A&E

“Anti” Album Review

April 11, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Well it’s here: Rihanna’s highly-anticipated eighth studio album, “Anti” was finally released after almost three years of hard work and a lot of patience. Rihanna has never had such a wide gap between album releases which scared fans into thinking that it was just another social media hoax. Once she made the announcement on Twitter and on Saturday Night Live about the official release date, the ANTIcipation (Hah!) was almost unbearable. On January 28th, it was released to the public on Tidal, but was just recently made available to the rest of the public. The twelve-track record contains luxuriously unique tunes that compliment each other very well, and I have some specific thoughts on each track.

Let’s get into it, shall we?

Consideration (feat. SZA)

This song is automatically an attention grabber that starts the album on a strong foot. It talks about how Rihanna feels that as an artist, she should have the liberty to do what she chooses with her work, saying: “I got to do things my own way darling, will you ever let me, will you ever respect me? No.” It’s heavy percussion alongside the combination of Rihanna’s strong notes and SZA’s brassy vocals create a harmonious yet edgy sound that sets the tone for Anti perfectly.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouXN1Nibmpw

James Joint

“James Joint” is 1-minute interlude that speaks about the risky behavior of between two rebellious spirits in love. It’s keyboard melody set a very 90’s sort of vibe which paints an almost angsty picture of the story being told in the short song. It has a sound that is almost reminiscent of Madonna both musically and lyrically. Rihanna even released this statement about the track after its release in April of 2015: “Dude, I’m in love with my interludes. This one called ‘James Joint’ is on constant repeat.” We feel you, Rih!

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt6EnuJlq7I

Kiss It Better

“Kiss it Better” is a slower R&B track introduced with a gritty guitar riff followed by the catchy hook: “Kiss it, kiss it better baby”, begging a former lover to consider coming back to her. It’s electric feel generates a silvery and soulful sound while also creating an almost 80’s Prince-esque kind of style.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCofRY0aN9U

Work (ft. Drake)

This upbeat number became the album’s first single and reached incredible commercial success. “Work” is a dancehall track recorded in Rihanna’s Barbadian patois, the language of which has confused some listeners. Many fans, however, deem this a favorite because of its island feel and also the blend of Rihanna and Drake’s vocals. It’s personally one of my favorites.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=428owtKUJYk

Desperado

This track is displays a message similar to James Joint, but focuses more on the aspect of running away from the concept of love. This song carries a bit of a heavier bass and portrays a darker sound than the previous ones which really sets the scene that Rihanna is telling. She belts: “If you want, we can be runaways, running from any sight of love.” Like many other tracks, this one definitely shows off Rihanna’s versatility and creativity when it comes to songwriting and producing, as well as singing because of her ability to tell a story while remaining true to the song.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePsezcNt8Xo

Woo (ft. Travis Scott)

Woo is one of the more unique songs on “Anti”, just because of the vibe it brings and also because of its tone. This is a diss track that speaks of the mistakes of a previous significant other and how whoever came after her will never compare. And how could they? It’s Rihanna we’re talking about.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl_uPk4JDt0

Needed Me

This song takes a bit of a queue from the previous one, also being a message to a former partner of how foolish he was to let her go. Its modern and trap aura comes from the track’s producer Dj Mustard who is one of the hottest music minds in the business right now. This is also another popular tune because of its radio friendliness but also because of how relatable the message is. Admit it, we all have one ex who always seems to downgrade in every relationship after you.

Yeah, I Said it

“Yeah, I Said it” gives a very sultry vibe to the album, which we all know Rihanna does oh-so well. It’s heavily percussed but is also one of the slower tracks so it creates sensual sound musically as well as lyrically. This is also somewhat of a “mini-song” only being a bit over two minutes long.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CQIzXB3jLY

Same ‘Ol Mistakes

Does this song sound familiar? If it does, no Rihanna didn’t steal it, it’s actually a cover of Tame Impala’s “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjWs-lVa8Oc) As rare and somewhat strange covers are on albums, she did this one great justice. This track is opened with a short instrumental including keyboard and the synthesized sounds of the MIDI Controller that has become increasingly popular in past years by artists such as Kimbra and FKA Twigs. This song also pulls some inspiration from 80’s music but brings a more futuristic and upbeat feel. I absolutely love this song and think that Rihanna’s deep and soulful vocals add something magical to this track.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl7weoMRqKU

Never Ending

“Never Ending” is one of the only indie songs on the album. It’s a bit barer and more authentic than the others, only having her light vocals accompanied by a acoustic guitar that paints a very rustic and natural picture for the listener. This tells the tale of her treacherous journey of falling back in love after a difficult breakup that left her scarred.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMI2AmqUgOo

Love on the Brain

“And babe I’m fist-fighting with fire just to get close to you. Can we burn something babe?”; such gripping lyrics, performed by an even more gripping voice and you can tell that Rihanna really put her all into this track. It pleasantly waltzes in as a soulful and mid-century ballad about her deep love for someone that consumes her every thought. Her deliverance of the vintage sound created by a strong bass and even stronger strings is unmatched and compliments its smoothness with her incredible ability to create a very raspy one as well.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZQc5WGjUJU

Higher

“Higher” is another one of the shorter songs that stunningly furnish this already polished album. It glorifies the aftermath of a destroyed relationship and Rihanna’s drunken pleas for that person back. You can tell that she almost went out of her strong alto range when belting those notes during the chorus. Her cracking voice adds an element of raw emotion that really completes this track.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jirPcUxlso

Close to You

We’ve made it to the end of the album! This song is a deep and somewhat enigmatic tune. This R&B meets ballad compliments Rihanna’s powerful vocals very well as she speaks of a love that she lost. The sweet lyrics: “Nothing but a tear, that’s all for breakfast, watching you pretend you’re unaffected” paired with the soft piano make for a smooth track contrasting sweetness with pain; a great way to end an amazing project.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHdQ3dgLgK4

So there you have it folks, “Anti”, the album that the Rihanna “Navy” (her fan base) has been waiting for. Now to address the question on everyone’s minds: Was it worth it? The answer I have to give is a whopping ‘yes’. Each song is stunningly uniquene and Rihanna daringly chose to include components of different genres to create one amazing final result. This project is one that you wouldn’t expect from Rihanna because it doesn’t showcase her typical sound. Rather, it displays her musical talent and versatility that I am absolutely loving and highly recommend even if you wouldn’t consider yourself a Ri-Ri fan.

Image: http://www.rap-up.com/2016/01/27/rihanna-anti-album-stream/

Broen/Bron II: Not to be uderstated

April 11, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

I recently did a review on the TV show Broen/Bron and was thoroughly impressed with the show enough, that I decided to go watch the second series, still including my favorite characters portrayed by Sofia Helin and Kim Bodina, but with a much different tone and crime to solve than the first.

Going into the second series, I was a bit wary of what to expect. Since the show revolves over another crime at the Øresund bridge, I was unsure how the show would pan out. considering the fact that the first series was so well executed, I thought it would be too good to recreate. Nonetheless the first episode came and went giving the same giddiness I felt when beginning the first series. This time,there are multiple starting victims and a much different plot and motive.

As explained I was wary, and cautious when entering this series so I did research on what might or might not happen in the second series but stopped myself before I went too far. That said, I saw some piece of information that didn’t ruin the series for me, but made me dread the end of it. I recommend curbing your temptation to read spoilers online.

This Second series was much more different than the first but with the same gripping intensity and even better character development throughout the course of the show. Having watched the first series, it did feel repetitive at times because I did pick up on some of the techniques used from the last show, such as characters in the beginning story getting knocked off in favor of more important characters who enter the show in later episodes.

Also like the last show, I was dead wrong at points. Just when I thought I had gotten something right and figured out the whole show, something completely unexpected happened and my thinking was thrown off balance.

The Second series overall was a solid, and expert show. This series like the one previously, held no bars back and I did find myself more times in this series than the last, turning away from the screen. I am not as enthusiastic about this series as the last one, as it felt rehashed with the style and technique, but I still am giving it the praise this show deserves because the plot still managed to be fresh. I still recommend watching this series and the first one if you haven’t already as this show is expert cinema. So good in fact, that I am going to go look for the third season right now.

The second season of Broen/Bron can be purchased on Amazon or found online and watched at your own risk.

Broen/Bron: What a blast!

April 11, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

I don’t know about how any of you spent your weekends, but I probably spent mine watching one of the best TV shows I have ever seen. I am talking about Broen/Bron, a Danish/Swedish Crime Thriller TV series that could possibly be one of the best TV shows in recent memory.

To avoid spoilers, you’ll just have to trust me: it’s a great show. The first episode introduces you to the main characters and is essentially the exposition of the story, which revolves around a murder that happens directly on eh Øresund (the Sound) bridge between Sweden and Denmark near Malmo and Copenhagen respectively and what course it takes during the investigation.

The main characters are portrayed by Kim Bodina and Sofia Helin, who are Danish and Swedish respectively. Both play extraordinary characters, whose personal development as the show goes on, only increased the tension and thrill of watching the show. Unlike other TV shows, the director and the actors took great care giving their stories and having them be more than emotionless crime solvers and that gave a quite humanizing aspect to the detectives.

Full of twists and turns, Broen/Bron holds no bars back. As a Danish and Swedish production I was definitely taken aback at times over what was portrayed in the TV show. To give some context, Nordic TV is very liberal with what it shows. When I mean very liberal, I mean with both violence and sexual content, so my warning is not to be taken lightly. I personally believed that I could stomach some scenes only to cringe and turn away . Do not watch this show unless you are both prepared to have your mind blown away and to see things that might shock you.

This TV show is also one that cannot be predicted. Full of red herrings, dead ends, and other engaging fillers, this show actively tries to mess with your thinking. More than once, I thought that I knew what was going on, only to rethink everything in the entire show. If you feel as if all crime shows are predictable and therefore a bore to watch, then watch this one, it’ll keep you guessing at every turn.

I am not a fan of crime shows for their stale, monotonous style, but this one was brilliant. I would highly recommend this show to anyone who wants to really wants a fresh TV show. Again this is to be taken with a grain of salt for the reasons in paragraph 3, but it should not hold you back from watching this show. What are you waiting for, go watch already!

This show is available for rent from the Free Library of Philadelphia, and can also be purchased online. As far as I can tell it is not available on any of the popular streaming services in the United States but can be found on some websites for free, those however at at your own risk.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice- It’s Really Not That Bad

April 11, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Sean Morris

Staff Writer

Here it is, A movie that has polarized critics and fans alike, with many people deeply divided about every aspect of the movie. Now I write my own opinion. While I didn’t think that it was as bad as many claim, and had several good qualities to it, it was by no means a perfect film.

Here’s what I liked: Numerous references to comic book fans like myself to appreciate from the plot lines, looks and even lines of dialogue. I thought the visuals were wonderful, and effectively showcased director Zack Snyder’s impressive ability for visuals. Like for example the opening credit scene is surprisingly memorable as it shows the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne (probably the millionth time these people get killed on the page or the screen) but in aid with Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s great score, makes it feel a bit more artistic and visually pleasing. The long awaited debut of Wonder Woman was a treat in and of itself, and Gal Gadot definitely stole every scene away from our boys in blue and black, even if she didn’t have that much to do. There’s was A LOT packed into this over 2 hour movie that seems to be mostly set up for the larger universe, so it can be forgiven that some plot elements might not move as smoothly.

Another positive: Ben Affleck surpassed my own and many others expectations and did a very good job as The Dark Knight. While he is able to give us an older, more experienced Batman and a more weary Bruce than we’ve seen before, I admit he doesn’t tread on much new ground, but is solid nevertheless. The supporting cast is all filled with solid, talented actors from Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Diane Lane, Scott McNairy, Tao Okamoto and more.

For those hoping that the movie would be 2 hours of Batman fighting Superman will be sorely disappointed. I knew from the start that would never happen, the actual fight is entertaining, but felt like there’s less motivations and comes to an unsatisfying end. The rest of the plot before and after fight takes some interesting questions and point of views that makes the film feel as grounded and realistic as one can with a superhero film. As seen in the trailers, they do bring in the creature Doomsday, but made him look significantly worse than his comic book compartment. Why they did that I do not know, but it was a visual that was noticeably worse in a film that was full of great ones. I even thought the costuming was great. Bruce wayne has never looked sharper in his three piece suits and pin collar shirts, wonder woman had some amazing dresses, Perry White had a good selection of vests and contrast collar shirts, and while typically more casually attired Lex Luthor did have some nice suits, shirts and a sharp trenchcoat.

About the polarizing portrayal of Lex Luthor- I admit that I myself am divided. I think Jesse Eisenberg did a solid job of portraying the character he was told to, and I appreciate renewing the character in a way that’s both modern and original. Rather than the chrome donned business suit wearing titian, Eisenberg is appropriately a Mark Zuckerberg, Silicon-Valley type of tech genius. However, while I appreciate the new way and design of the character, I am not sure it still fits comfortably with how I’ve viewed him until now, and he came off a little too “Joker” like when I typically think of the character as more level-headed. Although, after some discussion with a dear friend of mine he brought up some good points on how was more updated for a modern audience and how his character could grow and evolve in future movies. While he may not necessarily have been my favorite part of the film, he was definitely one of the ones that left the largest impression on me, so props to Eisenberg for making me think.

In the end, Batman and Superman does not have the polished theme park glow of a Marvel movie- it’s gloomy, it’s dark and it’s gritty, but it’s also more stylish, nuanced and brings in larger themes concerning religion, history, politics and human nature. While the plot suffers and goes into weird directions at times, it’s a movie that seems less focused on itself, than for being a starting point for its universe which will undoubtedly unfold in future films. I found it to be an overall enjoyable flick, and will probably be one of the movie’s I feel most conflicted about this year, but am excited to see what else the DC movie universe will bring.

April Edition: Artist Feature

April 11, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Staff Writer

Kali Taylor

This is the second edition of SLA’s Artist Feature. This series appreciates the artists of SLA and showcases their talents. The reader can also see what’s on the artist’s mind. This month’s artist is Tigidankay Saccoh. TK is currently a sophomore. She is a two-year member of Slam League.

Who is your favorite author and why?

My favorite author is Scott Westerfeld because he uses relevant ideology in today’s society into his books, then revamps them.

What is your usual writing theme?

My usual writing theme is analytical writing.

What is your “job” as a poet?

I feel my job as a creative intellectual is to explore solutions for the societal stigmas that plague the world today.

What are you trying to create with your art?

I am trying to create inspiration with my art.

Who or what influences your art?

My poems are usually driven by the social injustices I know African-Americans endure.

Was there a pinpoint moment when you or a teacher/family member/friend knew you were a great writer?

In 8th grade, I really grew as a writer because my English teacher, Mr. Meltzer was very invested in his craft and inspired me to work on mine.

What’s your favorite poem that you wrote and why?

My favorite poem I have written is Black Girl Epidemic because I wrote it recently and felt very passionate while performing it.

Excerpt of Black Girl Epidemic:

“My radiant tresses are held so highly that even gravity can’t keep it down.

My afro is the most confident and vain of hairstyles.

It sits unruffled upon my head, its chest stuck out for the world to see, reaching high enough to graze the very gates of Heaven.”