Reviews
AOTW – Phoneboy
Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 by The Professor
ALBUM OF THE WEEK by Ben Ostrowski ’24
Phoneboy released a self-titled album as their first full-length project in 2021 and they absolutely killed it. A place where the toe-tapping grooves of pop meet the relatable lyrics of indie rock. The band describes a “phoneboy” as someone who is too sucked into their phone that they don’t pay attention to the world happening around them. On the contrary however, “Phoneboy,” from the New Jersey trio is guaranteed to get you off your phone and you’ll probably wind up rocking your socks off as a result.
Firstly, the vocals on this album are immaculately descriptive and give you a clear feeling for what the song is meant to be about. A song like “Fomo” that’s bursting with melodies and ramped-up choruses while exploring the madness of everyday anxieties. The guitar riffs are just as entrancing. From the intro and various riffs in the Weezer-inspired “Sweater Song” to the acoustics of ending track “Lately,” there is no sound not heard on this record. (more…)
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SOTW – Kilby Girl
Sunday, December 19th, 2021 by The Professor
SONG OF THE WEEK: The Backseat Lovers – “Kilby Girl”
By Ben Ostrowski ’24
Indie-pop rock has never sounded so good. “Kilby Girl” by The Backseat Lovers comes from their first album “When We Were Friends” and has been a hit ever since, with 130 million streams and counting. The song is a hint towards Kilby Court, a popular outdoor music venue in Salt Lake City, the area the band reigns from. The Backseat Lovers wrote the song about the type of girl that would frequent the venue.
With catchy bass lines, mellow verses that build up into an upbeat chorus, and instrumental experimentation, it’s difficult to sit still while listening to “Kilby Girl.” And if you didn’t think the song couldn’t get any better and just when you think it’s over, the band throws you for a loop with a great turn around ending to once again up the energy and bring the song back to life. The experimentation can be heard with introducing some soft guitar and the harmonica to lull the song to a close.
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The Maine – XOXO review
Thursday, November 18th, 2021 by Ronnie Gruseck
The Maine – “XOXO: From Love & Anxiety in Real Time”
Rating 10/10
Reviewed by Ben Ostrowski ’24
On their most recent album, The Maine have been tapping into our deepest, darkest, and most vulnerable feelings. “XOXO: From Love & Anxiety in Real Time” is all about unconditional love, the good and the bad.
From start to finish, you experience all aspects of a relationship and gain an understanding that it is all facets – not just the good bits – that make love so special, and that push you to be stronger in any relationship. From the lustful infatuation that defines album opener ‘Sticky’, to the warm embrace ‘Face Towards the Sun’
“XOXO: Love & Anxiety in Real Time” is some of The Maine’s strongest material, telling a powerfully detailed story while simultaneously making it so relatable. The understanding that so many emotions can exist in one single space, makes you recognize that love doesn’t make everything better, but having a rock to lean on during the rough times makes things easier. It’s a love that continues to grow with each listen until you’ve all but burst. It’s the most authentic kind of love there is, and it on that will always have you coming back to this magnificent record.
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Album of the Week: Fleece – “Fleece EP”
Monday, March 1st, 2021 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed By: Anna Markulis
Rate: 9/10
RIYL: Babe Rainbow, Post Animal, Paul Cherry, Gold Celeste, Post Animal, Sugar Candy Mountain
Canadian psychedelic indie rock band Fleece has released four happily laid-back songs in their newest EP titled Fleece. While the band formed in 2014, it was not until 2017 that they gained a large following after posting a parody YouTube video which gained over 7 million views titled, “How to Write and Alt-J Song”. Since their formation in 2014, Fleece has released three albums and even went on a North American music tour in 2017.
Despite its release in the dead of winter, Fleece EP is reminiscent of the warm summertime. Each one of the four tracks sounds like a trip to the beach, particularly in the third track “So Long” which is carried by a warm and uplifting guitar riff throughout the song. “Do U Mind (Leave the Light On)” showcases Fleece’s more psychedelic side of their musicianship with their dreamy, almost unintelligible lyrics and groovy instrumentals. Go check out Fleece EP now!
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Album of the Week: Waltzer – “Time Traveler”
Friday, February 26th, 2021 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed By: Anna Markulis
Waltzer – “Time Traveler”
Released: January 29th, 2021
Rate: 8.5/10
RIYL: Woes, Burr Oak, Spacebones, Ohmme, Falcon Jane, Anna B Savage
Chicago musician Sophie Sputnik has released her debut album as Waltzer, Time Traveler. This album combines influences of punk, garage rock, and doo-wop to create a noisy, emotional, and energetic listening experience in just eight diverse tracks.
Waltzer shares her struggles with ADD, comparing her attention span to a swinging lantern in one of the most unsettling tracks, “Lantern.” She sings, “I read all the books only halfway through, my attention span is a swinging lantern.” “I Don’t Wanna Die” is perhaps the most cynical track on the album but is undeniably the catchiest as it blends hard garage rock with a 1950’s pop twist. Overall, Time Traveler is a unique album that shows off the versatility and potential for more good music by Waltzer.
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Song of the Week: Alice Ivy – “In My Mind”
Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed By: Aly Martinez
Our WLOY Music Director, Aly, has a new recommendation for you while you study for finals!
“Especially with finals coming up it is important to have some chill and fun music to listen to. If that is what you are looking for this song is perfect for your playlist. It has that fun electronic sound, but it flows in a very mellow way which brings a nice contrast and is definitely unique. Definitely check it out!”
Tune in to WLOY Radio for relaxing yet energizing study music. And remember: we here at WLOY are rooting for you and wish you good luck!
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Album of the Week: Peel – “Peel”
Tuesday, November 17th, 2020 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed By: Anna Markulis
Released: November 12th , 2020
Rate: 8/10
RIYL: Bauhaus, Yves Tumor, No Joy, Disq, Sorry, Spirit of the Beehive
The musical duo Sean Cimino and Isom Innis have just released their newest self-titled album, Peel. Peel recalls the recording sessions which took place in the band’s downtown LA loft and their efforts of creating a “wall of sound.” Their high ceilings and concrete floor created their signature cavernous sound present in Peel.
Peel’s 1980s New Wave influences and echoey shoegaze vocals presents a unique atmospheric sound that can be the soundtrack to any part of your day. While the lyrics of tracks like “Citizen X” and “Persona” are simple and repetitive, the simplicity perfectly complements the layered distorted guitar riffs and vocals. Check out Peel now on iTunes and other streaming platforms!
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Rising Artist TOKYO’S REVENGE Releases “GOTHAM” Music Video
Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 by The Professor
By Kelley Chan
TOKYO’S REVENGE, a twenty-year-old multigenre artist from Geffen Records, has recently released the music video for his new single “GOTHAM.” This rising artist is known and loved across the world, with his previous hit single “GOODMORNINGTOKYO!” reaching #2 on the Rolling Stone’s Trending 25 chart, #1 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50, and more.
Through Tokyo’s new rise to fame, he has remained anonymous, making fans more curious to know who he is. On September 16th, WLOY Loyola Radio was able to hear from TOKYO’S REVENGE speak about his musical background, influences, and inspirations. (more…)
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Album of the Week: Declan McKenna – “Zeros”
Friday, October 2nd, 2020 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed by Anna Markulis
Released: September 4th 2020
Rate: 8/10
RIYL: Wallows, Peach Pit, HUNNY, The Honeysticks, Vampire Weekend, Cage the Elephant
“Zeros” is British indie-pop artist Declan McKenna’s second full-length album that is available now for purchase and streaming. McKenna procured a spot on the Billboard Top 20 after self-releasing his first single “Brazil” at age 16. In 2017, he released his first album “What Do You Think About the Car?” which gained him a loyal fan base and left listeners eager for new music.
“Zeros” features 80s inspired songs such as “You Better Believe!!!” and “The Key To Life On Earth” that will uplift anyone who listens. Despite the majority of these songs being upbeat with electronic synth tones, “Zeros” also features songs with a calmer acoustic guitar atmosphere that is apparent in “Emily” and “Eventually, Darling.” There is a song guaranteed for everyone, no matter their taste or mood. Be sure to give it a listen!
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Album of the Week: Cayucas – “Blue Summer”
Thursday, October 1st, 2020 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed by Anna Markulis
Release: September 25th, 2020
Rate: 9/10
RIYL: Beach Boys, Beck, Real Estate, Allah-Las, Beach Fossils
Brothers Zach and Ben Yudin from Santa Monica return with more California summer-inspired music in their fourth album, “Blue Summer.” While COVID-19 forced us to stay home this summer, Cayucas instantly transports you to the warm carefree feeling of summer in California; driving with the windows down, surfing at the beach, enjoying the warmth without a care in the world. Cayucas takes the summer surf sound of the Beach Boys and transforms it into a new modern indie sound of their own in this album. You truly feel like you’re at the beach when listening to “Blue Summer.” (more…)
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