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Scene

Scene’s Year in Review 2018: Best albums of the year

Nora McGreevy, Sara Schlecht, Ryan Israel, Mike Donovan, Jake Winningham, Nia Sylva, Kay Bontempo, Lucas Masin-Moyer, Carlos De Loera and Ethan Utley | Thursday, December 6, 2018

In early December, as finals begin to emerge on the horizon, Scene writers take off their headphones, pause the music and look back at what they’ve listened to throughout the year. Each writer picks their personal 20 best albums, and 2018 had no shortage of albums to choose from. Old names returned to the scene,

Scene

Scene Selections: New Singles

Ryan Israel, Margaret McGreevy, Martin Kennedy and Nora McGreevy | Thursday, November 1, 2018

Every once in a while it’s a good idea to ditch the algorithm-driven coldness of Spotify’s “New Releases” tab or Apple Music’s “New Music” section. Instead, turn to humanity and rely on your favorite Scene writers to recommend what might be your new favorite song. “Alien” — Beach House By Ryan Israel, Scene Writer Beach

Scene

The Radio Dept.: synth pop subversives

Mike Donovan | Monday, November 14, 2016

On the night of Nov. 4, all manner of standard-issue demagogues roam the halls of Stockholm’s Grand Hotel. Their lively banter reflects the spirit of gratuitous self-congratulation wafting through the air. This is not a time to debate divisive issues. It’s a time to celebrate. The event — dubbed the European Freedom Awards — recognizes

Scene

Best Songs of 2015

Matthew Munhall and Matt McMahon | Thursday, December 10, 2015

1. “Gosh” / “Loud Places” [ft. Romy] — Jamie xx “Gosh” begins as a relatively tame electronic tune with fluttering percussion and vocal drops. Halfway through, the song transforms into an experiment, with the British producer seeing just how high he can take a euphoric synth line. “Loud Places,” on the other hand, is his

Scene

Scene’s Best Albums of 2015

Matthew Munhall, Erin McAuliffe, John Darr, Adam Ramos, Kelly McGarry and Matt McMahon | Tuesday, December 8, 2015

1. Kendrick Lamar — “To Pimp a Butterfly” K.Dot’s follow up to “good kid, m.A.A.d city” maintains the same urgency as that album’s personal narrative, but refocuses its subject on more universal questions of black identity. “To Pimp a Butterfly” uses Lamar’s rise to the top of the rap game to explore the ways in

Multimedia

Scenecast #4: Unpopular Culture

Matthew Munhall and Matt McMahon | Sunday, November 22, 2015

This fall, we premiered Scenecast, a new podcast from the Observer Scene staff. Each week, a think tank of Scene writers will discuss a topic from the pop culture zeitgeist. Our writers watch, read and listen to more media than is probably healthy, and this podcast will be another vehicle for sharing that knowledge, often in more

Scene

Music Media and the Vinyl Revival

Erin McAuliffe | Wednesday, November 18, 2015

In this day of aesthetic appraisal, the way you choose to consume music is a decision as consuming as what music to consume. Last week Pitchfork delved into the different mediums. The article, “What Your Music Format Says About You,” had a seemingly Buzzfeed-esque quiz title, but unfortunately I was not met with a conclusive “You Are A Cassette

Scene

Microphone Musings

Erin McAuliffe | Friday, November 6, 2015

You attend concerts to hear what artists sing, but often times the words they speak into the microphone linger long past the melodies. This personal connection enabled only through concerts by spontaneous sharing is integral to my love of seeing artists live. Perhaps it’s the journalist in me, but I itch to hear opinions and

Scene

One year, two albums

Matthew Munhall | Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Last Wednesday, the Baltimore dream pop duo Beach House announced that their sixth studio album, “Thank Your Lucky Stars,” would be released on October 16. It arrives just under two months since the group released its last album, “Depression Cherry.” If the new record is anywhere near as excellent as “Depression Cherry” — which is

Scene

Fall Down the Rabbit Hole: An autumnal playlist

Erin McAuliffe | Thursday, October 8, 2015

It is only right to enter a new season with a new playlist. “And as the seasons change so do my musical desires” — probably someone has said this. As soon as you’re walking to class in the crisp South Bend air, scarf dangling over the vest that’s over the wool sweater that’s over your on-trend