BY Jose E. Conrique Childish Gambino, also known as Donald Glover released the powerful and graphic music video “This is America,” which places black culture and social issues together. Glover has gone from being a writer, actor, a stand-up comedian, to a rapper R&B singer and Emmy winner. He stepped it up at the right time. The music video is chaotic and shows the social fear of black men. Childish…
BY Luis Castilla The Arctic Monkeys are back after five years with their new album “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino” and it’s quite a mesmerizing experience. Alex Turner, frontman and principal songwriter, has taken the reigns almost entirely on this album. Ditching their guitars for synthesizers and vibraphones, there is a very noticeable shift away from rock ‘n’ roll and into a more grandiose form of music. This is the…
By Andrew Ayala “Both Sides of the Sky” is the newest album by the late and great Jimi Hendrix and it doesn’t disappoint one bit. Despite his death being over 40 years ago, new music is introduced and released to the public by the record label Legacy Recordings and the music festival Experience Hendrix. The album includes 10 unheard studio recordings and gives the audience a better understanding of how…
By Joe Dargan Violins, violas and cellos dazzled the crowd during the string recital led by instructor and violinist Samvel Chilingarian on Thursday in the S2 Recital Hall. Joined by pianist Dr. Lucy Nargizyan, the group initially performed in sections according to the instrumentalist’s skill level. The Beginning String Class opened the event with a performance of the holiday classic “Jingle Bells,” written by James Lord Peirpont in 1857 and…
BY ALYSSA CROW The Elixir Piano Trio happened November 20th at 12pm in the S2 Recital Hall. Admission was free. Cellist Fang Fang Xu, violinist Samvel Chilingarian and pianist Lucy Nargizyan provided an afternoon of live classical music. They played works composed as trios and adapted to be played as trios. “Trio Pathetique in D Minor” by Mikhail Glinka was the first piece performed. Glinka is often considered the father…
By Melody Ortiz Student performers expressed themselves during the “Drop the Mic” event held by the Writers Society on Thursday night in the S-2 recital hall. East Los Angeles College students, along with others from the Los Angeles area, had an opportunity to share their own poetry and music. Students read from prepared papers, off of their phones, and from memory. Some were new to sharing and some were used…
By Steven Adamo Some of East Los Angeles College’s finest vocalists and pianists were on display at the Fall Student Recital, presented by the Music Department on Wednesday. A cell phone ring didn’t disrupt Daniel Lopez’ piano performance of “Danza de la moza donosa” by Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera. Lopez gestured softly as he began, which quickly stormed into a fury of uneasiness as odd-sounding chords were sprinkled throughout each…
By Anastasia Landeros After years of lifting the spirits of her listeners with strong messages of empowerment, P!nk reflects on life, love and motherhood on her seventh studio album “Beautiful Trauma.” The album showcases her beautiful vocals, wonderfully expressive songwriting skills and a knack for matching hopeful rhythms with sobering lyrics. “Barbies” opens reminiscent of a classic folk song, with smooth vocals lamenting over not being a kid anymore to…
By Anastasia Landeros A reflective Macklemore attempts to find his new groove without Ryan Lewis on “Gemini,” his first solo album in 12 years. But Macklemore isn’t entirely alone. All but one song features a cameo from another recording artist. The reflective “Ten Million” is the only true solo track on the album and offers listeners a dreamy, slightly electronic look into the rappers struggles as an artist, a constant…
By Rebekah de la Pena Since the worldwide debut of boy-band One Direction, Harry Styles has been at the front and center of it all, stealing millions of girls’ hearts. Debuting his self-titled solo project, “Harry Styles”, listeners hear a very different side of this very talented 23-year-old. “Meet Me in the Hallway” starts the album off with slow and simple guitar chords. The album continues with soft sounds and singing,…