Music

UCSB Swoons Over Smino

January 31, 2018 by

His charisma and aesthetic are reminiscent of André 3000, down to his natural, grown-out hair and onstage gyrations. Like many soulful black artists, his relationship with the stage started in church...
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Tracks of the Month: January 2018

January 31, 2018 by , , , , and

Every month, Artsweek’s staff collects a handful of newly released tracks that highlight the best musical moments of the past 30 days. January was chock-full of hits from a variety of genres.
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Composer Souren Baronian Dazes MCC Armenian Jazz

January 30, 2018 by

From the very first notes, Taksim captured the attention of the entire audience. Feet tapped softly in the aisles to the percussion, and heads rocked steadily to the strong sax solos.
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KCSB Showcases Local DIY Bands in Weekday Jam Session

January 24, 2018 by

On the heels of Espresso’s lively set, Washington-based Arrington de Dionyso astonished the audience with his ability to emphasize the minimal instrumentation flowing from the drums and the saxophon...
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Smino to Bring Soulful Sounds to the Hub

January 24, 2018 by

The rapper’s words rebound off the bouncing melodies of each track in a way that keeps the album’s sonic momentum moving at a steady yet nonchalant pace.
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Watch: Tyler, The Creator’s Conversation About Flower Boy

January 23, 2018 by

Throughout the conversation, the rapper opens up about his third studio album and provides insight into his creative process.
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New Talent: Isla Vista Bands to Watch in 2018

January 18, 2018 by

Everyone watching the Isla Vista music scene, myself included, can’t wait to see what these bands are going to do.
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The Friday Review: Saturation III by Brockhampton

January 6, 2018 by

Brockhampton just doesn’t stop. Their first three albums sound like no one else’s, and all of them are among the best rap albums of 2017, so Brockhampton may not remain on the periphery of mainstr...
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The Year of the Album: a Look Into the Future of Media Consumption

December 8, 2017 by

The advent of music editing technology has made the process of recording easier, slicker and faster — which makes a Beatles-esque creative yield even more achievable. This year, we saw a return to t...
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This Year In Music: Artsweek’s Favorite Albums

December 8, 2017 by

Saturation is quite possibly my favorite release of the year and proved the group to be a simultaneously experimental and accessible force in today’s music scene. Tracks like “Gold,” “Heat” ...
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Meet SALES: The Minimalist Pop Duo That Crafts Bedroom Beats

November 29, 2017 by

SALES creates an amalgamation of indie, dream pop, hip hop and rock to produce something that is otherworldly to the ear. Their hip hop-influenced production backs electric guitar to create a sound th...
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Tropicalia Fest Opens in Long Beach with a Splash

November 16, 2017 by and

The musical acts, along with the assortment of Mexican cuisine, created a festival culture that resonated among the evolving Latinx culture of Southern California.
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Tchami Takes on Delirium 2017 with Surging Tracks

November 8, 2017 by

Cheers from the audience roared vivaciously as Tchami began bumping his initial beats shortly before 11 p.m.
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Tracks of the Month: October 2017

November 1, 2017 by , and

Intimate and sleek, “It’s Okay to Cry” is a can’t-miss pop song. The singer/songwriter/producer’s first solo venture in two years is accompanied by a stunning video in which she uncharacteri...
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7 Spooky Songs for Your Halloween Playlist

October 31, 2017 by

Hopefully, these creepy selections can help you get in a festive mood as you prepare for the spookiest night of the year.
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