STNYC: REVIEWS

by Clara & Jasmin

Review By Jasmin Bota

Album: Thank U, Next
Artist: Ariana Grande
Rating: 4/5

This month for the Sound Thinking music review, I have decided to review Ariana Grande’s new album, “Thank U, Next” Not too long ago, we were talking about Ariana Grande’s long awaited fourth album, Sweetener and 6 months later, here we are again with a highly anticipated album. When rumor spread that Ariana Grande was releasing TWO albums not long after the other, it raised major, major eyebrows due to the hard year Ariana Grande has had under the social spotlight of her fame. In 2018, Ariana Grande’s concert was the sight of a horrendous terrorist attack where she lost many fans, she broke up with and soon lost her ex-boyfriend/famous rapper Mac Miller to an overdose this past September, she got engaged to comedian Pete Davidson and called it off only after a few months, and had many more public fights with not only her ex-fiancé Pete, but Kanye West, and many more. It isn’t hard to see that she has received the world’s weight on her hands multiple times so when the announcement of this album came about, many were interested to see the topics she would cover this time around.

This album, with lead singles, “7 rings”, “thank u, next”, and “imagine” caught the eyes and ears of many due to her change in genres. This clear change from her usual sexually-driven pop was replaced with a smoother and self-forgiving R&B vibe. The emotions created from these new smooth bass filled songs creates a vulnerable environment for Grande to talk about her mental state and her insecurities. In songs like “needy”, “NASA”, and “bloodline” Grande shows her back and forth mentality between herself and her love interest. She shows how important independence is as well as support and finds that tough medium in fast-falling love interests. She talks about the false picture she often creates of men due to her hopeless romantic mentality in “in my head”, the guilt she feels for being in love with someone while committed to another relationship in “ghostin”, as well as throwing out the very popular but not expected perspectives of breakups with the title song “thank u, next”  and “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored”.

All in all, Grande hit some personal points and even goes as far to sample Mac Miller’s song “2009” in her music. Grande bounced back from one of her most challenging years with two albums, the latter one being written and produced in only two weeks. In only 5 minutes, it went #1 breaking the record for any album EVER to do such. This album hits every emotional string in the heart of a listener and when taking a closer look at the emotion and room for healing Grande gives herself in this album, it makes Thank U, Next an even more substantial album. I would rate this album a 4/5 for its excellent production as well as message. Ariana Grande is taking the music industry by storm and I am beyond excited to see what she does next.

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Review By Clara O'Connell

Album: Vukovi, LAB Records
Artist: Vukovi
Rating: 3/5

In Serbian, the word “vukovi” translates to “wolves,” and all that is associated with that word definitely comes across in the Scottish pop rockers’ self-titled debut album, Vukovi (2017). After forming in 2010, the band released several singles and EPs, toured extensively, but waited for the right time to release an album. Pop melodies with dark lyrics are sung over rock (and arguably sometimes metal) guitars and drums to create Vukovi, a collection of songs filled with big, catchy melodies designed to be sung in stadiums or blasted through big speakers.

The vibrancy of the cover art and of the ever-dyed hair of lead singer Janine Shilstone reflect the intensity of the album. Opener “La Di Da” starts with one of those choruses that makes you want to yell it at the top of your lungs. The album tackles with the idea of not fitting in and not wanting to fit in, in songs like “Weirdo,” “Target Practice,” and “I’m Wired.” The incredibly haunting voice of Shilstone comes across strongly in “Wander” and “He Wants Me Not.” The final song, “Colour Me In,” is a sweet song with a lingering melody about the un-conditionality of love. Overall, the album is forty minutes of solid, well written, distinct songs, each containing the capability to be played live in an arena. The album leaves you hungry for more Vukovi work, and shows the potential of the band to possibly become a defining act of their era.

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