Lana Del Ray: Born to Die album cover.
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Photographer Nicole Nodland
Gemma Lindsay has been doing work experience with the News this week. She sat down to give readers some music recommendations to get your ears buzzing.
Are you a modern music fan, but don’t want to hear the same songs repeatedly playing repeat on the radio or social media? Check out these albums of various genres packed with songs you’ll be humming to for days.
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Lana Del Rey — Born To Die
Born To Die was written and performed by American artist Lana Del Rey, who describes this album’s genre as “Hollywood sad-core”. These songs create bold dynamics, using orchestral instrumentation, giving a cinematic feel while still sticking to the radio-pop style. This album showcases the aspects of the glamorised un-pretty parts of life, as she separates the music and lyrics by making the song sound upbeat and happy, while the lyrics tell you otherwise. This album is perfect for those who enjoy modern pop.
Listener’s song choice: Summertime Sadness
Billie Eilish: dont smile at me album cover
Billie Eilish — dont smile at me
Billie Eilish released dont smile at me in 2017. This album is her oldest, but a lot of music fans’ favourite. This album features songs Billie released at the age of 15. Rather than telling a story, the tracks display Billie’s unapologetic confidence and attitude. Billie’s style is unique, as her soft, yet harsh, vocals balance out with the electropop style of instrumentals. This album is great for anyone who enjoys Billie’s popular songs and is interested in tuning in to her old songs and albums.
Listener’s song choice: Ocean Eyes
Melanie Martinez: K-12 album cover.
Melanie Martinez - K-12
The pop album K-12 follows the story of Cry Baby and her journey through school life. The artist, Melanie Martinez, began telling the story of this character back in 2015 in her debut album, Cry Baby. The album features songs based on nursery rhymes or typical elementary-to-high-school experiences, using them as metaphors to tell a re-envisioned story. To promote the album, Melanie wrote and directed a full-length musical film of the same name featuring the songs in the album. This concept album suits those who appreciate complex lyrics and musical ingenuity.
Listener’s song choice: Show & Tell
Roar: I Can’t Handle Change EP cover.
Roar — I Can’t Handle Change
I Can’t Handle Change is a short pop-rock EP. If you’re looking for new Bohemian Rhapsody-style music to add to your playlist, this one is for you. The creator of this EP is the band Roar, featuring singer and multi-instrumentalist Owen Evans as well as other musicians. Despite the short duration of 15 minutes, the EP is impactful and focuses on the theme of dealing with mental health, which may not be the style of music some people enjoy but it is a great listen, nonetheless.
Listener’s song choice: I Can’t Handle Change
Mitski: Lush album cover.
Mitski — Lush
Lush was written and performed by American artist Mitski. It was her first album and was released in 2012. This album includes various songs of different genres, but all focus on the topic of femininity, which Mitski tends to express in many of her other tracks. The majority of the songs in this album have a calm and subtle tune. It is a great listen for those who enjoy acoustic pop music, with strong and meaningful messages.
Listener’s song choice: Liquid Smooth
Mother Mother: O My Heart album cover.
Mother Mother — O My Heart
O My Heart is a 2008 album from Canadian indie-rock band Mother Mother. It’s never too late to take a listen to one of this band’s early albums, especially since it’s many people’s favourite, as well as featuring many of Mother Mother’s most popular songs. The artists’ most famous song, Hayloft, had done so much for their career that they decided that more than a decade later they would release a new song, Hayloft 2, featuring the conclusion of the storyline of the first song.
