Blogs
Dat New New: Currents by Tame Impala
Courtesy of PitchforkWATCH OUT FOR Currents by Tame Impala TO BE RELEASED JULY 17, 2015 Following their 2012 album, Lonerism, Currents is going to face an excited, yet critical audience. What can possibly be better than “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards?Û ...
Summer Jamz: "Search Party" by Sam Bruno
Courtesy of Idolator“Search Party” by Sam BrunoI'm currently jamming out to “Search Party” by Sam Bruno with the sunroof open, windows down, and driving slighty above the speed limit. This single is Bruno's first solo track and also her first...
Minutia: So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
I've clocked in my four years at this palace of higher education, and as such, I have an infinite amount of wisdom to impart to all of you. Consider yourself privileged to be able to read the thoughts that only that rare intellectual demigod with a Bachelor's Degree...
Mikal Cronin, "MCIII" (Merge)
Mikal Cronin musters forceful, classic pop tunes incorporating intricate and diverse instrumentationIn his third album California songwriter Mikal Cronin looks inward at his own past and emotional expression through gorgeous pop anthems. The albums kicks off with a...
METZ, "II" (Sub Pop)
Just listenStupefying blends of earworms with pounding, distorted guitars will be found when listening to the new full length from Toronto, Canada's own METZ. Without getting into (or attempting to get into) musical technicalities, the variety of time signatures...
The Mountain Goats, "Beat The Champ" (Merge)
Fun folk-rock about professional wrestling A concept album entirely about professional wrestling may seem silly at first glance. And it is silly, but in the best way possible. The Mountain Goats manage to pack a wide array of musical styles and lyrical themes while...
Carbon Handshake, "Pulp Life" (self-released)
The love child of Vampire Weekend and Arcade FirePulp Life is the first we've heard from Carbon Handshake since their debut album, A Dive Right. Though the EP only has five songs on it, it's definitely something for fans to get excited about. The EP is also good for...
Squarepusher, "Damogen Furies" (Warp)
Holy $#&@ this robot is pissedWe are at a breaking point, people. Electronic music was conceived in the minds of the rebellious and in the hearts of the hungry. Its purpose was experimental—to push boundaries and define what was possible while representing the...
Sons of an Illustrious Father, "Sons" (Big Picnic)
Frustrated yet melodious, actually original rock musicWithin the time it takes to listen to this four song EP, a complete sensory overload has taken place. All of the songs have a super impassioned, pained delivery over swinging keyboard melodies, and make Sons a very...
They Might Be Giants, "Glean" (Idlewild/Megaforce)
Intellectual, multi-instrumental pop rockOver the course of their long and illustrious career They Might Be Giants have garnered a reputation for being slightly nerdy but always a lot of fun, and their latest record is no exception. The 15 tracks feature an...
Death, "N.E.W." (Tryangle/Drag City)
N.E.W. is a record anyone that claims to love rock and roll, and especially those that love punk, must hear.Death emerged as a lost relic of the origins of punk rock in 2008. Since then, the band has gained loads of attention and this year have released a new album...
Torres, "Sprinter" (Partisan)
When Bella Turns into a VampireYou know, I was really taken aback by the first track, “Strange Hellos,” because Torres starts with this deep, quiet singing that all of a sudden switches into, like, pseudo screamo music at 0:50 seconds. I was peacefully lying down in...
Feedback: Step Forward, Look Back
Courtesy of ANTI-. The end of the semester approaches. With each paper, each article, each self-assigned responsibility I step another inch away from some of my best memories. At times WVAU gave me the best of that best. Since starting on the web staff...
The Tough Crowd: In the Bin at Som Records
Courtesy of Washington Post.Did I risk my life driving in a lightning-infused hail downpour just to get this record? Yes, I did. Was it due to my amazing ability to always procrastinate? Of course. As a second semester senior, at this point, not...
Ava Luna, "Infinite House" (Western Vinyl)
Brooklyn funk-punk quintet returns with their best album yetAva Luna's sound is a unique blend of R&B and indie rock (I know, sounds like it could be boring, the truth is it's the shit), flitting between styles and key signatures so freely that any new development in...
John Andrews & The Yawns, "Bit By The Fang" (Woodsist)
Americana from amish countryHonky tonk piano, sloppy recording, and church organs used in a folk/country style find themselves all over Bit By The Fang. Fans of tThe Band, fans of late Bob Dylan, fans of early Dr. Dog rejoice! Bit By The Fang represents what those...
Young Fathers, "White Men Are Black Men Too" (Big Dada)
Cool British guys making southern, soulful musicAfter listening to their whole album and not just a single I definitely like Young Fathers more now. FYI they are performing this summer in Montreal at Osheaga. I feel like this music could've been played at a avant...
Bop English, "Constant Bop" (Downtown Records)
Bopadop beeboo dabop BOPDAPERBOOBAPBEEPBop English does not lie, on his latest release the bop is… constant. The album opens with the clang-jangle of a piano, and continues with the twang-bang-crash of a southern electric guitar. Bop English's boppin' English...
Mavis Staples, "Your Good Fortune" (Anti-)
GIRL GOT SOUL“Why did you spend,” Staples begins, “your good fortune on me?” I think this short line in itself is more provocative and thoughtful that most lyrics from most contemporary artists. Accented by self-respect, confidence, and self-awareness, Staples...
Moon King, "Secret Life" (Last Gang)
Nuanced, angsty dreampop.This album opens with a droning synthy spread placed over a methodically drum beat reminiscent of Neu! krautrock. Even more in the way of Neu!, the opener, “Roswell” even includes a long melodic water synth solo that adds a sentiment of...
Kathryn Calder, "Kathryn Calder" (File Under: Music)
Modern day muted low-fi ambient hippie musicThis low-fi, indie dream from The New Pornographers' Kathryn Calder is the perfect soundtrack to a rainy day in the woods. Her smooth, feminine voice cuts through a fog of hazy, ambient noise comprised of effortless, simple...
Zine: The Stream Volume Three
Check out this semester's beautiful zine, headed by art director Luke Palermo with the support of a very dedicated zine staff at WVAU. While you're at it, take a look at last semester's zine right here. Enjoy!
Ruen Brothers, "Point Dume" (Republic)
Promising debut EP from sibling rock duoWhile they may be known as the Ruen Brothers, these two brothers are actually named Henry and Rupert Stansall. Their debut EP, Point Dume, is produced by none other than the legendary Rick Rubin (Run-DMC, Slayer, Johnny Cash,...
Porque no los Dos: Surprise! Elvis Crespo at Coachella and "Suavemente"
While racing to meet a deadline for a class, I received a video via iMessage from my cousin who was at Coachella. I thought it was just a clip of Kaytranada or Jamie XX's set, but nothing could've prepared me for what I saw on the screen. It was none other than...
Zen Palette: Misogi
Courtesy of Misogi's Facebook. Recently turned 16-years-old, Dubai's Misogi has been one of my favorite Soundcloud producers since he was only 15. This teenager's talent was at first extremely underrated by a lot of the Soundcloud community. Not to say that his...
The Current: 2016 Prez Hopefuls and Their Ideal Running Mates
Hillary Clinton & MadonnaCampaign Slogan: Vogueing All the Way to the Oval Office These two blonde biddies will have killer dancing campaign parties. They'll bond over strained marriages and only go by their first names. Both ladies have a fondness for...
Capitol Punishment Preview: Introducing The Antlers
Courtesy of True Endeavors. In case you missed it, the Antlers will be performing at American University as part of WVAU's semesterly Capitol Punishment series. The Antlers were last in D.C. during 2014, playing at the 9:30 Club, and they will be back...
Keep Ya Head Up: Chance the Rapper Socially Experiments
Courtesy of Consequence of Sound.Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment released the video for their song “Sunday Candy" this past Sunday, appropriately. The single is the first off the group's much anticipated album Surf, set to be released...
Live in the Hive: Craft Spells
Craft Spells stopped by our studio recently and turned the lights down nice and low for their mellow sound. We recommend you do the same, so dim those lights, sit back, and listen to the five-piece perform tracks off of their latest release, Nausea....
Feedback: Are Music Reviews Meaningless?
Courtesy of p4k.In the middle of March Modest Mouse released their newest album, Strangers To Ourselves, after a long break. The hype mounted up something immense and the album quickly became beyond anticipated. When it broke so did some expectations. Pitchfork...