It’s been three years since Fleet Foxes released Crack-Up, which could’ve been the group’s concluding LP release. At the time, lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Robin Pecknold had returned from a six year hiatus. During which, Pecknold ventured into the woods of his native state, Washington, and even attended university as he tried to figure out his life. The subject matter of Crack-Up was filled with a paradoxical showcasing of emotions, hope, and existential nausea that morphed into a sophisticated album. The 2017 release veered away from the previous self-titled LP, the success of which got Fleet Foxes serious recognition. As for the reception of the 2017 album, it received universal acclaim from critics who also acknowledged that it must’ve been a challenge to make.
The Happy Fits return with their sophomore studio album What Could Be Better, a delightfully chaotic contemplation of everything from growing up to love and identity. The Happy Fits are rewriting the rules of pop with their unique infusion of folk elements into their indie rock roots. They are a trio composed of Luke Davis on drums, Ross Monteith on guitar/vocals and Calvin Langman on cello/vocals. The Happy Fits made their debut with 2016 EP Awfully Apeelin’, and released their first studio album Concentrate in 2018. Since then, The Happy Fits have planted themselves firmly in the hearts and playlists of over 450,000 monthly Spotify listeners (and rapidly growing). Now, What Could Be Better, let’s get into it.
In 2018, The Kelseys released their debut EP, Summer Light, which contains upbeat and danceable songs, perfect for improving your day. It has influences from Walk the Moon, Vampire Weekend, and Young the Giant, so if you like their music, this EP is for you. Since this is The Kelsey’s debut EP, it mimicked the sounds and feelings of their previous singles such as Head Over Heels and Beyond Repair. Listening to the EP feels like I’m walking in the glistening woods on a sunny afternoon, while the sounds provide an uplifting aura. This feeling stays consistent throughout Summer Light, and The Kelseys do a very good job of emulating that feeling into their synths and bubbly sound.
I’m laying on my mattress, which is in a U-Haul. I’m listening to American Head, the newest LP release by The Flaming Lips. It’s only the first song, “Will You Return / When You Come Down”, and it sounds like the spirit of my old home is calling out to me. It’s funny how you can attach your own meaning to music.
Stephen Day’s latest release “Every Way (Supernatural)” shows a side to the artist that we haven’t heard before. The painfully sweet production is proven to be on-brand for the singer, but the choice to go the magical and mysterious route makes it clear why Stephen decided to add “(Supernatural)” to the title.
Lafawndah returns with her new album, The Fifth Season, emulating hymns, classical music, and jazz. Her voice is crisp, cutting through the opaque and enticing instrumentation. With an emphasis on lone brass instruments, and disparate percussion, the music takes on a hazy veil, leaving the listener wandering through a seemingly foreign landscape. Listening to this album, the depth of Lafawndah’s sharp vocals and hazy composition entices the listener to explore with curiosity.
As a college student, Zoom group calls have taken over my life. Classes, group hangouts, study dates, virtual parties, movie nights, you name it… it’s on Zoom. So naturally, what better thing to add to my Zoom expertise than a call with Katy Perry.
Paula Santana, WRSU’s World Music Director, had the chance to talk to Mexican rock band El Shirota about being a musicians in quarantine, the meaning of music, and more! Listen to the full interview for some insightful introspection.
In a bleak, often uninspired, Coronavirus ridden society, Gus Dapperton has come to the rescue. His upcoming sophomore album, Orca, comes out September 18th and already has two singles with over six million Spotify streams combined.
Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, shown above, will host the Last Dance World Series championship game Friday night. WRSU will have wall-to-wall coverage beginning at 6:30 pm.
The New Jersey Last Dance World Series high school baseball tournament reaches its culmination this Friday, with the championship game in Trenton. WRSU Sports will broadcast the title game live from Arm & Hammer Park in the state capitol.
Chris Tsakonas and Corey Jason will call all the action as the Jackson Jags take on Cougar Baseball, the team from Cranford. Jackson won the South title Wednesday night at First Energy Park in Lakewood, while the Cougars won the North title at Skylands Stadium in Sussex.
First pitch is set for 7 pm, but coverage will begin at 6:30 pm with interviews and analysis leading up to the final game of the Last Dance tournament.
With their sports broadcasting season coming to a premature end in March in the middle of a historic run to the NCAA Tournament for the Rutgers men’s basketball team, members of the WRSU Sports Department got behind the mics at TD Bank Park in Bridgewater for their first live play-by-play in 129 days when the tournament began two weeks ago.
And their coverage has been in demand, with high listenership due to Governor Phil Murphy’s restrictions limiting outdoor gatherings to 500 people.
The brainchild of St. Joe’s Athletic Director Mike Murray, the tournament features over 200 teams from around the state, which closely resemble New Jersey high school teams. But the squads have no affiliation with their high schools. It was seen as an opportunity to replace – in some small way – the season that was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for seniors who lost out on their final year of high school ball.
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