At the Highlander, we consistently review and analyze music by more famous artists. However, there are many musicians who receive less attention so here is the first of our series on artists that are flying a little “under the radar.”
Aaron Grech- filous
This 18-year-old Austrian producer and multi-instrumentalist first gained popularity on Soundcloud for his instrumental remixes and covers of...
M83 blows the doors off with their newest effort, and it delivers a solid sense of optimism and epic scale in its sound. Consequently I now have the overwhelming urge to don a cape and fight crime, or pole vault over the Great Wall of China, but I digress. The layering of each of its 15 tracks is masterful...
I first listened to The Lumineers’ self-titled debut back in the height of their popularity in early 2013. The catchy piano and acoustic instrumentals combined with the comforting vocals of lead singer Wesley Schultz gave way for some of the feel-good cheerful melodies the band would be soon known for. It quickly became a favorite of mine that year....
Andrew Bird’s 13th studio album, “Are You Serious,” brings back Bird’s distinctive harmonies, lush instrumentation and brilliant lyrics to create a tapestry of Americana sounds flush with a touch of whimsy. Since the early 2000s, Bird has brought a completely unique sensibility to Americana, bringing together complex harmonies and radical song progressions while working within a classic bluegrass or...
At the Highlander, we consistently review and analyze music by more famous artists. However, there are many musicians who receive less attention so here is the first of our series on artists that are flying a little “under the radar.”
Julien Baker - “Sprained Ankle”
I found Julien Baker while listening to NPR. The first line from her titular “Sprained Ankle”...
“The White Album” was partially a relief to me. With a legendary band like Weezer that has been around for so long, the release of a new album feels sentimental because listeners feel like they have grown up with them and are proud to see that they are still releasing music. With this prominence, however, comes anxiety, for they...
When I was in the 10th grade I had an internally self-declared archnemesis. He was my classmate and, internally, I hated him. He hated me. Everything I did, he tried and successfully did better. I would raise my hand, he’d raise his higher. I did extra credit, he would do extra, extra credit. Currently, though, I feel I am...
When I was in the 10th grade I had a classmate I had self-declared as my enemy. Internally, I hated him. He probably hated me. Everything I did, he tried and successfully did better. I would raise my hand, he’d raise his higher. I would do extra credit, he did extra, extra credit. Currently, though, I feel I am doing quite...
In an era where hard rock music is being quickly overshadowed by other genres, it is nice to see Wolfmother step into the fray with their balls-to-the-wall rock attitude. With in-your-face guitar riffs and headbanging instrumentation, Wolfmother starts off their fourth album, “Victorious,” with a bang and almost succeeds in indeed being victors.
The album captures the hard rock the...
“Still Waters” lived up to its name, and didn’t make a single ripple of interest for its listeners. French pop-disco artist Breakbot’s sophomore effort brought what I could only describe as upbeat background music at best.
Breakbot sounds like he’s playing four-by-four drum loops, layered with some drag-and-drop synth and bass loops, and his vocals feel extremely crowded. This does...