end of the year – ACRN.com

ACRN’s Top Movies of 2021

Pig, [Neon; 2021] By Ben Lindner, Staff Writer Michael Sarnoski’s “Pig,” a meditative tale of learning to cope with loss, stands as one of the year’s best films. Nicholas Cage stars as Robin, a former chef who has transitioned out of city life and now lives with his truffle pig in the woods. When his…

ACRN’s Best Albums of 2021

20. Parannoul – To See the Next Part of the Dream, [Self Released; 2021] By Ethan Bloomfield, Staff Writer Korean mystery artist Parannoul released a hidden gem for 2021: To See the Next Part of the Dream, a shoegaze album that expresses a level of skill not heard in the genre in many years. As…

ACRN’s Top 10 Disappointing Albums of 2019

10. Avril Lavigne – Head Above Water, [BMG; 2019] By Maria Lubanovic, Copy Editor If you told me Avril Lavigne would release an album with cover art of her naked behind a guitar as a way to show a raw and emotional edge, I wouldn’t have flinched. That’s a classic comeback move for a lot of…

ACRN’s Top 10 Movies of 2019

10. Jojo Rabbit [Fox Searchlight; 2019] By Andrew Breazeale, Staff Writer Taika Waititi’s follow-up film to his outing with Marvel is a delightfully sweet and hilarious movie about young Nazis. Yes, you read that right. Waititi’s dark satire follows a young Nazi youth named Jojo whose closest friend is an imaginary Adolf Hitler. While Jojo Rabbit may…

ACRN’s Top 25 Albums of 2019

25. Big Thief – U.F.O.F., [4AD; 2019] By Jonah Krueger, Staff Writer Big Thief’s U.F.O.F is just like it’s accompanying album art—dreamlike, deceptively simple, beautiful and packed full of details that are just obscured enough to avoid being fully grasped. It’s an album of compelling folk rock that pulls you in with some of the…

ACRN’s Top 25 Albums of 2018

2018, a compelling year for rising artists from a web of musical trajectories. 1. Noname – Room 25, [Self-released; 2018] By Kwase Lane, Staff Writer Everything that someone could love about Noname’s music is taken to the next level in Room 25. One of the great things about Noname is that she doesn’t wear out…

ACRN’s Top 10 Disappointing Albums of 2018

1. Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, [Domino; 2018] By Maria Lubanovic, Copy Editor From the minute that lead singer Alex Turner sings the first line, we can immediately tell that Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is an Arctic Monkeys album. Unfortunately, all other uncanny stylistic choices have gone by the wayside. Sometimes, choices…

ACRN’s Favorite Tracks of 2018

Jon Fuchs, Music Director: Dean Blunt – “Chancer (feat. A$AP Rocky)” It’s crazy that the best hype track of 2018 is a minimal masterpiece with no actual beat at all. Acting as the opening track on his latest EP, Soul On Fire, Dean Blunt’s “Chancer” is based solely on a constantly looping strings sample, Blunt’s…

ACRN’s Top 10 Movies of 2018

1. BlacKkKlansman, [Focus Features; 2018] By Jessica Jones, Staff Writer Set in the 1970s during the middle of the civil rights movement, black police officer Ron Stallworth infiltrates a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan by posing as a white man. Based on a true story, this film depicts the real-life events of what occurred in…

ACRN’s Top 25 Albums of 2017

Tremendous year. 25 albums. The votes are in–here we go! 1. Kendrick Lamar – DAMN., [Interscope / TDE; 2017] By Jon Fuchs, Music Director DAMN. is only further proof that Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest rappers of our generation. Instead of creating another concept record like good kid, m.A.Ad. city or To Pimp a Butterfly,…

ACRN’s Favorite Tracks of 2017

From monumental releases to rockstar controversies, 2017 was a huge year for music. As the year comes to an end, here are ACRN’s favorite tracks from 2017. Give these tracks a good listen; they deserve it. Sam Tornow, General Manager: Yves Tumor – “Limerence” In passing, “Limerence” can sound like an interlude. The light, ethereal…