By: Music Journalism Club

Every Tuesday, our Music Director, Allison, chooses new releases to add to our music library. Here are some recent highlights, presented to you by WSUM’s Music Journalism Club.

OHYUNG, You Are Always On My Mind

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “no good”, “dancing on the soft knife”

GENRE: Indietronica, Downtempo, Hypnagogic Pop

RIYL: Arthur Russell, Cibo Matto, chris†††

There’s a palpable atmosphere to Brooklyn-based OHYUNG’s You Are Always On MyMind, where haunting yet nostalgic MIDI strings do most of the heavy-lifting accompanied by her vocal performances that reinforce the hypnagogic aesthetic. Strings take the lead on most tracks, either pushed to the front of the mix or drifting softly in the background, while OHYUNG layers in other instruments to build the soundscape: arpeggiated, shimmering keys in the title track; lush, atmospheric pads in “i swear that i could die right now”; and puzzling, flute-like plucked synths in “crush.” Another standout across the album’s 11 tracks is the variety in percussive elements OHYUNG employs. This is especially evident in track seven–“dancing on the soft knife”–where a tight breakbeat groove, swelling MIDI strings, and OHYUNG’s vocals are enough to showcase the artist’s compelling potential within a fresh, forward-thinking indietronica sound.    

— Ryan Mercer

Niis, Niis World

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Low Life,” “The Bow”

GENRE: Alt Rock, Grunge, Punk

RIYL: Die Spitz, Slaughterhouse

For the Los-Angeles-based punk band, Niis (pronounced “nice”), the album Niis World marks a turning point from their usual political lyrics to more personal themes. Lead singer Mimi SanDoe expresses her anger about heartbreak and loss, while still calling out the misogyny and sexism in the music industry as she’s done on Niis’s previous songs. Lyrics from the opening track represent the overall tone of the album, asking “I know who I am, and who you could be/ Through your bloodshot eyes/ Do you hate what you see?” From the more melodic “Low Life” and “Driveaway,” to the abrasive “New Pig” and “Wasted” closing out the album, the relatable yet personal lyrics carry it all the way through. Niis World is a must-listen for fans of punk, hardcore, and grunge. 

— Logan Brown

Yukimi, For You

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Peace Reign”, “Sad Makeup”, “Jaxon”

GENRE: Dance, Synth Pop, Jazz-Soul

RIYL: Kali Uchis, Little Dragon, Cleo Sol

Vocalist and co-founder of Swedish electronic band Little Dragon, Yukimi’s debut album For You is a vulnerable exploration of her own struggles, and the relatability of the intensely personal lyrics prompts the listener to as well. Hoping to connect others amid a world full of uncertainty, Yukimi gracefully expresses herself over tracks merging styles from electronic pop, jazz, soul, psychedelia, and hip hop. “Sad Makeup”, a single off the album, discusses how covering up your feelings only amplifies their potency, with a laid back beat and smooth, soothing vocals. The quicker paced, but equally reflective “Jaxon” features Pos from De La Soul with a deeply impactful and poetic verse. The variety across the album makes it a beautiful, redemptive listen, spotlighting Yukimi’s growth as an artist. 

— Ryan King

Sam Akpro, Evenfall

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Chicago Town”, “Gone West”, “Cherry” 

GENRE: Post-punk, Jazz, Electronic

RIYL: Yves Tumor, Steve Lacy

London-based Sam Akpro blends a variety of genres and unique sounds with his debut album Evenfall. Akpro’s creativity shines through on both tracks featuring a mix of vocals and exhilarating beats, and purely instrumental and experimental tracks such as “Baka.” Incorporating the sounds reminiscent of a city at night, Akpro crafts a specific sense of ambience for the 35-minute runtime of this album. Perfect for a chill late-night drive, this record will supply you with the sounds for a truly enticing experience.

— Catalina DeSua

girlpuppy, sweetness

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “I Just Do” , “Champ”, “Beaches”

GENRE: Indie-rock, Dream-pop, 

RIYL: Alvvays, Yo La Tengo

Girlpuppy’s recent project, Sweetness, encapsulates the power of unveiling emotion through music. The Atlanta local utilizes elegant vocals and uniquely styled backing tracks in order to captivate the Sweetness album until the very end. From “I Just Do” with its quickly racing beat to “I Think I Did” with its delicate lyricism, girlpuppy captures exactly what it feels like to be a person who’s had their heart broken. Likewise, while the singer-songwriter shares reminders of Leith Ross or Phoebe Bridgers, girlpuppy has a unique gift of her own that goes past any old breakup music, but rather an ability to bring power to women. As seen in “Champ,” a song yelling, ‘I take it like a champ, I just wanna be a man,’ girlpuppy uses her intricate lyricism to not only write beautiful songs, but also sing with a strong meaning. An artist just getting started in 2020, I can see big things for the future of girlpuppy. 

— Lillian Hescheles

Great Grandpa, Patience, Moonbeam

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Never Rest”, “Junior”, “Kiss the Dice”, “Ephemera”

GENRE: Indie Rock, Indie Folk

RIYL: Mt. Joy, Japanese Breakfast, Ratboys

Six years after their previous album, Great Grandpa releases its newest album Patience, Moonbeam. Al Menne, the lead vocalist for Great Grandpa, has a higher vocal range, which makes for a lovely sound throughout the whole album. Al’s voice and the guitar I feel are the two main components which tie this entire album together. While there is an overarching sound, each song has its own personality, with an indie folk sound in “Junior”, but a more pop leaning sound in “Ladybug”. The album feels like the soundtrack to a coming of age movie, encapsulating the feelings of warm summer nights in the suburbs with high school friends. This summer I will be listening to Patience, Moonbeam nonstop.

— Christine VanDen Heuvel