Author: Miranda

I am a senior in Political Science at NC State and lover of R&B, rap, international, and electronic.

Categories
Non-Music News

The Importance of Voting + N.C. Voting Resources

In honor of National Voter Registration Day and the upcoming 2020 General Election, I wanted to remind all of our readers the importance of voting in this election, and registering to vote on time. 

Why Vote? 

Voter turnout in America is lower than in any other democracy across the world. As American citizens we can ensure our own representation by getting out to vote. Young adults have the lowest voter turnout rate, leaving us and our interests underrepresented. Fight for change by getting out to vote. Voting in the General Election is especially important for North Carolina residents. North Carolina is a swing state. Electoral votes, cast by electors who represent the N.C. popular vote (our citizen votes) have a direct impact on the outcome of the presidential election. As citizens, our vote has the power to determine the next U.S. president. State and local elections are equally important. They give all citizens the chance to impact their local schools, give attention to issues that matter, how North Carolina is represented federally, and more. It’s important that all citizens are aware of the candidates and issues and vote according to their best interest. 

Voter Registration 

In North Carolina, you can update your voter registration or register for the first time in-person during the early voting period only. On voting day, November 3rd, N.C. does not allow individuals to register in-person. Be sure to register to vote prior to November 3rd if you are planning to vote on that day. If you are unsure whether you are registered correctly, check your voter registration card or visit NCSBE.gov to ensure you are ready to go for election day. 

Voting in North Carolina

Early voting in North Carolina begins October 15th and ends October 31st. You can find your in-person polling place located on your voter registration card or online at NCSBE.gov. North Carolinians can also request mail-in ballots up until the deadline of October 27th, also on the NCSBE website. North Carolina law gives voters the right to receive assistance in casting their ballots if necessary. If you or a loved one has a disability or otherwise needs assistance, please notify a poll worker. To find out more about North Carolina candidates, check the NCSBE website for a list of them, including local candidates. Websites like ISideWith.com and BallotReady.org list the candidates which will be on your ballot, and the candidates’ positions on important issues. Lastly, if you have trouble with any part of the voting process, check out IWillVote.com. It helps direct you to voting information based on your needs. 

Happy voting! 

– Miranda

Categories
Playlists

Genreless Workout Playlist

  1. Happier – Bastille, Marshmello

  2. Body – Loud Luxury, Brando

  3. Na Na Na – My Chemical Romance

  4. She Works Out Too Much – MGMT 

  5. LDA – FIDLAR 

  6. The New Workout Plan – Kanye West 

  7. Twerk – City Girls, Cardi B 

  8. King of the Beach – Wavves

  9. Fat Lip – Sum 41

  10. Master of Puppets – Metallica 

  11. Icon – Jaden 

  12. Never Be Like You – Flume, kai 

  13. Wake Bake Skate – FIDLAR 

  14. Jackie Chan – Tiesto

  15. Higher – Wevlth

  16. Like I Do – David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Brooks

  17. No Option – Post Malone 

Check out this high-energy, genreless playlist designed to get you through an hour-long workout with songs that vary in genre completely. Hope you enjoyed, and feel free to comment below your favorite song to workout to. 

– Miranda

Categories
Playlists

Friday Favorites (9/18)

These new releases are sure to have you grooving out until the next installment of my Friday Favorites series. Enjoy these tracks which range from rap to R&B with some genreless surprises added too. Be sure to check out all of my Friday Favorites on Spotify.  

Can’t Decide – Amine 

Catchy and smooth, this track from Amine’s new release Limbo is my top choice. It’s a great slow jam perfect for dancing or taking a drive through the night. 

Afterlife – Flatbush Zombies 

This single is captivating and esoteric, from the simple bass line to the haunting piano melody with some creepy, interesting album art to top it off. 

Woman – Lianne La Haves and Nao 

This track is the first project Nao has released this year, and it does not disappoint. She gives us vocals reminiscent of early Erykah Badu on this funky track that will captivate your full attention, and Lianne La Haves’ clear vocals pair perfectly. 

Endorphins – tobi lou 

Another new release from tobi lou, this one mirroring Frank Ocean’s style in Blonde but still bringing the classic and immaculate tobi lou energy. 

Inhale – Bryston Tiller 

Tiller is one of my favorite mainstream R&B rappers, known for his smooth vocals and “trap soul” beats. This track is short and sweet but I can’t get it off my mind; it’s also his first single release of 2020.  

Hope you enjoyed! 

– Miranda 

Categories
Classic Album Review

Angel’s Pulse Review

My favorites: I Wanna C U, Birmingham, Benzo, Berlin

Listen if you like: Toro y Moi, UMI, Kendrick Lamar 

Angel’s Pulse (2019) is an album produced and performed by Devonté Hynes as Blood Orange. It’s the fifth Blood Orange album and a great addition to his overall discography. The fourteen-track album, delicately titled Angel’s Pulse, features numerous well-known artists including Toro y Moi and Justine Skye. Hynes performs vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboard; he also utilizes synthesizers and samplers to achieve a unique sound in his production. 

The album flirts with multiple genres but can’t be tied down by a single one. “I Wanna C U” and “Something To Do” give us ethereal neo-pop vibes, then Hynes switches it up with the gritty, slow melody of “Dark & Handsome.” Yet tracks like “Gold Teeth” are clearly heavily rap influenced, and “Tuesday Feeling (Choose To Stay)” gives an R&B vibe. The utilization of the talents of multiple artists with distinct styles allows the album to feature a unique mix of sound without deviating too far. The album follows no clear narrative and instead captures different emotions between notes of nostalgia. Despite the lack of a story and a variety of sonic influences, the album presents as a cohesive collection.

The album gives us a look into Hynes’ creative, artistic approach to composing his music – and what we get out of that is beautiful. Upon its first release it was given acclaim for the fresh and new sound it brought, but the album has withstood the test of time and continues to be beacon of experimentation and out-of-the-box musicality. Give this album a shot and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. 

– Miranda

Categories
Playlists

The Victorious Soundtrack: A Hidden Gem

Everyone born in Gen Z remembers and loves Victorious which aired on Nickelodeon between 2010 and 2013. This show was a favorite of mine and all of my friends during middle school, and I remember it fondly. The show has complex characters and some great scenes, but most notably the soundtrack is sung by the cast and many of the songs are total bops. It’s unsurprising that these actors make great songs, as many of them got their start young on Broadway, and actresses like Ariana Grande who performed on Victorious are now well-known for their musical talent. 

1. Take A Hint 

This is the best song hands down. Not only are the vocals amazing and memorable, the scene itself is really empowering as two of the female characters shut down two annoying guys that are hitting on them. This song pops into my mind constantly and it’s definitely worth a listen if you want to reminisce about the show. 

2. It’s Not Christmas Without You 

I love a good holiday song and this is no exception! The scene itself has some of the cutest costumes and narrative of all the episodes, and the song itself is great to put you into a Christmas mood. 

3. Best Friend’s Brother 

10/10 always a bop. I definitely can’t relate to the subject matter, but despite that I think Victoria Justice did a great job with this one and the background vocals are also amazing. The music video is cute as well. 

4. Give It Up 

I love the vocals by Liz Gillies and Ariana Grande, so this R&B style song from the main soundtrack is also one of my favorites. The harmony between the two girls is beautiful throughout. 

5. I Want You Back 

A classic cover song with talented vocalists can’t go wrong. I love the energy the cast brings to this track. Though Victoria Justice dominates the track, we get snippets of vocals from members of all of the cast. 

I love listening to all of these songs when I feel nostalgic for this period of my life, and it’s always entertaining to listen to these amazing straight up bops. Let me know your favorite songs from the show, and if you agree with my ranking. Hope you enjoyed. 

– Miranda  

Categories
Playlists

Coffee Shop Date

 

  1. € € € €^^%%!!!!!heaven!!!!!! by Lala Lala and Baths

  2. Golden Girls by Devendra Banhart 

  3. Pines by Men I Trust 

  4. Coffee by beabadoobee

  5. Ivy by Frank Ocean 

  6. Stay Tru by Mereba 

  7. Sea of Love by Cat Power 

  8. Teddy Bear Rises by OOHYO

  9. Clouds by Hiroshi Yoshimura 

  10. Bella’s Lullaby by Michele Garruti 

  11. À tout à l’heure by Bibio 

  12. You Might Be Sleeping by Jakob Ogawa and Clairo 

  13. Something Wild by Radiator Hospital 

  14. Getting It On by SALES 

  15. Ghostride by Crumb

  16. The Moon Song by beabadoobee and Oscar Lang 

  17. Love Song by Devendra Banhart 

What kind of songs inspire romance? Which songs allow the listener to absorb the kind of soothing mood only a date at a cozy café? These are the questions which inspired the playlist, and successfully carried it out. This playlist is perfect for a quiet evening or a first date. Artists like Devendra Banhart and beabadoobee bring quiet melodies with subtle, romantic lyricism perfect for this mood. Check out this playlist here. 

– Miranda

Categories
Classic Album Review

Top Choice: Best Albums of All Time

Being an avid listener of music, I still have a relatively short list of albums that I can truly listen to straight through, again and again, and continue enjoying them the same amount as my first listen. I’ve compiled a list of albums from multiple genres and multiple themes. While they are perhaps not universally loved or recognized, these are the albums I consider to be the best of all time. 

La Maison de Mon Rêve – Cocorosie 

The Casady sisters have created an entire discography of  incredible experimental albums and this one is no exception. This is the single most unique album on this list, with soft vocals and harmonies, narratives that draw you in, and samples of really interesting sounds such as a creaking door or the sound of a shower flowing. 

Blonde – Frank Ocean 

An avant-garde album that is still widely loved by fans of rap, R&B, pop, and so on; this album had to make the list. I listen to this one at least every month and I continue to enjoy each song. The lyrics are beautifully constructed, the album is well produced, and the musical arrangements are languid but memorable. There’s a reason for the acclaim this album received, and if you haven’t listened to it in entirety, you need to ASAP. 

Bitchcraft – Spooky 

I won’t get into too much detail for this one since you can check out my full review of the album, but this is definitely one of my top albums of all time. Each song flows together perfectly, and it’s short enough to listen to and enjoy in a short listening session. 

The College Dropout – Kanye West 

This album is filled with songs that are forgotten or underrated in the first place. The album chronicles West’s early life in his first foray into music produced by a label. The narrative is compelling: it follows his choice to drop out of college to pursue a career in music, his life-altering car crash, and his experience navigating the music industry. 

I’ll likely have a part two for this topic since I’m pretty passionate about certain albums. Hopefully, you’ve been able to learn about a new album or are compelled to check out a classic album. Thanks for reading. 

– Miranda

Categories
Non-Music News

Black Lives Matter and Police Reform Podcasts Part 2

In the face of the continued push toward police reform based on further violence against the Black community by law enforcement officers, it is important we are all continuing to educate ourselves about the issues and how we can advocate for others. In July I published a blog post with a list of podcasts that are great educational resources, and I wanted to create a continuation including more great podcasts I’ve discovered since. I hope you check these out and enjoy them. 

Radical Imagination

This show, hosted by Angela Glover Blackwell, consists of “stories and solutions that are fueling change.” The podcast covers a wide variety of interesting and important topics but especially relating to the movement is episodes like “Police Abolition” and “Reparations” which focus on police misconduct and the possibility of reparations for Black Americans. 

Code Switch by NPR 

A podcast all about race and racism and how these impact society. It’s also hosted by journalists of color. I recommend “Why Now, White People?” and “Anger: The Black Woman’s ‘Superpower’”, both episodes are really well-done. All in all this is a great podcast to dive into racial issues, politics, and culture. 

What’s Left

This podcast focuses on political theory, philosophy, and current events from a typically left perspective, but is well-rounded in terms of its partisanship. I recommend the episodes “Abolish the Police” and “Police Brutality & State Violence.” 

Stay In Your Lane: The Podcast 

This podcast focuses on a different perspective, giving conversational-style entertainment about news and pop culture from the perspective of Black British women. 

These podcasts are available on Spotify and other podcast platforms. Happy listening! 

– Miranda 

Categories
New Album Review

Bitchcraft Album Review

My favorites: Nothin’ But Net, Blue Jeans and Dinner Clothes, Bilbo’s Oboe 

Listen if you like: of Montreal, Aphex Twin, Miniature Tigers 

There are so many hidden gems in music out there, undiscovered until people just like you check them out! This week I’m reviewing on of my all-time favorite albums by the incredibly elusive band/project, Spooky. This album was a two-month project released in 2011 by band members of Miniature Tigers, Alvin Band, and Algernon (bands I also really recommend checking out for their indescribable styles). “Bitchcraft” is a short 6-song album tagged under the “hip-hop/rap” genre but to me fits better under the “experimental indie” label. The production of the album is quite detailed and features a variety of soundbites merged into intricate melodies. To top it off, the collaboration adds spectacular vocals, in some cases altered to add to the esoteric, psychedelic experience that the album provides. 

I first discovered the album, “Bitchcraft”, while I was a teenager based on a friend’s recommendation and have been absolutely in love with it ever since. I remember lying on my bed listening to it for the first time and immediately being taken through an emotional journey. Every few months I remember how much I like the album and play through the whole thing, and I feel this way about very few albums; “Bitchcraft” is definitely a special one. I have yet to find someone else who has heard of the album or listened to it so I wanted to make sure to share it with the WKNC blog so more people can enjoy it. 

The project members released four mini-movie teasers and two promos that go along with the album on Youtube. The videos are strange, esoteric, and plain weird but definitely fit within the world the musicians created in the album. Unfortunately, the project never garnered enough interest for them to continue making related content, but regardless what they did produce is absolutely worth a listen. 

You can listen to the album on Bandcamp and check out their video teasers on YouTube. 

– Miranda

Categories
Playlists

Friday Favorites (9/4)

As autumn approaches and the summer comes to an end, I am reflecting on a great summer despite all the strangeness because of COVID. One of my favorite go-to  genres to listen to during hot summer months is surf punk especially because it reminds me of my high school years. I’m sharing some of my favorite songs of this genre, hope you enjoy and find some unique new songs. 

Suburban Home – Descendents 

The Descendents are an LA punk group that make some really great music, and this song is one of my favorites by them.

Nine Is God – Wavves 

Although I didn’t love seeing this band live, I still really enjoy the band and think this is one of their best, especially because it’s featured in GTA V. 

Awkward – FIDLAR 

My top choice from this genre is FIDLAR, and this single keeps me reminded of why I loved this genre so much as a teenager. A really great punk-ish song that I can’t get enough of. 

Sick Shit – together PANGEA 

Catchy with a cool melody, this track is one of the best of together PANGEA. 

Babes – Hockey Dad 

Simple, nostalgic, punk. What more could you ask for? This one is perfect for a beach day or taking a drive on a summer day. 

As always, you can check out these songs and more on my WKNC Friday Favorites playlist here. Let me know what you think! 

– Miranda