Album Reviews (continued) Nothing’s Real Shura Polydor Records ‘80s music has made a startling comeback these past few years and seems to be everywhere. We’ve seen The 1975, M83, Carly Rae Jepsen, and even Taylor Swift claim to revive the pop scene our parents had experienced. They all claimed to be the new step forward, the geniuses, the originals; but Shura is the only sure contender of these claims. Nothing’s Real is an album of fun, uncertainty, love, and most of all, personality. Shura’s self shines through every song on this record, each track reassuring you that these songs could not possibly belong to anyone else; the combination of ‘80s-esque synths and lyrics that read like poetry out of a diary is uniquely Shura. Sure, other artists have tried to use this exact formula, but none have reinvented it quite like this. Shura uses her synths as the ambient, icy soundtrack to her life, leading us through relationships, anxiety, regret, and heartbreak through her moody melodies; we can see in the realization of “2Shy” or the panic of the title track, “Nothing’s Real”. It’s easy to picture the scene or thoughts she’s describing to us and imagine her exact song playing in the background. On “Kidz ‘N’ Stuff,” we hear Shura question how she “can’t be everything that you need;” however, as a debut album with nothing but easy listens and great impressions, Nothing’s Real is everything it needs to be. 5/5 – Maya Alfia Download: “What’s It Gonna Be?,” “Touch,” “What Happened to Us?”
Last Year Was Complicated Nick Jonas Universal Music Group In his most recent release, Last Year Was Complicated, Nick Jonas makes it evident that he’s no longer the innocent boy band member he used to be. Overall, it’s an OK pop album, but there’s nothing that makes it stand out from the rest of the pop albums out there. The album is filled with sexual innuendos and quite a bit of swearing, but they just seem out of place, almost as if Jonas went out of his way to prove that he is an adult now. Maybe it’s because of his previous image with the Jonas Brothers, but it just comes off like he really wants people to know he no longer wears his purity ring. Last Year Was Complicated is a generic pop album. Most of the songs aren’t too memorable. “Voodoo” starts the album off right, with fun, upbeat melodies. “Touch” is an R&B influenced song that stands out as well. “Good Girls” only stands out because it’s yet another pop song with a good girls versus bad girls theme. “Close,” was a smart choice for a radio single— it’s catchy, and the steel drums and featured vocals from Tove Lo make it one of the best songs on the album. Perhaps the best song on the album is “Unhinged,” the only ballad of the album. This is where Jonas truly shines. It’s something he’s always done best, even during the days of the Jonas Brothers. There’s just something about his voice that lends well with ballads. With Jonas’ high notes and the piano driven instrumentals, it’s the only song on the album that is truly different from the rest. 2015 was a great year for Nick Jonas, with the success of his self-titled album. It was looking like he could really succeed with a solo career post-boyband, but Last Year Was Complicated isn’t the most memorable album he could have made. 3/5 – Delaney DeAngelis Download: “Close,” “Unhinged,” “Voodoo”
Blush Moose Blood Hopeless Records
Who doesn’t love a good, hearty emo-indie record from time to time? If that’s what you’ve been in need of, then look no further. Blush, the first full-length release from Moose Blood since signing with Hopeless Records earlier this year, stands alone in a surplus of 2016 poppunk albums. But the album does anything but corner itself into one genre. Moose Blood have perfected the art of truly being their own kind of musical category, having created a signature sound since their formation in 2012. Hearing just a few guitar riffs from any of their tracks is more than enough to know exactly what you’re in for. The platform set by the band’s two previously released singles comes to a full completion throughout the album. “Honey” and “Knuckles” set the stage for what ends up making Moose Blood’s songs so recognizable to fans, complimented perfectly by lead singer Eddy Brewerton’s unique, gravelly vocals. The band keeps
it intense without ever crossing the line and becoming too harsh, especially in tracks “Pastel”, “Sway” and “Freckle” where said line becomes rather thin. While maintaining the notable undertones, the band manages to create an album that stays interesting and engaging from start to finish. Blush stands independently as an entire piece of music as opposed to ten individual songs. It’s an album you can put on and get lost in during a long drive or late night study session. In the end, Blush proves itself as a massive success in terms of debut label releases. A milestone no doubt, Moose Blood provide an album that not only leaves fans satisfied, but deeply hungry for what’s to come next. 4/5 – Madeline Shiffer Download: “Cheek,” “Sway,” “Spring,” “Freckle”
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