Staff Picks: Album Reviews

Milky Chance, Trip Tape II

by Morgan Cole

Following a series of long and highly anticipated singles, German duo Milky Chance recently released their brand new mixtape album called Trip Tape II this past October. The release comes following the band’s 2021 surprise mixtape Trip Tape. Released via their own label imprint Muggelig Records, their new EP features fan favorites such as Synchronize, Troubled Man and a cover of recent hit As It Was by Harry Styles.

Made up of Clemens Rehbein (guitar, vocals) and Phillip Dausch (bass, percussion), on Trip Tape II, the pair offers a selection of originals, demos and covers. The LP kicks off with two already released singles Synchronize and Troubled Man, which have quickly drawn in fan bases from across the globe. With Synchronize already being this year’s smash single, tracks like Fabulous show their creative ability to make danceable sing-a-longs and gentle concentration songs. The album features a tasteful sound of electropop to the duo’s unique song formula of catchy sing-along songs. With Clemens Rehbein’s catchy vocals and guitar working simultaneously with Philip Dausch’s bass playing and cutting edge production, the album demonstrates their ability to excel as a duo. With Trip Tape II, Milky Chance delivers potent indie-pop, packed with swanky melodic textures and intoxicating rhythms.

Standout Tracks:

As It Was (Harry Styles Cover)

Synchronize (RAC Mix)

Troubled Man

Lost In Yesterday (Tame Impala Cover)

The 1975, Being Funny In A Foreign Language

by Nicole Willis

In October 2022, alternative band The 1975 released their fifth studio album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language (BFIAFL). Fans and critics anxiously awaited this release, as the group’s fourth album, Notes On A Conditional Form, received mixed reviews. On BFIAFL, The 1975 successfully incorporate their own unique sound while branching out.

BFIAFL’s strength has a great deal to do with its production. When I heard the lead single, Part Of The Band, I could immediately tell that Jack Antonoff produced it. The song’s string-driven punchiness is an excellent characteristic of Antonoff’s style.

I enjoy the rest of the album, too. BFIAFL starts on an upbeat note with tracks Happiness and Looking For Somebody (To Love). These songs feature 80s-style synths, a funky bassline and an upbeat melody, all of which are characteristics of The 1975’s pop-rock sound.

BFIAFL takes a more serious tone on tracks like All I Need To Hear and About You. These tracks feature lower-pitched instrumentals and more solemn lyrics emotionally sung by vocalist Matty Healy. About You is the album’s peak; from the drawn-out guitar tones to the female background vocals, every element meshes together to create a beautiful soundscape. As a decade-long fan, I am happy to see The 1975 reach new heights but not forget who they are.

Standout Tracks: About You Looking For Somebody (To Love)

I’m In Love With You

The Mountain Goats, Bleed Out

by Ian Lett

”I’M DOING THIS FOR REVENGE!,” exclaims John Darnielle, band frontman, in the chorus of the opening track, Training Montage; setting the tone for The Mountain Goats’ twenty-first studio album, Bleed Out. The track is a beatdriven, anthemic beginning to an actionpacked concept album full of movie tropes referencing classic action scenes, such as high-speed car chases, hostage situations and even Rambo’s debut: First Blood. Despite each song portraying a different situation, they are tied together by the central theme of an obsessive desire to exact vengeance from one’s foes. The album is not about the good versus evil battle we see played out in our favorite films of the genre; it’s about people who take matters into their own hands in desperate perilous situations, cliches brought into a cold reality by Darnielle’s songwriting.

Although Bleed Out is very clearly a rock album, a few of the tracks include an overlay of other genres, such as Guys On Every Corner with its jazzy horns and laidback rhythm.

Shockingly, the Bleed Out tour will be in our neck of the woods. On April 2nd, The Mountain Goats will be at The Soul Kitchen in Mobile, AL. For tickets and tour info, go to mountain-goats.com.

Standout Tracks:

Training Montage

Wage Wars Get Rich Die Handsome

Hostages

Bleed Out

by Darien Hardy

After years of singing and writing about rebirth, Demi Lovato finally leaps away from their well-known Disney Channel Pop and R&B melodies to return to their rock-and-roll roots in this grungy, grownup album, HOLY FVCK. This new album, released in August of 2022, dials Lovato’s first pop-rock album (Don’t Forget) up a few notches—specifically in the third track, SUBSTANCE. The promised sharp lyrics and pained-guttural screams are all there, along with riffing guitars and a tour through punk genres and notes of heavy metal.

The opening track of the album, FREAK, features fellow Disney Channel alum YUNGBLUD, whose sandpaper-like voice grits up the track in the best way. A later track, EAT ME, features Royal & the Serpent. The artists match sludgy guitar with intense lyrics about the impossibility of meeting unrealistic expectations of American society. The album isn’t all screaming verses ripping guitars and crashing drums. Lovato’s tracks 29 and 4 EVER 4 ME both take a slower approach musically but still hold on to the cutting lyrics seen throughout the rest of the album. After everything that Lovato has been through, especially in this past year— coming out as non-binary, returning to rehab and much more—it seems that with HOLY FVCK’s bouncy, and albeit, angry melodies, Lovato is finally having fun taking the chance to show the world their true musical interests.

Standout Tracks:

SKIN OF MY TEETH

HAPPY ENDING

HELP ME (with Dead Sara)