Music
SOTW: Lawrence – “23”
Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Genevieve Torkornoo ’25
Song of The Week: Lawrence – “23”
Released: November 17th, 2023
Rate: 8.5/10
RIYL: Busty and the Bass, Charlie Burg, Michal Leah, Stephen Day
Lawrence is a brother and sister music group from New York City. Their music consists of a mix of Soul Pop with a mix of Funk and RNB. On August 12th, 2023, the duo began touring with the Jonas Brothers, gaining more attention. In their recent song “23” We witness an immersive blend of Soul Pop and Funk. Despite the song’s upbeat nature, its meaning is quite the opposite. “23” is about a 23-year-old reminiscing about her recent breakup with a lover. The age of 23 was supposed to be the best year of their lives, but instead, they were left with a broken heart and sorrow. (more…)
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Goodbye Honfest :(
Monday, February 26th, 2024 by The Professor
The folks that created and ran Honfest have called it a day after nearly 30 years of events. WLOY was proud to have been a part of the event from 2010 onward and to have built up an amazing stage at the Chestnut St. end of the festival from 2014-2023. We are grateful to Denise and Lisa for all their work and support of us in bringing tons of great bands up on the stage. Check out our full list here. We will miss the fun this June, but we hope to see a new festival spring up over the summer. Until then, there is Hampdenfest every fall!
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DJ Spotlight: “Melancholy Mixtapes”
Friday, February 23rd, 2024 by Liz Kosik
Show name: Melancholy Mixtapes
DJ: Analia Cortez ’25
When: Fridays @ 4PM
Q: Name of your show along with a brief description
A: Melancholy Mixtapes is a mix of rock, alt rock and indie rock with a good sound, but melancholic meaning. Every show is a different mixtape with a new theme or vibe.
Q: Why did you choose to host a show at WLOY?
A: I chose to host because it was the best way for me to be able to pursue my love for music in college and I love being able to share the sound and my passion for it with others.
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On This Day: February 22
Thursday, February 22nd, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
1. 1956: Elvis Presley enters the music charts for the first time with “Heartbreak Hotel”, which eventually becomes his first number one hit.
2. 1975: Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled album hits number one on the Billboard album chart, beginning a successful period for the band.
3. 1984: British band Queen score their first and only number one single in the United States with “Radio Ga Ga”.
4. 2000: Santana sweeps the Grammy Awards, winning a record-tying eight awards, including Album of the Year for “Supernatural”.
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The Prime: Alt Through the Ages
Monday, February 19th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Genre: Alternative
Subgenre: Nu-gaze
RIYL: Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, No Joy, DIIV
Nu-gaze is a subgenre of alternative music that rising in the late 2000s and combines elements of shoegaze, dream pop, and noise rock with a modern twist. The term “nu-gaze” is a play on the traditional shoegaze sound that was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, characterized by hazy guitars, ethereal vocals, and layers of effects. Artists in the nu-gaze scene often incorporate electronic elements and experimental production techniques, creating a more contemporary and dynamic sound.
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AOTW: Dead Poet Society – “FISSION”
Friday, February 16th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Isabelle Braudakis ’25
Album of the Week: Dead Poet Society – “FISSION”
Released: January 26, 2024
Rate: 9/10
RIYL: Nothing but Thieves, Death from Above 1979, Royal Blood, The Struts
The band Dead Poet Society consists of members, Jack Underkofler (vocals, guitar), Jack Collins (guitar), Dyland Brenner (bass guitar), and Will Goodroad (drums). The quartet assembled in Boston, Massachusetts in 2013. “FISSION” is the band’s second studio album following their debut album “-!-“, which peaked at 19 on the U.S Main Rock charts! What drew me into this album was the vibe and heaviness of it. I immediately thought of Nothing but Thieves, with similar vocal styles and rock influences. The edginess and power of it immediately grabbed my attention and I have not been able to stop listening all week! (more…)
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SOTW: Molly Burch – “Tattoo”
Thursday, February 15th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Fiona Galang ’27
Song of the Week: Molly Burch – “Tattoo”
Released: September 2023
Rate: 10/10
RIYL: Julia Jacklin, Dreamgirl, Whatever, Dad, Soccer Mommy
Molly Burch is an Indie Pop/Rock artist who started her music journey in 2010. Her music is mostly about heartbreak, loss, and love. She’s released four albums and various singles. She’s received the most attention from her song “Please Be Mine”. In 2023, she released her newest album called Daydreamer, where “Tattoo” came from.
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The Prime: Alt Through the Ages
Monday, February 12th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Liz Kosik ’25
Genre: Alternative
Subgenre: Chillwave
RIYL: Washed Out, Neon Indian, M83, Beach House
Chillwave arose in the late 2000s as a genre that combined elements of dream pop and shoegaze with lo-fi aesthetics. The term “chillwave” was coined by the blog Hipster Runoff to describe the hazy, atmospheric sound of artists like Washed Out and Toro y Moi. Artists embraced electronic production techniques, vintage synthesizers, and dreamy vocals to create a distinctive sound that evoked a sense of nostalgia and relaxation.
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AOTW: Kid Cudi – “INSANO”
Thursday, February 8th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Fiona Galang ’27
Album of the Week: Kid Cudi – “INSANO”
Released: 2024
Rate: 8/10
RIYL: Tory Lanez, Trippie Redd, Frank Ocean, Travis Scott
To kick off the New Year’s right, Kid Cudi released INSANO. This album falls under Hip-Hop/Rap but also includes the experimental nature that Cudi is known for psychedelia, electronica, synthpop, and maybe even a bit of R&B mixed in. If you’re a fan of Travis Scott, this might be the album for you.
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On This Day: February 7
Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 by Liz Kosik
by Charlie Wahlberg ’24
On this day in music, in 1959, Buddy Holly was laid to rest in his hometown of Lubbock, TX. His tombstone included an incorrect spelling of his last name (Holley) as well as a carving of his Fender guitar. The 22-year-old artist passed away in a plane crash on February 3.
In 1963, the first Beatles single, “Please Please Me,” was released in the US via Vee-Jay Records. Dick Biondi, of Chicago’s WLS, played the song on the radio, becoming the first American DJ to play a Beatles record on air.
In 1970, Led Zeppelin earned their first UK No.1 album with Led Zeppelin II. The British band’s second studio album remained on the chart for a total of 138 weeks, while across the Atlantic, it topped the Billboard 200 for seven weeks. Written throughout the band’s 1969 European and American tours, Led Zeppelin II was recorded at multiple studios in the UK and US, with lead guitarist Jimmy Page serving as producer.
In 1987, after nearly 20 years, Aretha Franklin returned to the top of the UK pop chart with “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” a duet with George Michael. The pair later won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.
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