Oldies – Concert: 12/9 – Foreigner @ Toyota Oakdale
When uncovering an R.E.M. album from 1994, the last sound I expect is a distorted guitar and unpolished or even aggressive vocals. As other bands were reshaping their rock identity, R.E.M. took the opportunity to define their own grunge or punk music in their album “Monster.” For those who don’t know R.E.M., their early sound in the mid-’80s was melodic and introspective (albums like “Murmur” and “Reckoning”). Then they adapted to the polished rock in the late ‘80s (albums like “Document” and “Green”). Finally came their breakthrough album, “Out of Time,” in 1991, and “Automatic For The People,” in 1992, which featured an appreciation of their melodic tone again with hits like “Losing My Religion” and “Everybody Hurts.” So this shift to Monster in 1994 was a stark contrast into a deliberately gritty and aggressive sound, so it seems like almost a rebelling against the expectations of their hits from years before. I personally love it when a band shows their dynamic abilities to apply their creativity and talent to so many different genres, and succeeding in them is rare. Songs like “Strange Currencies” and “Tongue” are the calmest, and you can see a window into their past through them. However, the rest of them do hold a sort of anger or confrontation, like “Bang and Blame,” “I Took Your Name,” “Let Me In” and “Circus Envy,” all of which feature an aesthetic that R.E.M. had never attempted before. This is partially because Michael Stipe, lead singer in the band, continuously made him feel like a dancing monkey to perform tasks and music just for money. And during the course of making this record, two of Stipe’s close friends died, actor River Phoenix and Kurt Cobain, which inspired the song “Let Me In” after his suicide. This album is now my favorite R.E.M. album, both because the songs derive from their “expected” sound, and also the motivations and history that inspired it.
Already standing out as a distinctive voice in indie music in 1998, PJ Harvey took her first notable turn to a darker, atmospheric, and mysterious transformation with her album “Is This Desire?”. This was at a point during her career where she just started producing with Flood, who has produced for other bands like U2, Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails, so you can hear the similarities in the moody rock sounds. Unlike her previous albums, “Is This Desire?” is more layered with ambient and electronic influence that makes a haunting soundscape. Her vocals are often weak, breathy, and even whispery, which contrasts with her past raw power. My favorite part about this album is how PACKED full of emotion and heartbreak it is. After Polly Jean Harvey and Nick Cave’s breakup in 1996, he wrote a few songs about it and infused them into an album he was already working on. PJ, however, sat and simmered in her pain, and rather than through literalism, she uses five female characters, Elisa, Catherine, Joy, Leah and Dawn to manifest her pain and disappointment into. This sound did carry into her later albums, especially “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea,” where she revisits her ambient side. From this album I am captivated by “The Wind,” “Angelene,” “A Perfect Day Elise,” “The Garden” (Which reminded me a LOT of Fiona Apple) and of course, “Is This Desire.” But honestly, this album is a no-skip album for me and for anyone else who enjoys a good longing story will love this album especially.
Arguably, The Doors’ most recognizable song, “People Are Strange,” was released as a single the same year they released their debut album, “The Doors” in January, and their second album, “Strange Days” on September 25. This song helped separate The Doors from other similar rising bands at the time, reflecting an isolation, alienation and social detachment. Some can interpret this as Morrison’s struggle with mental health, or as a feeling that we all can get when in a crowd. We see some of his early poetry that develops further in his career, with illustrations like “faces look ugly when you’re alone,” and “streets are uneven when you’re down,” that has been used so many times cinematically to add a surreal layer. As a comedy example, this song was used in the 2012 comedy, “The Watch,” when the main characters begin to suspect that everyone in the town is an alien in disguise.
Global – Concert: 10/23 – Ana Gabriel @ Mohegan Sun
Back with their ninth EP, P1harmony has made yet another strong impression in the K-pop world! Leading with the title track “EX,” is their first all-English mini-album. Debuting in 2020, the group is on its fourth world tour right now, actively performing through North America. Unlike the past tours, this time they brought the younger brother group from FNC Entertainment, AMPERS&ONE. The group has seen immense success in its time as an active member of the K-pop world and overall music community, collaborating with artists like Pink Sweat$ and making appearances on Good Morning America. Fans adore P1harmony for their different skills and their transparency as idols and people. The lyrics of “EX” revolve around the idea of realizing that emotions once shared were earnest and heartfelt, and to embrace the confession of love. Other songs on the EP are titled “Dancing Queen,” “Stupid Brain” and “Night Of My Life.” “Dancing Queen” has the hi-teen movie vibe to it that you would hear in a 2000s coming-of-age film. For the first time on a K-pop album, the title track’s alternate version is not in Korean or English, but Spanish! This is a big step forward in the globalization of the Korean Music community and proves how progressive P1Harmony really is.
Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Rauw Alejandro has released his long-awaited album of the year, “Cosa Nuestra: Capítulo O.” After releasing five singles off the album to build suspense throughout the week, the wait finally came to an end with the drop of the 14-song album. Alejandro is known for blending reggaeton with other genres of music to bring a fresh new sound to the Latin music atmosphere. He carries a strong stage presence with him, and his vocal tone can only be described as clear and captivating. He has a unique voice that I think the global music market could benefit from hearing more of, and I am eager to see how he grows in the future. The mixing of genres is something that we have been seeing more and more of lately, and as it rises in the markets, I believe Rauw Alejandro could hitch a ride on the wave and make a strong impact across the globe with his sound.
When it comes to unexpected crossovers, this one may just take the cake for this month in music. Member of former boy band, Why Don’t We, Corbyn Besson has made an impression in the market through his collaboration with iconic girl group TWICE’s youngest and only Taiwanese member, Tzuyu. The song titled “Blink” has already accumulated over 2 million streams from the music video and Spotify. Besson’s former group has been seen supporting each other on their solo adventures, whether it be music or otherwise. Similarly, TWICE has been making a splash in the music market from their headlining set at Lollapalooza to their feature on the soundtrack of the worldwide phenomenon, “KPop Demon Hunters.” Tzuyu made her solo debut just a year ago with a mini album titled “abouTZU,” and featured artists such as Peniel of BTOB and ph-1. Combining the styles of both K-pop and a classic American boy band, this duo has the power to take over the market. The music video features a playful, flirty atmosphere between the two, with the lyrics and beat being so enchanting that you can’t help but put the song on loop.
Hip-Hop/R&B – Concert: 11/2 – Skrilla @ The Webster
From confidence anthems to moody collabs, this week’s new releases prove that artists aren’t just putting out music, they’re setting the tone for the season. Doja Cat released her fifth studio album titled “Vie,” French for “life.” It is noticed that Doja Cat is hopping on the 1980s-inspired music trend. This album focuses on beauty and romance while traveling back to her pop roots. This entire album has the classic and well-known ‘Doja Cat funk’ that has not been seen since the release of “Planet Her” in 2021. This new album is truly giving me early 2020s vibes, which is refreshing after the backlash due to the release of her 2023 album, “Scarlet.” Although I enjoyed that album as well, I thoroughly enjoy how she sounds with R&B funk, rather than a trap beat. My two favorite songs on the album are “Jealous Type”, which gives off a fun upbeat dance vibe, and “Gorgeous,” which repeats the line “It’s a crime to be gorgeous.” However, most of the songs from this album have been added to my playlists. I personally love a good Doja Cat release, and truly believe this will be an award-winning album.
In preparation for his new album releasing on October 17, “TYCOON,” Ty Dolla $ign released a single titled “SMILE BODY PRETTY FACE.” In the track, he delivers a bold, unapologetic anthem of charm and swagger, teaming up with Kodak Black and YG to create a vibe that’s equal parts seductive and street. The track bounces with energy, leaning into its title’s celebration of confidence, curves, and unapologetic beauty. Ty’s signature smooth tone glides over the beat while Kodak and YG bring their raw textures, rounding out a collaboration that feels both cinematic and intimate. This song boldly announces he’s still at the top of his game, turning up the heat, turning heads, and reminding us all that sometimes a smile, a body and a pretty face are enough to steal the show.
Ms. Spice is back on her game, ladies! Ice Spice released a new single titled “Baddie Baddie,” and this song truly encapsulates how much of a baddie she is. With her effortless delivery, she turns the idea of being a “baddie” into a celebration of femininity and knowing your worth. The beat is playful yet bold, giving her the perfect backdrop to remind listeners that being powerful can also mean being glamorous. Ice’s verses channel the same energy as walking into a room knowing all eyes are on you. It’s a song that not only highlights her unique style but also captures the cultural moment she’s built around embracing beauty, attitude, and unapologetic self-love.
Young Thug and 21 Savage teamed up to release a single titled “Walk Down.” Both of them bring their distinct styles together to create a track that feels heavy yet captivating. The production sets a tense, moody backdrop, giving Young Thug room to stretch his melodies while 21 delivers his verses with an icy calm that cuts straight through. Their voices balance each other perfectly, Thug unpredictable and daring, while 21 Savage is steady and deliberate, making the song feel like a conversation between chaos and control. It’s a collaboration that highlights both artists’ strengths while showing how their contrasting approaches can merge into something powerful and unforgettable.
Country/Folk – Concert: 11/8 – Hunter Metts @ Space Ballroom
Everyone, I think HARDY might be back. As I covered last week, HARDY has gone back to his country roots after two rock-adjacent albums. “COUNTRY! COUNTRY!” is the artist’s longest album to date, at 20 songs. Some of those songs were released before the album, either as singles or as part of the “COUNTRY!” EP. As I mentioned last week, HARDY is a very underrated storyteller in the genre, and that is reflected again in this album. If you pay attention to the lyrics and the song titles, there is a constant theme of death on this album. Whether it’s with song titles like “Goodbye,” “Gun To My Head” and the blatant “We’re All Gonna Die,” or mentions in songs like “Dog Years” and “Bottomland,” the themes of death are very apparent. The final song, “Everybody Does,” has a great, but solemn message. In the song, HARDY sings “not everybody votes red, not everybody votes blue,” and “some people Roll Tide, some people Buckeye, some Volunteer,” a reference to college football. These lyrics are meant to symbolize that just because people are different and have different opinions, there is always one thing “Everybody Does.” That one thing is death. Everybody dies, and it’s the one constant throughout the entirety of the human race. A sad truth, but a great message about how having opposite opinions is okay. Some of my favorites on the album include last week’s “Dog Years,” in addition to “Buck On The Wall,” “Bottomland” and “Girl With A Gun.” The latter has been on repeat this weekend, and likely will be for a while. Though it was released on his EP, this album allowed me to come back to it, and it’s a phenomenal song. All around, a great album with some great messages, and for me, that’s all I need.
Any chance I get to talk about Avery Anna, I will. This weekend, she released “Girl Of Constant Sorrow,” a Joan Baez cover where she changed some of the lyrics. The song was sparked after Anna’s tour bus broke down earlier this month, which she posted about on her social media. The cover definitely fits her style. She has mastered the slow girl song, whether that be on her most recent album, “Let Go Letters,” or her debut, “Breakup Over Breakfast.” Just some of my favorite slow girl songs of hers are: “biggest t-shirt,” “vanilla,” “if you wanna hurt somebody,” “Don’t Be That Guy,” “grand canyon” and “skinny” In the song, Anna shouts out her home state of Arizona, as well as the perception of her being some “perfect angel,” but that she instead has “holes inside her wings.” It’s a song that reflects that nobody’s perfect, a pretty common theme through a lot of her songs. Though I don’t think this song indicates another album, as it seems like just a single, new music from one of your favorite artists is always good.
If you don’t know Ty Myers, please familiarize yourself. The 18-year-old, yes, 18-year-old, is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in country music. With songs like “Ends of the Earth” and “Thought It Was Love,” the latter of which blew up on TikTok, Myers has become quite popular. The Texas native has insane music knowledge in his arsenal and is vocal about his love for John Mayer, whose influence is very clear in this song. Myers’ voice is so smooth, on both this song and most of the songs on his debut album “The Select.” Love is a theme throughout his songs, whether that be heartbreak or a craving, and this song is no exception. This is the third single he has released since his album, likely indicating a new album relatively soon, and this one is sure to have a different sound based on what he’s released thus far.
If I’m being 100% honest, I am not too familiar with Colter Wall’s music. I know his name, and I know he has a really strong, loyal fanbase, but that’s the extent of it. Wall hasn’t released music since a group of singles in 2023, so new music from him was long overdue. And he for sure delivered with “1800 Miles.” Wall has a very authentic sound and voice, something reminiscent of Johnny Cash, which is likely the basis of his appeal. What I heard from him this week has me interested in more of his stuff, and with a raw, autumn vibe to his music, so what better time to dive into his other projects than now!
Rock/Alternative – Concert: 10/30 – Gov’t Mule @ College Street Music Hall
PRESIDENT’s debut EP “King Of Terrors” does a very good job of establishing the sound and energy that PRESIDENT wants to be known for. Each song blends the sounds of metalcore, post-rock, and at times even some indie vibes. This EP felt very cohesive, with every song feeling similar and all of them working together as a project, but PRESIDENT did a good job of including variety in each track and showcasing their range. They employed sudden changes from softer moments to heavy screaming vocals on many of the tracks. While there is still little known about this anonymous masked band, one thing is for sure. They have hit the ground running.
“Getting Killed” is the third album from the New York band Geese and their first in almost two years. The album has an interesting blend of genres as a mix of heavy rock, post-punk, and indie-rock with some elements of jazz/funk. It is really a mix of sounds that is hard to explain. There is constant movement and energy in syncopated rhythms from the drums, with the anger and angst that lead singer Cameron Winter has established, especially after his debut solo album in 2024, “Heavy Metal.” The album was produced by Kenny Beats, and his touch can be heard on many different tracks, as some of the drumbeats feel like they could be ripped straight from a hip-hop or R&B track. Together, this mix of creative styles comes together to make a great, fresh listening experience.
The Temper Trap’s new single, “Giving Up Air,” is a very airy, synth-driven, upbeat track that tackles the difficult topic of grief. It is an interesting contrast between the pop-rock and energetic feel of the song and the heavy topic, which the band’s frontman, Dougy Mandagi, talks about. The song is supposed to capture the many feelings of losing a loved one, “from the initial shock to sorrow and then anger, and finding glimmers of hope somewhere in between,” says Mandagi. This single comes shortly after the release of their other single, “Lucky Dimes,” which was the first new song from the band in nearly a decade.
Pop & Indie – Concert: 11/4 – Pinkshift @ Space Ballroom
Pop singer Olivia Dean released her second studio album, “The Art of Loving,” on Friday, and I really enjoyed the song “So Easy (To Fall in Love).” She has a gorgeous, soft voice, and I think the lyrics are catchy. I think any of our pop girlies would enjoy.
I happen to not like Mariah Carey, so I had incredibly low expectations for her new track, “Play This Song.” I ended up really liking it because it has serious Boyz II Men vibes. The lyrics are fine, but I like how it’s sung the most. This song comes from Carey’s latest album, “Here For It All,” which I’m sure her fans will like.
Those of you here last year know my feelings on Tate McRae. I can appreciate her talent, but I only really like one or two songs. I did really enjoy her latest song, “TIT FOR TAT,” which was recommended to me by WQAQ’s own James Kassan. Tate McRae fans will be happy with this song.
“Blue Moon” from Zara Larsson’s recent album “Midnight Sun” sounds like middle school summer in the best way. I don’t think I’ve actually listened to her since 2015, when “Lush Life” was released. It’s definitely been a while since I’ve heard pop like this, but I loved it. The verses are really short, and the chorus is long, which makes the lyrics seem very repetitive, but I didn’t even notice until I read the lyrics. I think the beat and how catchy the lyrics are make up for the repetitiveness.
Myles Smith released a song that sounds like summer titled “Stay (If You Wanna Dance.” It’s very upbeat and would be perfect for driving with the windows down. Smith is most known for his song “Stargazing,” and his career began on TikTok. I enjoyed this song and recommend giving it a listen.
