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The Crux by Djo // Album Review

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At its core, The Crux by Djo is a heartfelt ode to the people that have shaped him, along with his family and friends that have supported him through every phase of his life. Musically, this album pays homage to many of the influences he grew up with, signaling a nostalgic return to the sounds that inspired his love for music at an early age.  Djo is the musical pseudonym for actor Joe Keery, who is best known for his work in Stranger Things.  He first released music under Djo (pronounced the same as his first name) in 2019 with his debut album, Twenty Twenty . The decision to create under a stage name allowed him to separate his acting career from his music, encouraging listeners to approach his projects without any preconceived notions or expectations. His first two albums, Twenty Twenty and DECIDE , were mostly made at home alongside his close friend and frequent collaborator Adam Thein. Together, they crafted deeply personal records that were bold, experimental and intros...
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"Stuck With U" by Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber // 5 Year Anniversary Song Review + 7" vinyl & signed CD

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Released in May 2020, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber 's collaborative charity single, "Stuck With U", is a cute and optimistic love song about being stuck inside with someone you love. The track has a soft doo-wop vibe, making it feel nostalgic and comforting, which perfectly fit the time it was released. "So, lock the door and throw out the key, can't fight this no more, it's just you and me," they sing in the chorus. "And there's nothin' I, nothin' I, I can do, I'm stuck with you, stuck with you, stuck with you". Originally written as a solo track, Ariana came up with the idea to add Justin to the song, turning it into a duet that became an instant hit. It became Justin's sixth and Ariana's third number one single, also joining their long list of songs that have surpassed a billion streams . "We just wanted to make something fun that also helps and kind of makes people feel less alone and be hopefully somewhat ...
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"505" by Arctic Monkeys // Song Review

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"505" is one of Arctic Monkeys ' most beloved tracks, a song that has grown from a deep cut into a fan favorite over time. In an interview with NME , lead singer Alex Turner once described it as "the first proper love song we've done... as in like, 'Oh, it's that one person.'" That sentiment is embedded in the song's evocative lyrics, which paint a haunting atmosphere filled with longing and emotional intensity. Sonically, "505" was so ahead of its time, foreshadowing the direction Arctic Monkeys would later take in their future releases . As the closing track on their classic 2007 album Favourite Worst Nightmare , it serves as a powerful finale, as well as being a distinct shift in tone from the record in terms of tone and atmosphere. It carries a grungy romanticism that feels understated yet deeply sincere. Part of what makes "505" so compelling is its lyrical ambiguity. The song's title and setting could represent a...
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Oops!...I Did It Again by Britney Spears // 25 Year Anniversary Album Review & Urban Outfitters Exclusive purple + metallic gold swirl vinyl

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Oops!...I Did It Again is the iconic sophomore album by Britney Spears , released in 2000 as the highly anticipated follow-up to her legendary debut ...Baby One More Time . Following the massive success of her debut, there was definitely a pressure for Britney to replicate its impact. To achieve this, she teamed up with a range of producers and songwriters, primarily Max Martin and Rami Yacoub, the masterminds behind many of the era's biggest hits, including key tracks from her debut. This album is stacked with timeless pop classics that defined the early 2000s and solidified Britney as one of the most defining voices of the era. While it had elements of the bubblegum pop sound from her debut, it also incorporated subtle R&B and funk influences, which added depth and variety to its sound. The title track, "Oops!... I Did It Again", is undeniably one of the greatest pop songs ever written and remains a staple in Britney's discography. Much like her breakthrough...
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"All I Wanted" by Paramore // Song Review

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Closing out Paramore 's 2009 album Brand New Eyes , "All I Wanted" stands out as a defining moment in the band's discography. It is a transcendent and emotional ballad that stands apart from much of their pop punk sound up to that point. If anything, "All I Wanted" is undeniable proof that Hayley Williams is one of the greatest living vocalists. The sheer intensity of her voice, the way the emotions build until the song's explosive end - it's raw, powerful, and perfectly conveys the depth of feeling behind its message. Originally titled "All I Wanted Was You", the song nearly didn’t make the album. Hayley wrote in a diary entry published in the Brand New Eyes deluxe release, "Just an 'emo' kind of day & I'm proud of the obscurity in the lyrics while still remaining pretty personal."  Written alongside Taylor York, the song emerged from an isolating time in Hayley's life. "I wish there was an actual story...
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"cardigan" by Taylor Swift // Song Review + Songwriting Voice Memo Exclusive Vinyl Singles Collection

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On this day five years ago, Taylor Swift wrote one of the most defining songs of her entire career, "cardigan". This song shapes so much of the underlying storyline of Folklore and lays the foundation for much of the work she created in the years since. Alongside the premiere of the "cardigan" music video in 2020, Taylor wrote, "This song is about a lost romance and why young love is often fixed so permanently within our memories. Why it leaves such an indelible mark." It remains a stunning example of her ability to blend wistful nostalgia with deeply evocative storytelling.  This song, along with the rest of what eventually became Folklore , emerged from the quiet solitude of the early days of the pandemic. Taylor created the entirety of this record alone at home, collaborating virtually with Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff , a particularly prolific and creatively fulfilling period in which she wrote two albums in close succession.  Folklore came toge...
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