ALL CAMPUS RADIO NETWORK

By Diana Powers, Contributor [Young Turks; 2017] Rating: 8/10 Key Tracks: “Replica,” “Lips” Back in 2009, English trio The xx, consisting of Jamie xx, Romy Croft and Oliver Sim released a self-titled debut that became one of the most talked about indie releases of the decade. Their minimal, sultry, brooding sound was fresh and original, making xx a truly great album, which, although unassuming, remains one of the most influential indie releases in recent years. 2012’s Coexist

By Diana Powers, Contributor [Neon Nation; 2016] Rating: 6/10 Key Tracks: “Diamonds Jumping Off My Necklace,” “Fresh Pair of Robins” RiFF RAFF is unique to say the least. After his 2009 appearance on MTV’s From G’s to Gents and his rap group Three Loco with Simon Rex and Andy Milonokis, Houston-native RiFF RAFF caught the public’s attention. His somewhat terrifying looks and blatant wealth flaunting online are just a couple signature RiFF RAFF traits that have made him into m

By Diana Powers, Contributor [RCA; 2016] Rating: 4/10 Key Tracks: "Waste a Moment," "Muchacho" Kings of Leon is not a particularly innovative band. Their sound has always been akin to the “safe,” oftentimes repetitive sound of Foo Fighters and similar bands. Their 2008 hits “Use Somebody” and “Sex on Fire” weren’t anything to rave about, but even those tracks do not match the level of mediocrity present throughout Kings of Leon’s seventh studio album, WALLS (an acronym for "W

By Diana Powers, Contributor [JEMP, 2016] Rating: 6/10 Key Tracks: “Breath and Breathing,” “I Always Wanted It This Way” Since forming in 1983, Vermont-based band Phish has become one of the most well-known jam bands of all time. Consequently, they have garnered their fair share of fans and critics. Phish has a very cultish fanbase; fans go to every show possible and heavily defend their beloved band in the face of haters. Serious Phish critics tend to be on the opposite end

By Diana Powers, Contributor [RCA; 2016] Rating: 6.5/10 Key Tracks: "Need U," "No Limit," "Bump" Usher was once the king of R&B, embodying late 90’s/early 2000’s R&B with his buttery smooth voice. His classic hits such as “My Boo” and “U Got It Bad” have even come to define a whole time period of popular music. However, Usher’s career and music quality have declined in recent years. 2012’s Looking For Myself tried to pull off a blend of electronic and semi-R&B that made for a

By Diana Powers, Contributor [Interscope; 2016] Rating: 8/10 Key Tracks: “Borders”, “AMP (All My People)”, “Ali r u ok?” M.I.A. is nothing short of a legend. Since her 2007 hit “Paper Planes” pushed her into the mainstream, M.I.A. has been one of the most outspoken forces in music. From flashing her middle finger during her 2012 Super Bowl performance to tweeting the phone number of a New York Times writer who wrote an unflattering piece on her, M.I.A. has made it clear she d

By Diana Powers, Contributor [300 Entertainment; 2016] Rating: 8.5/10 Key Tracks: “Wyclef Jean,” “RiRi” Young Thug is arguably the most unique hip-hop act to come out of Atlanta since Outkast. His androgynous look and unique sound push the limits of mainstream hip-hop, never giving the public what is expected. JEFFERY is no exception to Thug’s boundary-pushing endeavors. Prior to release, Jeffery caused an Internet stir with his possible name change (is he Jeffrey or Young Th

By Diana Powers, Contributor [Mello Music Group; 2016] Rating: 8/10 Key Tracks: "Admitting the Endorphin Addiction", "Check To Check", "Smiling (Quirky Race Doc)" After the release of 2014’s Dark Comedy and its 2015 follow-up A Special Episode, Chicago-native and L.A.-based rapper Open Mike Eagle has established himself as one of the most promising, yet often overlooked, voices in underground rap. Hella Personal Film Festival is a collaboration with U.K. producer Paul White,

By Diana Powers, Contributor [Motown; 2016] Rating: 3.5/5 Key Tracks: “Church,” “Jeremiah / World Needs More Love,” “The New Cupid” Bryan James Sledge, aka BJ the Chicago Kid, has not released an album since 2012’s Pineapple Now-Laters. Since then, Sledge has become one of the most sought after collaborators in the industry, working with Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and other big names in hip-hop. In My Mind, Sledge’s first full-length release on Motown Records is an ambitious