ALL CAMPUS RADIO NETWORK

By Haadiza Ogwude, Contributor [Blinding Edge; 2015] Rating: 2/5 M. Night Shyamalan, writer/director of The Sixth Sense, Signs and The Happening, recently released a low budget ($5 million) thriller within the found-footage genre. The Visit is about a pair of teenage siblings on a weeklong visit at the home of grandparents they’ve never met. 15-year-old Becca (Olivia DeJonge) and her younger, wannabe-rapper brother Tyler (Ed Oxenbould) are eager to meet their Nana (Deanna Dun

In the realm of alternative and subversive music lovers, there's a strange, unspoken rule about tirelessly defending and worshipping a certain class of bands. If you happen to feel contrary to the worship of these particular bands and artists, it becomes a precarious situation in which you feel as if you cannot say a single bad word about the artist without becoming a social pariah or losing some of your "hip cred," whatever the hell that means. I think it comes down to the f

By Haadiza Ogwude, Contributor [Close to Modern; 2015] Rating: 1.5/5 Key Tracks: “Pop Psychology ”Emerging Chicago-based artist Eileen Peltier released her first EP, Pop Psychology, under the moniker Sports Boyfriend. The four-track EP is surprisingly diverse, infusing Sports Boyfriend’s traditional electronic sound with pop and lo-fi guitar jams. However, the songs on the EP are slow and lagging, and the lo-fi texture of the music becomes dull and unfocused. Peltier’s vocals

By Haadiza Ogwude, Contributor [Ramseur; 2015] Rating: 4.5/5 Key Tracks: “Twilight,” “Between the Bars,” "Somebody That I Used to Know" Elliott Smith was a genius that resembled a Bob Dylan for a generation of tortured souls. His music was soft and airy, however his lyrics were full of gut-wrenching pain and sadness. Every song he made was overwhelming and powerful. Although this troubled artist died in 2003 at the early age of 34, his music continues to live on to this day.

By Haadiza Ogwude, Contributor [Self-released; 2015] Rating: 7.5/10 Key Tracks: "Sycamore Tree," "Lottery," "Loner" Colombian artist Kali Uchis adds a modern twist to R&B. Her ‘60s inspired style mixed with modern day trends is not the only way she revamps this classic genre. Her witty lyrics about teenage love dramas over light California surf pop-inspired beats bring a depth to this album that is scarce today. Por Vida is a concept album about a girl falling in love with a

Editor’s Note: You will find below some personal stories of how ACRN members and their friends found their comfort in weekends at The Union. The Union has acted as our safety net to fall into amongst the stressors of college, and it will be greatly missed (and supported) during its reconstruction. You can read blog posts about some specific shows at The Union here. Zack Baker, Editorial Director A lot of the stories you're going to read below are from wonderful people who are

By Haadiza Ogwude, Contributer Paul Hewson, otherwise known as Bono,was severely injured in a recent cycling accident in New York City's Central Park. The U2 frontman was trying to avoid a collision with another cyclist, but clearly his attempt went horribly wrong. Dean Lorich, a surgeon who operated on Bono, gave a statement to Rolling Stone saying that the musician fractured his eye socket, shoulder blade, upper arm and left pinky finger. Bono’s humerus (upper arm, for any

By Haadiza Ogwude, Contributor As seen on Pitchfork, rapper Eminem, who is notorious for blatantly naming celebrities in his lyrics, recently mentioned Lana Del Ray in a cypher promoting the new two-disc Shady Records greatest hits compilation Shady XV. Eminem stated in his lyrics: “But I may fight for gay rights, especially if they dyke is more of a knockout than Janay Rice/ Play nice? Bitch I’ll punch Lana Del Rey right in the face twice, like Ray Rice in broad daylight in

By Haadiza Ogwude, Contributor [Island Records; 2014] Rating: 6.5/10 Key Tracks: “Numb,” “Teacher,” “Jealous" Nick Jonas’ transition from pre-teen Disney boy band to male pop star has been interesting to say the least. For the past four years, Nick Jonas has been a solo artist searching for his sound, and it is safe to say he still has some searching to do. However, his new album Nick Jonas displays considerable growth and maturity. On Nick Jonas, he adds diversity to his mus

By Haadiza Ogwude, Contributor Pop star Miley Cyrus has remained fairly tame in recent months after spending much of 2014 touring her popular new album, Bangerz. The album’s popularity began with Cyrus’ original and shocking performance at the 2013 VMAs and ended with Cyrus’ smash hit “Wrecking Ball” winning the award for Video of the Year at the 2014 VMAs. Cyrus has remained focused on the music. She recently released a version of Anne Bredon’s folk song made famous by Led Z