Here’s What the Lyric Staff is Listening To – Fall 2020
Are you in need of some recommendations as to what to listen to? Here are some of the albums and podcasts our staff are currently obsessing over!
1. Therapy for Black Girls (Recommended by Aja M. Jackson, Interim Production Manager)
Run by licensed psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, Therapy for Black Girls is a podcast that aims to discuss all things mental health and wellness. The podcast is a part of an online space dedicated to encourage the mental wellness of Black women and girls. Therapy for Black Girls was created to provide a platform of talking about the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and to present mental health topics in a way that is both accessible and relevant.
2. Dead Man’s Pop by The Replacements
“The remix came out last year and sounds almost like a live album and features some amazing songs, including Talent Show and Rock ‘n’ Ghost.” – Matt Chapuran, Executive Director
The Replacements were an American rock band that were formed in the late 1970s in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They were considered as one of the pioneers of alternative rock, and their music stays legendary to this day. Dead Man’s Pop is a full remix of The Replacement’s album Don’t Tell a Soul, which was released in 1989, and was derided as a sell-out by their fanbase. In addition to the full remix, the box set includes demos and a live show for fans of the iconic alternative rock band to enjoy.
3. folklore by Taylor Swift
“It’s the perfect album for the transition from summer to fall.” – Kate Casner, Digital Marketing Associate
One of the biggest music releases this year was Grammy Award-winning Taylor Swift’s eighth studio album titled folklore, which was hugely inspired by indie folk and alternative rock music. folklore was a surprise album announced without prior promotion, and the album was recorded and written in isolation during the pandemic. This is a departure from Swift’s upbeat pop sound from previous albums, and Swift calls folklore as a portrayal of “a collection of songs and stories that flowed like a stream of consciousness.”
4. Hadestown Original Broadway Cast Recording (Recommended by Julia Thorn, Digital Media Assistant)
If you’re looking for a cast recording to listen to, check out Hadestown if you haven’t already! With music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell, Hadestown tells a version of the famous ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Hadestown won big at the 73rd Tony Awards, where they received a total of 14 nominations (the most for the evening), and won eight, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. They also won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
5. Ungodly Hour by Chloe x Halle
“Ungodly Hour is everything you could ever want in an album, and every track is unique in their own way.” – Marieska Luzada, Digital Marketing/Social Media Assistant
Released in June of this year, Ungodly Hour is the second studio album by R&B duo Chloe x Halle. Ahead of the album’s release, two tracks were released: “Catch Up” with Swae Lee featuring Mike Will Made-It, and “Do It,” which has become their most famous single to date. Chloe and Halle’s voices compliment each other so well, and the album has received wide acclaim for their vocal delivery and chemistry. They evoke a sense of sisterly solidarity that is inspiring to many, not to mention their sheer talent as songwriters on many of the tracks on the album.