DNC & RNC Repap

We’re nearing closer and closer to the 2020 presidential election with each passing day. With the increased racial tensions, rampant pandemic, and systemic inequality in the United States, along with two diametrically opposed candidates on the ballot, one could make the case that this election is the most important in our lifetimes. Despite one-sided adherence to social distancing guidelines and protocols, both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions took place over the past two weeks, and the difference in substance, tone, and messaging reflected how vastly opposed these two parties truly are.

Since the DNC came first, I’ll reflect on it first. If I’m completely honest, I was slightly underwhelmed by the event’s opening night. I understand that as a progressive I’m not the target voter the DNC was trying to interest, but I found the opening night disappointing nonetheless. As the event went along and more notable speakers began making appearances, I was reassured and excited about what was transpiring. Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, and Joe Biden all gave rhetorically-skilled and substantive speeches over the course of the four-night event. Instead of only offering opposition to Donald Trump, the DNC was able to fully convey the Democratic party’s 2020 platform, which is one full of policies (such as healthcare expansion, police reform, etc.) and ideologies (unity, strength, etc.) which appeal to an array of voters in the Democratic base. There’s only so much that can be done in a socially-distant and largely digital platform, but I felt that by the end of the DNC, the Democratic Party made its message clear, and I’m still excited to vote for Biden / Harris come November 3rd.

The RNC, on the other hand, was a nightmare. What could be considered a Trump family reunion featuring the occasion lunatic guest speaker demonstrated the vitriolic hatred and angst which makes up the modern day Republican Party. From Kimberly Guilfoyle shouting her way through a completely nonsensical speech to Charlie Kirk spreading the same sort of misinformation he does regularly on Twitter, the smaller speakers were absolutely atrocious during this event. The main event speeches such as Melania Trump and Mike Pence weren’t much better, simply droning on and offering no real case as to why voters should choose Donald Trump this time around. To cap things off was Donald Trump’s White House speech which was appalling by all standards. Using the White House as a political prop was an unprecedented and despicable move, and the fact that the audience of over 1,000 people was not socially distanced, masked, or tested speaks volumes as to how Trump views this pandemic as unserious. Trump’s final speech was riddled with lies and misleading claims, and by the end of the event, even the audience didn’t seem to understand his messaging. I would describe the RNC as embarrassing and troublesome for a variety of reasons.

In two days it will be September, which will mean we will be two months away from this year’s historic election. The Democratic and Republican National Conventions highlighted once again how distinctly opposed these two parties’ platforms are, and likely won’t affect the polls too severely in the coming weeks. That’s a story for another day, though, as it seems Donald Trump is coming back in polling as Joe Biden’s lead continues to shrink. What did you think of the conventions this year? Let me know. Thanks for reading.

New Music Round-Up (Father John Misty, Drake, And More)

As you know by now, I enjoy writing about music very much. Whether I’m reviewing a new release, discussing my favorite albums of all-time, or talking about which artists I think you should look out for moving forward, music has become one of the central topics for this blog. In the past weeks, my schedule has been turned upside down as I’ve been packing for and moving into my apartment as my senior year of college nears. During this time, there have been some noteworthy releases which I’ve wanted to comment on but just haven’t had the time. Until today, that is. Let’s talk about some of the best and worst singles which have released recently.

Father John Misty - “To S.” and “To. R”

Since the release of God’s Favorite Customer in 2018, Josh Tillman’s fans have been desperately awaiting a new release from their favorite cynical indie folk artist. His live collection Off-Key in Hamburg and his covers EP Anthem +3 held me over slightly, but I was still looking forward to original work from Tillman. To contribute to the Sub Pop Singles Club, Tillman released two mysteriously titled singles which live up to his sound which we’ve come to know and love. “To S.” offers an empathetic message backed by a gentle string arrangement, and “To R.” mirrors this track in many ways. The lyrics on this track are slightly more ambiguous than is to my liking, but overall, these are satisfactory tracks from Mr. Tillman which will continue to hold me over until his next LP, which is hopefully coming sooner rather than later. SCORE: 7/10

Drake - “Laugh Now, Cry Later (feat. Lil Durk)”

It’s hard not to like Drake. While I’ve been very critical of his few most recent full-length album releases, it’s almost impossible to imagine the hip-hop and pop genres without Drake’s presence. Known for being able to release hit after hit, Drake has ascended to a level of popularity rivaled by very few in today’s musical scene, and it feels like he’s starting to grasp that fact. The accompanying music video for this single made me laugh out loud when I first watched it. Drake seems fully aware of his meme status, providing a solid single riddled with parody-like moments throughout. The Lil Durk feature here is brief and forgettable, but overall, I just have to respect Drake’s ability to continue his lore as an artist. SCORE: 5/10

Cardi B. & Megan Thee Stallion - “WAP”

When Nicki Minaj released her single and music video “Anaconda” in 2014, the internet went wild. While many of Minaj’s fans applauded her confidence and female empowerment perspective, others condemned her behavior despite their inability to criticize male artists who discuss the same subject matter regularly with little backlash. Unfortunately, six years later in 2020, not much has changed, and the reactionary gatekeepers of the internet are just as present and vocal as they were years ago. Here’s the deal: “WAP” is a fantastic track. Despite the fact that its clean version is still likely too dirty to be played on the radio, the unabashed feminist confidence from both Cardi B. and Megan Thee Stallion is simply inspiring. The track is a fun and memorable listen, and the music video released alongside this smash hit only emphasizes the statement of empowerment it makes. Great stuff. SCORE: 8/10

Billie Eilish - “my future”

It’s hard to believe that Billie Eilish nearly swept the Grammys following her 2019 release WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? earlier this year. The singles she has released since then have been massive hits which I’ve enjoyed thoroughly, particularly “everything i wanted”. On “my future”, we find Eilish singing from a more positive and optimistic perspective than ever before. After the reflections on such dark topics from her first album, its nice to hear Eilish sing from a better place over such an uplifting and catchy single. To add to this song, Billie’s performance at the DNC earlier this week was fantastic. Can’t help but continue to fanboy over Billie Eilish. SCORE: 7/10

Miley Cyrus - “Midnight Sky”

It’s unfortunate that Miley Cyrus has become such a polarizing figure and artist, particularly on the internet. While I haven’t enjoyed much of the music she’s released recently, I respect her artistic vision and willingness to discuss sometimes taboo topics so openly and honestly. Luckily, this 80s throwback “Midnight Sky” instills confidence in me that Cyrus will continue to develop personally and artistically, and that a new era could be around the corner for her. This is a solid single with huge radio potential and a killer self-directed music video, and I highly suggest you check it out. SCORE: 7/10

So there we have it: some of the biggest singles and tracks released in the past weeks have finally been discussed here on the blog. I’m hoping for new album releases soon, as I’m finally settling into my apartment, which includes my new speakers and record player which will be used regularly. Which of these tracks is your favorite? What kind of music have you been listening to recently? Let me know. Thanks for reading.

EP Review: Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2 - Tkay Maidza

Up-and-coming Zimbabwe-born Australian rapper and pop artist Tkay Maidza has earned the attention of many with the first two releases from her planned Last Year Was Weird trio of EPs. While the first was received fairly well by many, the second installment from this series is head and shoulders above its predecessor in terms of quality and production level. The release of “Awake (feat. JPEGMAFIA)” in 2019 stopped me in my tracks, as this song captivated with hard-hitting bars and a soul-rattling bass. Luckily, the rest of the tracks which make up the 26-minute-long mixtape live up to if not exceed this standard, making Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2 my favorite EP release so far this year.

The opening track, “My Flowers”, is a trap-R&B cut which channels the likes of Little Simz in its delivery and substance. This song pairs a traditional pop chorus with a simplistic instrumental canvas which Maidza is able to paint with her artistic delivery. “24K” shifts things into a second gear, as Tkay Maidza’s flows and bars intensify to match the powerful and pulsing instrumental backing which flashes in and out of existence. This uptempo track finishes with harmonic vocal refrains from Maidza, which serve as a calm before the storm leading up to “Shook”. This song reminds me of a cafeteria freestyle with a booming lunch table beat and a continually evolving flow from Maidza. This track really is excellent and makes me wish for a collaboration between Tkay and Charli XCX which would certainly bring the house down.

JPEGMAFIA’s presence on “Awake” doesn’t go unnoticed, as his typical bold and brash delivery plays nicely off of Tkay’s on this lead single. “Awake” is, however, one of the last hard-hitting moments on the EP, as from here on out, each track becomes more and more introspective and pop or R&B inspired. “Grasshopper” utilizes industrial elements which make up a very unique instrumental backing for Maidza’s chaotic self-acceptance anthem. This eclectic cut continues the more focused, intentional approach Maidza has taken with this EP.

“You Sad” and the following “PB Jam” refrain from offering the same bursts of energy from the first few tracks, as they are more relaxing and fun songs from this project. I hear SZA’s influence toward the end of “You Sad” and find that “PB Jam” is truly original for Maidza, serving as a sign of things to come as she continues to develop personally and artistically. The EP closes with the unapologetic but calm “Don’t Call Again (feat. Kari Faux)”, highlighting Maidza’s seemingly newfound confidence and comfortability in herself and her music making ability. This cut is harmless but doesn’t sweep me off of my feet like I had hoped for.

I’ve found that I enjoy industrial and hard-hitting music very much, and because of that, this EP just worked on every level for me, mixing those sounds with neo-soul and pop rap elements. Each track is different than the last, but they’re all memorable hits. I’m excited to see up-and-coming artists continue to develop and release compelling projects like this one. I greatly enjoyed Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2, and can see myself keeping it on replay for days or even weeks to come. What did you think of this project? Let me know. Thanks for reading.

Favorite tracks: “My Flowers”, “24K”, “Shook”, “Awake (feat. JPEGMAFIA)”, “Grasshopper”, “You Sad”, “PB Jam”

SCORE: 9/10

Album Review: Limbo - Aminé

After the release of his 2017 debut album Good For You, critics and fans alike regarded Aminé as a refreshing and enthusiastic addition to the rap game. His lighthearted production, technically impressive flows, and oftentimes comedic lyricism differentiated his style from his colleagues’ at the time. His debut project wasn’t void of any shortcomings, however, as there was still plenty of room for the Portland native to improve as he moved forward in his musical career. Luckily, Limbo is a step in the right direction, as Aminé has improved nearly every aspect of his sound and production, offering a very solid West Coast trap album.

The first song opens with one of the many spoken interludes found throughout the project which often complement the themes and topics being discussed on their following tracks. “Burden” utilizes a high-pitched backing refrain to support Aminé’s bold and confident delivery. “Woodlawn” is a traditional trap banger with clap drums and a deep bass, all which fit well as this track turns into a “look how far we’ve come” reflection. After the “Kobe” interlude meditates on the tragic loss of the Black Mamba from earlier this year, “Roots (feat. JID, Charlie Wilson)” offers one of the more insightful cuts from the front end of this record, as Aminé and his accompanying features use more flowery language (quite literally, at times) to reflect on how their heritage has led them to who they are now.

“Can’t Decide” is a relatively straightforward track about uncertainties surrounding a somewhat complicated relationship. Aminé’s delivery pairs well the the hard-hitting bass backing his vocals, which lead to a smooth and memorable chorus. These themes of introspection and relationships continue on “Compensating (feat. Young Thug"), which is a fun but semi-forgettable track. As you know by now, I find Young Thug’s delivery very hit-or-miss, and unfortunately, his presence on this track doesn’t land for me.

“Shimmy” wears its influences on its sleeve, as Aminé incorporates samples from Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s 1995 hit song “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”. This track is braggadocious and confident, but again, there’s a depth lacking here which causes this song to fall short of the standard set earlier in the tracklist. This song does, however, transition nicely into the following track “Pressure In My Palms (feat. slowthai, Vince Staples)”, which is one of my favorite cuts on the entire album. Instead of being outshined by the features on this track, Aminé holds his own alongside slowthai and Staples, who are known for taking over tracks. This grimy and bass-heavy track is one of the most memorable out of the bunch.

“Riri”, one of the lead singles for this album, is underwhelming at best for me. I do, however, appreciate Aminé’s statement accompanying the release of this song’s music video, which was essentially that he wanted to show black joy in a time of such strife and struggle for so many. “Easy (feat. Summer Walker)” consists of seductive and compelling instrumentation, but again, the subject matter and depth of this track is surface-level, leaving me unsatisfied. Luckily, this lull in the middle of the project is short-lasting, and things end on a high note.

“Mama” is an extremely sentimental appreciation anthem from Aminé to his mom, jam packed with heartstring-tugging momma’s boy bars. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album just because of its relatability. “Becky” is extremely timely, as Aminé reflects on the prevalent racial injustice we find ourselves dealing with so often in this country, and “I’m fed up with a world that I know I can’t change” is just a heartbreakingly relatable bar. “Fetus” continues to deliver on the emotional level, as Aminé and rap trio Injury Reserve reflect on their future children. The sudden and unexpected loss of Injury Reserve member Jordan Groggs in June adds to the potency of this track, and a simplistic backing instrumental just works here. Things close off with “My Reality”, which consists of Aminé recognizing that he’s now living the life he once dreamed of. The luscious instrumental and traditionally comedic yet reflective delivery from Aminé are only made more effective by a surprise contribution from Daniel Caesar to close the album out. Overall, this is a very cohesive rap album with trap elements, and I’m glad to watch Aminé continue to develop artistically.

After not being blown away by the singles leading up to this release, I was glad the other tracks turned out as impressive as they did. Aminé is an artist to watch moving forward, as his ability to move seamlessly from sub-genre to sub-genre to make quality projects is very impressive. I enjoyed Limbo, and I highly suggest you give it a listen. Thanks for reading.

Favorite tracks: “Burden”, “Woodlawn”, “Roots”, “Pressure In My Palms (feat. slowthai, Vince Staples)”, “Mama”, “Becky”, “Fetus (feat. Injury Reserve)”, “My Reality”

SCORE: 7/10

Why Joe Biden Should Choose Kamala Harris As His VP

A presidential candidate’s VP choice can make or break their entire campaign. The electorate’s reaction to the selection, the VP’s record and past, and the opportunities for the opponent to attack the eventual selection are vital in determining who wins the presidency come election day. As we all know by now, this year’s upcoming election is unlike any we’ve ever had in this country. November 3rd will serve as a referendum as America decides the direction it wants to continue heading, by either selecting Joe Biden or Donald Trump to hold office for the next four years. To add to the magnitude of this election, we are in the midst of a global pandemic and massive civil rights movement, all while the economy slowly collapses and the United States becomes an international laughing stock. In this post, I’m going to make the case for why I believe Joe Biden should choose Kamala Harris as his VP because of her policy proposals, somewhat progressive ideals, and qualifications met which were set by the Biden campaign.

I need to start by stating I will be voting for Joe Biden regardless of who he selects as his VP, as the shortlist is filled with extremely qualified, intelligent, and determined women. Whether it ends up being Kamala Harris, Susan Rice, Elizabeth Warren, Karen Bass, or any of the other women being considered for the position, I’m sure that the Biden campaign is confident in their eventual selection, and that whoever is chosen has been properly vetted for the job. Joe Biden has already committed to selecting a woman as his running mate, and has received pressure to select a woman of color more recently given the events in the country. Kamala Harris, who for a short time led in polls against her competitors in the Democratic primary race, meets all of the qualifications set by the Biden campaign.

Representation is important. We’ve never had a black woman selected as a vice presidential running mate in this country, which is completely overdue. Kamala Harris has experience running a campaign on a national level, on the debate stage, and as a Senator. While many of the other candidates being considered meet some of these qualifications, none meet all so clearly as Harris does. Harris is also young at only 55 years old, which creates a path in which she could be the first woman president in either 4 or 8 years depending on Joe Biden’s competency and health if he were to be elected.

While not as progressive as some of her colleagues such as Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren (who would be my ideal VP selections), Harris is right about many issues. She co-signed Bernie Sanders’ Medicare-For-All bill, supports the Green New Deal, supports criminal justice reform, and falls on the right side of many more pressing issues going into this election, especially when compared to her counterpart Mike Pence, who is in favor of conversion therapy and criminalizing a woman’s right to choose. Substantively, Harris is more in-line with the majority of the Democratic electorate’s policy prescriptions than the other progressive candidates who could have been selected as the nominee. She and Biden are very ideologically aligned, and Biden selecting her as a running mate doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch, as the betting markets are confident that Harris will soon be announced as Biden’s vice presidential selection.

As the Democratic National Convention nears, the anticipation for who Biden will select as his vice president is increasing rapidly. While my ideal pick for the position would be Elizabeth Warren, I think that Joe Biden should choose Kamala Harris given the current political landscape and circumstances. I’m sure we will find out very soon, and hopefully the selection is favored both now and come election time in November. Who do you think Biden will choose? Let me know. Thanks for reading.