MS MR’s sound hasn’t changed at all in its two years between albums. That’s not a good thing, as the group should have used that break to breathe life into an already stale sound. Read more...
Photo: (Courtesy of Columbia Records)
Music
Arts, Music
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July 23, 9:46 am
Second Take: Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj’s feud reveals issues of race in media
The music videos for both Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” and Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” both broke the 24-hour Vevo viewing record, but only one was nominated for Video of the Year for August’s MTV Video Music Awards. Read more...
Photo: Nicki Minaj’s music video for her song “Anaconda,” was nominated for the MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video, while Taylor Swift’s music video for “Bad Blood” garnered a nomination for Video of the Year and Best Collaboration. (Courtesy of Young Money, Big Machine)
Arts, Music
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July 20, 7:05 am
Album Review: ‘Currents’
It’s official: Kevin Parker is a mastermind. Now that he’s three blissful studio albums in, the greater indie population that closely follows his kind of psychedelic wanderings can now cement his musical genius status. Read more...
Photo: (Courtesy of Modular Recordings)
Arts, Music
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July 13, 8:06 am
Violinist creates philanthropic pop ensemble of UCLA musicians
Yasmeen Al-Mazeedi strode across the stage of L.A. Live’s Nokia Theatre, violin in hand, illuminated by the lights, sounds and colors of the stage. As the opener for the 2013 American Music Awards, Al-Mazeedi was among the first performers to be heard that night. Read more...
Photo: UCLA alumna Yasmeen Al-Mazeedi has opened for the 2013 American Music Awards, recorded with Oscar-winning film score composer Hans Zimmer and played alongside Jason Derulo. Al-Mazeedi now plans to create her own philanthropy-based contemporary music ensemble. (Keila Mayberry/Daily Bruin)
Arts, Music
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July 6, 12:41 am
Album Review: ‘Summertime ’06’
Three weeks ago, Long Beach rapper Vince Staples announced his debut full-length album, “Summertime ‘06,” via an Instagram post. The caption began with the phrase “Love will tear us apart” and ended with “Love tore us all apart,” framing a narrative of petty crimes the rapper and his comrades were involved in as middle schoolers during summer 2006. Read more...
Photo: (Def Jam Recordings)
Arts, Music
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July 6, 12:40 am
Emerging trend of surprise albums puts focus on artists
The music industry died once and may be dying again, with the power shifting from music industry executives to the hands of artists. The emerging trend of artists dropping surprise albums without promotion is switching the attention from the music industry to the artists themselves. Read more...
Photo: Former Bruin Bash performer and rapper Tyga dropped his album “The Gold Album: 18th Dynasty” on June 23 without promotion. The release only sold 2,200 copies its first week. (Daily Bruin file photo)
Arts, Music
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June 29, 1:47 am
Alumna celebrates new beginning, personal growth with debut EP
First, Alex Ritchie’s mother lost her job. Then Ritchie and her family lost their house and health insurance. At the same time, she experienced her first heartbreak. Read more...
Photo: UCLA alumna Alex Ritchie will release her debut EP “Heart Weight” on Tuesday. Written, produced and recorded by Ritchie, the EP was inspired by the hardships she experienced such as heartbreak and getting conned out of $13,000 by a former work partner. (Keila Mayberry/Daily Bruin)