Music
Artist: Lennon Stella
Album: Three. Two. One.
Click Here to play Much Too Much by Lennon Stella
Release Date: April 24, 2020
Genre: Indie Pop
Length: 42:50
Label: Columbia
Producers: Malay, Captain Cuts, Big Taste, Douglas Charles Showalter, Sam de Jong, Eg White, Joel Little, Ruslan Odnoralov, WYNNE, Tyler Johnson.
Singles: Kissing Other People, Golf on TV, Jealous, Fear of Being Alone, and Older than I Am.
Summary
Lennon Stella breaks out into the indie music scene with this compilation of songs that express her loves, losses, and inner strength. Her music is also described as having a soulful, R&B quality as well. With instrumentals (piano, heavy percussion) that evoke strong emotion in some songs and meditative calmness in others, this is an album that can be played in most settings.
Critical Evaluation
Young voices in recent music production have tended to follow a formulaic sound, but Lennon Stella has broken the mold with her 2020 album, Three. Two. One. The contradictory sound of breathy, sometimes chilling, whisper-like vocals with heavy percussion or upbeat tempo is addictive and beautiful. Other song recordings are poetic, almost spoken word, and vaguely accompanied by any instrumentals at all. This album could appeal to almost anyone, but what I like about it for a teen music collection is the honest and raw lyrics. The album has a feeling of newness about it and doesn't overreach in trying to showcase vocals through grandstanding or outmatching the instrumentals. There is a balance to the tracks that makes for smooth listening. The hook in each of the singles is catchy and rhythmic, and the tempo changes are well-timed. For listeners who value creative pop music, Lennon Stella is an artist who provides serenity and rhythm combined.
Listener's Annotation
Lennon Stella's album Three. Two. One. is a soulful, upbeat but calming collection of pop songs posing clear messages of staying true to oneself.
About the Artist
Lennon Ray Louise Stella is a Canadian singer and actress. She portrayed Maddie Conrad on the musical-drama series Nashville (2012–2018). Before going solo in 2018, Stella performed with her sister as the duo Lennon & Maisy. Stella released her debut EP Love, Me in 2018. Her debut studio album Three. Two. One. was released in 2020.
Stella was born August 13, 1999 and is mainly described as an indie pop and pop musician whose music is "R&B tinged". Her debut EP is described as a dance-club record.
Albumtalking Ideas
Young love, life choices, and standing up for oneself are topics present in youth culture. How do Lennon Stella's songs represent youth culture?
Listening Level: Age 14+
Challenge Issues: None
Why I Chose this Artist
I chose Lennon Stella for my mini-collection because she sings about self-worth and assertiveness, which are subjects that are dwindling in pop culture. While teens view an onslaught of media portraying impossible beauty standards and materialism outweighing intrinsic values, uplifting messages of positive self-imagery are necessary for this age group.
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Album: Secondhand Rapture
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Genre: Indie Pop, Alternative Rock
Length: 42:06
Label: Columbia
Producers: Lizzy Plapinger, Max Hershenow, Tom Elmhirst.
Singles: Hurricane, Fantasy, Think of You.
Click Here to play Salty Sweet by MS MR
Summary
MS MR produces an album that satisfies both pop and alternative rock sounds. Tracks on the album have been featured in various soundtracks of popular television shows.
Critical Evaluation
Secondhand Rapture is reminiscent of late 80's/early 90's music with a modern twist. My initial reaction to some of the songs is that they are similar to the sound of Florence & the Machine. While the album received mixed reviews, I find the tracks to be catchy and raw, with a confidence that is deserved for the talent displayed in the songwriting. I can see why the music is considered alternative rock as it is not the lighter sound of pop music nor it is easy listening. The lyrics are of the hardened love variety and the mix of instrumentals has a rebellious quality. The majority of the songs have a perceived enemy born out of a failed relationship, but the effect is more commentary as opposed to lamenting a lost love. This album makes for great road trip music, or even for playing at small social gatherings. I would recommend this album for those who prefer alternative rock over more mainstream pop music.
Listener's Annotation
MS MR has a sultry, pop sound with alternative rock undertones and themes. The album produces a versatile sound that transitions between upbeat tempo and almost gothic rock.
About the Artists
MS MR (pronounced Miz Mister) was a New York-based American pop duo, consisting of vocalist Lizzy Plapinger and producer Max Hershenow. The duo is signed to Iamsound, Kitsuné and Columbia Records. Plapinger is also known for her work as co-founder of the New York City/London-based Independent record label Neon Gold Records. Their music has been characterized as indie pop, alternative rock, dream pop and dark wave.
After both members graduated from Vassar College in 2010, MS MR released a four-song digital demo EP, Ghost City USA (2011), followed by two 2012 singles, "Hurricane" and "Fantasy". The music video for their debut single, "Hurricane", was released on April 26, 2012, with the single released on iTunes on July 10, 2012. It earned positive reviews for its "vintage" sound. The single charted at number 38 in Germany.
Albumtalking Ideas
Rock music for the scorned lover or for the healed but guarded heart?
Listening Level: Ages 16+ for explicit language
Challenge Issues: Profanity
Why I Chose this Artist
I chose MS MR because their music appears in various soundtracks of television shows that are created for young adult viewers (i.e., Pretty Little Liars) and other pop culture broadcasts, such as a Game of Thrones season premier trailer. MS MR's music is recognizable but not mainstream, which can be appealing for teens in their musical tastes.
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