Alex Whetham is an asst. arts editor for The Spectrum.
I never had a chance to make The Spectrum office the home it could have been. Usually, these types of columns are a place where I should say “things didn’t turn out how I planned them, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” But that’s simply not true.
Photo: Courtesy of Matador Records and Cate Wurtz
Album: Making a Door Less Open Artist: Car Seat Headrest Label: Matador Records Release Date: May 1 Rating: 6/10‘Making a Door Less Open’ is a rough transitory album for Car Seat Headrest
Like many people, I have a hard time getting out of bed without browsing social media for far too long first. This includes Instagram, Reddit, Facebook (for five seconds before I realize what I’m doing and close the app) and my least favorite: Twitter.
Photo: Courtesy of DJ Rozwell
With muffled samples of paranormal television, lo-fi hip-hop beats and the occasional 16-bit synthesizer comprising his signature sound, no one sounds quite like DJ Rozwell. The West Virginia hip-hop producer gained notoriety in 2014 with “None of This is Real,” a mix meant for playing on shuffle with a five-six second crossfade to replicate the randomized elements of old ‘80s text-based and rogue-like role-playing games.
Photo: Graphic by Paolo Blanchi
Rapper Marc Mighty had everything all set up. While finishing his new EP “The Iliad,” he planned release shows in his hometown, photography sessions and even new recordings.
Photo: Courtesy of UB Music Department
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic preventing in-person gatherings and concerts, the music department's “Brown Bag” concert series will go on as scheduled online Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. on the department’s Facebook page. Eric Huebner, UB music department’s director of undergraduate studies, will host the concert, which will run approximately an hour in length. As per the conventions of the concert series, the performers and pieces will not be announced until the concert is in progress.
Photo: Courtesy of Warner Records
Album: “Future Nostalgia” Artist: Dua Lipa Release Date: March 27 Label: Warner Records UK Rating: 6/10
Photo: Republic Records
The Weeknd the world knew and loved four years ago is shifting his image yet again. In the nearly four years since his last full length record, “Starboy,” Abel Tesfaye has been relatively quiet. Aside from his 2018 EP “My Dear Melancholy,” the only other art-related project he involved himself in was the Safdie Brothers-directed thriller “Uncut Gems,” which starred Adam Sandler.
Jay Electronica has been in the public eye for so long that people began to doubt he would ever release an album. But the New Orleans rapper proved doubters wrong as he finally released his debut “A Written Testimony” on March 13.
Photo: The Spectrum
Crack the Sky is still able to rock the stage 45 years into its touring career. The West Virginia-based progressive rock and art rock act has a career-spanning, rotating cast of 17 musicians and 18 studio albums, a catalog which sold out the Tralf Music Hall on Friday. While they never reached the heights of Prog-giants like Yes, Rush or King Crimson, they continue to satisfy their dedicated fanbase.
WRUB sits vacant and untouched in South Campus' Diefendorf Hall.
Patricia Zimmermann and Jason Livingston answering questions after the screening.
Solutions by The State News
