Album Reviews

album

REVIEWS

Nobody is listening by Zayn Malik

Many artists are kicking off the new year with the release of new music. On January 15, Zayn Malik, known mononymously as ZAYN, released his third studio album titled “Nobody is listening.” The album is a collection of relaxing acoustics and upbeat R&B featuring Malik’s wide range of vocals. The album talks about passion and love with songs like “Vibez” and “Sweat” while also covering topics of self-love in “Unfuckwitable.” English rapper Devlin and American singer Syd Tha Kyd join Malik in the songs “Windowsill” and “When Love’s Around” respectively. Malik tends to keep his personal life private but this album gives his fans a peek into his world and what he is thinking. “Nobody is listening” is now available on all major streaming platforms. by Alexandria Brown

Blame Game by Beach Bunny

Like the 2018 hit single “Prom Queen,” Blame Game by indie pop/rock band Beach Bunny packs a catchyyet-meaningful punch. The EP has a huge emotional range: from angry breakup anthems to deceptively upbeat beachy pop and straightforward examinations of society. Elements of feminism are woven into each song; songwriter Lili Trifilio does a masterfully casual job of discussing heavy issues. The EP embodies the authenticity, liveliness and weary optimism that has come to trademark Beach Bunny’s music. If you’re a fan of Beach Bunny’s 2020 album Honeymoon, or indie music in general, Blame Game is worth a listen. by Mary Kate Shultz

CULTURE

pages by Kaitlyn Fisher

Emphatically No.

by Cheekface In the chaos of the first two weeks of 2021, the L.A. trio Cheekface released a welcome distraction. Filled with fuzzy guitars and sarcastic one-liners, their sophomore album, “Emphatically No.” serves as an escape from an already exhausting year. In a deadpan delivery, frontman Greg Katz effortlessly transitions from discussing climate change to the restorative powers of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Over anxiety-fueled riffs, Katz compares life to the length of a CVS receipt in “Best Life.” Inspired by a Bernie Sanders speech, Katz declares, “We need state-mandated disclosures of people who aren’t nice/we need multiple choice tests and a small side of fries,” on “Emotional Rent Control.” If you’re a fan of the quirky vibes of the Talking Heads and the minimalistic riffs of Diet Cig, listen to “Emphatically No.” available on all major streaming platforms. by Isis Norris

Fake it flowers by Beabadoobee

Filipino-British singer Beatrice Laus, aka Beabadoobee, released her debut album “Fake It Flowers” on October 16 last year. The 20-year-old singer describes the album as a personal letter to her 15-year-old self that’s heavily influenced by 90s rock music. In songs like “How Was Your Day?” and “Sorry,” Laus reminisces on the people she hasn’t seen in months and friends she’s lost to drug use, respectively. Laus reflects on old bad habits in the more aggressive “Charlie Brown.” “So let me cut my hair and dye it red if I want to/I haven’t felt myself so comfortable/I’m not stopping now” she sings passionately on “Dye It Red,” a song about being your own person and doing what you want. If you enjoy a more modern take on alternative/indie rock, you may enjoy “Fake It Flowers.” by Karmina Douglas