Smooth Bananas

Since the advent of the internet and social media, the distribution of commercial music, that is music you are likely to hear on the radio, has become a whole new ball game. Despite its shortform video format, the social media app TikTok has become an incredible way to get a song to go viral. …

The Hold Steady’s latest album is much like their own careers: born out of tough times and rough roads, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  The album, produced and released by Frenchkiss Records, Vagrant Records, Full Time Hobby, and Washington Square, is the rock band’s eighth studio album and features 11 tracks of …

The rap inspiration album to go with the movie tells the story of Fred Hampton, the former leader of the Black Panther Party in the 1980s.  The album, inspired by the film written and directed by Shaka King, has 22 tracks all taking direct inspiration from “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The album is …

The superstar artist Taylor Swift is more than a household name. She’s a monolith in the music industry for a lot of complex reasons.  Swift grew up in Pennsylvania but soon migrated to Nashville, Tenn. to pursue a career in country music. She quickly became a hit sensation with her …

“Medicine at Midnight” is the newest addition to the Foo Fighters’ catalog but unfortunately for them, they should have just stayed on the shelf.  The album, produced by Greg Kurstin and released by labels RCA and Roswell, is the tenth studio album by the Foo Fighters. The album contains 9 songs of …

Weezer has had their ins and outs in the spotlight, the creative vision of Rivers Cuomo usually harpooning through any direct criticism. “OK Human” is no different despite its aural change.  The album, produced by award-winning producer Jake Sinclair, is the 14th studio album from the alt-rock band. Sinclair is also known for …

The young country singer Morgan Wallen leans into Shakira’s words from when he was on The Voice: “As manly as it gets.”  The album, produced by a team including Dave Cohen, Charlie Handsome, and Joey Moi, and released by labels Big Loud and Republic, is the second studio album from …

Many fans assumed that when Taylor Swift released “Folklore” as her quarantine album of 2020, that she was done. She surprised us all when she dropped its sequel album within the same year.  The album, produced by Swift and twin brothers and members of the band The National Aaron and Bryce Dessner …

Sam Smith has been known for their freewheeling yet nonthreatening pop sound. However, Smith has become something new with their new album.  The album, released by Capitol Records on Oct. 30, features 17 tracks of varying lengths within the range of two to five minutes and encompassing approximately 57 minutes. The …

Christmas music seems to be an ever-present monolith in our life the moment Halloween is over and not even COVID-19 can kill our obsession with the seasonal songs. Why on Earth do we instantly become enthralled with Christmas music after spooky time when a large swath of Christmas music isn’t even that good?  …