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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

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, Lifestyle Editor | 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, Lifestyle Editor | 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...

This image released by Republic Records shows "Midnights" by Taylor Swift. (Republic Records via AP)

Album review: Taylor Swift gets vulnerable and reflective in ‘Midnights’

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor | October 27, 2022

In August, Taylor Swift won the VMA “Video of the Year” award for her short film “All Too Well.” During her acceptance speech, Swift shocked fans by announcing that her new album “Midnights” would release on Oct. 21. Album rollout  In an...

Taylor Swift at the 2019 American Music Awards.

Album review: ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’

By Daija Hammonds, Managing Editor | December 28, 2021

“Red” by Taylor Swift was originally released in 2012, but Swift has re-released the album as a way of gaining legal control of her catalog with the same themes of growing up and young love.  “Red” was a success when first released with hit...

Vince Staples’ ‘FM!’ solidifies artistic voice

By Peter Zemeske | November 7, 2018

Rapper Vince Staples took the internet by storm when he released his third studio album, “FM!” Friday. The album runs brief at 22 minutes but packs a wallop in its short runtime.The theme of the album revolves around music on the radio, hence the...

Greta Van Fleet kicks off discography with ‘Anthem of the Peaceful Army’

By Parker Otto | October 21, 2018

Greta Van Fleet released their debut album “Anthem of the Peaceful Army” Oct. 19, and its meaningful lyrics and killer blues rock sound made it well worth the wait.One standout from the album is the single “When the Curtain Falls,” released on...