ALBUM REVIEWS

NEVER GOING UNDER , CIRCA WAVES

WRITTEN BY MATT SIMMONS

Circa Waves just released their fifth studio album entitled "Never Going Under". The entire project was created during the pandemic, so there’s a deep sense of vulnerability from beginning to end. Being 11 tracks in length, each song is packed full of emotion. Kieran Shuddall, the lead singer, takes the perspective of his son and the uncertainty facing him in the future.

The use of the electric guitar paired with the heaviness of the drums emphasizes this feeling of anxiety felt by Shuddall. The top tracks from this project are "Never Going Under" and “Hold On.” These songs are uplifting and encourage the listener to make the best of their situation. Overall, this album has great depth. It is worth a listen, even if you are not a fan

SOS , SZA

WRITTEN BY CIERA

CHILDS

Five years ago, SZA redefined R&B with her eclectic influences which "SOS" takes even further. Along with grunge, pop-punk, and acoustic, it explores rumbling, dirty bass, soulful, classic ballads, chipmunk soul, and more. This collage could easily feel unfocused, but under SZA’s command, it feels organic. "SOS" delves into relatable subjects— from issues with partners to struggles with self-esteem.

RATING: 9/10

SZA succeeded in creating an introspective album without being ostentatious. "SOS" highlights the limitlessness of Black art and the interconnectedness of rock, folk, soul, and rap. It acknowledges the closeness of disparate sounds as well as attempts to domesticate emotionally distant men. Her vulnerability carries us through each track as we listen to the conversation she is having with herself in the aftermath of failed romance. Modern love is messy, and SZA explores all areas of the industry to portray it.

LATE DEVELOPERS , BELLE AND SEBASTIAN

WRITTEN BY SABRINA STANFORD

"Late Developers" is the eleventh studio album by the Scottish band Belle and Sebastian. The group has been around since the late 1990s and still incorporates that iconic “sepia-toned folk-rock” sound into their music today, as well as the new modern indie-pop sound. “I Don’t Know What You See In Me” and “Give A Little Time” are prime examples of their new pop sound, while “Juliet Naked” is similar to their earlier sound.

This particular record was a surprise to fans, as it was announced less than a week before its release on January 13. However, both "Late Developers" and their previous 2022 record, "A Bit of Previous", have been in the making for a while, with this album initially written during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020. Even though this album has more of a pop feel that is different to what old fans might be used to, it is still a fun listen with plenty of catchy and danceable songs that will hopefully capture a new audience.

RATING: 7/10

PERMANENT DAMAGE , JOESEF

WRITTEN BY ETHAN DYRLI

RATING: 7/10

Scottish singer Joesef’s debut album "Permanent Damage", paints Joesef following the ending of a relationship. Joesef’s voice is airy and sweet, drifting over bare, sometimes pop-y, neo-soul compositions. Where some of the tracks would otherwise be too stripped down to prove of substance, Joesef’s lofty vocals and cunning songwriting elevate this record to what is an optimistic look for neo-soul in 2023. "Permanent Damage" is thus rendered a companion to the recently single. Filled with sorrow, anger, regret, and eventually acceptance, Joesef is able to capture the toxicity and complex feelings that fill the headspace post-breakup. Even danceable tracks like “Didn’t Know How To Love You” are filled with pithy reflections on love lost. This record doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and some tracks drag. However it does what it sets out to do, and does it with grace.

TURN THE CAR AROUND , GAZ COOMBES

WRITTEN BY EMMA DINGUS

Gaz Coombes is at his best on his third album "Turn The Car Around" the final album of his trilogy of solo EPs. Coombes is best known as being the former frontman and lead guitar for the alternative band “Supergrass”, but Coombes talent is on full display in his solo proj ects. "Turn The Car Around" features strong vocals, dazzling guitar moments, and plenty of songs to add to your playlist. While the album has a bit of a lackluster start with “Overnight Train”, the album quickly picks up after and does not disappoint. Some songs that stand out to me are “Feel Loop (Lizard Drea)” and “Long Live The Strange” for their blazing electric guitar moments and infectious melodies. I would recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of groups such as the

RATING: 8.5/10

Junior Courtney Valeria wants administration to know that she is fed up with the unavoidable distractions present on campus.

“Each time I meet with my friends for Bible study, I have to watch Jeremy aggressively fork a Union hotdog into his mouth,” said Valeria. “I’m sitting there across from him trying to read the Book of Judges, and he’s over there putting way too much ‘dog in his mouth for one bite, it’s just getting to be too much for me to handle.”