'PMD' / MARC E. BASSY: ALBUM REVIEW

October 1, 2019

BY MICHELLE CASTILLO

I first listened to PMD as I was winding down for the day. The lights in my room were off and the window open letting the light breeze and the gentle sounds of the night in. There were only a handful of songs that were perfect for this mood. Others had the type of beat that would be perfect to play in the background as you’re getting ready for a night out, the rest were just radio-friendly beats that didn’t give any lyrical depth.

PMD, or Postmodern Depression, is Bassy’s third studio album. The Bay Area native had taken the music world by storm a couple years ago with the songs “You and Me” and “Some Kind of Drug”, both with G-Eazy.

In his latest album, songs such as “15 Minutes to Go” and “NASCAR” showcase the R&B talent his fans have come to expect from him. Whereas tracks like “Die Hard” and “Drip” are easy to digest songs that would be fun to hear live.

While this is an R&B album, there are definitely influences from different genres and decades. “Nothing Compares” has a groovy, 70s sound that can be heard throughout the song. “Aquemini” ends with an 8-bit accompanying instrumental reminiscent to the 80s video game music we all know and love. “Die Hard”, the most upbeat track on the album, had some indie rock influence.

A standout track on the album is “Where We’re From”. Completely different to the rest of the album, this soothing song is the perfect addition to any night drive playlist. This song immediately lets you know the exact vibe it wants to give off as it opens with a reverb guitar - smooth, sultry, alluring. The track is about a one-sided love as described with lyrics such as “Don’t say that you want my love / Don’t say you’re not feeling everything that I’m feeling”.

While each track had its own unique sounds, the lyrics for most of this work seemed bland. He’s definitely had strong EPs and mixtapes that have garnered multiple hits, but this album isn’t one of them. Altogether, this wasn’t Bassy’s strongest album, which is disappointing for a longtime fan of his.

'DON'T TOUCH THE QUEEN' / KEZAR: MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW

September 20, 2019

BY MIKAYLA LAWLESS

“Don’t Touch the Queen” is the newest music video to come out of the indie pop band Kezar. It focuses on seven fierce women who come from various professions, from a computer science initiative director at Google, to a film director.

The song was actually inspired by an incident that was witnessed in a club. The band’s front member, Jack Mosbacher, was speaking to a woman when a man who was drunk stumbled up to her and groped her. She immediately punched the man in the face and stated: “Uh-huh. Don’t touch the queen.” It was a wildly empowering moment to experience, and that's when the project was born.

The music video begins with each woman introducing herself, explaining who she is in this world. Each scene shows each woman in her daily life; taking care of the kids or directing a film. Throughout the video, each woman puts on beautiful dresses and gowns, framing their faces with crowns made of flowers or gold. Lyrics such as, “she is a victory, she is a legacy,” give power to the message being made. One specific moment in the video that sparks chills throughout all of its viewers is when all the women confidently place their crowns — made of leaves, flowers, or even pearls — on top of their heads. In comes a wave of confidence, and most importantly, a sense of control. Too often, women are made to feel as though they have no authority over their own lives. They feel as though they cannot change their lives, that they are stuck living as the same person everyday. Wearing their own individual crowns shows their individuality.

The end is definitely one of the most breathtaking pieces of art this video has to offer. All seven women walk up the stairs, a few carrying gasoline and lighters. They ultimately end up in front of a plaque, seemingly having set fire to it. The plaque is meant to symbolize all the hardships they have been through, personal and in society. It is an incredibly moving message of how these seven women decided to take control of their lives in spite of what the universe was throwing at them — and it insists that anyone else can do it, too.

"Don't Touch the Queen" by Kezar. Buy + stream the song here: https://ffm.to/kezardttq Directed by Sarah Wilson Thacker.

WILDER WOODS: CONCERT REVIEW

September 16, 2019

BY AMANDA SIGMAN

Electrifying.

That’s pretty much the only word I could use to describe the unforgettable night that was the Wilder Woods show in Brooklyn, New York. From the intimate venue to the vibrant set to the energetic audience, each and every piece of the night perfectly fused to create an atmosphere of, to put it simply, good vibes.

The night kicked off with Rodrick Cliche and Four20's who made up not only Wilder Wood’s openers, but his own personal band during the main set as well. With their funky rhythmic energy, and self-proclaimed “walk through a record store” set list, Rodrick Cliche and Four20's introduced just the right amount of hype to warm the audience up for the show.

By the time 9pm rolled around, the audience was buzzing, ready to see the ever-anticipated main act. The audience was made up of both committed NEEDTOBREATHE fans and brand new Wilder Woods fans. No matter how long they had known the name Bear Rinehart, everyone had one thing in common; they were ready to jam.

When Wilder Woods hit the stage, the hype reached an all-time high and everyone let loose. Starting off with his own personal favorite and the first on the album, “Light Shine In” brought out everyone’s singing voices and dance moves, kicking off the night with the high energy the album calls for.

Wilder Woods kept the night flowing, mixing album pieces with a few fan-favorite covers. Some notable moments included the heartfelt and personable anecdote that introduced “Feel” as well as the completely acoustic rendition of “Religion.”

With so much energy it only seemed fitting that the night ended on a high note, which Wilder Woods knew. He closed out the night with a fan favorite and his number one play on Spotify, “Supply & Demand.” This upbeat bop calls for all the dance moves, and that’s just what the audience and Wilder Woods did. Even after he exited the stage, the audience continued to sing and dance to that last little bit of an unforgettable night.

If it wasn’t clear, I personally felt like the night could not have been more-free and fun flowing. In fact, it was so good, you might just catch me getting tickets to the next closest one, which would be a short 10-hour drive.

If you want to have the time of your life and hear songs that are even better live than they are recorded, get your Wilder Woods tickets right now.

RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE: ON TOUR

September 13, 2019

BY NAZ MASSARO

THE OFFICIAL RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE TOUR

“WERQ THE WORLD” VOYAGES OUT OF THIS WORLD IN 2019

Hosted by Michelle Visage & Asia O’hara

We are so excited to witness the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race in action. This show will be featuring our favorites including Aquaria, Detox, Kameron Michaels, Kim Chi, Monét X Change, Naomi Smalls, Violet Chachki and RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 stars Plastique, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo and current reigning Yvie Oddly.

We are told that this is “The largest drag production on the planet,” says an exuberant Brandon Voss, the show’s producer. “The music, sets, fashion, choreography and lighting are all a cosmic feast for the senses. Audiences will be in awe as their favorite queens come together on some incredible numbers.”

“Werq the World is the official Drag Race tour for a reason,” continues Visage. “The show has always been a theatrical production of the highest caliber but in 2019, we have stepped it up into the stratosphere. This show leaving fans gag- ging.”

For Tickets visit www.VossEvents.com

NORTH AMERICAN 2019 TOUR DATES

Sep 13: Albuquerque, NM

Sat, Sep 14: Denver, CO

Mon, Sep 16: Phoenix, AZ

Tues, Sep 17: San Diego, CA

Wed, Sep 18: Los Angeles, CA

Thu, Sep 19: Fresno, CA

Fri, Sep 20: Sacramento, CA

Sat, Sep 21: San Francisco, CA

Mon, Sep 23: Vancouver, B.C.

Tues, Sep 24: Portland, OR

Wed, Sep 25: Seattle, WA

Fri, Sep 27: Victoria, BC

Sun, Sep 29: Spokane, WA

Mon, Sep 30: Calgary, AB

Tues, Oct 1: Edmonton, AB

Wed, Oct 2: Saskatoon, SK

Fri, Oct 4: Regina, SK

Sat, Oct 5: Minneapolis, MN

Sun, Oct 6: Chicago, IL

Thu, Oct 10: St Louis, MO

Fri, Oct 11: Nashville, TN

Sat, Oct 12: Pittsburgh, PA

Sun, Oct 13: Louisville, KY

Mon, Oct 14: Cleveland, OH

Wed, Oct 16: Buffalo, NY

Thu, Oct 17: Toronto, ON

Sat, Oct 19: New York, NY

Sun, Oct 20: Montreal, QC

Tues, Oct 22: Detroit, MI

Fri, Oct 25: Mashantucket, CT

Sat, Oct 26: Philadelphia, PA

Sun, Oct 27: Washington DC

Tues, Oct 29: Boston, MA

Thu, Oct 31: Durham, NC

Fri, Nov 1: Atlanta, GA

Sat, Nov 2: Jacksonville, FL

Sun, Nov 3: Miami, FL

Tues, Nov 5: Orlando, FL

Thu, Nov 7: New Orleans, LA

Fri, Nov 8: San Antonio, TX

Sun, Nov 10: Houston, TX

Mon, Nov 11: Dallas, TX

Tues, Nov 12: Austin, TX

'FOR FOREVER' / EMMA TAYLOR: SINGLE REVIEW + INTERVIEW

September 13, 2019

REVIEW BY EMMA SCHOORS

INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY

Emma Taylor’s new single “For Forever” is a perfect blend of strong vocals and delicate guitars, and a smooth transition from the summer’s beach hits to fall’s romantic acoustics.

Lyrics pave the way for a fragile and vulnerable tone, yet the more you listen the more the songwriting strength shines through. Though some songs thrive off hard-hitting one-liners and pulsing drums, Taylor’s softer angle is just as impacting, if not more due to the simplicity and focus.

The tune is romantic and poetic yet has elements of darkness mixed in for contrast, which keep it refreshing. Any new listener will pick up on the haunting backing vocals and perfectly timed echoes, and know that those are what set the song apart and give it its edge.

Can you tell us a little about your new single “For Forever?”

Emma: “I wrote ‘For Forever’ from the perspective of a girl living a heartbreaking truth--- choosing a toxic relationship rather than choosing to take the risk of being alone. In a world full of facades, the song uncovers the need to convince the world, and her self, that the relationship is actually good. I think ‘For Forever’ is a song that resonates universally – for those of us who have been in unhealthy relationships and for all of us who have experienced an impossible situation at some point in our lives. It’s a sad topic, totally, but I think it’s one that should be discussed and embraced.”

How did you first come up with the concept for the song and begin writing it?

E: “Whenever I start a new song, I usually will take one experience that I have had personally or that someone I know has had and I’ll create a whole story and theme around it. When I wrote ‘For Forever’ I was in my last semester of college in New York and I had so many contrasting emotions about every aspect of my life, so I used all of my emotions to create a new idea that really just poured out of me within a matter of 15 minutes! It was wild.”

How would you compare this song to your past music?

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E: “I think this song really shows my growth not just artistically, but also emotionally, within the past year and a half. I love all the songs that I have put out but I truly think that this is my favorite song to date. I took more risks, especially with my lyrics, and really wanted to showcase the song’s vulnerable story.”

Do you find that you have the same process when creating music or does it change often?

E: “It changes in some ways, but I think my core process has stayed the same. I always write guitar melodies and vocals together, but sometimes I will take breaks in between verses to come up with new ideas whereas other times, like with ‘For Forever’, it will kind of just flow out of me all in one sitting.”

Is there anything else we can expect from you in the near future?

E: “Yes, so much! Now that I’m done with college and moved back to LA full-time, music has all of my attention. I’m working on some new singles that should be done by the end of the year and I’m looking to gig more, so be on the lookout for some dates soon! I am really excited to stay consistent with my releases. Definitely expect much more music!”

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