BY: LILLY GOODMAN, STAFF WRITER Photo courtesy of Joseph DeBell / Opinion Editor for The Bona Venture Although playlists and singles dominate modern music, the album format remains a timeless and irreplaceable medium for storytelling. In an era dominated by streaming platforms and digital downloads, some might wonder if the album format no longer has…
JOSEPH DEBELL: OPINION EDITOR Graphic: Joseph DeBell With Donald Trump as the incoming president, musicians’ progress toward fair compensation is at risk. The Living Wage for Musicians Act — designed to secure better wages for artists in the music industry — is in danger of being sidelined. This legislation could become one of the casualties…
BY: LILLY GOODMAN, STAFF WRITER Album cover from albumoftheyear.org “Dancing in the Flames” displays The Weeknd’s musical ability but highlights areas where the song could have packed more of a punch. The Weeknd illustrates a fast-paced evening drive in the city as “Dancing in the Flames” begins. With electric echoes reminiscent of Daft Punk, digital…
BY: HANNAH WEST, STAFF WRITER Photo from Wikimedia Commons Not enough people are talking about Maggie Rogers. Many stumbled upon Roger’s from her song with Zach Bryan, “Dawns,” but her solo works have stunning lyrics and a style different from most modern, popular music. She is currently on her “Don’t Forget Me” tour, the name…
BY: MORGAN KILGER, FEATURES EDITOR Musical theater is coming to St. Bonaventure University. Professor Janell Clingenpeel, a visual and performing arts professor, and Dr. Brian Stevens, visiting professor and director of choral and vocal music, will offer MUS 399: Musical Theatre and Production for the spring semester. In this course, students will engage in the…
BY: LILLY GOODMAN, STAFF WRITER Album cover from albumoftheyear.org “Songs In The Key Of Life” isn’t just a staple in Stevie Wonder’s career — it’s a towering musical accomplishment. This September, Wonder’s 18th studio album, “Songs In The Key Of Life,” celebrated its 48th anniversary. When people hear Wonder’s name, they often think of songs…
BY JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR Graphic: @beyonce on Instagram Long before the days of sought-after country artists like Toby Keith, country music has always prided itself on two things: storytelling and being the voice of the everyday American. However, Beyoncé’s experience suggests otherwise. Beyoncé’s latest effort, “Cowboy Carter,” the first LP by a Black woman…
BY: LILLY GOODMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Album Cover from albumoftheyear.com Stars from Wikimedia Commons The soundscape of the hip-hop genre is constantly evolving, and few artists command attention like Travis Scott. His fourth studio album, “UTOPIA,” follows his 2018 album, which cemented his place in atmospheric music production. In the grand scope of Scott’s career, “UTOPIA”…
BY JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR Graphic: Joseph DeBell / The Bona Venture Michael Smith’s case should serve as a reminder that regulation in the music streaming industry is not just about preventing financial fraud — it’s about preserving the integrity of music. The recent arrest of Smith, who managed to swindle $10 million through a…
BY: LILLY GOODMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Graphic made by Joseph DeBell Few bands have managed to seize the essence of surf rock quite like Weezer. With their unique blend of geek rock, catchy hooks and unmistakable guitar riffs, the band has earned a devoted fan base since their 1994 debut. 5.)“El Scorcho” From Weezer’s “Pinkerton” LP,…
BY: HANNAH WEST, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Graphic made by Joseph DeBell As fall approaches, it’s time to watch the leaves change and listen to famous New Englander, Noah Kahan. In July of 2022, Kahan released the title track from his “Stick Season” album. Since then, he has not looked back. In 2024, the Vermonter went on…
BY JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR Album cover courtesy of @sabrinacarpenter on Instagram ALBUM SCORE: 3/5 Stars Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album, “Short n’ Sweet,” marks a new chapter in her career, one full of surprises and contradictions. While she’s often heralded as the fresh face of pop, she’s not exactly a newcomer. At 25, she already…
BY: LILLY GOODMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Cover art courtesy albumoftheyear.com Some could argue that “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” is Tommy Richman’s greatest piece of music, but after listening to “THE RUSH,” audiences were forced to question that notion. Richman is a popular name in the music industry in 2024, with 36 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Richman’s…
BY JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR Image courtesy of Joseph DeBell A recent episode of The Rest is Entertainment podcast highlighted an intriguing trend: the near disappearance of bands from the music charts. Osman pointed out that bands dominated the charts in the early ’80s and ’90s for over 140 weeks each. But in the past…
JOSEPH DEBELL: OPINION EDITOR The album cover is courtesy of @taylorswift on Instagram Taylor Swift’s latest move to block Charli XCX from a number-one debut on the U.K. album charts reeks of insecurity and pettiness. Fans have accused the pop star of using shady tactics to overshadow Charli XCX’s critically acclaimed album, “Brat.” The timing…
JOSEPH DEBELL: OPINION EDITOR The album cover is courtesy of @dontoliver on Instagram ALBUM SCORE: 2.75/5 Stars While it may draw comparisons to Travis Scott, under whose label Don Toliver releases his music, “Harstone Psycho” is a slight step forward from his previous projects. Toliver’s latest album is a testament to the Houston rapper’s unique…
JOSEPH DEBELL: OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons The recent decision by authorities in the Russian republic of Chechnya to ban music based on tempo is not only absurd but represents cultural authoritarianism. The ban, which limits songs to a tempo of 80 to 116 beats per minute, aims to align with the “Chechnyan…
JOSEPH DEBELL: OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons J. Cole, a sought-after rapper raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is known to many as an artist with lyrical prowess. Recently, Cole finds himself entangled in a web of controversy. This time, it’s not just about a rap beef with Kendrick Lamar; it’s about a transphobic…
JOSEPH DEBELL: OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons South by Southwest (SXSW) has lost its integrity. The once exciting Austin Texas music festival is now becoming less of a music festival and more of a billboard on which they platform defense contractors, including Raytheon subsidiaries and the US Army. SXSW first appeared in 1987…
BY: JOSEPH DEBELL, OPINION EDITOR Photo Courtesy @weareumaw on Instagram It’s time to tune into the reality of the music industry. The melodies we love are oftentimes composed against a backdrop of economic struggle for the artists who create them. While the Living Wage for Musicians Act may not be a silver-bullet solution to unethical…