In 1999, Philadelphia based hip-hop group, The Roots, would reach a turning point in their career. They would release their fourth studio album, Things Fall Apart, which would help them achieve mainstream success and solidify them as pioneers in rap culture. Prior to its release the band had amassed quite a following but it never…
Artists Who Shined at AthFest 2023
From Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25, the Athens community came together to enjoy local artists for Athfest 2023. This year commemorated 25 years of the festival and brought together acts of all generations and genres. In celebration of such a fun and successful event, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite artists…
Review: Sarah Kinsley: ‘Ascension’
Ascension is the latest EP from rising star Sarah Kinsley. Kinsley first rose to prominence with her viral hit “The King”, which introduced audiences to her talented musicianship, soulful voice and melancholic aura. Kinsley, 22, is young but her self-written songs showcase the craftsmanship of a well-seasoned artist, which is somewhat of a rarity amongst…
Artists to Watch: Wakai
While scrolling on TikTok in the spring of 2022, I stumbled across the song “Silhouette” by Wakai (feat. MARCO PLUS), which I immediately saved. The witty lyricsism and dynamic flows over smooth, dreamy production inspired me to listen to his album, To a Dark Boy, in its entirety. Wakai’s music is vibrant yet subdued, and…
Show Review: Re:SET Concert Series in Atlanta (Friday Show)
Re:SET is taking the festival experience city to city, with their star-studded, traveling lineup. The concert series was headlined by Steve Lacy, LCD Soundsystem and Boygenius, each supported by equally talented artists. I had never seen any sort of concert like this and think it’s really cool that an expansive concert experience is offered to…
Re:SET Concert Series in Atlanta—Friday Show Recap
For its inaugural year, Re:SET has an outstanding bill of artists, spanning various genres. Atlanta’s Friday show included talented artists Foushee, Toro y Moi, James Blake and headliner Steve Lacy. If you want a recap of the artists, read below! You can catch this lineup next weekend in Chicago, Columbus, or Nashville! I have been…
boygenius Headlines Re:SET Concert Series in Atlanta Despite Delays
Last Sunday was the final leg of the Re:SET concert series in Atlanta, featuring headliner boygenius preceded by Bartees Strange, Dijon and Clairo. Given how summers in the south are prone to sporadic bouts of rain and thunder, the concert series has had to improvise against a string of weather-related events the entire weekend. On…
Review: Nuclear Tourism: ‘Nuclear Tourism’
Athens, Georgia band Nuclear Tourism’s self-titled sophomore album serves as a reminder of how much fun music can be in its rawest form, especially if that form involves a couple surf-rock anthems. The album opener, “Feels Alright,” perfectly sets the tone with a song that highlights the strengths of each member without taking itself too…
Review: Khamari: ‘A Brief Nirvana’
Up-and-coming R&B singer Khamari released his debut album, A Brief Nirvana, on May 26, 2023. The album is littered with recognizable samples, interpolations, and strikingly personal lyrics. His voice and strong songwriting are reminiscent of a Channel Orange-era Frank Ocean. He has writing credits on every track and production credits on all but the last,…
Review: CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP
Fans and R&B aficionados can finally rejoice: Grammy-nominated artist Summer Walker has finally released her long-awaited CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP. This nine-track project is a follow up to her CLEAR EP which was released before her debut album Over It. It features verses from J.Cole and Childish Gambino and includes production from Solange and…