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Music

Concert Review: Dr. Dog soothes; Rad Trads bubble

Luisa Pennington | August 15

Performing for about two decades now, the Philadelphia based rock band Dr. Dog has their show down to a science. This was proven during their sold-out show last Sunday night at the reality-bending Santa Fe Meow Wolf. Doors opened at 8 p.m., lasting until the concert ended at 11 p.m. Their set list included songs off of their albums “Fate,” “Shame, Shame,” “Be the Void,” “B-Room,” “Abandoned mansion” and “Critical Equation,” along with a song off of their latest, 2019 album. Behind the band, psychedelic projections danced across the House of Eternal Return, tracing the trimming along the roof shingles and making the stage come to life.

Music

Daily Lobo's back to school playlist for fall 2019

Luisa Pennington , Makayla Grijalva , Alanie Rael and Megan Holmen | August 12

Welcome back to school everyone, and for those of you new the University of New Mexico or the surrounding community everyone here at the Daily Lobo hopes things are off to a great start. Megan’s Back to School Playlist Suitcase by The New Electric Sound New to town? Unpacking bags and calling ...

Music

Review: "Doom Days" offers enticing musical story

Chris Mather | June 24

British band, Bastille, released their third studio album on Friday, June 14. This is the band’s first venture into concept albums. Exploring the themes of escape, “Doom Days” narrates what may happen when things might not be going as well as they could be. Beginning with “Quarter Past Midnight,” and ending with “Joy,” the album follows the path of a night out at a party while the world outside is in turmoil. Each of the 11 tracks represents a time during the night, going from 12:15 a.m. with ‘Quarter Past Midnight’ to 8:34 a.m. with ‘“Joy’.” Though each song is intertwined with one another through the main narration, the musical styles vary greatly, going from a somber ballad in “Divide” to the gospel choir assisted euphoric sound of “Joy.” Some songs feature the simple sounds of a plucked guitar, while others feature lead vocalist Dan Smith’s self harmonization. Some even have an ‘80s style synthesizer.

Music

Concert Review: Superorganism visits Meow Wolf, rocks the stage

Luisa Pennington | April 29

Meow Wolf welcomed English indie-pop band Superorganism last Thursday to their flashy stage. With a colorful set decorated by the band in glitter face paint, hooded cloaks and projections of prawns, they brought an engaging and entertaining show. Though the eight-person group seemed organic on stage, they did not always preform together. In fact, the band is an amalgamation of musicians from across the world.

Music

List: Songs to check out for your next 420

Sophia Sambrano | April 20

With medical marijuana being legal in our state for over a decade and recreational legalization on the horizon, marijuana's effect on popular culture is nearly inescapable. Whether you're a medical patient, or have to escape to our northern border of Colorado to celebrate, I sincerely hope you get to enjoy a lovely day, regardless of whether or not its accompanied by cannabis. These songs feature a mix of explicit cannabis references, our favorite stoners, and sounds that will help keep the vibe right on your 4/20. Here are some blazed beats for your hazy holiday.

Music

Concert Review: Kero Kero Bonito comes to Sister Bar, plays eclectic mix of genres.

Kyle Land | April 15

Kero Kero Bonito is one of those bands you come to know even less about the more you listen to their music. The image they create from each song becomes shattered on the next, and so on and so on. The indie pop trio from London recently brought their eccentric, and often bizarre, live show to Sister Bar in Albuquerque on April 8, redefining their signature fusion of indie rock, J-pop and other genres. Sister was nearly-packed as the show began (surprising for a Monday night show), with many of those in attendance donning extravagant costumes and multi-colored hair. Any review of Kero Kero Bonito would be incomplete without the voice and face of the group, lead singer Sarah Bonito. While already a charismatic vocalist, the energy she exuded on the stage served as the linchpin of the entire performance.

Music

Music Mondays: Women Rappers

Sophia Sambrano | April 8

There's no doubt that female rappers are coming up front and center, and this week showcases 2019 releases from some of raps loudest voices. In the spirit of showcasing as many women as possible, most of the songs on this list are collaborations. This goes without being said, but in the true spirit of girl-centered collaboration, these songs are perfect for blasting with your girl friends before a night out.

Music

Concert Review: George Thorogood tours ABA, electrifies audience

Cole Space | April 6

For the last 45 years, George Thorogood and the Destroyers have brought their unique blend of blues and rock to concert halls across America. Last Friday night was no exception, the band packed Route 66 from the front to the back with eager fans ready to hang onto every note. The murmur of the growing crowd became louder as the clock approached 8 p.m., with anticipation hanging in the air. As the lights dimmed the murmur exploded into a raucous applause as each member of the band took the stage. Jeff Simon took his seat behind the drums, as bassist Bill Blough, guitarist Jim Suhler and saxophonist Buddy Leach spread out across the stage. George Thorogood took his place as the center piece, the spotlight gleaming down on him as the first song began.

Music

Jazz band celebrates immigrants through music

Aaron Mendoza | April 1

The Outpost, one of the venues dedicated to jazz music in Albuquerque, hosted Antonio Sánchez & Migration's sold-out show; they presented their new album Lines in The Sand, an album that, in the words of Sánchez, “is dedicated to immigrants.” Sánchez also won a Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media for “Birdman” (2015), a film by Alejandro González Iñarritu. “I’m a proud immigrant, a proud Mexican and a proud American that feels torn by the injustices that are being perpetrated against so many innocent people in search of a better life," Sánchez said. "This album is dedicated to them and their journey."

Music

Taking Back Sunday to tour in Albuquerque

Shayla Cunico | April 1

First formed by guitarist, Eddie Reyes in 1999, Adam Lazzara, John Nolan, Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell of Taking Back Sunday are celebrating their 20-year anniversary as a band with a nation-wide tour. The band is stopping at Albuquerque's Sunshine Theater on April 3 to celebrate with their Albuquerque fans. 20 years ago, when the band first connected, they weren't signed to a record label and were just breaking into the scene, something that guitarist and co-lead vocalist, John Nolan, said he looked at as a step toward to a career playing music. "Realistically at that point I figured it wouldn't last that long, and hopefully though, it would lead to the next thing that would take me further," Nolan said.

Music

New music to check out this week

Shayla Cunico and Sophia Sambrano | March 25

Music in 2019 has seen plenty of new and familiar faces challenging the norms that genre conventions can bring. Here's a list of some of those trailblazing artists and the new material they have released. “I” by Lil Skies Kimetrius Foose, more popularly known as Lil Skies released his debut album, and first project of 2019, late last month. Shelby, named after his mother, opens up with “I” as Skies delivers a reminiscent punch, drawing on the pain and struggle that his last relationship left him with. The track is produced by CuBeatz, Otx Hello and Danny Wolf and the visual was dreamt up by music video master, Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade.

Music

Local band Polyhedra drops self-titled EP

Cole Space | March 18

From right here in Albuquerque comes Polyhedra, a melodic death-core band who released a self-titled EP in the beginning of March. The five-track album explores a plethora of sounds, testing the dichotomy between the ordered chaos of metal and the peacefulness of guitar ballads. Each song is a journey within itself, moving from fast paced blast beats and technical progressions, to slower melodic fills and hypnotic guitar riffs. The album begins with the song “Infernus Machina," the instruments featured in the song progressively building throughout the intro. Clean guitar melts with the drums, moving into distortion before quickly transitioning into structured disorder by introducing the varying tones of screaming vocals. The guitar and drums are in sync with one another, no matter the change in tempo, a testament to the chemistry of the band.

Music

STRFKR visits Meow Wolf

Luisa Pennington | March 4

STRFKR brought an exquisite, extraterrestrial performance to Meow Wolf’s stage last Wednesday night. With doors opening at 7 o’clock and music lasting until 10:45 p.m., the band filled the House of Eternal Return with their classic indie rock sound. As lazers and projectors casted green, yellow and blue lights onto the scattered stage, STRFKR walked out, decorated in matching black quarter zip shirts. The right chest plate of each band member showed off a golden triangular space themed pattern. Light panels illuminated different shapes and colors behind them. Lead singer Sexton Blake took his look a step further by adding a pink wig and oversized circular glasses to the mix. To get a better view, audience members were hanging from the faux windows of the second floor, and fans below began to push others out of the way.

Music

Ariana Grande's recent music video is problematic

Megan Holmen | February 24

The term “problematic favorite” refers to people, that for various reasons are problematic or their work is problematic, usually socially, culturally or politically. For me, Ariana Grande is the ultimate problematic-fave, pop culture, diva. Grande who just released her fifth album thank u, next has come under fire for a variety of reasons — including cultural appropriation, musical plagiarism, blackfishing and queerbaiting. That’s a pretty long list of transgressions. Of this list of transgressions what I can speak to is that Grande’s most recent video for “break up with your girlfriend, I’m bored” is likely queerbaiting. Grande’s video depicts her attempting to steal the boyfriend of her look alike but in the plot twist ending she kisses the woman, not the man she appeared to be going after.

Music

J.I.D. packs the SUB in sold-out show

Katie Monette | February 4

On Friday, the University of New Mexico Student Union Building ballrooms were transformed from a drab conference space into an electric concert scene to host rappers Aphelion Barz and J.I.D. “I thought it was gonna be a little weird, just because I’ve never heard of anything (like this) in the SUB,” said Julian Garcia, who attended the concert. Aphelion Barz kicked the show off, hyping up the crowd with chants of 5-0-5.

Music

Concert Review: Hippo Campus rocks the Sunshine Theatre

Luisa Pennington | January 31

Hippo Campus brought glossy sounds and intimate vibes to the Sunshine Theatre on Monday night as part of their “Bambi” Tour. Titled after their second official album, the band’s first stop was here in Albuquerque. “Bambi” marks the band’s fifth headlining tour.The indie rock band Now, Now ...

Music

Music breaking the mold in 2019

Shayla Cunico and Sophia Sambrano | January 30

In 2018, women climbed the charts in various industries, with the music industry being no different. The rise of female recording-artists like Ariana Grande, the seemingly anonymous H.E.R. and Kali Uchis paved the way for more women to emerge into the spotlight. The emergence doesn’t stop at the Pop charts, rather spreading across all genres including R&B, Alternative Pop and Rap. As more women pop-up on our feeds, the charts foreshadow some of the talent that 2019 will flaunt.

Cutline clockwise from upper left album art from: James Blake’s “Assume Form,” Toro y Moi’s “Outer Peace,” Ariana Grande’s “7 rings” and Future’s “The Wizrd.”

Music

Big music releases set to drop this weekend

Shayla Cunico and Macey Rose | January 17

With a new year comes new music. Starting off a series of releases dropping this Friday, January 18, are projects put together by Toro y Moi, Future and James Blake. Ariana Grande also made her newest release Instagram official a week ago, with “7 Rings” album art that was very on brand for the artist. These new projects will lead us into a year of anticipated music and surprising releases to entertain the masses. Let’s take a closer look on what 2019 has to offer in the beginning of the new year.

Album cover courtesy of Columbia Records

Music

Music Review: Earl Sweatshirt pulls many influences on "Some Rap Songs"

Colton Newman | December 3

And on the last day of November, the 2018 rap scene was put to shame by Earl Sweatshirt. “Some Rap Songs” is a dangerously over simplified title for Earl’s latest album as it turns out be a carefully calculated album disguised in a mask to look like a loose, free flowing piece of work. Upon first listen, this might sound like a dismissible album that seems messy and jumbled but, this is the fundamental element that Earl uses to capture listeners and hold them down for the full ride and not just a single track. Each song serves as a puzzle piece to a larger image but, as the album continues it’s evident that the pieces to this circular narrative aren’t for the same puzzle. What you end up with is an abstract collage of tellings from Earl’s life.

Music

Column: Why can't artists stop spoiling their music

Colton Newman | December 1

There’s no other experience like waking up on Friday morning and seeing a new album from an artist that I like to listen to. Sometimes I know they’re coming, there’s been promotions, ads, and usually a single leading up to it, sometimes it’s a complete surprise and for the most part I’m dying to consume all the new music that has been released into the world. However, a disturbing trend amongst artists has begun. They have developed a habit of releasing an overflow of singles that spoils the first listen to their new albums. This sacred moment of experiencing a collection of new music for the first time is under fire as artists feel the need to release half of their new albums in the form of singles, thus robbing fans of the magical experience that is an album first listen.