Huron John -Apocalypse wow

Written By: Bea Ewing, Music Staff
Posted: 4/28/20
This past Earth Day on April 22, 2020, alternative-indie artist Huron John released his first album Apocalypse WOW, marking his emergence from underground. This Chicago native began creating music in his college dorm room leading to his first release Never Inside in 2018. Since then, John has released a variety of EPs and singles. Each of these tracks compose a part of the technicolored world John constructs with his music. His first full length project, Apocalypse WOW, is an extension of this world in its convergence of human depth with virtual reality.

Earth day is a suiting time for the release of this album with its experimental and down to earth nature. The album Apocalypse WOW pulls listeners into a journey of raw emotion, self reflection and the trials of human existence. The weight of his lyrics are balanced out by playful beats and a techno flair. In many ways, John’s sound successfully combines the sense of a nostalgic past with an unknown future. Themes of heartbreak, relationships, mental illness, social media, identity, and the mundane are explored within this nine song set. With the human element at its forefront, it's the presence of duality that permeates and defines this album. 

The first song on the album “Maybe Syrup Tears” ironically begins with the lyrics “Goodbye, John.” On the surface, his introduction is reflective of John’s unique approach to music and world building. However, it is possible that this “goodbye” is a reference to the departure that inspired this song. After several introspective verses, John addresses what could be the source of his self criticism, “She dumped me over breakfast, I was cryin’ maple syrup tears.” While the overarching sensation evoked from these lyrics are sad, John maintains an upbeat tone through the layering of digital elements and lighthearted laughter.

Towards the middle of this album, the song “Why Do People Grow (Long for the Day When I Had That Flip Phone)” vividly illustrates the teetering relationships between past, present and future. Driven by contemplation, John questions the purpose of aging, reflects on non-so-trivial experiences, and then nonchalantly addresses his own mortality in the lyric “When I’m on my deathbed, final words: ‘Hi, Mom.’” The chorus entertains the process of aging while the interlude reminisces a simpler past. The two verses woven between the choruses and interludes deal with memories and thoughts experienced in the present, illuminating a liminal space.

The last song on the album, titled “Use the Birth for All it’s Worth”, pulls all the themes leading up to it and into a tight, profound knot as John embarks in a form of spoken word lyricism. The playful, lighthearted qualities layered within the previous songs are subdued, emphasizing the seriousness of the subject matter of this final song. John begins this song with a question. After asking listeners “Do you ever wonder if there is a God?” John elaborates on his own beliefs regarding the existence of God. Throughout the rest of the song, John covers a variety of topics that relate to both his personal life and larger, social forces that collectively impact humanity. While this song is the most intimate on the album, it simultaneously works to close the gap between John and his fans. He addresses his fans directly in the lyrics “Listeners DM me sayin’, ‘I don’t know what to do with life’ I don’t reply because I don’t know either, I’m out.” In a way, this is an act of John humanizing himself as he admits he is no different than those who turn to him for answers.

By the end of the album, Huron John manifests an unparalleled digital universe of unfiltered emotion paired with groovy instrumentals. Apocalyptic WOW is an entrance and an escape for the youth to relate, get lost and find themselves to. An apocalypse is readily understood as a final destruction. For John, this apocalypse is the birth, the emergence of life, that comes after.

Jacob collier - In my bones (feat kimbra and tank and the bangas)

Written By: Gabby Hudziak, Production Director
Posted: 4/21/20
In My Bones feat. Kimbra and Tank and the Bangas by Jacob Collier was a single released March 25, 2020. The three artists involved have their unique styles all shine through in the track making for a zany and fun song. Collier became well-known with his unique covers of songs that put a spin on the originals, and Tank and the Bangas are known for their character voices and incorporation of spoken poetry in their music. Kimbra, commonly recognized from her feature in Somebody I Used to Know, is also creative with her music too. These artists all work together really well in the song.
​
It’s definitely very upbeat and high-energy. The song feels like a flashback to the 1980s with its campier elements, while also incorporating funk and rap styles into the mix. Collier’s and Kimbra’s vocals mix together wonderfully in this, each delivering a wacky and energetic performance. Tarriona Ball, “Tank” of “Tank and the Bangas” continues this energy within her rap verse in the song. I can say that I haven’t heard very many songs like this, it has a very unique sound to it. It’s also a very catchy one: I’ve had the refrain “I’ve got this feeling in my bones, in my bones” stuck in my head for a week. The song also does a lot with its lyrics as far as the rhyming goes and the wordplay. 

The song is available to listen to on Spotify, and the music video is available on YouTube on Jacob Collier’s channel. I’d definitely recommend watching it, as it’s a very colorful, unique, and wacky video. There you can also check out some of Collier’s other work, where he often collaborates with other artists, sometimes with original work and other times with covers. You can also visit jacobcollier.com to see his work as well. I would definitely recommend checking this song out!

Childish gambino - 3.15.20

Written By: Lee Bingay, Music Staff
Posted: 4/2/2020
Childish Gambino, AKA Donald Glover, released a new album “3.15.20” on March 22nd 2020. Prior to his album release, it was originally uploaded on donaldgloverpresents.com before being taken down days later. In the album, there are multiple themes presented. Love, spirituality, grief, and even humanity’s demise are among some of these. “Algorhythm” is able to take out multiple birds with one stone here, as it reflects on mankind’s negative relationship with technology and our own religious values, contrasting how similar the two really are. 

On the album, there was some serious production value. Glover worked closely beside Ludwig Göransson (who is very well known for his scores in productions such as the Mandalorian), and DJ Dahi to create the ambience he did. This allowed for the presentation of many unique ideas and sounds. In an interview with Rolling Stone, DJ Dahi explained their goals with the sound well. They didn’t want the listener to be able to say, “this is from the 1960s, the 1970s, the 2000s”. I think a great example of this can be seen in the track “12.38”, as there was a feel of experimental funk and R&B created by the different sound inspirations. Glover also very tastefully used his features, including Ariana Grande, 21 Savage, SZA, Khadja Bonet, and Ink. He was able to have a lot of these artists seen in a different light than they normally are, which provides a continued unique experience to the listener. 
​
Overall I think that Glover made a real masterpiece, especially with the atmosphere he was able to create. Although, it seems a bit incomplete. There are only two real song titles for the 12 tracks on the album with the rest just being timestamps. To me, it seems as if there is more to come from Childish Gambino, as during the drop he had even hinted at this being his first “book”. I’m looking forward to what will come next, but I am overly satisfied with the latest project from Childish Gambino.

eliza and the delusionals - ​a state of living in an objective reality

Written By: Dave Cooney, Programming Director
Posted: 3/11/2020

Eliza and the Delusionals new release, an EP titled “A STATE OF LIVING IN AN OBJECTIVE REALITY,” is truly indicative of a band on the rise within the indie/alternative genre. Hailing from Australia, the band is led by lead vocalist Eliza Klatt, whose haunting vocals bring out the gut wrenching emotion of heart break, depression and the journey, through quite simply, the aftermath of a breakup. The ensemble also includes Kurt Skuse and Ashley “Tex” Martin on guitar and bassist Ruby Lee whose skills sets are on display, and compliment the vocals, adding to the ambiance of the songs. 

The EP is highlighted by “Just Exist,” which tells a tale of finding yourself, Eliza belts out that without the sadness, one would just be here, existing, finding solace in the emotion. “ALIVE,” the fourth song on the EP, is a true stand out for me. From the beginning of the track, Eliza utters the relatable line “I got dressed, just to feel depressed,” reiterating a want to just feel alive, knowing she is not the only one feeling this way. The skills of Skuse, Martin and Lee are on full display with this track, supporting in the creation of a sense of hopefulness through the pain. 
​
This is truly a band on the rise here in the United States, and I would not be surprised to hear more from them in the coming years.

The Amity affliction- everyone loves you once you leave them

Written By: Tina Jašarević, Metal Director 
Posted: 3/10/2020

The new Amity Affliction album, “Everyone Loves You... Once You Leave Them” was released on February 21st 2020 and as of right now, is on our top 10 metal tracks at WPNR. This album has powerful themes of loss and love, which can seen in some of the song titles such as “All My Friends are Dead”, “Soak Me in Bleach”, and “Aloneliness”. This album has reinvented The Amity Affliction’s heavy sound and is heavier than their last album, Misery, which was released in 2018.
​
My favorite song off the album, “All My Friends are Dead”, uses an interesting play on words. In the part where Ahren Stringer sings “...dying slowly, is dying lonely...” is sung in such a way that it's hard to tell whether or not he is asking a question (“is dying lonely?”) or if he is making a statement (“Dying slowly is dying lonely.”). I doubt we’ll ever get an answer to whether or not it is a question, or a statement, as the band often leaves the lyrics open for interpretation. This is definitely an album where everyone will find a different meaning to the lyrics, which is a really beautiful thing this band has mastered.
​
Overall, “Everyone Loves You... Once You Leave Them” is a really solid metalcore album
where The Amity Affliction recalls some of their older, heavier sounds, as well as a mix of some newer, cleaner sounding songs. I highly recommend you guys check it out!

---

Beach Bunny- honeymoon 

Written By: Ian Markwardt, Promotions Staff 
Posted: 3/10/2020

​This past Valentine's Day, up and coming band, Beach Bunny released their long awaited debut album, Honeymoon. Beach Bunny has been on the radar since 2018 and has recently gained a boost in popularity thanks to the virality of some of their songs on the popular app Tik Tok. Their debut record does not disappoint with relatable lyrics and soaring melodies.
Valentine’s Day was a very appropriate time for Honeymoon’s release as it is very focused on relationships, love, and breakups. These topics are usually over done, but Beach Bunny takes these themes and makes them fresh with a deep and confessional style. This can best be seen on their penultimate track “Dream Boy.” Lead singer, Lili Trifilio, sings of her perfect love with a voice that is a refreshing meld with the traditional rock band instrumentation. Her unique voice sails smoothly above catchy, upbeat riffs throughout the album. This formula of soaring vocals, west coast instrumentation, and confessional lyrics works and is used in almost every song on the 25 minute romp. This would get quite repetitive if it weren’t for some special moments that break from Beach Bunny’s norm.
A high note of poeticism and change for the album is the sparse “Racetrack.” Backed by flittery picked guitar and piano, Trifilio creates a nicely wrapped metaphor of life to a racetrack where she “always winds up in second place.” Beach Bunny is able to incorporate clever crescendos and quiet moments in such sparsity to make people want more while also not forcing them.
Sonically Honeymoon really shows that Beach Bunny has truly found their niche in
music. They are able to teeter the boundaries of genre to create relatable and powerful tracks with pop stardom quality. Coupled with their crafty lyricism they seem like a band that has nowhere to go but up.