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Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor<\/b>
\n<\/b>Album: Demo by G.L.O.S.S. (Girls Living Outside Society\u2019s S**t)<\/b><\/p>\n
This album was my introduction to a world I never thought existed \u2014 the world of Queer Feminist punk rock. I was introduced to the music of G.L.O.S.S. at a crowded punk rock venue when I was in high school, and I have never been the same since. This album is angry, violent and unapologetically genuine. G.L.O.S.S. explores what it\u2019s like to be a woman in a patriarchal world, and specifically examines the lives and experiences of trans women. The album touches on important topics and makes me feel like I have a space where I can be angry when I need to be.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo courtesy of girlslivingoutsidesocietysshit.bandcamp.com<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Caity Healy | Editor-in-Chief<\/b><\/p>\n Album: Either\/Or by Elliott Smith<\/b><\/p>\n I\u2019ve listened to this album more times than I can count, and each time, it evokes a sense of nostalgia and sends me through every emotion possible. From teary eyes, to bright smiles by the final song, this album is by far the most played in my collection. A Portland, OR native, Elliott Smith captures his truth in relation to the town in his song \u201cRose Parade\u201d with lyrics that convey how he felt he fit in the city. It\u2019s a powerful album that does what Smith set out to make it do \u2014 give you a true understanding of how he was feeling by making you feel those emotions, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo courtesy of killrockstars.com<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kyle Morden | Digital Media Manager<\/b><\/p>\n Album: Lemonade by Beyonc\u00e9<\/b><\/p>\n This album is a true body of art. In a story about love, betrayal and redemption, Beyonc\u00e9 gives us the monumental and breathtaking visual album, \u201cLemonade.\u201d The album features talents such as Kendrick Lamar, Serena Williams and The Weeknd. It also includes a variety of genres such as pop, reggae, hip hop, soul and country. Throughout the album, Beyonc\u00e9 delivers her songs in a powerful and poetic way. In “Formation” and “Freedom,” she inspires people to change their opinions from apathy to activism. \u201cLemonade\u201d<\/span> is an empowering album that covers concepts such as self-love and healing.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo courtesy of beyonce.com<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bailey Thompson | News Editor<\/b><\/p>\n Album: Red by Taylor Swift<\/b><\/p>\n Within this album, Taylor Swift offers a raw glimpse at a wide range of human emotion \u2014 from the joy and hope of \u201cEverything has Changed\u201d, her collaboration with Ed Sheeran, to the vulnerable, autumnal \u201cAll Too Well\u201d and \u201cRed.\u201d Although I acknowledge that people tend to hold polarizing opinions of her, one thing that has always drawn me to Swift, and this album in particular, is that she writes her songs in a way that invites the listener to share in her experiences and relate their lives to hers. \u201cRed\u201d is therapeutic, artistic and real, and I have listened to it on countless occasions.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo courtesy of taylorswift.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul F. Davis | Managing Editor<\/b><\/p>\n Album: Channel Orange by Frank Ocean<\/b><\/p>\n Frank\u2019s breakout album is a musical moment that you experience and you have to question if it was real. Frank accomplishes this once in a generation orchestration by creating soundscapes that inspire a feeling of riding a wave of emotion, up and down. Channel Orange also rises above all else because of its ability to work in all kinds of situations, from the spiritual experience of making love with someone you love to enjoying a drink with friends by a fire. This power resides in the album\u2019s hard hitting melodies and Frank\u2019s floaty tenor voice. Frank defines a generation of ears with his first album, so treat yourself to a good time, plug in your head phones, and let Frank take you to another land of his creation.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ashlynn Norton | Photo Editor<\/b><\/p>\n Album: Mt. Joy by Mt. Joy<\/b><\/p>\n Being a huge music nerd, I have a broad taste in music. I tend to listen to movie soundtracks and artists ranging from Aretha Franklin, to Led Zeppelin and even Lady Gaga. So picking a favorite album is hard, but the one that I’ve been listening on repeat lately is Mt. Joy by the band Mt. Joy. It’s a nice break from listening to mostly classic 70s and 80s rock. Mt. Joy has more of an indie\/folk vibe that puts you in the mood for a good road trip with the windows and the sun on your face.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo courtesy of mtjoyband.com<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rachel Hetzel | Designer<\/b><\/p>\n Album: American Beauty\/American Psycho by Fall Out Boy<\/b><\/p>\n When it comes to music, I usually only like one or two songs in an album. There aren\u2019t many entire albums I enjoy, but American Beauty\/American Psycho is one of the exceptions. Fall Out Boy has gone from rock to more pop over the years, and this album is a nice in-between. Their songs always have memorable lyrics, but they really stand out to me in this album. All of the songs in this album are great, but my favorites are \u201cTwin Skeletons\u201d, \u201cNovocaine\u201d and \u201cThe Kids Aren\u2019t Alright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cora McClain | Copy Editor<\/b> I introduce the album which kicked off my interest into what my friends call \u201cmy weird music\u201d \u23e4 \u201cThe Disappearance of a Girl.\u201d Phildel, the British singer\/songwriter strips her songs down to the bones, her haunting vocals and piano while sprinkling in a hint of electronic manipulation. Beyond how truly beautiful her songs are (I highly recommend listening to my favorite song on the album, \u201cFuneral Bell\u201d) the beauty of the story she lays out through the 12 tracks causes both tears and smiles. Through her whimsical and haunting songs, she tells the story of surviving abuse she sustained as a child, and how she moved forward through the good relationships in her life while feeling the sorrow of having to detach from her family to escape the abuse. \u201cThe Disappearance of a Girl\u201d transports you into a fantastical world of pain and at the same time inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/westernhowl\/files\/2019\/04\/StaffFavs4.jpg\")
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\n<\/b>Album: The Disappearance of a Girl by Phildel<\/b><\/p>\n
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