Guest blogger: Abdi 1

This band known as maroon 5 has blown up in the music industry this hear with remarkable songs such as “Payphone feat. Wiz Khalifa” and “Maps”. Maroon 5 consists of 5 members hence the name maroon 5. It stars guitarist-singer Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bassist Mickey Maddin and drummer Ryan Dusick and they are one heck of a pop-rock group. Many fans compare Maroon 5 to other bands such as one direction and All American Rejects but I think all those fans are wrong. There is a HUGE difference between one direction and M5 but not so many between M5 and All American Rejects. One direction plays very heart to heart soft songs and attract female fans but not so many male fans while M5 attracts both genders. So that knocks One Direction out of the category. Then comes All American Rejects, now this is a tough one because both these bands are very similar but one difference is M5 is more of a pop group then a rock group suck as All American Rejects so that should do that one too! Now to my point of view M5 makes amazing music and fortunately in the review of “Maroon 5, 'Daylight': Track Review” the critics thought the same! This review written by billboard and was nothing but a thumbs up towards the group. I agree with the critics opinion’s saying “The track drags a bit before reaching a crowning bridge, which provides some much needed momentum for Levine's emoting in the final chorus.” Because Adam Levine (Lead Singer) did start off a little slow but as he moved forward he definitely boasted up his singing ability to the peak of perfection in the final chorus. And this is definitely a memrabole song just for that reason. Another memrabole song is the song by the name of Misery because as said in many reviews “Adam Levine getting his butt kicked by a girl is definitely one to remember”. I give this music group a big rate of 8/10 and definitely think it’s worth the buy because they make great music and are very cool!

Guest blogger: Steve 1

Gerald “G-Eazy” Gillum born on May 24, 1989 In Oakland, California is an American rapper, songwriter, and producer whose career started in 07’. Since then he has released six mixtapes, 3 EPs, before releasing his hit album “These Things Happen” on June 23, 2014. Listening to the album for the first time, during the summer, without knowing anything about the young artist, I found myself nodding my head to some of his songs, thinking it had an Eminem mixed with Macklemore feel to it. His music varies from the stories of how he parties constantly to the seriousness of how he is always working to get where he is, that feature many of his songs. For instance, in the song “Let’s get lost” featuring Devin Baldwin, the lyrics “Beautiful girl that I just met on tour, another good girl that I’ll probably destroy” implies that the Young artist has many young girls chasing after him and are always at his disposal. This is memorable because the word choice “destroy” references the obvious and implies that he is destroying the individual emotionally because they get attached. On the other hand, in the song “Almost famous” a single by G-Eazy, the lyrics “Always on tour cause I’m making cheese, Michigan in February is 8 degrees, and the fans outside could maybe freeze” tells us that he’s always working to pay the bills, and his fans are so loyal that they’re waiting in the freezing cold just to hear him perform. This lyric is memorable because since G-Eazy is from Oakland, he doesn’t like the cold in anyway, but to pay his bills he’d perform in the freezing cold. “His album “These Things Happen” debuted at #3 outselling media dominating Phish, Riff Raff, and Ab-soul, and his concerts sell out across the country. Yet the outlets that generally cover hip-hop don’t cover him, and he has yet to see a print from a major magazine” (RollingStone). I agree with this statement, but I also think that in the near future he will have his big break. My overall opinion about Gerald “G-Eazy” Gillum is that he is a dedicated young rapper that is currently rising to fame, and will soon be no longer “Almost Famous”.

Guest blogger: Jill 1

The Australian born band, 5 Seconds of Summer, also known as 5SOS, are a group of 4 guys who started a band back in 2011, just because they loved music. The band consists of Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood, and Ashton Irwin. They started off covering and uploading various types of music and different bands and artist they looked up to on Youtube, consisting of Blink 182, Ed Sheeran, Kings of Leon, and also a few of their own songs they wrote. They’ve grown musically since then and their current type of music they write and record would be classified as “pop-punk” as many critics would say. According to Jason Lipshutz, in the article 5 Seconds of Summer Scores With Debut Album: Track-By-Track Review, “5 Seconds of Summer is a hybrid of the two musical ideas, a pop-punk act where the ‘pop’ greatly outweighs the ‘punk’”. Their debut album, 5 Seconds of Summer, is a roller coaster of emotions, starting with their hit single, She Looks So Perfect, which is a very catchy and dance tune, to their closer song, Amnesia, which is a slow, heartbreaking song about moving on from a bad breakup. Many people would say that their song, Mrs. All American, is the modern day, Stacy’s Mom, and also, their song, Tomorrow Never Dies, has a very Fall Out Boy feel to it. We’ll never be as young as we are now, the chorus in their song Never Be, is memorable because with the way the song lays out, with the strong vocals and lyrics, and slow guitar riffs and beating drums makes you just want to throw your hands in the air, take a road trip, and forget about the real world for a while. Many critics think 5SOS are just another “boy band”, when in fact, they are far from the boy band title. According to Caryn Ganz, “5SOS actually have a lot more One Direction than Green Day in their DNA”, which I would have to say is 100% wrong. 5SOS aren’t trying to be the next 1D or Green Day, they are trying to be the next 5 Seconds of Summer, and with their strong vocals and harmonies and music that can appeal to anyone, they are doing just that.

Guest blogger:Marian 1

From Miss Bootylicious to Mrs. Carter, Queen Bey (Beyoncé) has been on top for years with her body popping melodies and soulful vocals. All 15 songs on the album differ from anything ‘Yoncé has ever done. She has broken from her alter egos, and finally came out with a self-entitled album that showcases her life— including Blue Ivy and Mr. Carter himself—with “a soft new focus” and “an insinuating sensuality”. With the release of the album in late, winter of 2013, the most memorable song was “Drunk In Love” featuring Jay Z. The song incorporated that R&B sound we all know and love from Beyoncé, but with elements of hip/hop like “chunky trap beats” executed by Jay Z. Having both artists collaborate like never before —since this is the very first time they are teaming up as a married couple—makes fans excited like never before. While this song is similar to Lauryn Hill’s 2014 song “Consumerism”, and shares the same qualities of Bey and Jay’s past collaborations such as “Bonnie & Clyde”, “Drunk In Love” opens up about Beyoncé’s new love life and beginnings that serve as a different caliber than an easy flow and quick rapping. Considering the caliber of the song, fame doesn’t only come with the melodies, but the lyrics too. The 15th top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 has everyone saying the most random, yet catchy, word of the decade: “surfboard”. The lyric is memorable since it shows the extent of Beyoncé’s singing career and fame, as well as the affective communication used in her music. Like critic Mike Wass, I believe that “Drunk In Love” was “exquisitely produced” and shows the growth from Beyoncé’s love affair with Jay Z in “Crazy In Love”, and, in “Drunk In Love” , show that their “union grew stronger with each passing year”. This song is worth anyone’s time when they want to escape routine, and feel driven to do something different. In addition to this, we see Miss “flawless” get in touch with her vulnerable side by releasing her most breathtaking song yet: “Pretty Hurts”. Unlike “Listen” & “Halo”, this song in the Beyonce album, once again, reveals something about the extraordinary artist as she relates to every girl and women across the world about self-disclosure and self-esteem. The song touches your heart by relaxing your mind and soul with the light and easy background music, along with the loud yet soothing, distinct voice of Beyonce. The artist’s vocals may be compared to Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” and Mariah Carey’s “I Still Believe” considering its soft background music, and a strong female R&B vocalist. Something that stands out is the beginning of the song where Beyonce is answering a beauty pageant question. The question is “What is your aspiration in life?”, and Beyonce says, “To be happy”. While this isn’t a lyric, it gives people an idea of the situation the song has to deal with. Besides that, the title of the song is what stands out as a lyric, and that Beyonce encourages and aspires to be “comfortable in her own skin”. Looking at lyrics, the song seems similar to Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” and, looking at difficult situations and oneself, Eminem’s “Gone”, except with an R&B atmosphere. Once again, many critics feel that the empowering song is a “gorgeous plea for self-acceptance”, and I couldn’t agree more. Despite the fact that sanctioning anthems seem overrated and old news, there is nothing wrong with being reminded, and in such a beautiful and textured way. Overall, the song contains the amazing, the unexpected, and the best, and is worth every cent and dime you have.

Guest blogger: Nicole 1

Florida-Georgia Line’s two members, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, were unknown to the country music scene until they dropped their debut single “Cruise” in 2012 and immediately sky rocketed to Number 1 on country music charts. This duet is a great representation of today’s country music; they mix country with hip-hop to create catchy, danceable songs that establish a party atmosphere, which is reiterated by the title of their debut album: Here’s to the Good Times. A majority of the songs on their freshman album showcase fast beats, rap influences, and plenty of guitar and banjo instrumentation that take the songs back to their country roots; however, the duo is not afraid to slow down the partying with a love song every now and again. “Stay”, known to some as the closest the duet gets to a love ballad on this album according to Robert Silva in his review titled “Florida Georgia Line crank up their sound machine”, demonstrate Florida-Georgia Line’s soft side with lyrics such as "I'd sell my soul just to see your face / And I'd break my bones just to heal your pain" and prove there is more to the duo than just partying. Florida-Georgia Line has a sound similar to those of Luke Bryan, Dierks Bently, and Jake Owens; as all four country acts sing of partying, girls, and drinking. In contrast, Florida-Georgia Line sings primarily of having a good time whereas Luke Bryan, Dierks Bently, and Jake Owens are known to slow it down with heartbreaking ballads, professions of love often, or even tributes to where they grew up. Although Florida-Georgia Line sings primarily of partying, they have many memorable lyrics. For example their song “People Back Home” from the deluxe version of Here’s to the Good Times contains a line that states “So we dreamed big and we worked hard / Now we got the whole world cruisin'” which references their debut hit “Cruise” and their journey to become famous. Furthermore, in their new hit (off their second album Anything Goes) the duet slows down and proclaims “You know you came from it and someday you'll return to it”. Critics say "I think it's a good move for Florida Georgia Line to come back with more of a ballad," and that "It shows their maturity and diversity in sound as artists. Listener reaction has been great so far" according to Wade Jessen in his article Florida Georgia Line's 'Dirt' Plows To No. 1 On Hot Country Songs. I have to agree with critics, I look forward to hearing more of Florida-Georgia Lines new album and highly recommend people purchase it as I definitely will as well.

Guest blogger: Jon B1

Intuition (Lee Shaner) is a hip hop/rap artist I’ve been listening to for around 4 years. He is and has been one of my favorite artists for a while now because of his unique sound and his ability to tell a story (with actual meaning, unlike most music today) in each song. Lee sets himself apart from other artists because his delivery in each song is unbelievably smooth, very few artists compare to Lee’s signature polished sound. His music can evoke several emotions, some are perfect for kicking back and wasting a day with a few buds like “Old Enough”, “First Day of Summer” or “Buzzkill” while he shows his contemplative and serious side with songs like “Nowhere”, “Ain’t the Blues”, and “Best Fool”. If I could compare Lee to one specific artist, I would, but I can’t. He’s so different from other artists in the sense that he seems to take the best qualities from others and combine them to make an amazing sound. Lee’s sound is smooth like Dumbfoundead, has heavy lyrics like Atmosphere, and is at times relaxed/light-hearted like Hoodie Allen. Now onto his album Intuition & Equalibrum, it was released in the spring of 2013. This album is his sixth and by far his best; unlike most rappers, Intuition actually gets better with age. Intuition & Equalibrum is an album that reflects on Lee’s thoughts and experiences over the past 4 years. It took him so long to release this album because “Real life ends up taking precedence over rap life”(Shaner) family issues, job issues, and relationship issues all contributed to Lee’s drought in the hip hop scene. Two songs in particular that are memorable are “Best Fool” and “Dear John” because “on “Best Fool”,(Lee) sends a break-up letter to his vices on “Dear John”(Gillespe) changing his demeanor to be more optimistic rather than jaded, which he had portrayed in his previous 5 albums. I Agree with Gillespe who wrote “STREAM: INTUITION & EQUALIBRUM” who gos on to say “It's new territory for hip hop and that's part of the gift Intuition and Equalibrum bring”. I think Intuition has matured tremendously as an artist and I hope he continues to put out music. Intuition & Equalibrum is definitely worth the buy, its an album similar to none.