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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

MAVI stands in the aisle of a church for the music video of his song "drunk prayer." MAVI, Jordan Ward and REDVEIL are three artists who deserve more attention. (MAVI under Fair Use)

Underappreciated artists who deserve more love

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | April 16, 2025

A beautiful thing about music is just how many artists there are to enjoy. As a result of the different sounds there are to experience, some amazing artists, unfortunately, fall to the wayside of mainstream ears.  I want to shine a light on some of...

Saba raps to the song "head.rap" in a hallway in a music video for Saba's and No ID's collab album "From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID." "From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID" might be album of the year as it did not disappoint. (Saba Pivot under Fair Use)

Saba delivers early AOTY candidate with No ID collab album

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | March 24, 2025

Chicago rapper Saba linked up with legendary producer and fellow Chicago native No ID to deliver a fun, vibrant project that exudes the hip-hop sound of the city they hail from. This is Saba’s fifth studio album and the first since his 2022 LP “Few...

The words “I AM MUSIC” sit in front of a white background. Playboi Carti left fans and critics polarized with his newest album “MUSIC." (Playboi Carti under Fair Use)

Playboi Carti releases ‘MUSIC’ album after five-year wait

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor | March 21, 2025

Following a series of cryptic lies and leaks by Playboi Carti, the Atlanta-based rapper released his fourth studio album after a five-year wait.  The album “MUSIC” released last Friday, after first being teased in March of 2021.  With the...

Mac Miller on stage at The Meadows Music & Arts Festival 2017, On January 17 Mac Miller second posthumous album dropped (Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for The Meadows)

Mac Miller’s newest album releases after his passing

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | January 20, 2025

The wait is over for fans of Mac Miller as Friday the Mac Miller estate released his long awaited and second posthumous album “Balloonerism.” This album was one of the most difficult listens I’ve had. Recorded over 10 years ago, this album gives...

Kendrick Lamar rests against a car on the album cover for "GNX." This release is Lamar's sixth studio album. (Dave Free via AP)

Kendrick Lamar exceeds expectations with GNX album

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor | December 6, 2024

Kendrick Lamar surprised the hip-hop world on Nov. 22 by releasing his sixth studio album “GNX”.  Kendrick was my “most listened to” artist of 2024, putting me in the top 0.5% of listeners – according to Spotify Wrapped, at least. With that...

This image released by Country Love Train/XL Recordings shows "Romance" by Fontaines D.C. This Aug. 23 album release highlights the Irish band's versatility. (Country Love Train/XL Recordings via AP)

‘Romance’ delivers addictive versatility

By Brynn Krug, Editor in Chief | August 28, 2024

Fontaines D.C. brings a rare sense of tonal versatility in their latest album, “Romance.” Beginning with a song of the same name, an eerie melody strikes the listener. The following tracks switch from down to Earth to eagerly energetic, ending with...

Rappers Future and Metro Boomin stand next to each other wearing sunglasses. "WE CAN'T TRUST YOU" is a joint album that released March 22. (Courtesy of YouTube)

Features shine in Future and Metro Boomin’s ‘WE DON’T TRUST YOU’

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | March 25, 2024

As a fan of Travis Scott, Migos and other trap artists, I have never been a big fan of Future. With the release of the collaborative album “WE DON’T TRUST YOU” between rapper Future and producer Metro Boomin, putting my bias aside allowed for a...

Rapper André 3000 performing on stage at the Rock'n'Heim Rock Festival. His new album "New Blue Sun" is his first album in 20 years. (Wikimedia Commons)

André 3000’s ‘New Blue Sun’ calms, terrifies

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | November 18, 2023

André 3000 may be one of the most influential musicians to the state of music today, and fans have been waiting for his first solo record since he first arrived on the scene in the early ‘90s. André 3000’s new album, “New Blue Sun,” released...

Singer-songwriter Mitski performs at the Primavera Sound festival in Sao Paulo in a blue dress. Mitski's new album "The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We" is available to listen to on all streaming services. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Mitski lulls listeners in new album

By Brynn Krug, Editor in Chief | September 25, 2023

Mitski is back with a new album, which is effortlessly emotional with a new sense of calm.  Mitski’s seventh album “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We” explores themes such as love, heartbreak and finding yourself, with a more down to earth,...

The album cover for Olivia Rodrigo's album "Guts." This is Rodrigo's sophomore album which released on Sept. 8, two years after her debut album "Sour." (Geffen Records via AP)

Olivia Rodrigo hits musical heights on ‘GUTS’

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | September 10, 2023

Olivia Rodrigo’s “GUTS” feels like an album of bad decisions, and I love it.  If the album’s lead singles were any sign, “GUTS” is a turn away from the youthful love and heartbreak on Rodrigo’s debut album “SOUR.”  If “SOUR”...

Paramore playing a concert at the O2 in London.

‘This Is Why’ Paramore still works

By Eli Tecktiel, Lifestyle Writer | March 2, 2023

With their new album “This Is Why,” Paramore defies the odds and delivers a daring and fresh collection of new songs. While the album is quite good on its own merit, its mere existence is even more impressive considering the trajectory of some...

Lil Yachty performs on stage at FEQ, a massive festival held in Quebec, Canada.

Move over Yacht rock, Yachty rock is here

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | January 31, 2023

Fans of Chicago, The Doobie Brothers and Foreigner know the term “yacht rock,” but now, it's time to coin a new term: “Yachty rock.”  Soundcloud mumble rapper Lil Yachty of “Broccoli” and “iSpy” fame released his new album “Let’s...

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