In no particular order, The Roar staff is giving you the best albums of 2017. Dua Lipa by Dua Lipa: The debut album of breakthrough artist soars through pop culture as the singer/songwriter knows her place in the industry. With singles such as “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)” and “New Rules” taking over radio stations, it […]
By Eljohn Macaranas This past August, Taylor Swift declared that the “old Taylor” was dead on her chart-topping single “Look What You Made Me Do” to the surprise of fans and the collective eyerolls of everyone else. However, with the release of her latest LP, “reputation”, that bold claim is disproved. If anything, Swift doubles-down […]
Genesis Rodriguez/Contributing Writer The long-awaited St. Vincent album, “MASSEDUCTION,” dropped with a bang on Oct. 13, 2017. It has been two years since Annie Clark released an LP as extraordinary as her fifth studio album. Annie Clark, better known as her stage name St. Vincent, is a Grammy award-winning artist. Over the years, Annie has […]
Evan Balikos/Contributing Writer King Krule (real name: Archy Marshall) writes music that is not exactly easy to fit into a neat and organized box of genres. Many would cite that he employs mostly trip-hop production and pairs it with a rapper’s flow and poetic wit, but with this new album this task of classification becomes […]
Barbara Carbonell/Contributing Writer “Offering,” an album released in early October by indie-pop duo Cults, appeals to fans with a universal theme that cuts across cultures and nationalities: that no one is spared from hardship and despair, and that hope can thrive regardless of how dire the circumstances. One need only look at the signs. While […]
Andrea Diaz-Ariza / Contributing Writer On Aug. 25, 2017, Ozuna released his debut album “Odisea,” which has taken the #1 spot on the Billboard Latin Albums. In many ways, releasing an album and opening track titled Odisea seems appropriate for a first album. The title track seems to carry a double meaning, introducing the listener […]
Martha Perez-Mendez/Assistant Entertainment Director On Aug. 21, 2017 the Internet shook when Taylor Swift dropped the first of three short clips featuring snakes. Popularly associated as an ode to her feud with Kanye West, snakes were a staple in the fight between the two stars. As a response to Kim Kardashian releasing audio recordings of […]
Megan Mosquera/Contributing Writer If ever there was an album dedicated to self improvement, Kesha’s latest album, “Rainbow,” would be it. Not only is it painfully emotional but it’s also bold, without holding back or hiding behind any boundaries. This album reveals Kesha, who was previously known as Ke$ha but now has reinvented herself, real feelings […]
Nazareth Izada/Contributing Writer Tyler, The Creator has made a career out of being a detached observer. His prior releases, from 2011’s “Bastard” to 2015’s “Cherry Bomb,” have been channels for different personas, offering glimpses of who Tyler Okonma is. It’s on his latest release, “Flower Boy,” that we see Tyler at his most upfront and […]
Carina Vo/Contributing Writer Healing is a process that’s far from perfect– it’s usually personal and there isn’t a formula that works for everyone. Michelle Zauner, the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist operating under the moniker of Japanese Breakfast, realizes her own recovery on “Soft Sounds from Another Planet,” reaching as far as the cosmos for ways […]
Nazareth Izada/Contributing Writer After a long four years since their debut “Days Are Gone,” critically revered band of sisters HAIM return with “Something to Tell You,” an album much more introspective than its predecessor. “Something to Tell You” works almost as a concept album about heartbreak. It’s a testament to things left unsaid and feelings […]
Nazareth Izada/Contributing Writer Vince Staples follows his highly-acclaimed 2015 release Summertime ‘06 with Big Fish Theory, a dance-influenced, club-banging attack on the transience of fame and rap hierarchy. Big Fish Theory is a wildcard follow-up at first listen. It’s dance beats and sleek basslines are miles away from the abrasive Summertime ‘06 that took tips […]
