In their newest release, Doom Loop, Mansions embrace the simple pleasures of distortion. The duo, Christopher Browder and Robin Dove, recorded the album in Browder's Seattle apartment resulting in a house-show sort of vibe. Nonetheless, the band's decision to enlist...
Uncategorized
Music Staff Picks: Cate Le Bon, Blood Orange, Midlake & More!
Excited for Mac? So are we! So is pretty much everybody! SWEET. To demonstrate just how excited Music Staff is, we're making this the week of the MacSpin; ergo, playing songs from Mac's little old discography can get you up to two rackspins! If you're still not...
Capital Punishment Preview: Who is Mac?
Weezer's 1994 Blue Album contained enough inspiration for decades of slackers to mess around with shoddy tech, crude lyrics and the mundane themes of sober life. Mac DeMarco, then living somewhere in Canada, would listen to these same songs that united dungeon...
Leading Ladies: Lily Allen’s Latest Music Video for "Hard Out Here" Is Nothing New
Admittedly, I was mildly excited when I heard Lily Allen had a new song out. åÊThough I’m not her biggest fan, I do appreciate her songwriting and cheeky lyrics even if her musicality isn’t the most original or riveting. The video starts with Allen on an operating...
Jazz Up Your Day: Discovering Old Jazz with Oscar Brown Jr.
Some of the best jazz, and music in general, came from lesser-known artists who never achieved the full-blown fame of their musical counterparts. This, however, makes their music special and unique, for it is not overshadowed by the glamour of musical stardom or...
Geology: Dilute is Everything on "Grape Blueprints Pour Spinach Olive Grape"
Before I delve into this album, let me make two acknowledgements: 1) This album didn't have nearly the influential impact on music of the usual albums that I feature. 2) This album is my favorite of all time and I'm gonna write about what it means to me. The...
Eye Candy: Girls’ Generation
If you missed them last Sunday, (I know I did) the livestreamed YouTube Music Awards were quite the party. Featuring performances by everyone from Tyler the Creator to the Arcade Fire, it was clearly not an event to be missed. Thank goodness it's all on the internet....
DC to BC Threw a "Matangi" Listening Party and it Ruled
What is the best way to listen to an album? Alone? With friends? How about at a listening party? I attended my first listening party at U Street Music Hall this past Monday for M.I.A.‘s new album, Matangi. The listening party was free for ages 21 and over, but $5 for...
Poetic Justice: Artistic Integrity in "Innanetape" by Vic Mensa
Chances are, if you have been bumping Chance the Rapper's sophomore mixtape Acid Rap for the last few months, you are already familiar with Vic Mensa's seductively-crackly tenor tone which tied together that album's sensual “Cocoa Butter Kisses.” At the end of...
Leading Ladies: Grooving Out to British Girl Group, Little Mix
If you don't already know who British girl group Little Mix are then take note. After winning The X Factor U.K. in 2011 and releasing a debut album that has been certified platinum in the U.K., they're ready to make a bigger impression in the U.S. Statistically...