Category: Blog

Categories
Playlists

Saturday Favorites 11/7/20

Happy Saturday everyone! Here are the songs that I’ve had on repeat lately:

  1. Grip 3:16 (feat. Kenny Mason & J.I.D) by Grip: Grip links up with fellow Atlanta natives Kenny Mason and J.I.D and together they spit over a Crosby & Nash sample.
  2. Shimmy Shimmy Ya by Ol’ Dirty Bastard: The lead single off of ODB’s solo debut managed to become a hit despite it consisting of only a hook and the same verse repeated twice. But with his idiosyncratic style and quotable lyrics, it’s easy to see why.
  3. Dora by Tierra Whack: Miss Whack’s new track finds her sleeping in Gucci sheets, enjoying floor seats at basketball games, and even contemplating buying a horse. Check out the music video here.
  4. HËÂT RŌČK. by Tobe Nwigwe: This track features an impressive verse from Tobe Nwigwe that starts before the beat drops: “I ain’t gone wait till the beat drops/I’mma get it while it’s warm and start to form this heat rock.”
  5. Look Over Your Shoulder (feat. Kendrick Lamar) by Busta Rhymes: This track was officially released on Busta’s new album, Extinction Level Event 2: Wrath of God. However, various versions leaked online as early as 2017. Either way, Kendrick and Busta both deliver over a beat that heavily samples “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5.
  6. You’ll Never Walk Alone by Brittany Howard: Originally coming up as the lead singer of Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard has embarked on an exciting solo career, a move that has allowed her to explore other sounds in a more intimate setting.
  7. Something in the Water (feat. Denzel Curry) by Saba: On this track, Saba and Denzel Curry take aim at the exploitative nature of the music industry and profiteers of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  8. Dragonball Durag Remix (feat. Smino & Guapdad 4000) by Thundercat: On this remix, Thundercat enlists Smino and Guapdad to rap about various hair care products.

– DJ Mango

Categories
Short Stories

Album Art of Bikini Bottom

Imagined Album Art for Blood and Stone by Sevendust
All picture rights and credit belongs to @albumsofbikinibottom

Do you like album art? I know I do. Some of the best albums were characterized by their album art. Take Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” for example. Any Pink Floyd poser can easily identify the iconic light refraction through the pyramid, probably more than they actually know what the album sounds like. A lot of fame can be attributed to an eye-catching cover. But nothing is more eye-catching than the Instagram account @albumsofbikinnibottom.

The creative genius who runs this account takes album covers and reimagines them as if they were created in the SpongeBob universe. They cover all the greatest hits, from Van Halen to Weezer. For example, take the Nirvana album “Nevermind.” Instead of the classic image of a baby swimming after a dollar, we have a picture of Patrick under the sea happily reaching for a dollar in Bikini Bottom currency attached to a fishing hook. (Side note, did you know that babies can naturally swim before they learn how to walk? Crazy, right?)

Other honorable mentions include What I’ve Become by Ashes Remain and A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out by Panic! at the Disco. For the Ashes Remain album a Faceless Man in a chair is replaced by SpongeBob sitting in his armchair when dancing anemones comes on the television and the Panic! at the Disco cover includes all of the main characters sitting around a table in a manner that reminds me of the last supper.

However, my favorite album replacement has got to be Blind Melon. The creator of this masterpiece replaced the dancing child with the meme of squidward with the bloodshot eyes and all of his arms outstretched in a frenzy. It’s almost better than the original. 

For more silly album replacements, I highly suggest you check out the Instagram for yourself @albumsofbikinibottom. You won’t be disappointed. 

Hope you guys enjoy, 
-DJ Chippypants 

Categories
Miscellaneous

Top Choice: Locket by Crumb Music Video

Hand holding glass ball
Still from "Locket" Music Video

Finding a good music video is always a treasure, especially if the song itself is already great. Crumb, the indie rock band known best for their song “Locket,” which was released in 2017, really exceeded expectations with their music video for the hit single. Filled with hidden gems that remind one of a psychedelic I Spy book, it is a fantastic representation of “Locket.” Haoyan of America, a creative development agency famous for their use of 360 cameras, directed and edited the music video.

The video takes place in what looks like a cozy apartment, filled with Lila Ramani (lead vocals and guitar), her bandmates, and other friends. After having a steaming mug of tea, which is presumed to be some sort of hallucinogen, Ramani and the group experience the psychedelic effects. While holding a small glass orb as the “tea” starts to kick in, Ramani notices the world around her starts to change. This is where my absolute favorite part occurs: By using a 360-degree camera to film, the video turns into this awesome flowing, circular impression that leaves you completely fixated. When the 360 camera is not in use, you can see objects around the room melting together and dancing around as the party embraces the trip that they’re experiencing. Another gorgeous part is when we’re able to see Ramani’s silhouette, smoke billowing behind her.

The camera cuts to other random oddities as well, such as the chopping up of a plastic dinosaur and the petting of a friendly cat. There is an endless amount of things to notice. It’s the kind of music video you would have to watch over and over again to truly be able to appreciate all it has to offer. I’m not usually the type of person to watch music videos really at all, but I truly believe that this one only enhances the song and shows how creative Crumb is as a band. If you’re interested in watching, which I highly recommend doing, here’s the video just for you!

– DJ Butter

Categories
Non-Music News

Election Results: Here’s What to Know

Written By Miranda Owen 

These thoughts reflect my non-partisan coverage of NC State’s SPIA event, “Postelection Analysis: What Happened and Why” with Dr. Andrew Taylor and Dr. Steven Greene of NC State’s Political Science Department. 

Polls in North Carolina closed at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, and results began trickling in that night. The election results for North Carolina and for the presidential race are still currently undetermined, but NC State professors Taylor and Greene’s virtual postelection analysis event helped dissect the results so far.

In examining election results, the professors made it clear the election is not a “done deal” for either candidate, though Greene predicts Joe Biden to likely be declared the next president. Votes are still being counted in Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, and it’s likely that most of the outstanding mail-in ballots lean Democrat.

Similarly to 2016, this election has exposed the deficiencies in polling. Pre-election polls again severely underestimated Trump’s success and contrary to their predictions, the election is a close one. Can the polling industry survive these errors, two presidential elections in a row? Greene believes that polling isn’t going anywhere, but in the future political scientists will be more wary of close polling results. Taylor cited the “shy Trump voter” and “Trump effect” which make it more difficult to poll Trump supporters as possible contributions toward the polling discrepancies.

Another concern brought up in the 2020 election is the Electoral College. As David Frum from The Atlantic said, “it should not take the largest voter turnout in [American] history to guarantee that a president rejected by the majority of the American people actually stops being president.” Greene criticized the Electoral College: “we’re obviously the only country that does it this way,” and asserting that it is clearly too easy for a minority candidate to take the electoral victory. Taylor spoke of potential reform to this system, such as choosing electoral college votes by Congressional Districts like in Maine and Nebraska. 

This election has been one of the most interesting presidential races in history. When will we get results? Most news outlets predict election results by the end of this week, but no one knows when final results will be available. My advice: stop doom-scrolling, unclench your jaw, and do whatever it is you do for self-care. 


Sources: Russonello, Frum, Honig

Categories
Weekly Charts

Chainsaw Charts 11/4

Pernicious Cover
ArtistRecordLabel
1SIGNS OF THE SWARM “Pernicious” [Single]Unique Leader 
2ROB ZOMBIE“The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)” [Single]Nuclear Blast
3ENSLAVEDUtgardNuclear Blast
4ALPHA WOLFA Quiet Place To DieSharp Tone
5KATAKLYSMUnconqueredNuclear Blast
6HEATHENEmpire Of The BlindNuclear Blast
7SKELETAL REMAINSThe Entombment Of ChaosCentury Media
8FIT FOR A KING The Path Solid State 
9UPON A BURNING BODY Built From War [EP]Seek & Strike 
10AVERSIONS CROWN Hell WIll Come For Us AllNuclear Blast
Categories
Weekly Charts

Underground Charts 11/4

Past Cloaks Album Cover
ArtistRecordLabel
1CHESTER WATSONPast CloaksPOW
2REDVEILNiagaraSelf-Released
3MAXO KREAMBrandon BanksRCA
4EARTHGANGMirrorlandDreamville/Interscope
5MAC MILLERCirclesWarner
6LITTLE SIMZGREY AreaAGE 101
7YOUNG THUGSo Much Fun300 Entertainment
8MIKE FLOSS“Take Yours” [Single]The Iconic Group
9GHETTO SAGE“Häagen Dazs” [Single]Self-Released
10CITY GIRLSCity On LockQuality Control
Categories
Weekly Charts

Daytime Charts 11/4

Sundry Rock Song Stock Album Cover
ArtistRecordLabel
1YVES JARVISSundry Rock Song StockAnti-
2KISSISSIPPI“Around Your Room” [Single]Triple Crown
3SLOW PULPMoveysWinspear
4SOFT BLUE SHIMMER“Cherry-Cola Abyss” [Single]Disposable America
5PAPI SHIITAKEQuarantine Dream [EP]Trash Casual
6IDLESUltra MonoPartisan
7MILDLIFEAutomaticHeavenly/PIAS
8MINT FIELDSentimiento MundialFelte
9SIR CHLOEParty Favors [EP]Terrible
10SUPERCRUSHSODO PopDon Giovanni
11SHY BOYSTalk LoudPolyvinyl
12OBSCURA HAILSirenDot Dash
13TOMBERLINProjections [EP]Saddle Creek
14MAMALARKYMamalarky [Advance Tracks]Fire Talk
15JULIEN BAKER“Faith Healer” [Single]Matador/Beggars Group
16TUNE-YARDS“nowhere, man.” [Single]4AD/Beggars Group
17ELKKAI.Miss.Raving/ Bleep+ [EP]Local Action
18FEMDOT“94 Camry Music” [Single]Self-Released
19AJANI JONESBlack Power RangerAjani Jones
20SHYGIRL“Freak” [Single]Because
21MEZ“Southside Mez” [Single]Human Re Sources
22REDVEILNiagaraSelf-Released
23MACHINEDRUMA View Of UNinja Tune
24RUN THE JEWELSRTJ4Jewel Runners/RBC/BMG
25MALIIBU MIITCH“Let’s Be Honest” [Single]Phase One
26ARI LENNOXChocolate PomegraniteDreamville Interscope
27QUELLE CHRISGunsMello
28PRINCESS NOKIAEverything Is Beautiful/Everything SucksSelf-Released
29SLOWTHAI“Magic” [Single]Loma Vista
30JOJINectar88rising/12Tone

TOP ADDS

ArtistRecordLabel
1JORDANA“I Guess This Is Life” [Single]Grand Jury
2HOORSEES“Overdry” [Single]Kanine
3HELADO NEGRO“Lotta Love” [Single]4AD
4SONDER BOMBS, THEClothbound [Advance Tracks]Take This To Heart
5MOURNSelf WorthCaptured Tracks
6LEISURESide A [EP]Nettwerk
7PLANTS AND ANIMALSThe JungleSecret City
8TOLEDO“Challenger” [Single]Self-Released
9MISE EN SCENEWinnipeg, CaliforniaLight Organ
10JULIEN BAKER“Faith Healer” [Single]Matador/Beggars Group
Categories
Miscellaneous

Top Choice: Horror Movies

Written By Miranda Owen

I am a big fan of film and have watched hundreds of horror movies. My parents both love scary stuff and so I’ve grown up loving crime shows, horror movies, crime podcasts, and all the slasher movies I can handle. The following are my favorite horror movies, hopefully you can check some of them out for tomorrow’s Halloween festivities!

  • The Shining (1980) 
  • Us (2019) 
  • Get Out (2017) 
  • Midsommar (2019) 
  • Psycho (1960) 
  • Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010) 
  • Cloverfield (2008) 
  • Silent Hill (2006) 
  • Bird Box (2018) 
  • Alien (1979) 
  • Train to Busan (2016) 
  • Hereditary (2018) 
  • It (2017) 
  • Pet Sematary (2019) 
  • Gerald’s Game (2017) 
  • The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) 
  • The Babadook (2014) 
  • Mama (2013) 
  • It Follows (2014) 
  • Case 39 (2009) 
  • The Ring (2002)
Categories
Miscellaneous

Friday Favorites

Written By Miranda Owen

This week my Friday Favorites are composed of the best spooky/Halloween-themed songs perfect for the season on the eve of the best holiday. Be sure to check out these songs at more on WKNC’s Spotify page here. 

1. Season Of The Witch by Lana Del Rey 

Lana produces some amazing cover songs and this is one of my favorites, which happens to be perfect for the Halloween season. 

2. House of the Rising Sun by Lauren O’Connell 

Another cover song, this one is great because it has a more creepy, spooky vibe than the original making it perfect for your Halloween enjoyment. 

3. Sisters of the Moon by Fleetwood Mac 

This song is great for your Halloween/Blue Moon Celebration with an upbeat melody great for dancing. 

4. Spellbound by Siouxsie and the Banshees

A perfectly unique song for your art-punk loving friends during the holiday. 

5. I Put A Spell On You by Creedence Clearwater Revival 

A great mix of spooky vocals, witchy theme and intricate melody that’s perfect for the full moon. 

6. Batcaves by Kap Bambino 

Loud and spooky, just like we like it. 

Categories
New Album Review

Album Review: Apolonio by Omar Apollo

Cover art for Apolonio by Omar Apollo
Cover art for Apolonio by Omar Apollo

ALBUM: “Apolonio” by Omar Apollo

RELEASE YEAR: 2020

LABEL: Warner Records

BEST TRACKS: “Want U Around (feat. Ruel)”, “Dos Uno Nueve (219)”, “Useless”

FCC: “I’m Amazing”, “Kamikaze”, “Hey Boy (feat. Kali Uchis)”, “Dos Uno Nueve”, “Bi Fren”

In 2017, Omar Apollo appeared out of thin air with “Ugotme”, a bedroom pop ballad in 6/8 time which, to this day, remains his most popular song. At the time, he was living in his recording studio – a friend’s attic – and juggling two jobs at Guitar Center and Jimmy John’s. In the following years, he released two EPs, Stereo and Friends, and built a sizable fanbase itching for his debut album.

Three years after his introduction, the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist finds himself in a different context: having left the 219 in Indiana, he now finds himself in Los Angeles. Apolonio, bearing his family name, is the clearest picture of Omar Apollo to date. Using hopeless romanticism as a point of departure, he switches effortlessly between funk, soul, R&B, and Latinx disciplines, which are all facets of his identity. “Want U Around”, with its patient bass and soaring vocal harmonies, has Prince written all over it. Meanwhile, the brand of funk present on “Stayback” is reminiscent of Bootsie Collins – who even appears on the remix. “Useless”, which sounds like Steve Lacy meets The Strokes, features some of Omar Apollo’s most candid observations: “You said I was your soulmate, but that was just a lie/It’s alright, we’re way too young to be giving out advice.” In the past, he has flirted with singing in Spanish, but not to the extent found on “Dos Uno Nueve”. The risk pays off in spades, however, because the track is definitely a highlight.

At the age of 23, Omar Apollo still has his whole career ahead of him. If Apolonio is any indication of what’s to come, he has quite the future in store for him, indeed.

– DJ Mango