Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith creates a mosaic of electricity on The Mosaic of TransformationDave Cantoron May 8, 2020 at 7:32 pm

It’s a struggle to define the purpose of most music–the answer is perpetually changing, based on time, place, and innumerable other factors. But Los Angeles-based synthesist Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith seems to have homed in on something specific on her new album, The Mosaic of Transformation (Ghostly). The joyous, drifting melody of “Remembering,” the album’s second track, can be heard as an elemental distillation of contemporary synthesis. “Be kind to one another,” Smith sings, a reminder for the aberrant lives we’re all leading now; her sparkling composition evokes colors and mimics flutes, creating a sense of calm that’s too often hard to come by. Purposely or not, her entire practice exudes something similar. Her 2018 record Tides: Music for Meditation and Yoga (released as a digital-only affair in 2014) seems aimed at the spiritual, and The Mosaic of Transformation suggests something more physical by including photos of Smith in its packaging, contorting herself into various poses that explore movement and the limits of her body. (Maybe she means to hint at the patch-cord gymnastics necessary to operate modular synths, plugging in and withdrawing cables to funnel electricity and sound in perfect sync.) But not all of Smith’s music reaches for empyrean heights: “A Kid,” from 2017’s The Kid, moves into beat-music territory, and on Mosaic, she exhibits some singer-songwriter tendencies. Those elements are just passing glances, though, moments that display Smith’s versatility as she continues to explore the nexus of woolgathering, sound, and movement. v

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith creates a mosaic of electricity on The Mosaic of TransformationDave Cantoron May 8, 2020 at 7:32 pm Read More »

Spanish quartet Melenas channel a half-century of pop goodness on Dias RarosBill Meyeron May 8, 2020 at 7:34 pm

Pamplona, Spain, is probably best known for the festival of San Fermin, when thrill seekers run with bulls through the streets–which usually ends much worse for the animals than the humans. The four women in Melenas may not pull as big a crowd as that globally famous event, but on their new second album, Dias Raros (Trouble in Mind), they offer 11 better reasons to remember their hometown’s name. The band’s sound adheres to a template established by garage-rock combos in the 1960s and productively renewed by acts such as Yo La Tengo, Stereolab, and the late, very great New Zealand group Look Blue, Go Purple. Melenas lay trebly, reverberant guitar and alternately drony and punchy keyboard licks over simple, propulsive rock beats, and draw you in with simple, catchy vocal hooks. Since the songs are all in Spanish (the lyrics are printed, but not translated, on the album’s inner sleeve), listeners not conversant in the language might not be able to tell that guitarist Oihana and bassist Leire are singing about internal dialogues. But you don’t need to understand a word to catch the happy-sad vibe that spikes Melanas’ graceful melodies. v

Spanish quartet Melenas channel a half-century of pop goodness on Dias RarosBill Meyeron May 8, 2020 at 7:34 pm Read More »

Gothic doom masters Paradise Lost get eclectic on ObsidianJamie Ludwigon May 8, 2020 at 7:42 pm

British five-piece Paradise Lost had already helped pioneer death-doom by the time they put out their second album, 1991’s Gothic, and laid groundwork for subsequent generations of bands that combined metal’s harshness with dark, romantic textures. They’ve since gone through nearly as many drummers as Spinal Tap, but the rest of the lineup–vocalist Nick Holmes, lead guitarist and keyboardist Gregor Mackintosh, rhythm guitarist Aaron Aedy, and bassist Stephen Edmondson–has remained intact since the band’s founding in 1988. Their longevity may arise in part from their chameleon-like ability to transform their sound; they can deliver a crushing guitar-driven epic fit for leading a battalion of medieval warriors into battle, or a synth-heavy, noirish pop track that could make the most forlorn mall goth smile. Paradise Lost have had ups and downs, but lately they’ve veered back toward their roots: 2017’s Medusa is a master class in achingly heavy doom. True to form, they’ve changed course again on their new 16th album, Obsidian. While Medusa is single-minded in its vision, Obsidian embraces electicsm, pacing its shifts in tone so well that even the most fervent shuffle-button addicts might see the point of the album format. “Darker Forms” kicks off the album with a twinkling melody, then opens up into dark symphonic rock that climaxes with Mackintosh’s heaven-bound guitar solo. On the third track, “Ghosts,” Paradise Lost break out a death-rock sound custom-made for the grimiest subterranean dance floors, and on the supersized gothic anthem “Forsaken,” they create a more empowering feel than its title would suggest. The album’s genre looseness notwithstanding, it doesn’t lack for cavernous metal to sink your teeth into, most notably on “The Devil’s Embrace” and closing track “Ravenghast.” Thirty-two years into their career, Paradise Lost have nothing left to prove except to themselves–and with Obsidian they demonstrate what a great place that is for a band to reach. v

Gothic doom masters Paradise Lost get eclectic on ObsidianJamie Ludwigon May 8, 2020 at 7:42 pm Read More »

Chicago’s Retirement Party will brighten your summer with the heavy emo of Runaway DogLeor Galilon May 8, 2020 at 7:44 pm

Chicago emo acts helped raise the national profile of the fourth-wave scene in the early 2010s, but most of them had gone on hiatus or broken up by the time Retirement Party dropped their debut EP, 2017’s Strictly Speaking. Retirement Party not only filled a void in the city but also manifested new energy with subtly retooled combinations of familiar emo, pop-punk, and indie-rock tropes–on their 2018 full-length debut, Somewhat Literate, their workmanlike rhythm section heats up the languid guitars till they smolder. Singer-guitarist Avery Springer wrote all the material for the band’s previous releases by herself, but for Retirement Party’s brand-new Runaway Dog (Counter Intuitive), she collaborated on the music with drummer James Ringness and bassist-guitarist Eddy Rodriguez. Working as a trio, they subdue the nerviness of their early days and reinvigorate their sound with a heavier style. The coarse bass line, skipping drums, and gliding guitars of “No Tide” rub against Springer’s nonchalant vocals to create the tension that propels the track toward its brilliant crescendo. Its upbeat melody and fleeting, wistful highs make it a contender for song of the summer: “I hope I’ll make it through June,” Springer sings, “a little better off.” v

Chicago’s Retirement Party will brighten your summer with the heavy emo of Runaway DogLeor Galilon May 8, 2020 at 7:44 pm Read More »

Chicago rapper Ric Wilson and Los Angeles producer Terrace Martin invigorate disco, soul, and funk on a new collaborative EPLeor Galilon May 8, 2020 at 7:46 pm

Chicago rapper and prison abolitionist Ric Wilson knows the joy of combing through history for jewels of knowledge that enrich his connection to his hometown’s multifaceted Black communities. He also understands how to incorporate sounds from the past into contemporary music. Last year he found a kindred spirit in Terrace Martin, a Los Angeles jazz sideman and hip-hop producer who’s worked with some of the most important west-coast rappers of all time, including Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, and Kendrick Lamar. Martin brings a glimmer of California sunshine and a light touch of funk to the duo’s new collaborative record, They Call Me Disco (Free Disco/Sounds of Crenshaw/Empire). Wilson’s voluble verses saunter over minimal funk guitars, mellow soul synths, and hip-shaking percussion, which Martin tastefully combines in layers like a landscape painter zeroing in on the perfect color for a sunset. The EP is as much a testament to Wilson’s love for disco, soul, and funk as it is an argument that these great art forms can still be crucial conduits for messages about contemporary Black life. v

Chicago rapper Ric Wilson and Los Angeles producer Terrace Martin invigorate disco, soul, and funk on a new collaborative EPLeor Galilon May 8, 2020 at 7:46 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears 2020 Schedule: 3 intriguing matchupsPatrick Sheldonon May 8, 2020 at 11:00 am

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There are some intriguing matchups on the Chicago Bears 2020 schedule which was announced on Thursday.

On Thursday, the NFL officially released the 2020 regular-season schedule and we learned when the Chicago Bears would play each of their opponents. As we begin to look forward to the start of the 2020 season, a number of highly intriguing matchups on the schedule start to emerge.

While other major sports seem to be stuck in limbo, the NFL is “full-steam ahead” on playing football this season. The one thing it has in its favor is time. Fortunately, for the league, the COVID-19 pandemic hit during their offseason, and so they have not been impacted to the same degree as say Major League Baseball or the National Basketball Association.

That’s been great news for fans who have relied on the NFL for a distraction and as a means to get its sports fix during this time. Both free agency and the NFL Draft provided a much-needed distraction from the pandemic.

Now, with the release of the schedule, comes excitement and hope for this year. As of now, the plan is to play all 16 games, though the league apparently has contingency plans in place just in case they need to reduce the number of games.

Although the teams which the Bears would play have been known for a while, the when was not known until Thursday. So let’s take a look at the most intriguing games on the schedule in order, starting with Week 5.

Next: No. 3

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Chicago Bears 2020 Schedule: 3 intriguing matchupsPatrick Sheldonon May 8, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »

Chicago Bears 2020 Schedule: Tom Brady is coming to townVincent Pariseon May 8, 2020 at 1:00 pm

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots passes against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 21, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) — CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots passes against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 21, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears and the rest of the NFL put their schedules out there for the 2020 season and Tom Brady comes to town with his new team.

The Chicago Bears are playing football in 2020, we hope. Well, at least we hope to go into the season because we are not sure how good they are going to be. They have their usual suspects on the calendar like the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, and of course the Green Bay Packers. This will be a pretty tough division once again but it remains to be seen whether or not the Bears have a real chance. We don’t even know who will be their quarterback in week one let alone week ten.

They also play the entire AFC and NFC South, plus the other third-place finishing NFC teams which include the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants. The most compelling non-divisional game on this schedule is their Thursday night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It has been a while since anybody actually cared about Tampa Bay but they of course made some major changes their team. They added Tom Brady via free agency and all of a sudden they are a playoff contender. Rob Gronkowski also came out of retirement to play for them as well. They will come to Soldier Field on October eighth for a Week Five Thursday night matchup. An elite defense going up against the game’s all-time greatest player.

The six-time Super Bowl Champion quarterback spent the first 20 years of his career with the New England Patriots. They have had so much success over the past two decades but it was time for Tom to move on. He comes to the NFC where he won’t have to deal with the likes of Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson until the Super Bowl. None of it will happen without a trip through Chicago first.

Now that Tom is in the NFC, they become a potential playoff opponent as well. Either way, as fans of football, it exciting that the game’s all-time greatest player will make what might be his last trip to Chicago as a player. If fans are allowed to attend in 2020, this is one to mark on your calendars.

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Chicago Bears 2020 Schedule: Tom Brady is coming to townVincent Pariseon May 8, 2020 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears 2020 Schedule: Realistic game-by-game predictionsRyan Heckmanon May 8, 2020 at 2:30 pm

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The 2020 Chicago Bears schedule is now official, and fans should be over the moon with excitement. We now try to predict each and every game.

What a glorious time to be alive. The 2020 NFL schedule has been released, and we now know exactly how it will look for our Chicago Bears. This year, the Bears’ schedule looks a little less daunting than it did a year ago, thankfully.

The NFC North drew the AFC South and NFC South this year. Looking at things record-wise from a year ago, the Bears should feel pretty good about themselves, but that’s not taking the offseason additions into consideration.

One big move which everyone will want to see in person is, of course, Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thankfully, Chicago hosts Tampa in that one — but we’ll get to that later.

It is always difficult to predict and project in May, but now that the draft is over and free agency has calmed down a bit, this is always an interesting predicament. Considering there is a nationwide pandemic happening, a schedule release and analysis is definitely big news. So, let’s try to predict some games, shall we?

Before I get started with the weekly predictions, let’s establish something. These predictions are assuming that, not only does Nick Foles win the starting job, but he plays at a decent level. I’m not talking a Pro Bowl level, but good enough.

Let’s assume Foles finishes the 2020 season with a line similar to this: 4,100 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns and 14 interceptions. It won’t blow you away, but it should get the job done. So again, with that in mind, let’s get going.

Next: Weeks 1-4

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Chicago Bears 2020 Schedule: Realistic game-by-game predictionsRyan Heckmanon May 8, 2020 at 2:30 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears 2020 Schedule: Toughest games during regular seasonUsayd Koshulon May 8, 2020 at 4:00 pm

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With the Chicago Bears 2020 regular season schedule officially out, what are the toughest games on the schedule?

All of Thursday, everyone was focused on one thing: When the Chicago Bears 2020 schedule would release. Since the end of the 2019 season, we’ve known who the Bears will play but now, we know when the Bears will play them, as well as what times.

Right off the bat, when looking at the Bears schedule, what’s very clear is that the first four weeks are all very winnable games. While it’s never easy to win games in the NFL, the Bears have improved in multiple ways this offseason and appear to be ready to get back to winning in 2020.

Every year, in the NFL, one of the biggest things to examine regarding any team’s schedule is what the hardest games are. For the Bears, things are no different due to the fact that they’re set to play teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and Los Angeles Rams.

The reality for the Bears is that while the schedule in some ways looks like it’s easier than 2019’s, a key thing to keep in mind is that the Bears aren’t as bad as people think. Even with key starters such as Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, and Roquan Smith injured, the defense continued to be one of the best in the NFL.

Then there’s the offense, which struggled but underwent a massive makeover this offseason in terms of new faces at quarterback, tight end, as well as on the coaching staff with new coaches at quarterback, tight end, and offensive line, and then a new offensive coordinator.

Now that the Bears 2020 schedule is out, what are the hardest games that the Bears will have to play in 2020? Let’s examine some games and breakdown why they’ll be tough for the Bears in 2020, as well as what the implications could be.

Next: Number One

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Chicago Bears 2020 Schedule: Toughest games during regular seasonUsayd Koshulon May 8, 2020 at 4:00 pm Read More »