Category: Review

Dream pop, Review, Synth-popLeave a comment

Paperwhite Looks Back with Latest EP, “Reach”

Brooklyn synthpop sibling duo, Paperwhite, has released their five-track EP, Reach, after a nearly decade-long hiatus. Growing up just outside of Philadelphia, Katie (singer/songwriter) and Ben (producer/songwriter) Marshall wrote many songs together during their teens. Forming in 2013, the pair took the name Paperwhite after the flower. Since the release of their debut EP, Magic (2014), the siblings have taken the internet by storm, drawing the attention of some of the industry’s most notable publications, including Billboard, Buzzfeed, and Nylon. Their previous EP, Escape, was released in 2016. In 2024, the pair emerged from their sleepy hiatus and delivered Reach. … Continue reading Paperwhite Looks Back with Latest EP, “Reach”

Pop, ReviewLeave a comment

Francesca Fuentes Enters the Chat with “Can’t Hide”

by A. Pollinger “If you take note of any pop singer this year, let it be Francesca Fuentes.” The melodies of Francesca Fuentes, an enchanting singer hailing from New Jersey, are not unfamiliar in the indie-pop realm. While a familiarity rings through her mesmerizing tracks, there is something wholly unique that spikes the pink drink gin-fizz of her new EP, Can’t Hide. I was captivated by the visual appeal of Fuentes’ music video, “I Just Wanna Be Your Lover Again,” a love-lorn journey through the decades and a musical homage to Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Priscilla Presley. Pop is something that BTN!M has covered plenty since it launched in … Continue reading Francesca Fuentes Enters the Chat with “Can’t Hide”

Alternative, Review, RockLeave a comment

Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds: ‘That Delicious Vice’ Review 

by Amaris Pollinger (dark, spicy (picante), upbeat, serene and of course, humorous) it’s also exactly what you wouldn’t expect. The “thinking man’s garage rock band,” Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds have released their first full-length album since La Araña Es La Vida(2016). Out everywhere now, That Delicious Vice is—well—delicious (no, we didn’t eat it).  When they lost a member, frontman and LA punk/garage rock veteran Kid Congo Powers (The Gun Club, Nick Cave and the Badseeds, The Cramps, The Knoxville Girls) decided: “Why not try this as a three-piece?” This decision gave the Pink Monkey Birds space to stretch … Continue reading Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds: ‘That Delicious Vice’ Review 

Pop, ReviewLeave a comment

JESSIA Puts Toxic Relationships in Review

I’m so sorry to myself for justifying a narcissistic hell… JESSIA has a penchant for creating relatable, stinging tracks about heartache. Her newest single, “Care About Me,” is no different. The Canadian pop singer might have a sugar-rush sound, but her lyrics and vocals are all pain and soul.    “Care About Me” is all about the quick unraveling of a relationship: “Rip my heart from my chest/and I’ll still apologize for making a mess” is probably the mantra of every survivor of a toxic, narcissistic relationship ever known (actually, JESSIA throws a line in there about that too, “I’m so … Continue reading JESSIA Puts Toxic Relationships in Review

Pop, Pop culture, pop music, ReviewLeave a comment

Almost 10 Years Later, 1989 Still Hasn’t Gone Out of Style

1989 is back and better than ever! Although it’s hard to outdo an album as original as is iconic, the new and improved 1989 (Taylor’s Version) by far surpassed all odds. Not only did the album gain the beloved Taylor’s Version behind its title, but it also gained five new remarkable vault tracks. These songs are new to the album but contain the familiar 1989 spunk. Taylor Swift covers everything from pining love to snowmobile accidents – Let’s dive right in! The first vault track, “Slut!” shocked us all, to say the least. While most expected it to be an … Continue reading Almost 10 Years Later, 1989 Still Hasn’t Gone Out of Style

Pop culture, pop music, ReviewLeave a comment

Taylor Swift Takes Back Her Voice With ‘Speak Now’

By Molly Reeves Taylor Swift released Speak Now as her third studio album in 2010.  Having just released Fearless, the most-awarded country album of all time, she was worried that her junior album wouldn’t get the same recognition. Taylor Swift was a country singer, but Speak Now had some pop elements, which made her wonder if she should stay in the country genre. At the beginning of the Speak Now era, music critics criticized Swift for not writing her own songs. As a response, Swift wrote every song on Speak Now alone, with no collaborators. On July 7, 2023, Taylor … Continue reading Taylor Swift Takes Back Her Voice With ‘Speak Now’

Punk, ReviewLeave a comment

‘Pistol’: Reviewing the Punk Rock Drama on FX

by Amaris Pollinger When I first heard about Pistol (2022), I rolled my eyes. “Here we go again,” I thought, “another failed attempt at telling the Sex Pistols story.” You can’t really blame me here. After all, Sid and Nancy (1986) was an absolute train wreck of a film. Besides a few documentaries, the Sex Pistols story has been a complete disaster in the hands of filmmakers. Thankfully, I’m the kind of person that’s willing to accept when I’m wrong. And FX has certainly made me eat crow. Based on the autobiography Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol, by founding … Continue reading ‘Pistol’: Reviewing the Punk Rock Drama on FX