What are some of the commonalities and differences among different sister groups in the music industry?
Among last year’s best projects was Haim’s Women in Music III. The album made Haim a multi-generation act and showcased women’s dominant position in rock music. This article will celebrate and explore female groups. However, not just any female groups. This article will uncover commonalities and differences amongst sister groups. The groups will vary from across time and genre. If any of these groups are unfamiliar look them up and listen to their work! Out of this group, The Staves and Haim are the most active. Nevertheless, there is over 100 years of sister group history in this piece.
The Groups
Here…
The insanely forward-thinking record continues to dazzle with disco and house magic
In honor of the prolific Nu-Disco duo I am re-sharing an album review of my personal favorite Daft Punk album, Discovery. Although this is likely to not be the last time we will hear Guy-Manuel and Thomas Bangalter their disbandment announcement today still weighs heavy on a lot of hearts. The two of them have done an incredible amount for the acceptability and popularity of Nu-Disco and House music. A lot of the styles and approaches to electronic and sample-based music were pioneered by these two fearless musicians. …
Hardbass has fanatically stomped its way into the zeitgeist
Roots
Hardbass is a peculiarly attractive Russian genre. In the late 1990’s St. Petersburg DJ’s created electronic mixes for large exuberant clubs. Their mixes incorporated UK Hardcore’s tyrant energy with Hard House’s rhythmic beat. The genre’s architects included DJ Snat, Dr. Poky, X Project, and Sonic Mine. The music had a visual ascetic attached to it. Young people would dress up in sportswear and head-bop across the dance floor.
Gopniks became the spokespeople for the genre. Gopniks stands for lower-income millennial’s in Russia and other former soviet states. Before the Facebook revolution Gopniks would huddle in noticeable packs. At the club…
The Chicago based band looks up for inspiration on their third full length project.
Album Review: Printer’s Devil by Ratboys
Background
Ratboys is a Chicago-based indie band that seems to be on a winning streak. Their first two albums received critical acclaim for their simplicity and incisiveness. Co-founders Julia Steiner and Dave Sagan were Norte Dam classmates that gelled and made music together. As the gigs increased and the group expanded their easy-listening approach to rock improved. Printer’s Devil is a fantastic addition to their discography. This is their first album where everyone in the band recorded the music in one place. The project builds off of DN’s rough-edges and continues AOID thoughtful lyricism.
Check out this reliable playlist when you’re searching for new finds
I hope 2021 is off to a good start for everyone! It is uncharacteristically cold here in Texas. Between Zoom classes, short-meals, and grocery shopping’s I’ve been writing away. There are a lot of exciting new pieces on the horizon. In the meantime, here are some songs I’ve been enjoying lately. Hopefully, they will keep you company this month.
Enjoy the playlist! Feel free to chime in and discuss the songs in the comment section!
Sugar Water — Claire Rosinkranz
The Gen Z rising star gives us an inside look into her family life. The engaging lyrics and dynamic guitar-driven production are easy on the…
A review of Blood Orange’s last project, Angel’s Pulse
Angel’s Pulse by Blood Orange
Background
Devonte Hynes has worn many hats over the years. From his early dance-punk days with Test Icicles to his initial solo stint as Lightspeed Champion and the more successful R&B moniker Blood Orang Hynes has been refining his skills for nearly two decades. His production chops speak for themselves. He has produced for countless heavy hitters including Solange, Haim, and Florence and The Machine. He made a significant mark in the film world as the executive producer of the score for Queen & Slim.
All four of Hyne’s albums under the Blood Orange alias have received critical acclaim. His varied…
The infamous second project hurts some and empowers others
The Dark Cloud
The sophomore slump theory is a dark cloud hovering over any new artist. Whether this theory is true, and has legitimate industry trends, or is merely just a theory, is up for debate. In this piece, I will unearth the realistic pressures behind a sophomore release. Furthermore, I will look into whether the industry’s paranoia over the sophomore slump is warranted or not.
So, does the sophomore slump really exist? If we are going by the numbers, yes, the argument can be made that artists who debuts well have a tendency, on average, to decline in critical acclaim the second…
A review of Liz Phair’s sophomore album ‘Whip-Smart’
Classic Album Review: ‘Whip-Smart’ by Liz Phair
Although Liz Phair isn’t heralded as one of the alt-rock greats, she has made important contributions to the genre. Not only did she shamelessly talk about taboo topics like oral sex in the conservative years of the early 1990s but she would take it one step further and croon through detailed accounts about one-night stands. Alternative rock was facing a wave of unapologetic women who could make memorable pop hooks and refused to conform to pop standards. E for everyone lyrics and obtusely feminine appearances were slowly becoming a thing of the past. …
SOPHIE emerges from the shadows and delivers otherworldly pop music
Before I share my review (originally shared in 2018 through my Weebly music blog) I want to recognize the devastating and untimely death of a marvelous artist. SOPHIE’s brand of pop music reestablished its synth-based barriers and reimagined its potential. Her inclusion of industrial instrumentation and robotic sounds influenced contemporary pop artists like Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama. Again, this passing hurts. SOPHIE’s immediate and poignant impact will reverberate for generations. From now on, we can look passed her potential and recognize her permanent footprint in the genre.
Rest in paradise.
—
Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides by SOPHIE
I grew up on traditional pop artists like…
From the Brill Building to Swedish-inspired Hit Factories
When fans learn about the vast songwriting credits for some of their favorite songs they are aghast. How could so many people work on one song? These perplexing instances deserve an explanation. Songwriters have had an interesting existence in the music industry. They have been empowered, exploited, and diminished over the years.
So, how many songwriters are too many songwriters then? Before we can answer that question let’s go through the history of songwriters in pop music.
Come To The Brill Building
In the early days of the late 20th century, performers came to publishing companies for music sheets. Songwriters, composers, and lyricists would work…
If Ever You’re Listening
For music listeners and makers alike. IEYL is a blog dedicated to unique music opinions. If you ever want to talk music one-on-one email me at StanTM4@gmail.com
