SIX REVIEWS
STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THIS 3.15.20
3
Childish Gambino BY KINGA MOZES Since “This Is America,” Childish Gambino has become a household name. He has achieved pop star status through comedy, acting, and music, and is responsible for “Atlanta.” Yet, Gambino’s album “3.15.20” rejects his fame; it’s an indecipherable enigma filled with anti-pop music. The album covers a wide range of messages from police brutality in “12.38” to haunting self-reflection in “24.10.” Gambino is vulnerable in a new way through his characteristic rap-singing style, but many of the songs feel half-finished—strange, considering that Gambino worked on this album for three years, making seven-minute songs. Despite this, the music shines on “47.48,” where Gambino fleshes out what it’s like when children are first exposed to violence. The song ends with a heart-wrenching clip of his son talking about self-love. Although Gambino dismisses the mainstream, he chose to feature Ariana Grande on “Time” and 21 Savage at the end of “12.38.” However, these are the only features, retaining his lone-wolf persona. The songs seem like they were made for Gambino’s family and close friends. He holds the general public at arm’s length given that none of the songs are named, and the album is christened after the date it was first released. He took it down and re-released it without song titles or cover art. Maybe Gambino wants to keep a part of himself hidden in a society where nothing feels private, and the mystery of this album allows him this escape.
22
BY GRACE DAVIS Physical health is more important than ever, but we can’t forget about supporting and maintaining stable mental health. Something I’ve been doing is spending time outside. My at-home routine consists of making coffee and taking a morning walk around my neighborhood listening to some music. For you, maybe that means creating art, reading a book, cooking—whatever it may be, throw on this playlist for some good vibes to remind yourself that there is good to be celebrated every day. Because though we may feel like it’s the end of the world as we know it, it’s not! The birds are singing, the sun is shining, and artists are creating. Enjoy the tunes, and remember to take time for yourself :) Find this playlist on our Spotify! /thewakemag STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THIS “OK” - The Wallows “In Your Eyes” - The Weeknd “Candy Wrappers” - Summer Salt “New Light” - John Mayer “Sunflower Vol. 6” - Harry Styles “Wish You Were Sober” - Conan Gray “Feels Good” - Okey Dokey, Devon Gilfillian “Junk Of The Heart (Happy)” - The Kooks “Moon Child” - F16s “31.35” - Childish Gambino “Good Day” - Surfaces “Australia” - The Shins “Buttercup” - Hippocampus “Time” - Childish Gambino “Breathe Deeper” - Tame Impala “Sweet Disposition” - The Temper Trap “In My Room” - Frank Ocean “Lucy” - Still Woozy, ODIE “Honeypie” - JAWNY “Simple Season” - Hippo Campus “Hot Rod” - Dayglow “Here Comes the Sun” - The Beatles
This Is Us
1
BY MEGAN BORMANN It’s time to take it back to 2013. The British boy band One Direction has taken the world by storm and released a documentary-style movie about how they started the band. Directed by Morgan Spurlock, the film follows Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson around the world on their Take Me Home tour. One of the saddest moments of the film is at the beginning when the five boys were almost sent home from the X-Factor. Fetus Harry Styles sobbing into his beanie is a sight that could melt the iciest heart. The sorrow is soon forgotten when the five boys are launched into super-stardom after they are put together as a group. Blending moments from the tour bus and backstage antics with live performances of songs creates something special for the audience. We get to rock out to unreleased songs, like their cover of Wheatus’s “Teenage Dirtbag,” and tear up to “Little Things.” The most notable moment of the film is when the boys get to go home and see their families for the first time in months. As fans, we can see the strain that the industry and a grueling schedule has on artists and the people they love. Despite that, this film provides a heartwarming glance into one of the biggest boy bands of our generation and how people around the world were affected by their music.
APR 13 - 27
