Author Archives: Piper Westrom
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REVIEW: lovelytheband shakes it up on ‘Conversations With Myself About You’
Debut single “Broken” captured the attention of millions for lovelytheband. About four years later and still riding that high, the group is back with its sophomore album, Conversations With Myself About You. Rich in indie pop sounds that at times venture into the ’80s techno sound vault, this offering demonstrates that…
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REVIEW: Luke Bryan stays in his comfort zone on ‘Born Here, Live Here, Die Here’
With six albums and numerous headlining tours, Luke Bryan has made his definitive stamp on country music. As one of the more distinctive voices in the genre, Bryan continues to command attention and garner some of the best sales in the industry. Yet, his distinct style and repeated tropes…
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ALBUM REVIEW: The Aces use their influence to charm on ‘Under My Influence’
Provo, Utah natives Cristal Ramirez, Katie Henderson, McKenna Petty and Alisa Ramirez have begun to build a reputation as The Aces. And across the 14 tracks on their sophomore album, Under My Influence, the pop quartet shows an ability to develop a narrative and draw from personal experiences to give impressive depth.…
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ALBUM REVIEW: The Chicks pour fuel on the fire with “Gaslighter”
It’s been 14 years since the band formerly known as The Dixie Chicks released a studio album. The powerhouse trio of Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer are back with a times-appropriate new name, The Chicks, and a new collection of songs called Gaslighter. Gaslighter The Chicks Columbia Records,…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Dream Wife explores its more intimate side on ‘So When You Gonna…’
Dream Wife, “So When You Gonna…” Icelandic-U.K. trio Dream Wife is back following its 2018 self-titled debut. Sophomore album So When You Gonna… finds the band on both ends of the pop-punk spectrum. From loud, screamed anthems to poetic mellow ballads; Dream Wife tries a little of this and that without…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Lady Gaga returns to her pop throne with ‘Chromatica’
Lady Gaga, “Chromatica.” In the four years since Lady Gaga released her last studio album, the singer-songwriter-cum-actress has been busy. After a brief TV stint on “American Horror Story: Hotel” and then an award-winning turn in “A Star Is Born” alongside Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga has returned to her…
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REVIEW: AWOLNATION mines personal experience on ‘Angel Miners and Lightning Riders’
While it hasn’t been long since AWOLNATION released its last album, a lot has changed for Aaron Bruno and his revolving supporting cast leading up to Angel Miners and Lightning Riders. It’s been a while since the days of breakout alt-rock hit “Sail,” but Bruno has shown no signs of…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Conan Gray holds nothing back on ‘Kid Krow’
Conan Gray, “Kid Krow.” There’s a good chance you already know who Conan Gray is, even if you’re not familiar with his name. Rising to popularity with covers on YouTube, supporting Panic! at the Disco on its most recent tour, selling out his own tours, and most recently exploding on…
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ALBUM REVIEW: COIN tries something new but doesn’t ignore its roots on ‘Dreamland’
Just when you thought ’80s-inspired, feel-good, pop music had been played out, Nashville’s COIN has come to correct you. On third offering Dreamland, the band’s first since 2017’s How Will You Know If You Never Try, and the first since the departure of bassist bassist Zach Dyke, COIN experiments with synthesizers, interludes,…
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ALBUM REVIEW: Little Big Town gets brave and vulnerable with ‘Nightfall’
After two decades of highs, lows and heartbreak, Nashville quartet Little Big Town has seen both the best and the worst of what music industries has to offer. With experience under their belts, the band turned inward for its eighth studio album, Nightfall, which the members produced independently. Nightfall…