Smooth Bananas

Brock Willard editor in chief  Many people avoid country music like the plague (or like COVID) in today’s music selections. They cite the “twang” or the emphasis on certain narratives pervading the genre. However, I posit a different explanation: country music has moved primarily towards a conservative, Christian nationalist worldview …

If you’re on any particular “side” of TikTok right now, you probably have seen a performance by the band Greta Van Fleet. Their performance on Saturday Night Live has stirred up a lot of buzz on the heels of their album release.  The band, signed by labels Lava and Republic, consists of …

In the modern age of technology and social media, artists are being born every day and from every region of the globe. That story is no different for Washington-based artist, Harbor Day.  The singer released his first album, “Ursa Major” on Jun. 11 with a handful of songs being released prior to the …

I would be willing to bet that the majority of your Spotify playlists are filled with artists that are known not just in Pittsburg and its surrounding area but throughout the world or at least the United States. I would be willing to wager a large sum of money that …

Olivia Rodrigo’s first solo album release, “Sour,” is the apex of the rolling ramp since her first solo hit, “Driver’s License.”  The album, produced by Dan Nigro and released under label Geffen, is Rodrigo’s first solo album. Rodrigo got her start in music by landing a role on the Disney+ …

Both 2020 and 2021 and have seen an uprising for Taylor Swift. She released two albums out of quarantine, one which showed a clear delineator in her personal style, and the second while people were still gushing over the first. Now, she has begun to re-release her old music using …

Demi Lovato has had something of a rocky career (like many artists who got their start in Disney) but she’s back with a vengeance with her latest album.  The album, produced by a variety of collaborators including Mitch Allan, Lauren Aquilla, Oak Felder, and Matthew Koma, and released by label Island, is the American …

“Justice” by Justin Bieber is a sampling of the raw and charismatic energy that brought Bieber into stardom originally and continues to serve him as an independent artist from his past selves.  The album, produced by a team of producers including Louis Bell, Jon Bellion, Benny Blanco, and Skrillex, and distributed by …

Rapper Lil’ Nas X has done it again and penned an absolutely bumping song that is sure to be on repeat on any fan’s Spotify playlist. However, some people are not as happy about it.  The song, produced by Roy Lenzo and Omer Fedi, and released by label Columbia, is the title single from the rapper’s upcoming …

Nick Jonas is a superstar in many people’s ears and mind, but “Spaceman” suffers quite greatly from the desire to fly to high.  The album, produced by Greg Kurstin and distributed by label Island, is the singer-songwriter’s fourth studio album. The album features 11 tracks of lengths ranging from two …