Oldies – Concert: Three Dog Night @ Ridgefield Playhouse
April 18, 1989 “Doolittle” by Pixies (Garage Rock)
It’s my birthday, and I’ll write about the album I want! Which is naturally a grunge album… Pixies released their third and most notorious album, “Dolittle,” 16 years after I was born! This album will give you whiplash. I will just prepare you for that. The first two songs are entirely punk, maybe the second one is even in screamo territory, but they come out swinging in full. I much prefer “Debaser,” the opening song to “Tame,” but I think they are both very catchy and loosely structured. “Debaser” shows you a little bit of Black Francis’ surrealist imagery, slicing up eyeballs, and the line “un chein andeluisa” as a nod to the 1929 French silent film. The third song, “Wave of Mutilation,” is a bit softer and eases us into the contrast that becomes the entire entity of the album: beauty and pain, loud and quiet coexisting. It still has dark imagery, but the riff and chorus are much more catchy, even though it probably shouldn’t be. The most popular song of the album is not a grunge song at all, “Here Comes Your Man” almost feels like a joke in just how straightforwardly happy it is compared to everything else. But that’s the point that Pixies proved, they can write a light, accessible song for the general population, but they choose not to most of the time. “Monkey Gone to Heaven” is probably the most complex song on the album, with layered clean production, biblical themes, spoken lyrics, and melodic string arrangements, it feels more evolved than the rest of the album. I would also say that it’s one of the clearest examples of Pixie’s influence on ‘90s bands like Nirvana, who took a similar vocal and instrumental formula. I would just skip “Crackity Jones,” don’t even listen to it, just trust me, don’t let it ruin the album for you. “La La Love You” is the last return to brightness, it still has its quirks and little interactions, even whistles, but I think it fits in nicely. “There Goes My Gun” is actually weirdly related to “Here Comes Your Man,” with the same number of repeated phrases and melody. I interpret it as the evil half of that song. The soft-spoken lyrics seem to be a working pattern, and in “Hey,” he does his normal spoken-to-scream buildup that is common in grunge songs. Kim Deal’s presence is an essential balance, giving us her own sound on the second-to-last song. “Silver” is a haunting folk-country song, still depicting sorrowful themes, and gives a simple breather from Francis’ energy. The last song, “Gouge Away,” was heavily inspired by the biblical story of Samson, who got his eyes gouged out by his enemies. Honestly, though, it can be a chore trying to understand everything Pixies are saying, and through simple repeating lyrics, a lot is left to audience interpretation. “Doolittle” is just one of those albums that every track fits in, but is each unhinged and unique in its own way. I recommend “Debaser,” “Wave of Mutilation,” “Here Comes Your Man” and “Monkey Gone to Heaven.”
April 19, 1982 “Big Science” by Laurie Anderson (Art Rock)
Laurie Anderson’s debut album, “Big Science,” is less of a music album and more of an experience, stepping into a piece of audio art. The first song is “From the Air,” where you are placed into a futuristic, sterile environment with Anderson calmly narrating instructions like a flight attendant over haunting saxophones. It’s simple, repetitive, and very hypnotic. Even wilder, tracks like “Big Science” and “Sweaters” lean more into an uncanny valley, where you’re listening to them talk about something normal in a way that sounds completely alien. It’s kind of funny, dry humor, but it’s hidden, so you’re not sure if you’re supposed to laugh or feel uncomfortable. “Born, Never Asked” is a very deep song hidden behind clapping and monotone lyrics, about where we all come from and where we end up. Despite our religion, race, or even what time we were born and died in history, we all only live once, and are learning what we can in our time. The song lyrics talk about us all coming from the same room at the same time, being born free, happy birthday! So fitting. “O Superman” was a surprising song to recognize, only hearing clips of it online because of its timeless appeal. It’s obviously the centerpiece of the album, building you in with a simple looping “ha-ha-ha” vocal. This song is over eight minutes of different recorded vocal clips, from dial tones to voicemails and phone calls. This song gets more and more haunting with each year that passes, with the main theme being that technology cannot save you, and it might be the end of you. The one-sided prayer to a government, a superman, or parents to save you, and no one responds. It’s part lullaby, part nightmare, touching on themes like war, authority, and comfort while maintaining a whisper. The production across the whole album was way ahead of its time, leaning heavily into the power of vocoders, tape loops, and spoken word that feels even more futuristic than 2026. “Example #22” further discusses the humor and limitations of communication, having lyrics in German, English, and even backwards! (like Twin Peaks) It’s a lot more fun than “O Superman.” We return to an experimental track, “Walk the Dog,” using instrumentation and vocal choice to elicit certain feelings, like anxiety with fire, or the quiet mundane in walking the dog. It’s all done with more fun, quirkiness, and a helium-pitched voice. We end where we started. “Big Science 2” is a good transition back into reality after listening to this album, it’s really a summary. Anderson really tries to put you in perspective with the larger world, the authorities controlling us, and other invisible systems of power and oppression, as the lyrics simply say, “only in America.” By the time you reach the end of this album, it doesn’t feel like a collection of songs at all, but like a conceptual art piece warning you about technology and modern life. It’s not an easy listen, but a fascinating and informative one. I recommend “O Superman,” “Born, Never Asked” and “Example #22.”
(Single) April 19, 1999 “Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega (Latin Dance-Pop)
As we all know, Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5” is one of those rare songs that fully commits to being as fun and ridiculous as possible, and that’s why it works. Built off of a sample of Pérez Prado’s original mambo piece, the song immediately locks you into a brassy swinging groove with the horn section. The structure is repetitive and basic, and that works because you can dance to it instantly without having ever heard it before. Bega’s vocal delivery is also playful, and it almost feels like he’s a host at a party and he’s listening to the people as they come in. Lyrically, it’s a roll call of women’s names, creating a sitcom-level number of relationships. There’s something to be said about how this track reintroduced Latin-inspired dance music to a mainstream audience, even if pop-filtered. This song, I would say, is completely unavoidable, TV, movies, radio, for better or for worse, it defined multiple generations of dance music. Sometimes a song’s main purpose is to be fun and danceable, and that’s exactly why you all know “Mambo No. 5.”
Hip-Hop/R&B – Concert: 5/16 – G Herbo and Hunxho @ Toyota Oakdale
Ugh, I love when two baddies are friends. Zara Larsson and Tyla teamed up to release a single titled “SHE DID IT AGAIN.” From start to finish, the track is dripping in confidence, built around bold lines like “You can’t get me out of your head,” and “I know you want me.” It’s the kind of song that feels instantly empowering, like it was made to be played on repeat while getting ready to go out. What really stands out is how effortlessly their voices blend. Both Zara and Tyla have this light, angelic tone, and together it creates a sound that feels smooth, polished, and almost addictive. The production complements them perfectly, keeping the energy high while still letting their vocals shine. This song coming out right before hot girl summer makes so much sense, and I can’t wait to play it on the beach.
The Kid Laroi released a surprise single titled “I CONDEMN.” This is Laroi’s first release since his album which was released earlier this year. This single has a happier vibe than his album, which was released shortly after his breakup with Tate McRae. This single is all about self love and personal growth. In this song, he touches the topic of forgiving exes and leaving toxic relationships, while not forgetting the bad ways he’s been treated. After listening to his album “A Perfect World” on repeat, I am happy to hear him choosing himself. This single has Laroi’s signature sound, making the entire 2:22 exciting. The Kid Laroi’s “A Perfect World” tour starts next week and fans are hoping this new single will be included in the set list.
BNYX and Quavo teamed up again to release a single titled “HunchO Step.” This song is such a fun dance song that I would love to hear in the club. I love when these two collaborate, but they truly out did themselves with this one. From start to finish, this song made me want to dance, and it immediately went to multiple playlists of mine. The production is super catchy and upbeat, making it almost impossible not to move along to the beat. Quavo’s flow fits perfectly over it, bringing that confident energy he’s known for while still keeping the track light and fun. It’s the kind of song that feels made for going out, and I can already tell it’s going to be on repeat for me.
Young Miko released a single titled “BIAF.” This song is relaxed but hot, something you would want to play driving at night with your friends. This is her first solo release of 2026, and she is killing it. This song was released one week after her YSL pre coachella performance, which was the Thursday before weekend one started. At this event, she was seen performing with other artists such as JXDN. Young Miko is known for trap and reggaeton, however this song shows her growth as an artist, and confidently dipping into a different subgenre. This single, like Quavo and BNYX’s new single, has turned to more of a lo-fi club sound. For an artist that started off on SoundCloud in 2019, she is truly stunning the charts. Overall, this single is incredible, and I truly hope we get more from her this year.
Country/Folk – Concert: 6/2 – Trousdale @ Space Ballroom
Cody Johnson released the first single from his upcoming album “Banks Of The Trinity,” set to release in late June. The song, “I Want You,” is a classic love song from Johnson, whose good ole cowboy demeanor and history of meaningful songs make this one feel as authentic as ever. It’s very bold to release a true love song as the first single from an album, but I think this one works. The song is slower in nature, so of course that made me an instant fan. The lyrics are simple, but again I think it works. Johnson isn’t trying to do too much. He’s letting his voice do a majority of the work, as that truly is the highlight of most of his music, and for someone like him or Chris Stapleton, that is okay. I will admit Johnson is not someone I find myself returning to very often. I haven’t really dove into his older stuff, which seems a bit more energetic, and his newer stuff seems more authentic, and not something I’d want to listen to everyday. Still, songs like “Dirt Cheap,” “Watching My Old Flame,” and “The Painter” are all songs I’m a fan of, and I have a feeling I will still be a fan of “I Want You,” when the album releases in June.
A great week for some slow singles, Riley Green released “Don’t Ask Me,” the first bit of solo music from him since his deluxe release of “Don’t Mind If I Do” in August. Let me tell you, I really like this song, mainly because of its slow nature, like I mentioned above, but some of the lyrics reminded me of classic Green. Mainly, the John Wayne reference, who Green seems to shout out a good amount, but also the wine reference. Obviously, alcohol is an oft mentioned drink in country music, but it’s usually beer, whiskey or sometimes tequila. Wine is seldom mentioned according to a brief search, but Green references it a lot, which I can appreciate. It’s unknown where this single will end, or if it will end up as just that, but Green has churned out a good amount of music recently, so I’m not expecting anything too big for a little bit. Though, when summer hits and country music starts gracing the radio more, expect Green to make some big announcements.
Willie Nelson is BACK. The 92-year-old is still releasing music, and still releasing albums. His newest single “We’d Make A Good Movie” is the second single for his upcoming album “Dream Chaser,” releasing at the end of May. Again, another song that’s pretty slow in nature, and honestly similar to Johnson’s “I Want You” in its simpleness. At his old age, Nelson is likely not in his songwriting prime, but thanks to his legacy and dominance in the industry, he doesn’t need to be. He can release a simple single about his relationship making a good movie, and fans will still love it.
Rock/Alternative – Concert: 11/15 – Big Head Todd and the Monsters @ College Street Music Hall
Teen Suicide has released a new album titled “Nude descending, staircase headless” and the album is extremely diverse. I had never listened to anything from Teen Suicide, so I did not really know what to expect. The first track “Anhedonia” is a song that starts kind of slow with just a single guitar and vocals before exploding into a heavy rock sound about halfway through the song, right away highlighting how diverse this album is going to be. The second song “Idiot” keeps that high energy rock feeling, while some tracks later on the album like “Come and see the clown” are softer and gentle. The album tackles the issues of nihilism, addiction and healthcare. The album isn’t heavy and emotional all the time as there are some ironic moments in songs like “Everything in my life is perfect” that really helps this album feel like it has everything. This was my first impression of the band, and I was blown away by what I heard. This is definitely an album that I will be revisiting often.
The Pretty Reckless have released their third single from their upcoming album “Dear God.” This new single titled “Love Me” is a very vulnerable track that sees lead singer Taylor Momsen really opening up, when talking about the song Momsen said this, “‘Love Me’ came from a place I didn’t want to admit I was in. There’s this moment in your life where you’re so hollowed out that you start bargaining with God, not even for happiness, just for proof that someone sees you. That’s what this song is. It’s not pretty.” The album is very heavy with very direct lyrics like “In my depression I will lie, so I can pretend I’m fine,” or even the chorus “So why doesn’t anyone love me, love me.” The new single fits in really well with the first two, and I am really excited to see what the rest of this album has to offer when it is released.
Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize have partnered for a new project “Nine Inch Noize” that reimagines Nine Inch Nails songs into electronic and techno songs. The two launched the project with a performance at Coachella. I will admit that I was never a huge fan of Nine Inch Nails, but I found this project to be extremely interesting and fun. The new electronic sound really fits the songs very well, and the vocals of Trent Reznor fit the sound perfectly. I will honestly admit I was pretty skeptical of the project when I first heard about it but after a listen, I am really impressed how well the sounds of the two mix so well and it is definitely an album that I will be revisiting again.
Pop & Indie – Concert: 8/22 – Kesha @ Mohegan Sun
Olivia Rodrigo released her first single, “drop dead” from her upcoming third album, “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.” I can’t decide if I like the album title or not, I would love it as a song title but it seems extremely long for an album. Her last album, “Guts” was not my favorite but I look forward to the new one. “Drop dead” pleasantly surprised me and I really like it. It’s pretty upbeat and relatable. A lot of people ‘Instagram stalk,’ I know my friends and I can find just about anyone on social media. I really like the vocal layering in the chorus and how the style is different in the verses from the rest of the song. I honestly just really like the lyrics in this song and I definitely recommend it.
The past two months have had a lot of releases from the former One Direction members’ solo careers. This week, Zayn released his album “KONNAKOL” and I listened to the song “Side Effects,” recommended by James Kassan. James really liked the song, I think it’s fine but I wouldn’t listen to it regularly. I like that the song is about what comes with loving him, I think it’s an interesting concept and he explored it really well. He wants to be better for someone else and he makes that clear throughout the song. I think the lyrics are great, the song itself just isn’t my vibe. I’m sure a lot of people are enjoying it though.
Kodaline released their first song since 2021, “We Were Only Young” and I really liked it. This single is expected to be from their final album before they embark on a farewell tour in June. The song is about not knowing what you have in the moment and it also might reflect the journey of the band since they’re disbanding. I really like the piano in the beginning and the gradual addition of instruments into the chorus. The song is definitely sad but I think there’s also some hope. I really liked this song and I’m looking forward to the final album.
