Reviews
SOTW- “Flash” by 2hollis
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 by Sophia Thornberg
Review written by Jordan Sheckells ’28
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Rating: 8/10
RIYL: Nate Sib, Bladee, Jane Remover
Review: 2hollis began his music career in the early 2020s, quickly becoming a leading figure in the genre of hyperpop. With the genre hyperpop slowly gaining more attention around this time 2hollis fit right into the mold with others at the time. His style consisting of metallic sound design and suppressed vocals made it easy for 2hollis to establish a futuristic sound different from the usual sound within the genre. Known for his intense pace and frequent experimentation, his new album Star served as a development from his previous work.
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ATOW – “Chasing the Chimera” by Del Water Gap
Thursday, November 13th, 2025 by Ellie Walsh
Album Review By: Mia Ciccarelle ’29
ATOW: “Chasing The Chimera” by Del Water Gap
Released: November 7th, 2025
Rating: 7/10
RIYL: Dominick Fike, ROLE MODEL
Review: Del Water Gap is the stage name of Samuel Holden Jaffe. The Connecticut born singer, songwriter, and producer currently resides in Brooklyn, NY, where he moved in 2012 to attend the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU’s Tisch. In 2021, Jaffe released his debut self-titled album, “Del Water Gap”. Following the release of his album, Jaffe embarked on his first world tour. Since then, he has now released four more albums, with “Chasing the Chimera” being the most recent. He plans to tour with this album, beginning in January of 2026. In September of 2025, Jaffe released the track, “Marigolds” in preparation for his album’s release. “Marigolds”, as well as all of his other songs, are accompanied by a visualizer video on YouTube. These often are calming visuals or videos of the Jaffe in scenic places. They are not quite music videos but are very interesting videos that help create the natural tone of the album. Jaffe claims to speak inspiration from “romantic encounters and dimly lit rooms”. His music strongly encapsulates his emotions and illustrates relaxing scenery. (more…)
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AOTW- From The Pyre by The Last Dinner Party
Thursday, November 6th, 2025 by Sophia Thornberg
Review written by Jordan Sheckells ’28
AOTW– From The Pyre by The Last Dinner Party
Release Date: October 17th, 2025
Rating: 8/10
RIYL: Florence + The Machine, Lana Del Ray, Kate Bush, and The Last Shadow Puppets
Review:
The Last Dinner Party, an alternative pop group originating from London and composed of Abigail Morris (vocals), Lizzie Mayland (vocals, guitar), Emily Roberts (lead guitar), Georgia Davies (bass), and Aurora Nishevci (keyboards, vocals), released their debut single “Nothing Matters,” kicking off their stellar career in 2023. Since their first release, the group has captivated audiences with their dramatic vocals and cinematic sound. After releasing their critically acclaimed debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy (2024), as well as multiple singles within that time. Their new album, From the Pyre, is receiving amazing reviews from some of the largest music critics within the industry, including a rating of 9/10 from blog Northern Transmissions.
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SOTW- “Swoon” by Fickle Friends
Tuesday, October 28th, 2025 by Ellie Walsh
Trick or treat yourself to some great music… It’s week two of Song of the Week!
Review by: Jordan Sheckells ’28
SOTW: “Swoon” by Fickle Friends
Released: February 28, 2025
Rating: 10/10
RIYL: The Japanese house, CHVRCHES, The Aces
Review: Fickle Friends, the indie-pop group originating from Brighton, East Sussex, England and made up of members Natassja Shiner (vocals, keyboard), Harry Herrington (bass, backing vocals), Sam Morris (drums) and Jack Wilson (keyboards) began their music careers as a group in 2014 with their single Swim. Since their first release in 2014 the group has released two albums You Are Someone Else (2018) and Are We Gonna Be Alright (2022), as well as multiple singles within that time. Their upcoming album which Swoon will be on is being released this year on November 7th, 2025.
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SOTW- “nah” by Khalid
Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 by Ellie Walsh
Kicking off the week strong with our first SOTW of the semester!
Review by: Marley Lehmann ’28
SOTW: “nah” by Khalid
Released: October 10th, 2025
Rating: 9/10
Review: Khalid began his music career around 2016, blending RnB and pop with a more soulful style. His single entitled “Location” dropped before his high school graduation and became one of the top songs of the year. Khalid now has 4 studio albums, with his latest titled After the Sun Goes Down, which was released October of this year. He explores themes of self-acceptance, love, and freedom, especially in his song “nah”.
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ATOW – Bleeds by Wednesday
Thursday, October 16th, 2025 by Sophia Thornberg
It’s time for our first fall 2025 Album of the Week!
by Jordan Sheckells ’28
Released: September 19, 2025
Rating: 9/10
RIYL: Pinegrove, Big Thief, and Soccer Mommy
Review: Wednesday, originating from North Carolina and composed of members MJ Lenderman, Karly Hartzman, Alan Miller, Xandy Chelmis, and Ethan Baechtold, released their 6th studio album, Bleeds on September 19th, 2025. Member MJ Lenderman, who has an astounding solo career aside from the band with multiple solo projects has been confirmed to be departing from the group. The sudden departure was announced previously on their socials before the album was released in September and is more than likely related to the recent break up between him and lead singer Karly Hartzman. (more…)
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Concert Review: Soulja Boy
Thursday, May 1st, 2025 by Liz Kosik
by Genevieve Torkornoo ‘25
Soulja Boy is a popular rap artist from the early 2000s. His Swag Tour experience took place at the Baltimore Soundstage, a small concert hall with a capacity of about 1,000 people. The venue definitely created an intimate experience for both the artist and the fans.
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Concert Review: Magic Sword
Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 by Liz Kosik
by Eisa Abu-Sbaih ‘25
“In the beginning, there was light and darkness.”
Magic Sword brought otherworldly energy during the Baltimore leg of their YEAR OF THE SWORD TOUR at Baltimore Soundstage on April 23rd, 2025. The masked trio come with their own legend: “And so it was and shall always be, whenever the need is great, we call upon the power of the Magic Sword.”
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Event Review: Battle of the Bands
Thursday, April 24th, 2025 by Liz Kosik
by Isabelle Braudakis ’25 – Battle of the Bands 2025
This year’s Battle of the Bands was bursting with energy, hype, and pure fun. It’s always one of my favorite events to work because every time, without fail, I’m hit with that full body frisson that only great live music can deliver. The night kicked off with The Last Arrival, a five-piece group of Loyola students: Chris Saia on guitar and backing vocals, Sam Mejia on drums, Patrick Hart on guitar and lead vocals, Michael Moseley on piano, and Edward on bass. Their performance was nothing short of epic. Their setlist took the crowd on a ride with emotional highs, introspective lows, all tied together by their seamless harmony. Their sound evoked the feel of The Backseat Lovers— classic indie rock vibes that were both nostalgic and fresh, fun and comforting.
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Staff Picks: Liz’s Top 5
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 by Liz Kosik
Hi, I’m Liz, the Public Relations Director at WLOY, and here are my top 5 songs of the week!
5. “Jersey Giant” – Evan Honer and Julia DiGrazia: With Tyler Childers‘ recent performance of Jersey Giant, it quickly became one of my favorite songs all over again! I played this track all summer ’24 and it reminds me of such a busy time in my life preparing for my senior year of college.
4. “You Rock My World” – Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson is one of my all-time favorite artists, and he will always hold a place in the talent industry that no one else could ever touch.
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