The NationalThe sixth album from this renowned rock ‘n’ roll indie band featured its first single “Demons,” which was nothing special for the band. Its soft-spoken nature and honest lyricism are two of the band’s best attributes, but we hope that the album delivers more than The National’s tender side. “Random Access Memories” - Daft PunkAfter achieving cult status with its 2010 TRON: Legacy soundtrack, electronic music duo Daft Punk is back and here to “Get Lucky.” Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, everyone’s favorite Parisian robots, have been making waves by promoting their new album “Random Access Memories” through Saturday Night Live commercials. Though the French duo hasn’t toured since 2007, they’re ready to prove how Daft Punk works it harder and makes it better. The two chrome-dome androids have selected Pharrell Williams as their new companion for the single “Get Lucky,” making him Daft Punk’s first vocal companion since Romanthony. Romanthony joined the group for 2001’s seminal album “Discovery,” which remains a dance club staple 12 years after the fact. And now we’re gonna celebrate…one more time. “Crawling Up the Stairs” - Pure X Pure X’s 2011 record
“Pleasure” is easily one of the best records of the last several years.
It’s a stoned-and-drunk, summer-night porch record with catchy melodies
buried under layers of deceptively simple guitar parts, bouncy
basslines and basic drumming. “Crawling Up the Stairs” already looks to
be different from “Pleasure.” The vocals are louder, the guitars are
often strummy and straightforward, and the pedals are not as present.
The basslines, however, still sound like Paul McCartney groovin away on
“Rain.” The effect is more evocative of a hungover trip to the lake on a
bright hazy day than Pleasure’s dark and oppressively humid summer
midnight.“Monomania” - DeerhunterMonomania, which is
streaming now on NPR’s website, is disjointed and slapdash compared to
the precisely considered flow of “Microcastle” and “Weird Era
Continued” or the thematic consistency of “Halcyon Digest.” It feels
more like frontman Bradford Cox’s bedroom recording project Atlas Sound
than the full band of Deerhunter. The result is a bunch of poppy,
catchy songs that sound like they were tossed together by old friends on
some hot, beery afternoon. Whereas earlier Deerhunter albums could be
slow and challenging, this one is pure jangly rock and roll. If you need
an album to soundtrack your daytime summer escapades, this is the one.“Twelve Reasons To Die” - Ghostface KillahThe Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothing to mess with. Ghostface Killah, one of the leading members of hip-hop’s enigmatic Wu-Tang Clan, is up to promising things as a solo artist in 2013. He dropped his 10th studio album, “Twelve Reasons to Die,” last Tuesday. The album is based on a comic book series of the same name. Currently, Killah is touring the United States with producer Adrian Younge and staying strong at the ripe young age of 42. Killah and Younge will be dropping by the Bluebird Nightclub on May 2, so local devotees of the Wu-Tang way of life have something to look forward to.Modern Vampires of the City – Vampire Weekend One of indie rock’s most celebrated and popular acts is back this May with a new set of quirky indie pop songs to soundtrack your summer. Despite already having two excellent albums under their belt, Modern Vampires has the potential to not only be Vampire Weekend’s best album, but also the potential to be the album of the year. Singles “Diane Young” and “Step” are two of the catchiest songs of 2013, and the latter’s heartfelt lyrics show a maturity that has been unseen in the band’s career to date. …Like Clockwork – Queens of the Stone Age It’s been six years since the last Queens of the Stone Age album, so any fan excitement is well justified. However, there are plenty of added tidbits that make …Like Clockwork a must hear for any music fan. First, Dave Grohl (ex-Nirvana drummer, Foo Fighters frontman) will be playing drums with the band for the first time since 2002’s classic Songs for the Deaf. Add in special appearances by Elton John and the Arctic Monkey’s Alex Turner, and you’ve got the most hotly anticipated hard rock album of the summer. In the meantime, let the lead single “My God is the Sun” melt your face off with its intensity.The Gifted - Wale Little 500’s Wale will release his second full-length album under the Maybach Music label this summer. There’s still no word on whether Wale’s anticipated collaboration with Jerry Seinfeld will make the cut, but people can expect MMG rappers Rick Ross and Meek Mill to be present. The big question is whether Wale will continue down the road to hip-hop stardom by repeating the party anthem vibe of 2011’s Ambition, or return to thoughtful, socially conscious rhymes of his earlier work. If Wale’s 2013 mixtape, Falorin, is a sign of things to come, we can expect a lyrically recharged Wale this summer.Born Sinner – J. Cole J. Cole’s sophomore rap album has been littered with pushbacks and delays as his singles “Miss America” and “Power Trip” have failed to blow up like his breakthrough single “Work Out” did a few years ago. However, Born Sinner is a big record for J. Cole to prove his staying power in the industry, as a flop could wind up sending J. Cole’s career in the same direction as B.o.B. or Asher Roth. Sharing a release date with Wale will certainly spark some friendly competition between the two rappers, so don’t be surprised if J. Cole breaks the sophomore slump with a successful follow-up. Soft Will – Smith WesternsThese Chicago indie rockers released one of 2011’s most underappreciated records with Dye It Blonde, and this summer they are set to prove it wasn’t a fluke. Equipped with blistering guitar work and lo-fi sensibilities, Smith Westerns are one of the genre’s best-kept secrets. The album’s lead single, “Varsity”, locked up a Best New Track from Pitchfork this spring, and the new songs that have shown up in band’s recent live gigs prove that the best songs may still be on the way.
(03/21/13 4:00am)
We review the newest singles from Beyonce, Azealia Banks, and Earl Sweatshirt.