By Jackson Stein, Staff Writer [Shady; 2020] Rating: 5.5/10 Key tracks: “Darkness”, “Yah Yah”, “Lock It Up” If Eminem dropped a surprise record 20 years ago, listeners across the world would scramble to their nearest record store, needing to hear what the Detroit rap legend had to say. After all, Eminem was hip-hop’s brilliantly diabolical…
Tag: Jackson Stein
ACRN Celebrates: Miles Davis
By Jackson Stein, Staff Writer [Photo via milesdavis.com] Not enough can be said about the impact that Miles Davis had on music. No matter what kind of musical concept emerged in the jazz scene, he immediately embraced it and asserted himself as a top-notch innovator. Whether it came with guest appearances on bebop quintets or…
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…
Jetty Bones sign to Rise Records and release new music video
By Jackson Stein, Contributor [Photo courtesy of Jetty Bones] Portland label Rise Records announced a new addition to their team, indie-rock project Jetty Bones, on Wednesday, November 20. To celebrate the signing, the band shared a music video for their track “the part:,” which appears on their third EP, – (pronounced “hyphen”). Read more: Album…
Album Review: Kanye West – Jesus Is King
By Jackson Stein, Contributor [Def Jam / GOOD; 2019] Rating: 4/10 Key Tracks: “Selah”, “God Is”, “Use This Gospel” 2018 was perhaps the most turbulent year in Kanye West’s career. Although never afraid to challenge his audience’s loyalty, his recent outlandish tweets, unhinged interviews and an inexplicable embrace of Donald Trump have made the past…
Thompson Square to perform at Stuart’s Opera House on November 3
By Jackson Stein, Contributor [Photo courtesy of Stuart’s Opera House/Thompson Square] Country music duo Thompson Square will perform at Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville on Sunday, November 3, as part of a U.S. tour in support of their third album, Masterpiece. Read more: Live Review: An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash…
Album Review: Danny Brown – uknowhatimsayin¿
By Jackson Stein, Contributor [Warp; 2019] Rating: 8/10 Key tracks: “Savage Nomad”, “Best Life”, “Negro Spiritual” Many artists claim to be ahead of the curve; Danny Brown is one of the few who truly is. The Detroit oddball didn’t start turning heads until the release of his 2011 mixtape, XXX, which was released four years…
EarthGang to perform in Columbus on October 23 on EarthGang – Welcome To Mirrorland Tour
By Jackson Stein, Contributor [Photo courtesy of EarthGang] Atlanta hip-hop duo EarthGang announced a tour in support of their new album, Mirrorland, during which they will perform in cities across the U.S. and Canada, including a show at Skully’s Music Diner in Columbus on Wednesday, October 23. Benji, Duckwrth and Guapdad 4000 will join EarthGang on the…
Group Feature: ACRN’s 2019 Summer Bangers
Before the leaves turn red and we shift our gears into the chilly fall, here are ACRN’s certified summer bangers of 2019. Add them to your Back-to-School playlist while summer extends its stay! Emily DiAlbert, Editorial Director: Tyler, The Creator – “GONE, GONE / THANK YOU” The most iconic breakup song of all time, Tyler,…
California singer-songwriter mxmtoon releases debut album
By Jackson Stein, Contributor [Album art courtesy of mxmtoon] California singer-songwriter mxmtoon released her highly anticipated debut album, the masquerade, on Tuesday, September 17, and the indie pop artist says the record is comprised of “rhyming diary entries” seeking to capture universal experiences within her lyrics. Read more: Album Review: Black Belt Eagle Scout –…
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