#10 III– The Lumineers

Run the Jewels and The Weeknd had successes this decade crafting trilogies, and The Lumineers added themselves to the list with one single album. III is an epic spanning three generations of a family ravaged by addiction. In the heat of the opioids crisis, the folk-rock band’s release is cinematic excellency aided by music videos pumping even more life to their universe that sadly isn’t unfamiliar.

#9 thank u, next– Ariana Grande

If a pop album has its playlist in all lowercase these days, that’s an inexplicable indication it’s gonna be great. What’s not inexplicable is that barely six months off of Sweetener, the former Nickelodeon star added another dose of sugar with thank u, next. Emanating as much fearsomeness as humility, it hosts different aspects of Grande’s worldview to the steamy (friends with benefits-ballad “bloodline”) to the serious (lowkey feminist anthem “fake smile”). The final trio is the dessert, a spicy Sound of Music mix in “7 rings,” the deliriously trappy “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored,” and of course, the title track: an antithesis from the sappy heartbroken heroine cliché to cement Ari as one of pop’s most forward-thinking delights.

#8 Father of the Bride– Vampire Weekend

The flappy sounds of Vampire Weekend’s fourth LP mimic the pleasantness of your wedding day, but Koenig & co’s dark lyrics give the fear your loved one’s skeptical father would subliminally emit. The six-year hiatus taken by the band proved to be no downgrade whatsoever, even with the departure of one of their members.

#7 Cuz I Love You– Lizzo

With depression on the rise and the world seemingly crashing down for many people, Lizzo was the musical Prozac we needed. Though “Truth Hurts” and “Good as Hell” exploded this year, her debut offering is destined to go down as one of the most quotable albums ever. “Slow songs are for skinny hoes,” “only exes that I care about are in my f**king chromosomes,” just a few of the treasured chants for your shower concerts.

#6 Zuu– Denzel Curry

What Illmatic is for New York hip-hop, Zuu is where Miami throws their hat in the rap ring. This Zuu is where Curry showcases his roar. He’s an aggressive force on the mic with anecdotes of a place proven to be more than a flamboyant Spring break spot. You could call it one of the most well-written hip-hop albums of the era- until you find out Curry freestyled the entire thing.

#5 Dedicated– Carly Rae Jepsen

E•MO•TION catapulted Carly Rae Jepsen beyond just being the lady behind “Call Me Maybe,” and Dedicated proves her pop music alternative is here to stay. It’s caressing, but never feels too mushy with some slamming production here (“Now That I Found You”) and moderate hip-swaying there (“Want You In My Room”).

Read our review of Dedicated here.

#4- Norman F**king Rockwell!– Lana Del Rey

From Pepsi cola-flavored privates to erotic duets with The Weeknd, Lizzy Grant’s journey has been one of a kind. On her complex fifth album, she enters her final form as a sorrowful savant. Rockwell’s writing channels some of Lana’s finest work yet and has a heavier focus on piano than you’d ever hear from the Born to Die era. It’s stripped down compared to its predecessors, but moments like the outro on “The greatest” and the silky “doin’ time” cover helped Lana own 2019- let’s just forget about that Charlie’s Angels song…

Check out our review for this landmark album here.

#3- Igor– Tyler, the Creator

Once envisioned solely as a rapper, Tyler, the Creator dips his feet into some retro funk, a similar road Childish Gambino took with “Awaken, My Love!”. Igor plays like some kind of R&B opera, Jerrod Carmichael narrating the title goblin’s soupy love triangle that sonically speaking, is as abstract as the man behind it. 

#2 Better Oblivion Community Center– Better Oblivion Community Center

Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus weren’t the only duo to dominate 2019: Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst’s terrific collaboration is as odd as their namesake would suggest. The pair fuses their powers marvelously, creating a dynamic with Oberst as the indie rock veteran and Bridgers as a rising star, but neither of them tries to outdo each other. This is their first collab (save for his feature on Bridgers’ 2017 debut), and tricks you into thinking they’ve been playing with each other for years- almost a modern-day Sonny and Cher.

#1 WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?– Billie Eilish

It’s the culmination of the pop music redrawing that’s dominated this decade. Artists like Lana and Marina flipped the script with an authentic sound of their own, and Eilish and her brother’s craft is a clearly distinguishable method in their weird world. Finneas’ sunken set pieces, Billie’s ominously muffled vocals, it all may as well have a “TM” printed next to it. She isn’t one to try to baffle you with her enigma, rather one aware of her surroundings and wholly in touch with today’s youth- equal parts sarcastic (dad seducing on “bad guy”), swaggering (fiery “you should see me in a crown”), and self-depreciative (suicidal “listen before i go”). Every generation has a beloved musician journaling the era they were raised in- now Gen Z has Billie Eilish.

The post SCAD Radio’s Top 10 Albums of 2019 appeared first on SCAD Radio.

#10 “Juice”- Lizzo

“Mirror, mirror on the wall/Don’t say it ’cause I know I’m cute.” Could there be a more on-brand way to begin a Lizzo song? Making self-appreciative quips while never sounding conceited is Lizzo’s strong suit, the Donna Summer of motivational speaking. You could witness a dog getting run over by a truck while walking out of your mom’s funeral and still be thrown into a good mood after “Juice.”  

#9 “All Mirrors”- Angel Olsen

The indie folk-rocker’s grand project thanks to an orchestra sidekick, the titular lead single for Angel Olsen’s fourth studio effort is her most bewitching and mysterious addition yet. Starting gently like the songwriter was in the days of her debut before diving headfirst into a titillating crescendo, it’s as coruscating as it is cryptic, giving just enough leeway for lyrical sleuths to toy with.

#8 “bad guy”- Billie Eilish

After removing her Invisalign, hushed vocals welcome us into Billie Eilish’s freak show on “bad guy,” a baroque pop gem bathed in badassery. Riddled with potentially naughty phrases brought down to Earth by her innocent whispers and bizarre but memorable chorus, it’s the perfect gateway into the 17-year-old’s unorthodox library.

#7 “Talk”- Khalid

Khalid Robinson’s second LP may have been a dud, but its lead single is certainly salvageable. Some luscious synths courtesy of Disclosure carry the Georgia native’s 21st-century shortcoming we all know too well- trying to work things out while they’re too busy watching Netflix to respond to your text. He’s definitely been left on read before, and the mundanity strikes Millennials and Gen Zers everywhere.

#6 “Hot Girl Summer”- Megan Thee Stallion feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign

No Summer is complete without its seasonal jam, and 2019’s choice is a product of the increasingly mainstream hip-hop genre. It’s one clearly primed for Song of the Summer: multiple features and pool party value, to name a few. But while many SotS meet the same fate as the leaves when Fall comes around, Juicy J’s mix has kept the dog days alive well into the year’s conclusion.

#5 “Cellophane”- FKA twigs

The mystique behind Tahliah Barnett took a hiatus over health troubles, so when she dropped her most intimate and haunting piece of music yet, it proved the disappearing act had only sharpened her growth as an artist. “Cellophane” can serve as a quiet sneer at racist Twilight crazies or a cultural rewrite on how we perceive pole dancing in its tranquil and subversive music video. It’s a simple, yet complicated track- none of of twigs’ twingy background noises, just minimalistic perfection.

#4  “Borderline”- Tame Impala

Fans have been divisive over Kevin Parker’s ventures into new territory, though “Borderline” satisfies those unsure if 2015’s genre-flipping Currents should be canon. The spacey sounds feel right at home in a Tame Impala track, passing the stoner-approved test with flying colors. Dwelling on the nature of life in the lyrics, it may be his tightest trip yet.

#3 “Social Cues”- Cage the Elephant

You’re an acclaimed indie act selling out shows across the world, you should be happy, right? Not to Cage the Elephant’s Matt Schultz, who wrote “Social Cues” and its accompanying LP with personal struggles like his recent divorce in mind. Whether in 2019 or in the retro era the beat hails from, the theme of the tormented star is a timeless topic in an age where Avicii and David Berman have met the same heartbreaking fate as Kurt Cobain and Ian Curtis.

Check out our coverage of Cage the Elephant’s Shaky Knees Music Festival performance here.

#2 “Dylan Thomas”- Better Oblivion Community Center

Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers have worked together before, but no one predicted their surprise collab album drop in January. At the crux was was “Dylan Thomas,” named for the famed poet who was pissed off with the world- much like the duo behind BOCC. The pair’s flow plays like a couple that’s too good at karaoke, structured with quirky lyrics referencing everything from Bridgers’ mascot to a Trump meme.

#1 “Old Town Road” (Remix)- Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus

It’s not like it was a “Stairway to Heaven” epic, the original didn’t even clock in at two minutes. It certainly didn’t have an Illmatic sense of depth, either. It was the seamless bridging of Lil Nas X’s self-described “country trap” setup that broke not only new ground in music, but Billboard’s chart record as well. While the original surged months after it was released, the cowboy struck real gold when the countless remixes poured in: throw in Hannah Montana’s dad, and they become Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

The post SCAD Radio’s Top 10 Songs of 2019 appeared first on SCAD Radio.

Social Media Director

Content Director

Events Director

Music Director

Production Director

Program Director

Promotion Director

The term of each position is one year from March 2019 to March 2020. Students must be enrolled at the Savannah campus for fall, winter and spring quarters to apply. They are paid a monthly stipend during those quarters.

For more information about applying, contact Adam Crisp, director of student media, at acrisp@scad.edu.

The post SCAD Radio Accepting Applications For 2019-20 Student Positions appeared first on SCAD Radio.

Childish Gambino will release his 4th and allegedly final album.

Despite not putting out an EP or album, Childish Gambino did more than enough last year with spectacular songs- nay- “experiences” like “This is America” and “Feels Like Summer”. He hasn’t had an LP since 2016, so the chances of a fourth full-length are more likely than ever. On top of that, he’s presumed this record will be his last. As for the Gambino stage name, some speculate he’ll continue to make music under his regular name or a perhaps brand new moniker. Only time will tell.

6ix9ine will be sentenced to prison.

The most hated rapper on the planet made headlines with his trashy music and even trashier behavior. The rainbow-haired man behind “Gummo” first got involved with the law thanks to a sexual gesture caught on video with a 13-year-old girl, but now faces a minimum of 32 years in prison for armed robbery, distribution of drugs, and conspiracy to commit murder. Hopefully this untalented jackwagon gets locked up for a very long time to spare our children from his pedophile demeanor and horrendous music.

Grimes will have the best album of 2019.

Claire Boucher’s work progressively gets better with each release. The Canadian artist didn’t make too many waves with a pair of albums from 2010, but wowed with songs like “Oblivion” and “Genesis” on 2012’s Visions. Then in 2015, she released the ebullient Art Angels to widespread acclaim. Last November, she dropped the ferocious “We Appreciate Power”, a spine-tingling nu-metal revival that hints at an AI-takeover theme for the upcoming LP. In the pinnacle of her career, Grimes is poised to conquer 2019.

Avril Lavigne’s comeback album will please, but won’t be enough to bring her back to superstardom.

Lavigne’s career has been on the down since she reached the top of the world with classics like “Sk8er Boi” and “Complicated”. It’s only been a few years since that abysmal “Hello Kitty” song & cringeworthy music video, but the emotional titular single for her next LP assures Head Above Water will be a different story. The album is out February 15th, and the possibility of Lavigne creeping back onto playlists seems imminent. However, while the single is a respectable rewelcoming ballad for the early-2000’s icon, it was inferior to last year’s more memorable career 180° track, Kesha’s “Praying”. It’ll confidently be her best work since 2002’s Let Go, but Lavigne’s days on top are behind her.

Blueface will have the worst album of 2019.

Whether you thought Blueface’s odd breakout “Respect My Crypn” was innovative or pathetic, it was undeniably entertaining to hear (and even more entertaining to scroll through the comment section). The intentional(?) lack of synchronization of the beat and the rapper’s awkwardly high-pitched bars granted a memeworthy tune. It remains to be known what the LA rapper will do next, but we shouldn’t expect much from a potential mixtape or LP. Even those who found the gig clever won’t enjoy the schtick stretched out to a full-length release.

Maggie Rogers will be 2019’s best breakout.

As a college student in 2016, Maggie Rogers became a viral sensation during a masterclass session with Pharrell Williams. Her folk-inspired pop brand captured the heart of the longtime producer, as well as execs to spawn her 2017 EP, Now That the Light Is Fading. On January 18th, her debut full-length will hit streaming services. Heard It in a Past Life contains “Alaska”, the track that made her famous, along with singles she performed on her recent Saturday Night Live gig. Already touted as a prodigy, the Maryland singer is set to surge this year.  

Ariana Grande will date Michael B. Jordan next.

No one else in music garnered as much E! News attention last year as Grande, following her quick engagement and even quicker split from SNL star Pete Davidson, plus the sudden passing of her former lover, Mac Miller. Still, the singer persevered with the honest and mature Sweetener, then magically crafted praise for her many exes in the fantastic “thank u, next” single for another album set for this year. Many speculate who the star will date next, and I think it’ll be Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan. Think of it: blending Killmonger’s cruel attitude yet traumatic past with Ari’s diva ego and aforementioned recent heartbreak makes for one hell of an “it” couple.

Migos’ Culture III will have some fun tracks, but will overall be a disappointment.

In 2017, the Migos album Culture brought trap rap to the forefront with bops like “Bad and Boujee” and “T-Shirt”. A year later, they dropped the sequel to far less praise. While it certainly had its moments, Culture II was bloated and repetitive across a 24-track length that was clearly extended to rack up streaming numbers. Further on in 2018, Quavo and Takeoff unleashed solo albums that didn’t show any signs of improvement. With Culture III around the corner, the Atlanta trio could expect a few hits, but if the LP is as drawn out as its predecessor, the project as a whole will fall flat.

The post Music Predictions for 2019 appeared first on SCAD Radio.