Scene’s Best Albums of 2020

Claire Rafford, Mariah Rush, Jake Winningham, Dessi Gomez, Ryan Israel, Aidan O'Malley, Colleen Fischer, Matthew Kellenberg, Maeve Filbin and Charlie Kenney | Monday, December 14, 2020

Scene writers made their lists; they checked them twice. The albums from January were reexamined; the soundtrack to the summer was played in December. Everyone’s votes were tallied and the final ticket of 20 records — those which we most cherished, fell deepest into and held closest to our hearts and ears in 2020 —

Ariana Grande evolves her sound with ‘Positions’

Sophia Michetti | Friday, November 6, 2020

Ariana Grande released her sixth studio album, “Positions,” on Oct. 30, and it undeniably has the “Ariana Grande sound.” Grande is known for blending her angelic, powerhouse voice with a driving, trap beat. The title song, “positions,” has the feeling of a hit that’s catchy enough to be on the radio but can still be

Tune in to ‘Magic Oneohtrix Point Never’

Ryan Israel | Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Some time between sundown and sunup, the black-on-black meeting of the narrow winding road and the hollow, empty horizon is broken up by the stanchions of modernity, the piercing neon pronouncements of business and the arrival of civilization. The static on the car radio gives way to the friendly canned sweeper of your favorite station,

The new voice in R&B: Zacari

Ryan Israel | Tuesday, March 26, 2019

The impact of Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN.” cannot be understated. The 2017 album spawned two hit singles — the brutal “DNA.” and the catchy “HUMBLE.” —  featuring the most iconic cover art of the last decade — which will be recreated for years to come — and won the Pulitzer Prize for music, becoming the first

UK artist Octavian creates hybrid hip hop on ‘SPACEMAN’ EP

Ryan Israel | Wednesday, September 19, 2018

When Drake talks, people listen. It’s one of the many benefits of being the most popular artist in a generation equipped with the internet and social media. For example, in 2011, when Drake featured a relatively unknown Canadian R&B artist on his album “Take Care,” people took notice, and now The Weeknd has become a

Kendrick and company blend together on ‘Black Panther: The Album’

Ryan Israel | Friday, February 16, 2018

“King of my city, king of my country, king of my homeland,” utters Kendrick Lamar over a simple piano riff. Taken out of context, this statement from Lamar seems conceited, narcissistic and very far from “HUMBLE.” However, to gain a deeper understanding of Lamar’s words, one has to merely look to the title of the

Lil Uzi Vert delivers the long awaited ‘Luv is Rage 2’

Ryan Israel | Tuesday, August 29, 2017

If you’ve listened to rap music recently, chances are you’ve heard Symere Woods, better known by his stage name, Lil Uzi Vert. Uzi spent much of the beginning of 2017 rapping alongside some of the industry’s hottest names.  In late 2016, Uzi appeared on Migos’ “Bad and Boujee,” which rose to the top of the

The next Super Bowl halftime show performer is …

Miko Malabute, Matt McMahon, Matthew Munhall, Kelly McGarry and Adam Ramos | Tuesday, September 15, 2015