Reviewed by C.G. Grade 12

This is absolutely one of my favorite albums out of all the albums out there. There is no song that I skip when listening to it. Three Cheers goes through a whole story line that the listener may not pick up on in the first listen, but if you look closely at the lyrics and do a bit of diving into the lore, it is very detailed. This album tells the story of two lovers, the Demolition Lovers, which is a reference to My Chemical Romance's early song from the "I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love" album. In this album's story, after his lover died, the man from Three Cheers makes a deal with the Devil that if he can kill 1,000 people, he will be reunited with his love. The album starts with "Helena (So Long & Goodnight)", which shows his lover's funeral. Throughout the storyline, the man goes to prison, enters war, and expresses his deep sorrow about his deceased partner. At the end of the album's storyline, the man, who has successfully killed 999 people, is actually deceived and realizes the last person is himself. I can guarantee a lot of people have already heard the hit song "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" as it is a classic emo anthem. I think the best way to listen to this album is from the beginning to the end if you really want the full effect of transitioning from event to event in the story line. Overall, despite the album's concept, the songs do relate to personal struggle and can be very comforting to those who can relate to the themes of mental health struggle. 

Reviewed by C.G. Grade 12

This is an incredibly angelic sounding album that has personal meaning about the struggles of mental health while also following a story line. In the opening song, "Bug Like an Angel", it features a beautiful chorus sung by a choir. Mitski actually stated in a video that she wanted the first chorus to be a jumpscare to bring a certain unexpected feeling to the listener. Also, this song represents the struggles of addiction and follows the thoughts of an alcoholic. As the album progresses, different topics such as industrialization and the destruction of natural land, overindulgence, love, toxic love, and death feature. In addition to these personal themes, the album follows a story of someone who grieves deeply and searches for an escape from such sadness. The narrator makes deals with the Devil and sells their soul in an attempt to escape the sorrows of life. At the end of the album, with the song "I'm Your Man", the narrator reflects on how poor of a human they are as hellhounds bark, which signifies how they are going to be brought to Hell. This song also ends with an entire minute of slightly chaotic, yet oddly nostalgic sounds like dogs barking, harmonic singing, and crickets chirping. While there may be a lose concept to the album, you can determine your own meanings to each song and possibly relate on a personal level. Overall, this album to me personally feels like an angelic experience and I'd recommend anyone who enjoys indie or alternative with deep emotion to listen to. 

Reviewed by M.C. Grade 8

I recently purchased the vinyl for “After Hours” by R&B artist The Weeknd. And now, after a completely thorough listen, I can safely say that it is my favorite album featured on The Weeknd’s discography. From upbeat songs that topped charts for weeks such as Blinding Lights and Heartless, to more deep cut songs of the same value. I loved the slow melancholy builds in each song that led to mildly upbeat and catchy choruses. The story the album tells is Grammy deserving in itself, as well as the album cover. Overall, I love this installment by The Weeknd and how it perfectly combines his old as well as his new style of music.

Reviewed by Z.H. Grade 8

Finale, a track from one of my favorite games of all time, is a beautiful way to cap off one of the possible endings of the game. But, even just listening to it by itself, it is a beautiful piece that I listen to quite often. It has an amazing build-up with a beautiful piano lead, in contrast to many of the other songs which Toby Fox has composed, which are usually electronic and chiptune, leading into a stunning orchestral crescendo. This leads to an excellent, high-energy melody that amazingly reuses past motifs of this character to give an excellent theme of finality. The song is hopeful, energetic, and bombastic, but also somber. It is truly a stunning piece of music from the wonderful Toby Fox.

Reviewed by Z.H. Grade 8

His Theme is a deeply saddening song to me. This song to me is the best work by the creator Toby Fox. It is stunning, beautiful, and full of emotion. It is a somber piano lead piece that speaks to my soul. I don’t truly get why, but my best guess is the context in which it plays and my past experiences with the song. All of this aside, I would still say that this is a beautiful piece. It starts off small and quiet, slowly building into a bombastic and tear-jerking melody that still manages to deeply sadden me even 7 years after I had initially heard it. Overall, I say it is a great candidate for being Toby Fox’s magnum opus when it comes to music. It is truly a stunning piece of music from the wonderful Toby Fox.

Reviewed by Z.H. Grade 8

Asgore, a track from one of my favorite games of all time, is a beautiful track, fitting for one of the final encounters in the game. It has a great somber build up, which leads into the great, main part of the song. Its bombastic, high energy, and most of all, high tension. It fits perfectly with the scene. Neither character wants to do this but they must, which is greatly reflected in the reluctance you can hear throughout the song. Around ⅔ of the way through, there is a beautiful melodic piano section, which is a great way to show the characters briefly rethinking their choices. Overall this song manages to be sombre and saddening but also high energy and determined. It is truly a stunning piece of music from the wonderful Toby Fox.

Reviewed by C.S. Grade 12 

My Tears Ricochet by Taylor Swift focuses on how someone you love deeply can actually be your worst destroyer. She mentions how toxic relationships are easily disguised because of words said by the person you love. I think in the song she talks about how she regrets not seeing the signs sooner but being thankful that she eventually noticed and chose to be the wise/ greater person in the relationship. The one verse in her song that really stood out to me was when she said “And if I’m dead to you, why are you at the wake? Cursing my name, wishing I stayed. Look at how my tears ricochet.” This was a very powerful verse because she is saying how this boy dragged her down until she couldn't take it anymore but yet he still is showing up when she needs him the most. Another example of a powerful verse would be “You were the same jewels that I gave you, as you buried me.” This is her trying to explain that she kind of influenced all the good he had and he gets to live on his life as a better person than when they first met but all he did to her was knock her down and make her lose hope within herself.

Reviewed by T.V. Grade 12 

This review is of the debut album of Calum Scott, Only Human. This album consists of 11 tracks with 8 deluxe tracks. The album opens up with the song “If Our Love Is Wrong”, presenting very vulnerable and personal lyrics. The tone then shifts to be more poppy and energetic with the song “Give Me Something”, consisting of very repetitive melodies that are bound to get stuck in your head. This upbeat tone continues into the next song “Rhythm Inside”, the second single of the record. Many of the songs within this album consist of lyrics that revolve around romantics and affection towards another. However, there are a select few songs that delve deep into Scott’s personal life, such as “Only You”, which talks about a childhood friend who helped him through tough times while being bullied. The album closes with an acoustic cover of Bob Dylan’s “Not Dark Yet”. Within this song, he had altered the song to fit his style, making himself the focal point of the song, unlike the original. This album is relatively good as a debut album for the singer. Scott’s voice is definitely very unique and allows him to drive his fame.

Reviewed by T.V. Grade 12 

This review is of the sixth studio album of Imagine Dragons, Mercury - Acts 1 & 2. This album is a double album consisting of 32 tracks, with Act 1 being released one year prior to the second. The album opens up with the top hit, “Enemy”, originally showcased in the Netflix series Arcane. Like many other Imagine Dragons albums, this record consists of many songs that have the potential to be top hit songs if not already. Most notably: “Follow You”, which discusses the companionship of a relationship and being able to catch one another should one fall. “Sharks”, which talks about toxic friends that will eventually catch and betray you like a shark. And “Lonely”, which talks about the inability to feel a connection with others and therefore feeling lonely. These are only a select few of the upbeat songs that are showcased in the album. The band also delves deep into very personal thoughts and feelings that are showcased in the songs: “Wrecked” which sings about not being able to move on after losing a loved one. “I Wish”, which discusses how Reynolds, the lead singer, wished he could’ve been a better friend to someone close to him that has passed. And the closing track, “They Don’t Know You Like I Do”, which talks about his childhood friend who committed suicide due to bullying, saying that he doesn’t need to listen to bullies because they don’t know him. Overall this album is incredible with amazing high points with an upbeat tone and soulful low points with the more heartfelt and emotional songs. I don’t think I would skip a single song on the album.

Reviewed by T.V. Grade 12 

This review is of the debut album of Madison Beer, Life Support. This album consists of 17 tracks with varying themes and tones. The album opens up with “The Beginning” a track consisting of beautiful vocalizations, showcasing Beer’s vocal ability. The song following after is the lead single “Good In Goodbye”, a very upbeat and spiteful song that discusses how she is glad that her relationship is ending, and that there is good in this goodbye. The record tremendously switches tone into “Default”, a very short but haunting song about her depression and bipolar disorder. The next few songs switch between a pop, upbeat sound, and a solemn and haunting sound in every other song up until the eighth track, “Interlude”, which according to Beer, marks to switch between happy songs and sad songs. The song following the interlude is “Homesick”, which talks about how she feels she doesn't belong anywhere. The track “Selfish” is the second single on the record, showcasing a very royal and angelic tone, discussing how she had not seen the red flag within her relationship and deciding who to blame. The album ends with “Channel Surfing / The End”, which showcases several other songs from the album as if she was channel surfing through cable TV. The song ends with an upbeat instrumental as a thank you to the audience of the album. Overall, I believe this album to be an amazing debut album, consisting of very well-produced songs and deep lyrics. I would definitely listen again.

Reviewed by S.W. Grade 12

The recently released album "The Record" by the super-group, Boygenius, has been a hit among many teens. The group consists of artists Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus who are all very close friends. The album itself has the overarching theme of platonic friendships. Female friendships are something so unique and special. Having female friends really is like falling in love and this album gives you that feeling in such a remarkable way. Songs like "We're In Love" and "Without You Without Them" show the complexities of loving someone so strongly that they could break you, but that level of trust between the bonds we create push us father into love and adoration. Songs like "$20" and "Satanist" give us the spontaneity of these bonds. That when you have that level of love for your friends you will do anything for them and they will do anything for you. The last song on the album is "Letter To An Old Poet" which is about when someone has so much power over you that they stop being a person. Toxic people are a part of life but that doesn't give us any sort of relief from them. The lyric "You made me feel like an equal, but I'm better than you, and you should know that by now" suggests the repetitiveness of the abuse. The stance the trio make on toxic relationships is seen throughout other songs in the album like "Emily I'm Sorry". The Record is such a meaningful and poetic album that I highly recommend listening to.

Reviewed by B.L. Grade 11 

By the Way (2002) is the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ eighth studio album, featuring frontman and lead singer Anthony Kiedis, drummer Chad Smith, guitarist and backup vocalist John Frusciante, and bassist Flea (Michael Balzary). By the Way contains 16 tracks, from the widely known ‘Can’t Stop’ to the more underground songs like ‘Tear’ and ‘This is the Place’. Ever since buying the album a few months ago, I have By the Way playing in my car at least once every two weeks. Almost everyone (or almost all millennials!) knows the breakout tracks that made it to the Greatest Hits album, the titular ‘By the Way’ and ‘Universally Speaking’, as well as the more recently popularized ‘Can’t Stop’, but few who haven’t actually listened to the whole album can appreciate the rest of the songs and how they flow. By the Way takes a less funky approach than Californication, and especially Blood Sugar Sex Magik, preferring relatively soothing vocals. Anthony Kiedis throws his voice around a lot less here, but it actually makes for a very smooth listening experience. Tracks 3-6 are soulful and warm, with a small detour at #7, ‘Can’t Stop’ and then picking back up at #8, ‘I Could Die for You’. Track #9 is ‘Midnight’, which admittedly is one of the less catchy songs on the album. After track 10, ‘Throw Away your Television’, with its strong, repetitive vocals, ‘Cabron’ etches itself into your mind, only to immediately be followed by ‘Tear’, a slow song where the vocals are often slurred in such a way that creates a profound impact on the listener. Tracks 13 and 14 pick up the pace, with ‘On Mercury’ and ‘Minor Thing’ respectively.  #15, Warm Tape, is once again a lot slower, and though it has some peaks it overall isn’t as great as the songs before it, in my opinion. Finally, the album caps itself off with a letter to the lead singer’s drug rehabilitation agent, in ‘Venice Queen’. Overall, this album is a must-buy for any Chili Peppers fan, but more so is a great CD to get your hands on if you’re into this kind of alternative rock. The lyricism and voice of Anthony Kiedis can make anything seem philosophical (even songs with vulgar meanings), and will be sure not to disappoint those listening to them.