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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
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[Photo] Review | Ringo Starr meets low expectations with country album ‘Look Up’

By Makenna Norman, Staff Writer • January 15, 2025
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[Photo] Review | buzz picks worst albums of 2024

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor • December 30, 2024
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[Photo] Review | buzz picks best albums of 2024

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor • December 30, 2024
The album cover for Band Aid's 2024, "Do They Know It’s Christmas? (2024 Ultimate Mix)."

[Photo] Column | Does everyone need to know it’s Christmas?

By Andrew Shevlin, Staff Writer • December 23, 2024
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[Photo] Review | ‘rosie’ is confessional, catchy, earnest start to solo career

By Riddhima Patllolli, Staff Writer • December 10, 2024
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[Photo] Review | Drift into a dreamy journey with TV Girl, George Clanton’s nostalgic ‘Fauxllennium’

By Mariana Quezada, Senior buzz Reporter • December 7, 2024
TWICE-STRATEGY Album Cover - Genius

[Photo] Review | TWICE introduces its ‘Strategy’ with new album

By Edgar Nava, Staff Writer • December 9, 2024
The cover for Bon Iver's 2024 EP "SABLE."

[Photo] Review | Bon Iver provides honest conversation in ‘SABLE’

By Juliana Damian, Contributing Writer • October 30, 2024
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[Photo] Review | ‘Shawn’ explores folk in vulnerable but forgettable comeback

By Bryana Perez, Staff Writer • November 21, 2024
The cover of Kendrick Lamar's 2024 album "gnx."

[Photo] Review | Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album ‘GNX’ solidifies status as rap great 

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor • November 24, 2024
The album cover for Father John Misty's "Mahashmashana."

[Photo] Review | Father John Misty’s ‘Mahashmashana’: A beautiful sign of the times

By Mary Piacente, News Editor • November 28, 2024
The cover for IRENE's "Like a Flower," released November 26, 2024.

[Photo] Review | IRENE stuns in solo debut ‘Like a Flower’

By Kailib Keblys, Contributing Writer • December 1, 2024
The cover for Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime."

[Photo] Column | Who’s up having a ‘Wonderful Christmastime?’

By Nicolas Roacho, Staff Writer • November 19, 2024
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[Photo] Column | Lady Gaga’s ‘The Fame Monster’ remains definition of iconic

By Mariana Quezada, Senior buzz Reporter • November 18, 2024
The album cover for Lady Gaga's 7th album, "Disease."

[Photo] Review | Lady Gaga’s new single ‘Disease’ marks strong pop return

By Kailib Keblys, Contributing Writer • November 3, 2024
The album cover for Nirvana's live performance in New York, released November 1, 1994.

[Photo] Column | Remembering Nirvana’s iconic MTV live performance 30 years later

By Kristina Muharremaj, Staff Writer • November 5, 2024
The album cover for Ben Folds new holiday album, "Sleigher."

[Photo] Review | Ben Folds’ ‘Sleigher’ distinguishes itself as unique holiday album

By Thomas O'Sullivan, Contributing Writer • November 6, 2024
Cover art of Tyler, The Creator's recent fall album release, “CHROMAKOPIA.”

[Photo] Review | Tyler, The Creator’s ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ contemplates personal growth, anxieties of getting old 

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Senior buzz Reporter • October 30, 2024
The Official album cover of aespa’s 5th Mini Album "Whiplash," released earlier this year.

[Photo] Review | aespa are game changers with new ‘Whiplash’ era

By Edgar Nava, Contributing Writer • October 28, 2024
The cover for Peach Pit's 2024 release "Magpie."

[Photo] Review | ‘Magpie’ is an experimental spectacle for Peach Pit

By Andrew Shevlin, Staff Writer • October 29, 2024
The cover of American Football's 2024 remaster "American Football [Covers]."

[Photo] ‘American Football (Covers)’ is brilliant remaster of nostalgic classic 

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Senior buzz Reporter • October 22, 2024
Cover art for Big Thief's “Two Hands” released in 2019.

[Photo] Column | Big Thief’s emotional indie-folk album ‘Two Hands’ turns 5

By Kristina Muharremaj, Staff Writer • October 11, 2024
Thee Sacred Souls latest album “Got a Story to Tell.”

[Photo] Review | Thee Sacred Souls’ ‘Got A Story To Tell’ distinguishes self from peers

By Riddhima Patllollu, Staff Writer • October 12, 2024
The cover of Coldplay's 2024 album, "Moon Music."

[Photo] Review | Coldplay’s final album release is heartwarming, but played out

By Andrew Shevlin, Staff Writer • October 8, 2024
The cover of The Cranberries' 1994 "No Need to Argue."

[Photo] Column | The Cranberries continue to influence alternative rock 30 years later

By Kristina Muharremaj, Staff Writer • October 10, 2024
The cover art of FINNEAS‘ sophomore album, “For Cryin’ Out Loud!,” shows FINNEAS seeming distant while holding a girl’s hand when sitting in a corner.

[Photo] Review | FINNEAS stylistically expands on ‘For Cryin’ Out Loud!’

By Chloe Barbarise, Senior Copy Editor • October 7, 2024
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[Photo] Review | Nelly Furtado meets expectations in newest album, ‘7’

By Amartya Nalluri, Staff Writer • September 24, 2024
The album cover for Fousheé's recent album "pointy heights," released on Sept. 13.

[Photo] Review | Fousheé showcases versatility on ‘Pointy Heights’

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Senior buzz Reporter • September 16, 2024
The cover for The Dare's newest album "What's Wrong With New York", released on Sept. 6.

[Photo] Review | The Dare brings indie sleaze mainstream with ‘What’s Wrong with New York?’

By Nina Athanasopoulos, Staff Writer • September 13, 2024
Cover art for A$AP Rocky's recent release, "Tailor Swif."

[Photo] buzz weekly new music rundown

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Senior buzz Reporter • September 7, 2024
Beabadoobee’s third studio album cover, “This is How Tomorrow Moves.”

[Photo] Beabadoobee’s ‘This is How Tomorrow Moves’ echoes heartbreak, growth

By Mary Piacente, News Editor • August 11, 2024
Clairo’s album cover for her latest release, “Charm.”

[Photo] Review | Third time’s the charm with Clairo’s new album, ‘Charm’

By Kristina Muharremaj, Staff Writer • July 17, 2024
“Guilty Pleasure” is JoJo Siwa’s newest release. It is her fourth EP.

[Photo] Review | JoJo Siwa boldly rebrands in new EP

By Magdalena Neff, Summer Editor • July 14, 2024
'Loom' is the newest album from technopop group Imagine Dragon. This is their sixth studio album.

[Photo] Review | Imagine Dragons rocks electropop in new album ‘Loom’

By Magdalena Neff, Summer Editor • July 1, 2024
The cover art for “The Secret of Us,” a 13-track, 47-minute album by singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams.

[Photo] Review | ‘The Secret of Us’ is a smashing sad girl summer success

By Chloe Barbarise, Senior Copy Editor • June 23, 2024
Bon Jovi’s newest album “Forever” was released on June 7, 2024. This is their 16th studio album.

[Photo] Review | Bon Jovi’s ‘Forever’ fails at a rock and roll revival

By Magdalena Neff, Summer Editor • June 8, 2024
Maya Hawke's newest album "Chaos Angel" was released May 31. The indie pop album marks her third record.

[Photo] Review | Maya Hawke teaches listeners how to be human in ‘Chaos Angel’

By Nina Athanasopoulos, Summer Editor • June 4, 2024
Album cover of “Blue Electric Light” by Lenny Kravitz. The rock album was released on May 24.

[Photo] Review | Lenny Kravitz’s new album “Blue Electric Light” is soulfully predictable

By Nina Athanasopoulos, Summer Editor • May 25, 2024
Album cover of “Model” by Wallows. The album was released on May 24.

[Photo] Review | ‘Model’ revitalizes Wallows’ sound, falls flat with repetition

By Jacob Slabosz and Chloe Barbarise • May 24, 2024
The official cover art for Billie Eilish’s third studio album, “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” which released on May 17.

[Photo] Review | Billie Eilish hits it hard, not at all soft with 3rd studio album

By Chloe Barbarise, Senior Copy Editor • May 19, 2024
The official album cover for Blur’s “Parklife.”

[Photo] Column | Blur’s ‘Parklife’ turns 30: Celebrating a defining Brit-pop album

By Kristina Muharremaj, Staff Writer • April 25, 2024
The official cover for “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology,” a 15-song part two to Taylor Swift’s latest album.

[Photo] Review | ‘The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology’ perfects TTPD (Part 2)

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • April 20, 2024
The official album cover for Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” released on April 19.

[Photo] Review | Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ aligns love, poetry (Part 1)

By Ella Narag, Special Sections Editor • April 19, 2024
The cover for Nas' debut album "Illmatic," released in 1994.

[Photo] Column | Nas’s ‘Illmatic’ is a timeless example of rap’s greatness, authenticity

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Senior buzz Reporter • April 19, 2024
The official album cover for Metro Boomin and Future’s latest album "WE STILL DON'T TRUST YOU."

[Photo] Column | Metro Boomin and Future clearly still don’t trust you 

By Russell Dearing, Contributing Writer • April 18, 2024
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[Photo] Review | Vampire Weekend’s ‘Only God Was Above Us’ is triumphant

By Mariana Quezada, Staff Writer • April 9, 2024
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[Photo] Billie Eilish to release first album in three years

By Tamana Ramkumar, Staff Writer • April 9, 2024
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[Photo] ‘JoJo! Have you learned nothing?’ Siwa returns with confusing new single

By Mary Piacente, News Editor • April 8, 2024
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[Photo] Charli XCX announces new album ‘Brat,’ releases two singles 

By Gabriel Kedziora, Contributing Writer • April 8, 2024
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[Photo] Column | J. Cole’s surprise album ‘Might Delete Later’ should be deleted immediately

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Senior buzz Reporter • April 6, 2024
"HOPE ON THE STREET VOL. 1" cover art.

[Photo] Jump into spring with j-hope’s ‘Hope on the Street Vol. 1’

By Bella Schott, Contributing Writer • April 2, 2024
NLEChoppa

[Photo] NLE Choppa announced as 2024 Spring Jam artist

By Maaike Niekerk, buzz Editor • March 27, 2024
Cover art for Olivia Rodrigo's "GUTS (spilled)" deluxe album released in March.

[Photo] Review | Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘GUTS’ have been spilled, drops 5 new tracks

By Angelica Milkie, Staff Writer • March 24, 2024
Album cover of “Bright Future” by Adrianne Lenker.

[Photo] Review | Adrianne Lenker delivers emotional folk-rock album with ‘Bright Future’

By Kristina Muharremaj, Staff Writer • March 25, 2024
Album cover of Madvillainy by Madvillain.

[Photo] Column | MF DOOM, Madlib’s ‘Madvillainy’ reinvents boundaries of hip-hop, defines a generation

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Staff Writer • March 23, 2024
Album cover of Neon Pill by Cage The Elephant.

[Photo] Cage The Elephant makes long-awaited return with ‘Out Loud’ and ‘Neon Pill’

By Andrew Shevlin, Contributing Writer • March 8, 2024
Album cover of This Is Why by Paramore.

[Photo] Independent Paramore gets fresh start with new ‘Thick Skull’ music video

By Suzette Murillo, Contributing Writer • March 8, 2024
Album cover of Lost in the Dream by The War on Drugs.

[Photo] Column | ‘Lost in the Dream’ is expansive record, holds immense weight 10 years later

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Staff Writer • March 18, 2024
Album cover of Bleachers by Jack Antonoff.

[Photo] Review | Jack Antonoff brings Bleachers back with self-titled album

By Mariana Quezada, Staff Writer • March 18, 2024
1984 "Footloose" soundtrack album art.

[Photo] Review | 40-year-old ‘Footloose’ soundtrack holds well, lack of diversity doesn’t

By A. Oishii Basu, Staff Writer • February 19, 2024
Ty Dolla $ign and Kanye West.

[Photo] Review | Mediocre ‘Vultures 1’ showcases West’s delusion on a new level

By Jack Larson, Assistant buzz Editor • February 15, 2024
Cover shot for Declan McKenna's third album "What Happened to the Beach" released on Friday.

[Photo] Review | Declan McKenna makes experimental splash with ‘What Happened to the Beach?’

By Pratim Vasireddy, Staff Writer • February 13, 2024
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[Photo] Country star Toby Keith dies at 62

By Sam Gregerman, Staff Writer • February 6, 2024
Album cover of INSANO.

[Photo] Review | Kid Cudi can’t save mediocre ‘INSANO’ with star features 

By Jack Larson, Assistant buzz Editor • January 22, 2024
Album cover of "Dance You Outta My Head".

[Photo] Singer’s last song goes viral on TikTok

By Kristina Muharremaj, Staff Writer • January 31, 2024
Album cover of Talkie Walkie by French electronic music duo Air, released on Jan. 26, 2004.

[Photo] Review | ‘Talkie Walkie’ remains magically timeless 20 years after release

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Staff Writer • January 21, 2024
Album cover of "ORQUÍDEAS" by Kali Uchis released on Friday.

[Photo] Review | Kali Uchis stuns with dreamy creation ‘Orquídeas’

By A. Oishii Basu, Staff Writer • January 16, 2024
Cover art for Beyoncé's fifth studio album "Beyoncé" released in 2013.

[Photo] Column | The legacy of Beyoncé’s self-titled album

By Pratim Vasireddy, Staff Writer • December 13, 2023
Cover for October 2023 Pentatonix album "The Greatest Christmas Hits."

[Photo] The second day of buzzmas | All 91 Pentatonix Christmas songs, ranked

By Pratim Vasireddy, Staff Writer • December 15, 2023
2008 "Christmas With Weezer" cover. Features editor Lillie Salas writes on Weezer's holiday release.

[Photo] The fourth day of buzzmas | Hark! The herald Weezer sings: Weezer’s holiday album

By Lillie Salas, Features Editor • December 17, 2023
Cover art of Arlo Parks' latest album release "My Soft Machine (Deluxe)." buzz columnist Riddhima Patllollu shares her thoughts on the eighteen track release from Parks.

[Photo] Review | Arlo Parks showcases vulnerability with ‘My Soft Machine (Deluxe)’

By Riddhima Patllollu, Staff Writer • December 11, 2023
Album cover for "Pink Friday 2" by Nicki Minaj released on Friday. buzz columnist Pratim Vasireddy reviews the sequel to Nicki Minaj's 2010 album "Pink Friday" with Minaj's "Pink Friday 2."

[Photo] Review | Is Nicki Minaj’s ‘Pink Friday 2’ a return to form?

By Pratim Vasireddy, Staff Writer • December 9, 2023
Cover for Tate McRae's "Think Later" 14-track album released on Friday. buzz Columnist Angelica Milkie reviews the second album release from McRae.

[Photo] Review | Tate McRae delivers honest situationship anthems with ‘Think Later’

By Angelica Milkie, Staff Writer • December 10, 2023
PinkPantheress' "Heaven Knows" album cover photographed by Aidan Zamiri.

[Photo] Review | PinkPantheress’ debut album is poppy, fun

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Staff Writer • November 20, 2023
Jungkook, band member of BTS releases his album Golden on Nov. 3.

[Photo] Review | Jungkook of BTS releases debut album ‘Golden’

By Riddhima Patllollu, Staff Writer • November 8, 2023
Cover art of Sky Ferreira's "Night Time, My Time" released in Oct. 2013.

[Photo] Review | Sky Ferraria’s ‘Night Time, My Time’ continues to impress 10 years later

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Contributing Writer • October 29, 2023
Cover art of Taylor Swift's new rendition of her album "1989" titled "1989 (Taylor's Version)."

[Photo] Review | Taylor Swift delivers best vault yet with ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’

By Angelica Milkie, Staff Writer • October 30, 2023
Cover of boygenius

[Photo] Review | boygenius releases emotional EP ‘the rest’

By Kristina Muharremaj, Contributing Writer • October 17, 2023
Cover of "Rustin' In The Rain" by Tyler Childers

[Photo] Review | ‘Rustin’ In The Rain’ is an underwhelming country album shrouded in controversy

By Lisa Chasanov, Managing Editor for Reporting • September 17, 2023
On Sept. 8, Olivia Rodrigo released her newest album "GUTS."

[Photo] Column | Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘GUTS’ wears pop-punk well despite mixed reactions

By A. Oishii Basu, Staff Writer • September 11, 2023
Olivia Rodrigo released "bad idea right?" on Aug. 11, part of her new album "GUTS," which will release on Sept. 8.

[Photo] Review | Olivia Rodrigo releases pop-punky single ‘bad idea, right?’

By Caroline Sweeney, Staff Writer • August 26, 2023
On April 19, Foo Fighters released their newest single, "Rescued." It is their first single since drummer Taylor Hawkins died in 2022.

[Photo] Review | Foo Fighters return with high-powered single ‘Rescued’

By Kiran Bond, buzz Editor • April 22, 2023
On April 7, Daniel Caesar released his most recent album, "Never Enough."

[Photo] Column | Daniel Caesar’s ‘Never Enough’ is flawed yet praiseworthy

By Alexis Ramirez, Staff Writer • April 17, 2023
Indie trio boygenius release their twelve track studio album titled "the record" on Mar. 31.

[Photo] Column | Indie rock supergroup boygenius drops debut album

By Odeth Rubio, Assistant buzz Editor • April 10, 2023
On Feb. 24, the Jonas Brothers released their single "Wings." This is the first song the group has released together since 2021.

[Photo] Column | Jonas Brothers release new single ‘Wings’

March 13, 2023
On Jan. 27, artist Sam Smith released his newest album "Gloria." One song featured on the album "Unholy," won a grammy for Pop Duo/Group Performance with Kim Petras.

[Photo] Sam Smith sparks controversy with new album ‘Gloria’

By Caroline Sweeney, Staff Writer • February 15, 2023
On Jan. 20, Italian rock band Måneskin released their newest album, "Rush!" The 2021 Eurovision winners have garnered top spots on charts across seven different countries.

[Photo] Italian rock band Måneskin releases third studio album ‘Rush!’

By Caroline Sweeney, Staff Writer • January 31, 2023
With her first single released in over a year, Miley Cyrus claimed the record for most streams in a week in Spotify's history. "Flowers" released on Jan. 13 and by Jan. 19, it had already amassed over 129 million streams, according to Billboard.

[Photo] Miley Cyrus’ breakup anthem ‘Flowers’ sparks fan theories about ex-marriage

By Caroline Sweeney, Staff Writer • January 24, 2023
On Jan. 7, The Weeknd released a music video for his song "Is There Someone Else?" exactly one year after the song's original release.

[Photo] The Weeknd releases new music video, new television show

By Odeth Rubio, Assistant buzz Editor • January 19, 2023
Pop artist The Weeknd releases song, "Nothing Is Lost You (You Give Me Strength)" as a part of James Cameron's Dec. 16 film release; "Avatar: The Way of Water" movie soundtrack.

[Photo] The Weeknd wows in tune made for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

By Odeth Rubio, Assistant buzz Editor • January 6, 2023
Bad Bunny and Arcángel come together with rap album release "Sr. Santos" on Dec. 1.

[Photo] Bad Bunny, Arcángel collaboration serves as a beautiful combination

By Odeth Rubio, Assistant buzz Editor • December 27, 2022
Metro Boomin's Dec. release album "Heroes & Villains." Producer Metro Boomin collaborates with rappers in his latest 15 track album released on Dec. 2.

[Photo] The Weeknd, 21Savage, Metroboomin’s create perfect collaboration

By Odeth Rubio, Assistant buzz Editor • December 22, 2022
Rock band Måneskin debut their song "The Loneliest" on Oct. 7. "The Loneliest" is the band's third single release from their album "Rush!" set to release January next year.

[Photo] Måneskin presents fans with music-video for song ‘The Loneliest’

November 14, 2022
Singer Lana Del Rey released a new single “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” on Dec. 7. The single is a part of her new album that is set to be released in March 2023. 

[Photo] Lana Del Rey releases new soothing single

By Lucy Bridges, Staff Writer • December 13, 2022
Daddy Yankee and Myke Towers release their latest single “Ulala” on Nov. 24. 

[Photo] Myke Towers, Daddy Yankee gift collaboration in new tune

By Odeth Rubio, Assistant buzz Editor • December 5, 2022
Singer Thomas Headon releases his latest single, “Georgia” on Nov. 9.

[Photo] Australian singer Thomas Headon releases new single ‘Georgia’

By Caroline Sweeney, Staff Writer • November 21, 2022
Meghan Tranior released her latest album "Takin' it back" on Oct. 21.

[Photo] ‘Made You Look’ music video catches attention of Meghan Trainor fans

By Lucy Bridges, Staff Writer • November 7, 2022
The Arctic Monkeys released their seventh studio album, “The Car,” on Friday.

[Photo] Arctic Monkeys are back, bringing soul to indie music 

By Lucy Bridges, Staff Writer • October 25, 2022
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