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Patrick Witteman | Thursday, November 5, 2020
Jay Electronica was, at one point, billed as rap’s savior. Electronica’s single “Exhibit C” set the hip-hop world ablaze, and the release of his debut EP “Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge)” pushed the Jay Electronica hype machine to new heights. After an intense bidding war between Jay-Z and Puff, Electronica signed with Roc-Nation in
Patrick Witteman | Friday, October 16, 2020
When 21 Savage and Metro Boomin released “Savage Mode” in 2016, the hip-hop and trap landscape was considerably different. In 2015, Metro Boomin was key to the production of seminal projects like Future’s “DS2” and the Future/Drake collaboration tape, “What a Time to be Alive.” Although Metro had already entered into the mainstream, 21 was
Patrick Witteman | Friday, September 18, 2020
Travi$ Scott, LaFlame, Cactus Jack — artist and McDonald’s collaborator Travis Scott has had an extensive career in music. He burst onto the scene between 2011 and 2012 as a producer for Kanye West on “Cruel Summer” and “Yeezus.” Like Ye, he eventually pursued solo projects, with his debut mixtape, “Owl Pharaoh,” which was released in
Patrick Witteman | Thursday, August 27, 2020
Phil Elverum, the front (and only) man of The Microphones, has spent the last two decades pioneering the lo-fi, indie-folk genre. He painted a sonic picture of the Pacific Northwest on projects like “The Glow Pt. 2” and “Mount Eerie,” catapulting lo-fi to the forefront of indie music. Before reclaiming The Microphones moniker he used
Patrick Witteman | Thursday, August 20, 2020
Protomartyr has never shied away from tackling issues that plague American society. The Detroit post-punk group’s first few albums explored the Flint water crisis, the opioid epidemic, war and political unrest –– among other topical American struggles. The band’s new album, “Ultimate Success Today,” comes at a difficult time in our shared history –– new
Patrick Witteman | Friday, April 24, 2020
On Thursday, streetwear behemoth Supreme released a clothing collection on its site that featured album and EP artwork from Irish shoegaze band My Bloody Valentine. The album artworks for “Loveless,” “Glider” and “Feed Me With Your Kiss” were plastered on $168 hoodies, $48 t-shirts and $238 denim jackets. The response to this collection online was as expected.
Mike Donovan, Patrick Witteman, Ryan Israel, Dessi Gomez and Charlie Kenney | Wednesday, December 11, 2019
“JESUS IS KING” — Kanye West Charlie Kenney, Associate Scene Editor Kanye West is an artist whose records, typically, receive pretty universal acclaim. Recent albums “My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy” and “YEEZUS,” although perhaps controversial in religious circles, saw near unanimous praise from music review outlets and renowned artists. Lyrics and sound didn’t always please
Patrick Witteman | Monday, September 2, 2019
“So Much Fun” is billed as Young Thug’s debut album. Considering Thugger has been releasing (quality) mixtapes since the early 2010s, influencing the likes of Playboi Carti, Trippie Redd and Lil Uzi Vert, “So Much Fun” shouldn’t feel like a debut album. Young Thug has had years to develop and tweak his sound, avoiding the
Patrick Witteman | Thursday, April 11, 2019
Natalie Mering, who performs under Weyes Blood, is no stranger to the music industry. “Titanic Rising,” her newest, most stunning offering, is the fourth LP that she has released since her full-length debut in 2011. What distinguishes this album from the other three is that “Titanic Rising” was released under the indie rock stalwart Sub
Patrick Witteman | Friday, March 29, 2019
British MC Little Simz is tired of being “underrated,” and the drive to progress and hone her craft as a musician and lyricist certainly shows on her new album “GREY Area.” When discussing her work with the Independent, Simz said she has grown more comfortable with her place in the rap world. “Sometimes I go on