Ariana Grande
My Everything (Deluxe Edition) Album Review
Republic Records
Released August 22, 2014
Genre: Pop, Contemporary R&B
Listen: “Break Free feat. Zedd”
Ariana Grande has slowly risen in ranks as one of the biggest pop stars in our culture. With her second album, although mostly hit-or-miss, Grande proves herself to be, not just a major powerhouse, but also a respectable songstress. While her songwriting and instrumentation suffer from redundancy and lack of personality, Grande nonetheless has a few gems that are worthy of attention. Yes, there will be difficulty sorting through the gaudy rubble of songs on this album, but I assure you there are some diamonds in the rough.
“Intro” smoothly opens the album while the rambunctious hit “Problem” gets the party going. Zedd’s feature track “Break Free” finds Grande hopping onto the EDM bandwagon, but in it she proves to be a tad more ambitious than Coldplay’s gaudy “hit single”.
Grande’s infatuation with love, EDM culture, and baroque tendencies have always swirled their way into our ears, but with this record she’s almost distinguishable amongst the other pop stars
out there. Childish Gambino, A$AP Ferg, The Weeknd, and Zedd guest star.
Essential Tracks: Intro, Problem (feat. Iggy Azalea), One Last Time, Break Free (feat. Zedd)
Score: (6.5/10)
Pallbearer
Foundations Of Burden Album Review
Profound Lore Records
Released August 19, 2014
Genre: Doom Metal, 70s Metal/prog/psychedelic/stoner rock
Listen: “The Ghost I Used To Be”
Foundations of Burden is relentless: monstrous riffs and ruthless bass grooves barrage the listener at every corner. It’s inescapable but the vocals provide a perfect balance: it isn’t yelling nor is it sinister, but haunting. Lead vocalist Brett Campbell’s soulful tenor encapsulates Pallbearer’s emotion, his voice sounding strained yet powerful, reminiscent of early Ozzy in his Sabbath days. The band even diversifies their creative palette with tracks ranging from the brutal yet soulful “The Ghost I Used To Be” to the ambient, majestic beauty of “Ashes”.
Although there isn’t enough emotion or pathos like on their debut Sorrow And Extinction, Pallbearer still knows how to put out some solid doom metal tunes in the process. While Foundations Of Burden is still working off of the same palette used for 2012’s Sorrow And Extinction, Pallbearer still put out a nostalgic yet modern album that pays tribute to the forefathers of 70s doom metal, stoner rock, psychedelic rock, and prog rock. If any of this sounds appealing, check this album out.
Essential Tracks: Worlds Apart, Foundations, The Ghost I Used To Be, Ashes
Score: (7.3/10)
Sia
1000 Forms Of Fear Album Review
Monkey Puzzle/RCA Records
Released July 4, 2014
Genre: Pop, R&B, Electro Pop, Inspiring Dance Ready Electro Pop
Sia has been around in the pop music world for about ten years, yet if you ask anyone who she is, you’ll most likely hear “Titanium” or “Wild Ones”, her real presence never fully acknowledged. Sia is much more involved in the pop culture world than most know. Some would be surprised once they found out she co-wrote the sultry Beyonce ballad “Pretty Hurts” and Rihanna’s chart topping track “Diamonds”, the latter’s signature vocal swoons and dips being Sia’s vocal trademark. Indeed, Sia has had a hand in crafting some of the most successful songs of our generation. On her latest record, Sia drums a set of powerful and emphatic tunes that showcase her songwriting and vocal ability along with a lot more ambitious instrumentals, never sacrificing one for the other.
“Chandelier” overflows with emotion and her vocal range shows her pain, along with her triumph. “Big Girls Cry” finds Sia at her most vulnerable, but her perception, clear as day. While “Hostage” contrasts its uppity beat with her despondent lyricism, showing two unique sides to her story. You can’t see her face on the cover, but you can feel her presence, imminently looming over the horizon. 1000 Forms offers us a snapshot into the enigmatic figure known as Sia because one thing is for sure: you will remember her name.
Essential Tracks: Chandelier, Big Girls Cry, Eye Of The Needle, Hostage, Fair Game, Elastic Heart, Fire Meets Gasoline
