Claire Boucher has always had a knack for transporting listeners to worlds of imagination with her sound alone. Even without its fantasy/sci-fi visualizer, “So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth” is a gentle spacewalk for your ears. It’s an escape from the planet- one she knows is dying. However, its status as the intro is questionable. An ambient six minutes is an unusual way to begin an album holding flashier strikes like “4ÆM” and “My Name is Dark.” The former ingratiates itself in the controlled chaos that often takes form in Claire Boucher’s electro-pop catalog; we can envision the hyperactive star rollicking about in chair restraints on this track. 

“She’ll always score bonus points for manning her own discography from the boards to the songwriting and cover art, and this LP is no different.“

And that’s what Miss Anthropocene does so well: as a Grimes album, it works wonders. The underground art-pop approach puts Boucher in her element. Club-ready beats on the futuristic “Violence” and the uneasy progression of “Darkseid” are delicate concoctions only Grimes herself could’ve made, in part because she did make them herself. She’ll always score bonus points for manning her own discography from the boards to the songwriting and cover art, and this LP is no different.

Unfortunately, the climate change theme fails to be as seismic as it could be, never going far enough to make statements on our environment. There are no rallying chants of hope, no anthems for Greta Thunberg’s next march, no epic rage-fueled rants to corporate titans murdering the Earth. It’s treated as merely a subplot throughout the album like an afterthought shoved in the background of a student film to make their work appear “politically relevant.” Sadly a missed opportunity coming from an artist who turned her own sexual assault nightmare into one of the greatest songs of the last decade.

Perhaps the core draw to Miss Anthropocene is the song-to-song consistency. The fatiguing back half of Visions and trifles like the abysmal Art Angels cut “Scream” find no parallel here, it’s by far Grimes’ easiest playthrough. Because the LP doesn’t go too far out of her comfort zone, it won’t win over longtime detractors, though. Her love-it-or-hate-it mumble singing doesn’t seem to be going anywhere for now, but those who have fallen under Grimes’ spell get what they want in Miss Anthropocene.

8.6

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For its tenth year, Savannah Stopover has been a weekend haven for the growing music scene in Savannah. Cushioned between the heavy metal AURA Fest and the traditional Savannah Music Festival, Stopover features a mix of up-and-coming rock, country, and pop artists. Often times, Stopover is a weekend stop for bands and artists before heading west to Austin, Texas’s South by Southwest festival. This year, the festival runs from Thursday, March 5^th through Saturday, the 7^th.

In addition to over 35 new acts this year, the festival is also featuring an evening with New West Records, a spotlight on rising female stars in Americana and Country music, a special 10-year opening night reception, and a 10-year photography exhibition.

Over the past 10 years, Stopover has featured the beginnings of many musical artist’s careers that have taken off. Grimes headlined in 2012, while Mac DeMarco was featured in the 2013 lineup. Athens-based indie pop band Of Montreal headlined the festival twice, in 2013 and again in 2018.

Among the touring artists and bands, there are also 8 local acts rounding up the 2020 lineup.

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Grimes will have the best album of 2020.

Last year, I called that Elon Musk’s lady would win 2019’s album race. Unfortunately, she only came around to a handful of singles, therefore making me look like a fool. Promising a dip to Claire Boucher’s earlier days, “My Name is Dark” and “So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth” juxtapose Art Angels’ electro-pop hybrid. When her fifth LP Miss Anthropocene drops in February, our chips will be on Grimes.

Poppy will be the breakout artist of 2020.

Described by the artist themself as “post-genre,” Poppy’s stage name could be quite misleading. Singles “Concrete” and “BLOODMONEY” play like diary entries of early Avril Lavigne with cliff notes from Pantera thrown in. This is the exact kind of rule-breaking music that’s exploded lately- just look at the twisted take on pop music Billie Eilish introduced to the mainstream. Poppy’s album I Disagree drops today.

Normani’s debut album will follow the story of Carly Rae Jepsen’s E•MO•TION.

The former Fifth Harmony member’s debut single “Motivation” was a stunning achievement in pop- that feeling of listening to something clearly radio-friendly, but even anti-Top 40 purists can fall in love with? It’s a rare emotion last felt with, well, E•MO•TION. Despite being a commercial failure, Carly Rae Jepsen’s 2015 LP became a sacred cult hit for those often put off by stuff atop Billboard. Its varied list of producers gathered the best in the industry to craft nostalgic sounds of ‘80s pop, similar to the path Normani appears to be venturing down with ‘00s R&B. Here’s hoping the latter’s upcoming release will garner more attention than CRJ’s opus.

Van Weezer will be the worst album of 2020.

Just when it seemed like Weezer was finally on the brink of recapturing their ‘90s glory thanks to back-to-back charmers Everything Will Be Alright in the End and White Album, Pacific Daydream and The Black Album relegated them back to cruise ship music. And let’s not talk about that covers LP they did. It’s a shame, too- Rivers Cuomo has been notoriously afraid to take risks as they did on the untamed Pinkerton, and it’s costed them their reputation in the 21st century. Van Weezer won’t be any different.

Migos will break up.

The Atlanta trio’s always been on good terms as a family and a band, but there’s a reason people can only handle a visit to their kinfolk twice a year. Migos will finally call it quits, though it won’t be through an N.W.A.-style meltdown. While they’ve said their solo albums didn’t mean the group was splitting, it’s undeniably a step away from the rat pack they were back in the “Versace” era. And they’d be doing it after the planned Culture III– the possible conclusion of a would-be trilogy. 

The post 2020 Music Predictions 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.

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