Needless to say, it’s been a time. Here’s SCAD Radio’s 10 favorite albums of the decade. Also, don’t forget to disagree with our Top 10 Song of the Decade list and our 2019 lists on the best songs and albums from this year.

#10 The Suburbs– Arcade Fire (2010)

“You only get one childhood.” Every Grandpa was onto something. Now we’re stuck reminiscing on our youth just like the Montreal collective, but with a fitting mix of good and bad recollections. Sure, you hated Middle School, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t pounce on the opportunity to go back and play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 with your friends again. It’s this love/hate relationship we hold with our childhood that Arcade Fire dug up in a way only they could.

#9 Good Kid, M.A.A.D City– Kendrick Lamar (2012)

By the time 2012 rolled around, hip-hop had seen its fair share of hood-set origin stories. That didn’t stop Kendrick Lamar from making an album with a sprawling cast to detail his upbringing. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City plays like a biopic of the man behind it as a teen born into the violence and poverty of Compton. Its resonance comes in the LP’s ability to reach those beyond Section 8. Sure, it’s a tale of a kid coming up through the ghetto on the surface, but it’s a coming-of-age tale on the fight to fit in, a war the youth inevitably enter no matter their background.

#8 Electra Heart– Marina and the Diamonds (2012)

The artist of the alt-pop aesthetic back at a time when Billie Eilish was busy watching Saturday morning cartoons, Marina Diamandis’ soapy tale of the tragic titular starlet flashes a wider lens of commentary than its genre would have you believe. Electra may not have received as much mainstream recognition as Taylor or Katy- the LP’s themes were far too mature for family-friendly radio. That’s part of the appeal to Diamandis’ second full-length: it harbors the sound of our other pop heroes, but dares to go darker than your niece’s beloved boy bands.

#7 Blackstar– David Bowie (2016)

The world may have lost Ziggy back in 2016, though he got around to one final release two days before riding a tiger made of lightning into the afterlife. Blackstar makes up for Bowie’s 21st century hiatus, a swan song equivalent to Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” from an icon who proved to be a music genius ‘til the day he died.

#6 Blonde– Frank Ocean (2016)

The trademark example of “there’s no way it’s gonna be better than the debut” turned “holy sh*t, this is better than the debut,” Frank Ocean’s creamy style of sonically downbeat complexities is even more alluring than 2012’s Channel Orange. The gentle record dove deeper into Christopher Breaux’s fragile alter ego, one of the decade’s most fascinating enigmas.

#5 Lemonade– Beyoncé (2016)

First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes Blue Ivy in a baby carriage. Then comes Solange ambushing Hov in an elevator, and the saga is on. Lemonade was the precise type of medicine the A-list pair needed, but also a reminder to crumbling couples that love can conquer all. Not even Nicolas Sparks could craft such an authentic telling of the confusion, ire, and forgiveness of a love story rocked by infidelity. 

#4 Contra– Vampire Weekend (2010)

Unless you’re the woman who never consented to be used as the LP’s cover model, what’s not to like about Ezra Koenig & co’s second effort? Released all the way back in early January of 2010, the first great album of the decade elaborated on the chamber pop perfection of their eponymous debut, capitalizing on a VW trademark of upbeat sounds contrasting heavy lyrics. 

#3 To Pimp a Butterfly– Kendrick Lamar (2015)

Call Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 opus what you want: a dig on institutional racism, a gaze through the eyes of a celebrity headed for a downward spiral, a call to action for black communities, any of those and more are right. Every word from the Compton MC’s pen seeps into your soul, so much so that it’s impossible to gain everything without multiple respins. He hits with the smash of a slam poet and the layers of a Christopher Nolan film in hip-hop’s most epic adventure to date.

#2 AM– Arctic Monkeys (2013)

The official album of kids who were “too cool” to give in to the One Direction hysteria of 2013, the British rockers’ fifth effort is easily one of the most purely listenable LPs ever. The villain-intro riff to begin “Do I Wanna Know?,” the raging solo on “Arabella”, so many moments that have cemented a legacy to this generation, as well as good old rock ’n’ roll.

#1 Because the Internet– Childish Gambino (2013)

This LP holds the power to invoke cherished iPhone 5 playlist memories with the utterance of any of its quirky phrases. It was some kind of universal language to reference quips like the many puns or the monumentally simplistic Chance the Rapper feature. And my, how fitting the title is. One can imagine all the traffic Urban Dictionary must’ve picked up from awkward 14-year-olds wondering what a “GPOY” was. It’s got music for casual ears (“3005”), Monster-chugging teens cutting class (“Worldstar”), and Summer beach parties (“The Worst Guys”), all told from the perspective of its resident insecure weirdo. The dude even wrote a screenplay for it. If that doesn’t scream art school for you, I don’t know what does.  No wonder SCAD kids voted it the best album of the 2010s.

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

#10 “Take Me to Church”- Hozier

“Separation of Church and state.” A phrase that’s been under fire since Thomas Jefferson, up until the fight for marriage equality has engulfed the world. Hozier’s political ballad isn’t just a battle for gay rights, but a battle against government’s praise for the crucifix long before the American Constitution was even penned. His vocals roar like he’s singing in a massive cathedral, but only one in a world of equality- not religious restraints.

#9 “Video Games”- Lana Del Rey

The alt-pop movement of this decade to the likes of Billie Eilish and Lorde can be traced back to a single launching point. The nostalgic backdrop, grainy video, and willowy textures of Lizzy Grant’s alter ego exploded with this monumental single, one of the decade’s first viral music videos. Say what you want about her love-it-or-hate-it Born to Die, but “Video Games” complimented every trademark of the gangster Nancy Sinatra.

#8 “Still Into You”- Paramore

Enter Hayley Williams, an auteur of the alternative pop star brigade. Her band is one of the earliest invaders of an iPod shuffle for hits like “Misery Business,” and their pop punk persona continued well into the 2010’s with this fruity track about as colorful as Williams’ hair.

#7 “Formation”- Beyoncé

Despite being the only Lemonade cut off the beaten path from its dramatic narrative, the final track from the 2016 masterpiece is the dessert you’ll want to eat after taking your man to Red Lobster. Those instantly recognizable beginning zigzag chords flaunt Bey’s black pride anthem, oozing with lyrics ripe for an elaborate music video, a symbolic symphony of her heritage, and arguably music’s finest visual component to date. 

#6 “High Horse”- Kacey Musgraves

If John Wayne and KC & the Sunshine Band had a child, it would be Kacey Musgraves’ disco-country banger. A sneer at pretentious people that’s also a midwestern roadhouse’s dance night necessity, “High Horse” saddles up everything that’s made the Texas native’s take on country a thrill, even to those with more Rihanna than Reba in their blood. 

#5 “Somebody That I Used to Know”- Gotye feat. Kimbra

Aside from the knee-slapper jab “Now Gotye is just somebody that we used to know” currently flooding the comment section of its radiant music video, the pair’s breakup classic still holds a seismic impact, chugging well past a billion views. It’s not hard to see why, from the Australian singer’s subtle buildup leading into the iconic chorus. Then Kimbra emerges with an equally enticing backstory, securing the pair a deserved Record of the Year Grammy.

#4 “Pompeii”- Bastille

In an age of Katy Perry and Robin Thicke dominating radio, it was unusual to hear a Gregorian chant that started Bastille’s swing for the charts. Yet another track immediately recalled from its opening, the world through Bastille’s eyes was crashing down like the historical city of its namesake. The single erupted the charts, despite not being your typical Top 40 radio choice.

#3 “Alright”- Kendrick Lamar

It may be #3 on our list, but “Alright” is the most 2010s track of the decade. What our elders would say about the work of the Simon and Garfunkels of their day- “it’s more than a song.” That’s what this era will say for Kendrick Lamar’s fight song that became a Black Lives Matter anthem. Within the context of its album, 2015 landmark To Pimp a Butterfly, “Alright” is set the morning after a drunken night in a hotel room contemplating suicide. But the simple yet powerful message was a rallying cry for social justice that dominated the latter half of the 2010s.

#2 “Pumped Up Kicks”- Foster the People

A clear option for all of those “jumpy songs with dark lyrics” lists for the Buzzfeeds of the internet, Foster the People’s breakthrough is another track written by the headlines. This list has made it obvious we hold a liking for songs that tell of our age, and this epic that’s aged too well is an easy pick for the present’s musical time capsule.

#1 “Do I Wanna Know?”- Arctic Monkeys

Whether you first heard it from a Bacardi commercial or that hipster girl at school who showed you all the bands that’d eventually cram your playlist, “Do I Wanna Know?” brought Alex Turner’s crew higher than anyone labeled as “indie” could dream of. Unlike the ‘Creep by Radioheads’ of the world, it catered to the band’s core fans as well as that group of listeners who aren’t as cultured as you are.

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

Kacey Musgraves scored Album Of The Year for her magnificent Golden Hour. Submitted into the awards in the “Country” category, some would say the LP is anything but. Musgraves hails from Texas and is certainly a country artist, but her interpretation of the genre reaches far past the south. Only it’s not a rerun of Taylor Swift’s transition into full-on mainstream pop: Musgraves dips her feet into disco-pop sounds, and even sings into a vocoder on the song “Oh, What A World”, but somehow still maintains the enjoyable glitz of the genre. You don’t have to be a fan of country music at all to appreciate her work- it’s even possible her concerts gather more country haters than actual country diehards.

Golden Hour is backed by gorgeous acoustic production. Every guitar stroke is intricately placed alongside Musgrave’s skilled songwriting ability. The 13-song tracklist is ripe with variation. There are bouncy jams like “Velvet Elvis” and the disco-pop banger “High Horse”. It’s got mellow love songs like “Love Is a Wild Thing” and the delicate “Butterflies”. She packs a plethora of clever cowboy references guaranteed to put a smile on your face despite “Space Cowboy” being a breakup song. One of the things that’s caused Musgraves to get “shunned” by the core country music crowd is her advocacy for LGBT rights, which she explores on the closing “Rainbow” (which Musgraves performed at last night’s Grammys).

It’s consistency that really makes the album shine. There are zero skippable songs across the LP. Even the 78-second long piano-driven “Mother” offers insightful emotion into Musgraves’ life. Her smart lyrics are understandable for anyone, rural upbringing or not, while her inviting vocals set the tone for an album that never overstays its welcome.

Riding an 89 Metacritic score, the LP was undeniably a critical darling. Its victory and Childish Gambino’s Record & Song Of The Year wins hint at a much-needed 180° for the awards. Following recent controversies, the Academy enlisted a more diverse pool of voters to address the lack of recognition for the other 98% of music that’s not on mainstream radio. The Grammys were careening towards the bottom after the debacles of the past few years, but the 2019 show pointed towards a brighter future for the best artists to get the praise they deserve. Golden Hour was the best choice for Album Of The Year, and I’m absolutely bewildered and grateful for Kacey’s win. Here’s to hoping the Grammys can keep it up.

SCAD Radio gives Golden Hour a 9.2/10.

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As with the conclusion of any Earth cycle, it’s time for SCAD Radio’s favorite tracks that made 2018 suck less. After rigorous debate and a sophisticated voting process, we have rounded out our overall choices for the 10 best songs of the year.

Also be sure to check out our top 10 albums of 2018.

#10- Nice for What- Drake

For the most part, it seemed fans loved Scorpion “only partly”. While much of the LP fell flat, “Nice For What” brought more of the upbeat and fun music Drake has become a household name for. Taking a bite from Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor”, the Canadian rapper constructs a women’s empowerment tune complete with a star-studded music video of famous females.

Listen here.

#9- Tints- Anderson .Paak feat. Kendrick Lamar

The funkiest man in music right now teams up with rap’s reigning king for a nostalgic bop. Fans anticipating the lead single for .Paak’s third album, Oxnard, got what they wanted. “Tints” begins with a delicious ‘70s-centric disco beat as the Dr. Dre. prodigy and Lamar dive into their distaste for the paparazzi. Channeling his inner James Brown, Anderson .Paak summons perhaps his flashiest tune to date.

Listen here.

#8- Make Me Feel- Janelle Monáe

Bubbly, catchy, and clearly Prince-inspired, the single to Dirty Computer warps the pop & R&B styles the electric lady is known for mixing. With that finger-snap bassline to the “bass drop” chorus of sorts, “Make Me Feel” made us feel “so f*ckin’ real”.

Listen here.

#7- Fists of Fury- Kamasi Washington

Clocking in at nearly 10 minutes, the opening to Kamasi Washington’s Heaven and Earth is nothing short of epic. A fight song at heart, but a jazzy ballad for the ages nonetheless, the saxophonist’s combination of roaring brass and racing drums ensure that listening to “Fists of Fury” only through headphones limits the thunderous experience.

The full track isn’t available on YouTube, but you can listen to a live version here.

#6- Cool- Soccer Mommy

A ringing yet soft guitar carries us into the underdog world of one of indie rock’s most promising stars. “Cool” details the girl who’s too good for you through the eyes of the girl on the sidelines, Soccer Mommy. Capitalized with a simple chorus that’ll have you belting out “you-ou-ou-ou”s of your own, one of 2018’s best breakouts finishes the track with a nicely done slow fade-out.

Listen here.

#5- High Horse- Kacey Musgraves

The disco-pop glitz of “High Horse” would never leave a first-time listener to guess Musgraves is a country artist. The songwriter ventures further and further away from the genre she once called home, and in all the right ways. The danciest track from the terrific Golden Hour wonderfully displays the Texan evolving far beyond her comfort zone.

Listen here.

#4- All the Stars- Kendrick Lamar & SZA

The end-credit tune from Marvel’s groundbreaking Black Panther movie shines thanks to two of Top Dawg Entertainment’s finest hitmakers. Kendrick Lamar’s motivational verses in the guise of T’Challa complement the superhero’s story, and SZA’s powerful vocals anchor the uplifting chorus. Wakanda forever indeed.

Listen here.

#3- This Is America- Childish Gambino

When Donald Glover and his stage name Childish Gambino were announced to be the host and musical guest for Saturday Night Live, it served as a conformation of new music. The same night Gambino performed at the New York venue, the music video for the America-criticizing song was unleashed for the internet to interpret. He surprised everyone with the psychedelic shift in genre on songs like “Redbone”, but Glover made an even bigger splash with this instant classic and it’s mind-boggling video.

Read our review for the iconic music video here.

Watch the music video here.

#2- Nobody- Mitski

Everyone experiences loneliness at some point in their lives, even if you’re an indie giant like Mitski Miyawaki. Starting with a light percussion tap and concluding with a roof-raising chant of the track’s title, the Japanese-born singer/songwriter pairs feelings of isolation with a bouncy riff that launched her from underground to indie fame.

Listen here.

#1- Feels Like Summer- Childish Gambino

If you haven’t realized by now, it was a big year for Donald Glover. Following the cultural phenomenon “This Is America”, the music world couldn’t expect what the multi-talent would do next. In sync with the “jigsaw-puzzle” vibe of the former, “Feels Like Summer” tactically misled viewers on a seemingly relaxing animated bit with various rappers and public figures from J. Cole to Michelle Obama. Even the video’s finale of Gambino entering his house as the sun sets is thought to reference the rumors his upcoming fourth album will be his last. Nevertheless, for those of you who didn’t know, the song is actually about climate change and global warming. Yeah.

Listen here.

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