

Album Review: The Flaming Lips - Oczy Mlody
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor [Warner Bros.; 2017] Rating: 5.5/10 Key Tracks: “Oczy Mlody,” “We a Famly,” “Nigdy Nie” After emerging on the alternative scene in 1983 with their psychedelic sound, The Flaming Lips are always guaranteed to release their own unique take on alternative music. Their newest album, Oczy Mlody, has some great moments that make the album an interesting listen. Most of the tracks on Oczy Mlody are soft and ambient, with unique instrumentals. The titl


Movie Review: Hidden Figures
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor [Levantine; 2017] Rating: 8.5/10 There hasn’t been a better time for a movie that promotes progress in science and equality; Hidden Figures is based on the true story of three African-American women, Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), who worked at NASA during the space race with Russia. Their work as a calculator, a computer programmer, and an engineer shaped NASA as wel


Movie Review: A Man Called Ove
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor [Tre Vänner Produktion AB; 2016] Rating: 8/10 Based on the bestselling book by the same name, A Man Called Ove follows the life of 59-year-old retiree Ove, who has lost both his job, his love, and his will to live. He spends his days surveying the block, forcing people to follow the rules, visiting his wife’s grave and trying to push everyone away so that he can finally join his wife. Read that as you will. Suddenly, when new neighbors move in,


Album Review: Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor [Atlantic; 2016] Rating: 4.5/10 Key Tracks: “24K Magic,” “Too Good To Say Goodbye” Yes, there are only two key tracks on this album. For Bruno Mars’ third album, 24K Magic disappointingly leaves much to be desired. The album is only 33 minutes long, which is honestly enough. With past pop hits like “Uptown Funk,” “Locked Out of Heaven,” “Just the Way You Are” and “Marry You,” 24K Magic came with very high expectations and failed to meet them. “


Album Review: Empire of the Sun - Two Vines
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor [Virgin EMI; 2016] Rating: 9/10 Key Tracks: “High and Low,” “Two Vines,” “Digital Life” From the artistic Australian electronic duo who brought us Walking on a Dream in 2008 comes Empire of the Sun’s third full length album Two Vines. Overall, it’s a great album, and a huge win for the duo, especially with their single “Walking on a Dream” reappearing on the charts this year after a very successful Honda commercial. The whole album is an electr


Movie Review: Sully
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor [FilmNation; 2016] Rating: 8.5/10 Sully is a historical film based on the events of January 15th, 2009, when pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger miraculously landed a plane on the Hudson River after a bird strike, saving the lives of 155 people. The film follows the aftermath of the event and the trials, both literal and mental, of the pilot. Tom Hanks plays Sully and is perfect in the role. His portrayal is strong in his dialogue, but his best


Album Review: Two Door Cinema Club - Gameshow
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor [Parlophone, 2016] Rating: 6.5/10 Key Tracks: “Are We Ready (Wreck),” “Game Show,” “Good Morning” Gameshow is the third album of Irish indie band Two Door Cinema Club. After being on hiatus since 2012, the band is back with an album that is hard to believe. Gameshow is a huge undertaking, with 15 tracks totaling over an hour of what could basically be called a throwback album. With past hits from Tourist History and Beacon, the indie band took


Album Review: Green Day - Revolution Radio
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor [Reprise; 2016] Rating: 5.5/10 Key Tracks: ”Revolution Radio,” “Still Breathing” Wait, Green Day is still together? Revolution Radio is pop-punk geniuses Green Day's 12th album. This year, the band turned 26 years old and still sound the same: literally, the same. Overall, Revolution Radio feels like Green Day got together and said, “Let’s make a Green Day album.” Although none of these new songs will ever be as iconic as “American Idiot” or “W


Album Review: Beach Slang - A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor [Polyvinyl; 2016] Rating: 5.5/10 Key Tracks: “Future Mixtape for the Art Kids,” “Spin the Dial” Beach Slang’s new record A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings is exactly what it promises to be. Said to be the spiritual descendants of The Replacements, they bring a punk rock sound that our adolescence dreamed of: it’s an angsty punk album. This album is characterized by hammering guitar chords, dramatic shouting vocals, and themes of carrying on, whic


Album Review: Taking Back Sunday - Tidal Wave
By Maria Lubanovic, Contributor [Hopeless; 2016] Rating: 7.5/10 Key Tracks: “Fences,” “Tidal Wave,” “I Felt It Too” Tidal Wave is Taking Back Sunday’s seventh studio album since their first album in 2002, and their breakout third in 2006, Louder Now. They aren’t the same punk group they were ten years ago; they have grown up a bit, and have created a diverse yet cohesive sound for this album, moving away from the genre they are best known for. The group, originally known for