Teen Talk
New Music Albums Emerging
By Tyler Alexander
“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” – Billy Joel.
Music has the power to change people, get them through tough times, and so much more. For a high school student, music can be an essential part of the daily schedule, acting as a release from the stresses of school. With that being said, music’s coming out like crazy right now, from new artists, and old ones making a comeback. Here’s a teenager’s opinion on the new music out, and some underrated music right now.
Many artists just released albums in the recent months after relatively long breaks. One very notable band is Fall Out Boy. After taking an “indefinite hiatus,” Fall Out Boy released their album Save Rock and Roll on April 12th. With this album, came one of their most popular songs ever, My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up). This song’s been played on the radio repeatedly, and in the minds of many Wellington High School students, for good reason. While I find this song great, it has overshadowed the rest of the album. I personally love the entire album, and strongly encourage everyone to listen to the whole album, because there’s a song in there for everyone.
Another band that took a needed break is 30 Seconds to Mars. After a record setting world-wide tour for their album This is War, the band took a four year break to recover from the crazy touring schedule. They released Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams on May 17th, headlining with the song Up in the Air. While the album overall has a completely different tone than their earlier stuff (going in the direction of pop-sounding music), it’s still a good album in my opinion. There are quite a few instrumental songs, and it’s weird to see a different sound on this album, but Jared Leto still sings his heart out, and kills it in my opinion.
There have also been quite a few returning bands releasing albums. Black Sabbath just released their album 13 on June 10th, which is their first studio album with Ozzy since 1979. I personally haven’t listened to the album, but one of my friends asked my psychology teacher if he wanted to go to a Black Sabbath concert once they go on tour. My teacher said yes. So I can assume Black Sabbath is relevant with high school students and teachers as well.
While much of the attention has gone to famous returning acts, one band has emerged out of nowhere last year and taken the world by storm. Imagine Dragons has released one of the all-around best albums I’ve heard in a LONG time. I, along with half of the high school population, have listened to the entire album multiple times, and can’t find one song I don’t like. The album Night Terrors is an outstanding album headlined by radio hits It’s Time and Radioactive. Great individual songs, even better all-around album. It’s a “must listen to” for the entire album, as it’s brilliantly put together and the music is just all around incredible. I’m even going to a concert at Jones Beach this summer, and my friends have expressed their hatred for me at the moment. I heard online that someone went to an Imagine Dragons concert and it was one of the most electrifying, and energizing experiences of their life. Surely, this will be a concert to remember.
Tyler Alexander is a sophomore at Wellington High School. He is Sports Editor for his school online newspaper, The Wave. Tyler enjoys just being around his friends, and having a good time. He has a passion for sports writing, reporting, playing, and well, anything to do with sports. Tyler hopes to ultimately pursue a career in Sports Journalism.