Cello Repertoire

Concertos Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 (complete) Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations (complete) Dvorak Cello Concerto Elgar Cello Concerto Haydn Cello Concerto … More

Ten years later: The enduring vice of The Weeknd’s debut mixtape “House of Balloons”

In “House of Balloons,” The Weeknd paints soundscapes of beaten-down basements and blurry memories, setting the standard for alternative R&B of the 2010s and beyond. 

Top 3 Albums from the 2010s: Short Reviews

What is the 2010s if not the decade when we connected with each other most — whether through text messages, car rides, Facebook — and also felt the most isolated?

Reviewing My Spotify Unwrapped 2020 Stats & Top Songs Playlist

I react to and comment on my top 20 most played songs from 2020 according to Spotify.

Yeol Eum Son’s all-Schumann Piano Recital | 손열음 | June 23, 2020

Yeol-Eum Son dazzled the masked audience with maturity and restraint during her all-Schumann piano recital on June 23, 2020 at Seoul Arts Center.

Grammys 2020: Predictions for MAJOR Awards

The already-mainstream artists are sure to sweep the major awards, including two of the most viral artists of the past year: Lizzo and Billie Eilish. 

Top Albums of the 2010s (#6): Lorde – Melodrama (2017)

Melodrama establishes Lorde as an artist with the lifestyle of a party-loving, city-scaling teenager and the soul of an intellectual with wisdom seemingly compounded over generations. 

Top Albums of the 2010s (#7): Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience

This gem of an album distills decades of R&B, pop, dance, rock, and soul into 10 vibrant and poignant tracks.

Top 10 Holiday (Christmas) Songs

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you’ll run into ‘em, so here are the top 10 picks for the best holiday songs of the season.

Always Worth Your Money: Brockhampton’s “Heaven Belongs To You” Tour

Brockhampton concerts are guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience with an exhilarating atmosphere and music.

I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: April

I enjoyed listening to rock and rap outside the mainstream, listening to the discographies of artists like Cage the Elephant, Freddie Gibbs, DMX, and The Internet.

I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: March

Musical theatre, rock, pop, and Game of Thrones soundtracks.

I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: February

I explore A$AP Rocky, Mos Def, and Big K.R.I.T’s discographies.

Grammys 2019: Predictions for MAJOR Awards (General)

With 8 nominations in each of the four major categories, the race is more wide open than ever. Will female artists and rappers triumph?

Grammys 2019: Predictions for Rap Awards

Despite the tense history between rap and the Grammys, the nominees this year are very interesting. 

2018: The Best Under-the-Radar Albums You Missed Out On

10 R&B and rap albums from 2018 outside the mainstream spotlight for you to discover. Featuring Joey Purp, 88Rising, Sophie, and more.

I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: January

I explored old-school hip-hop and EDM during January.

I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: December

Revisiting releases from earlier this year – 6 months down in my project!

Top 25 Albums of 2018

I aimed for a range of different subgenres and types within rap and R&B as well as pop and indie rock in my top 25 albums of 2018. Including Swimming, Voicenotes, Daytona, Isolation, and more.

I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: November

Great rap album releases this month, along with more experimental genres.

When to listen to Blonde by Frank Ocean: A One-Year Calendar

All together, the songs from “Blonde” make up the four seasons of the year.

November is stacked for Rap – Part 1

Great projects from Swizz Beatz, Vince Staples, Metro Boomin, Freddie Gibbs, and more.

I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: October

Exploring lesser known artists during October.

I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: September

Dipping my toes into a wider variety of genres in September.

I’m listening to one new album every day for a year: July/Aug

First update on my goal of listening to at least one full album a day for the first time.

Best Albums of 2018 So Far

The seven best albums released before June 30th, 2018. Including names such as Cardi B, Janelle Monae, and Pusha T.

Ranking the XXL Magazine 2018 Freshman Class Freestyles and Cyphers

Every year, the hip hop magazine XXL releases a list of (usually) 10 rappers on the rise– artists they feel … More

ye by Kanye West – Album Review

Vulture describes it best: “ye is a bit of a success and a bit of a failure. Like a collapsed, undercooked cake, it’s temptingly sweet but also disconcertingly mishandled.” 

I went to a Kendrick Lamar Concert // The Championship Tour

Kendrick Lamar and other Top Dawg artists showcase artistry and heartwarming cooperation in the unforgettable Championship Tour.

The One Vital Lesson Hip-Hop Can Learn From J. Cole

“J. Cole’s pure approach to music is a powerful antidote to the often exhausting excess of hip-hop.”

Best Beats Over the Years: J.Cole (pt.2)

J. Cole’s heart-wrenching narratives are made complete with these equally poignant beats that make his words linger in your head for days afterward.

Kendrick Lamar Wins a Pulitzer Prize, Makes Hip Hop History (Grammys, Take Notes.)

Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize win is not only a landmark in hip hop history but also a huge stride in recognizing the immense artistic and cultural significance of hip hop in American society.

Wendy’s (yes, the fast food restaurant) Just Dropped the Best Mixtape of the Year

Wendy’s fires shots at McDonald’s and more, including killer lines like “Why yo’ ice cream machine always broke? Why yo’ drive through always slow?”

Best Beats of All Time – Kendrick Lamar (pt. 1)

Part 1 of a series on various artists’ best beats. First up: Kendrick Lamar and his five full-length projects.

The Black Panther Hype is Just Starting

The cultural landmark has ways to go before the rightful attention it deserves will subside.

You need to read these essays about the 2018 Grammys

Once again, Grammy voters refuse to award the top honor to excellent rap albums.

Tyler, The Creator – First Listen

Tyler is a genius rapper and producer, and his newest project is a brilliant streak of originality in the current hip hop scene that stands toe-to-toe with even the most seasoned artists like Jay-Z.