Squeals of excitement for 2015’s most anticipated album in playlist form.
- BRIAN WILSON — “The Right Time (ft. Al Jardine and David Marks)” — as described by carlos valladares
- THE WOMBATS — “Greek Tragedy” — as described by som-mai nguyen
- KANYE WEST ft. JAY-Z, CYHI the PRINCE, PUSHA T, RZA, SWIZZ BEATS- “So Appalled” — as described by anthony milki
- FRANK OCEAN — “Memrise” — as described by elisabeth dee
- WILL BUTLER — “Anna” — as described by benina stern
- MIGUEL — “Where’s the Fun in Forever” as described by beti girma
- KENDRICK LAMAR ft. AB-SOUL — ¨P&P 1.5¨ — as described by editor lawrence neil
- FRANK OCEAN — “Forrest Gump” — as described by e.i.c. katharine schwab
BRIAN WILSON — “The Right Time (ft. Al Jardine and David Marks)” — as described by carlos valladares
With “The Right Time”—the first single of former Beach Boys bandleader Brian Wilson’s upcoming album No Pier Pressure—Brian proves he’s got the stamina to keep up with today’s fast-moving digital music scene. He updates his 60s Californian optimism for 2015. However, this distinct brand of sunshine pop is marked with age and melancholy. Brian’s not a kid who has fun-fun-fun in the sun anymore; he’s a wise grandfather. Wilson’s harmonies manages to shine through despite his tragic history of drugs and disappointment, delivering the first morsel of what promises to be a bold and humbling album.
THE WOMBATS — “Greek Tragedy” — as described by som-mai nguyen
Sad synths and fun syncopation—energetically, spaciously melancholic. Somewhat darker than their past material, but if this single is at all representative of the upcoming Glitterbug, then April definitely holds good things in store. For extra credit, check out the Bastille remix.
KANYE WEST ft. JAY-Z, CYHI the PRINCE, PUSHA T, RZA, SWIZZ BEATS- “So Appalled” — as described by anthony milki
The Adidas collab is in. The album we’ve been expecting for months now has been officially confirmed by the man himself (in an uncharacteristically diplomatic appearance on 105.1 Breakfast Club). The Kanye hate is back. It’s Yeezy Season, and I can’t wait for my mind to be blown yet another time. Get that confidence back up before final papers and exams, and revisit the stacked posse track from 2010’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Disclaimer: You made need a friend’s help to get the stank off your face when you’re done.
FRANK OCEAN — “Memrise” — as described by elisabeth dee
Frank Ocean dropped a new track on his tumblr and the world lost its shit. It’s unclear if it will be on his new album, which he’s been working on for eons (since Channel Orange in 2012). Details about the new album are few and far between, but he has been in the studio with Hit-Boy and Rodney Jerkins according to Billboard. Whether or not it’s on the new album, “Memrise” is a face-meltingly sexy and sultry song. It’s NSFW. And if it’s any foreshadowing of what’s to come, I’m excited.
WILL BUTLER — “Anna” — as described by benina stern
Will Butler’s, of Arcade Fire fame, new album “Policy” comes out on March 10th. Here’s one of two singles that are currently out, in which Will gives us some serious David Byrne vibes (check out the music video. Major David Byrne dancing vibes). I’m excited to see what you can do, Will, in the absence of Reflektors, Suburbs, Neon Bibles, and Funerals.
MIGUEL — “Where’s the Fun in Forever” as described by beti girma
I’ve been in love with Miguel’s music ever since I heard “Adorn” (and ashamed that I was so late hopping on the Miguel train, since he’d had multiple amazing songs before “Adorn” was released). I hear that he has a new album in store for 2015, which makes me oh-so-giddy with excitement because I’m convinced anything and everything Miguel touches turns to gold. “Where’s the Fun in Forever” was one of my favorites from his last album, Kaleidoscope Dream. Written by both Miguel and the amazing Alicia Keys, its a cheerful (yet pretty introspective) and catchy R&B tune.
KENDRICK LAMAR ft. AB-SOUL — ¨P&P 1.5¨ — as described by editor lawrence neil
While Kendrick’s Superman-shirt-unbuttoning of a track, ‘Blacker the Berry,’ is the obvious buzz of the blogs as he prepares his follow up to his freshman sensation Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, ‘P&P 1.5’ sends me back to the first time I heard the Compton wunderkid. A subversive, introspective six minutes showcase K.Dot’s late teenage range and labelmate Ab-Soul’s riding flow. Stoked for Lamar’s sophomore effort.
FRANK OCEAN — “Forrest Gump” — as described by e.i.c. katharine schwab
Frank Ocean is running on my mind this year. Can you believe Channel Orange was released in 2012?? It’s been a long three years waiting for more music from Frankie Baby (that’s the name of the playlist he populates on my Spotify), and even though there are only whispers about his much anticipated 2015 album, I’m sure it’s gonna be sweet.
('18, Film Studies) is a native Angelino who loves movies, music, and life. He thinks "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg", "City Lights", "A Woman Under the Influence", "A Hard Day's Night" and "Play Time" contain the secrets to life. He enjoys writing film criticism and getting into all sorts of sitcom shenaniganry with his friends. You can catch him wearing a cabbie hat, listening to "Pet Sounds" or "Tapestry" on the way to class.
('17, Symbolic Systems) is an avid fan of hyperbolic “literally,” has feelings about literally everything. Aspiring Manic Yellow Texan Dream Girl, complete with blue ukulele.
('17, Human Biology/Creative Writing) is from Palo Alto and listens to a lot of Kanye.
('17, Anthropology) hails from the vast expanses of Utah. She wears purple lipstick to intimidate you. Her interests include writing list poems on napkins, Dvorak, geometric tattoos, and using healthy food as a means to peanut butter.
('16, American Studies) is from Los Angeles and probably has more nicknames than you. She enjoys theatre-y things, cats, and her ukulele.
('16, Civil Engineering) is from Sacramento, CA but lived in Davis, CA for most of her life and usually claims it as her hometown. She can typically be found listening to music and daydreaming.
(‘14, History/Creative Writing, Editor-at-Large) is from Cleveland, Ohio and writes fiction.
(‘15, English, Outgoing Editor-in-Chief) likes to write songs about gravity and days that don't end. Katharine is from Pasadena, CA and she's only been to one Rose Bowl game. Ever.