Authors Articles by Jon Birondo '15
Jon Birondo '15
Jon attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Grand Prairie before attending Jesuit. He began writing for The Roundup his junior year, covering his main interests: movies and music. He now heads the Arts & Entertainment section as the Co-Editor. Aside from writing, Jon is a member of the drumline, plays a variety of instruments, and is currently working on a short film. Jon hopes to attend the University of Texas to have a career in the film production business. Jon also co-founded and helps run the music review site Pretty Neat Grooves with his friend Michael White. You can find it at prettyneatgrooves.com. His favorite band is Radiohead and his favorite movie is The Social Network. He lives with his parents, two younger siblings, and dog.
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Goon Album Review
True Panther
Released March 17, 2015
Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Piano Pop, Soul, Soft Rock
https://play.spotify.com/album/7elNFxdWSjWvtUP1gqyQGV
For a 29 year old, Tobias Jesso Jr. has seen it all. Most singer-songwriter projects come from personal experiences, and Jesso's is a success story for the ages. Years before his sudden rise to fame, Jesso played bass in a small band called The Sessions....
Tyler, The Creator
Cherry Bomb Album Review
Odd Future Records/Sony
Released April 13, 2015
Genre: Alternative Hip Hop, Hardcore Hip Hop, Neo-Soul
https://open.spotify.com/album/621OhgnZJ7Pz8iUazct1In
Tyler, The Creator's immaturity can be considered as one of his strengths, and at times one of his weaknesses. The Odd Future kingpin returns with his fourth studio LP, Cherry Bomb, and the result finds the rapper advancing in terms of musicianship...
BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah
Sour Soul Album Review
Lex Records
Released February 24, 2015
Genre: Hip-Hop, Jazz
When I first heard of the BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah collaboration, I was enthralled. As an avid fan of the Canadian jazz trio, I was pretty excited to see them collaborate with a member of the renowned Wu-Tang Clan. BADBADNOTGOOD's main strength is pushing the limits of...
Action Bronson
Mr. Wonderful Album Review
Atlantic Records/Vice Records/Goliath
Released March 23, 2015
Genre: Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop, Rap Rock, Pop Rap
https://open.spotify.com/album/7ijgeLAW3W3vZ9jf6tozFq
Acclaimed East Coast MC, and chef, Action Bronson's feature debut full length is a glitzy, robust, and lush piece of work. Bronson fuses his typical over-the-top, braggadocios lyricism and wit, with some blues rock and soul influenced instrumentals. There are...
Up and coming Dallas band If, The Band (yes, that's their name) recently released their debut EP. I got the chance to email them and ask a few questions regarding their inspirations, how they came to be, and what they have in store for the future.
If, The Band is composed of:
Andrew Easterling '16 - guitar/vocals
Thomas Stephenson- guitar/vocals
Wrigley Burris-...
Father John Misty I Love You, Honeybear Album Review Sub Pop Records Released February 10, 2015 Genre: Indie Folk, Psychedelic Folk, Art Folk, Indie Rock
Father John Misty is in love. Madly in love. But promotional performances for Father John Misty, aka Josh Tillman’s, sophomore album I Love You, Honeybear tell a different story. When the Fleet Foxes ex-drummer appeared...
D’Angelo & The Vanguard
Black Messiah Album Review
RCA Records
Released December 15, 2014
Genre: R&B, Noise Funk, Funk Rock, Neo Soul, Psychedelic Soul, Country Funk (?)
D’Angelo is an enigma. As one of the most innovative and widely praised artists of his time, D’Angelo is oddly reclusive- always absent from the public eye. So it came as a HUGE surprise when Black Messiah dropped...
Mark Ronson
Uptown Special Album Review
Columbia Records
Released January 13, 2015
Genre: Funk, R&B, Pop, 70s soul revival
When “Uptown Funk” first infiltrated the airwaves, I was surprised for two main reasons: first at how catchy, upbeat, and groovy the track was, and second at how absolutely no one had even heard of Mark Ronson before then. Ronson’s work has been prominently overlooked...
