In What We Listened to, Engadget writers and editors discuss some of the latest music releases we’ve been recapping. This part has everything from jazz standards to The Jesus Lizard.
Lady Gaga – Harlequin
I haven’t even passed a minute Harlequin before you know it Oh, I’m going to be so annoying in my love for it. Unfortunately for everyone in my life (and doubly so because I’m reading along), I’ve had a blast all weekend since the surprise on Friday. Gaga is a powerhouse, and as much as I love her pop performance, I’m always blown away when I hear her sing jazz. And Harlequin full of it.
Harlequin is a companion album to a soon-to-be-released movie (Joker: Folie à Deux) and consists almost entirely of cover songs – which would usually turn me off. But Gaga’s breezy versions of classics like “World on a String” and “Smile” are almost intimidating. His energy on tracks like “I’ll Build a Mountain” is through the roof. I could do without Oh, When the Saints, but now I’m really picking mine. There are only two original songs on the album, and they’re completely different beasts, each impressive in their own way. “Happy Mistake” is an obvious sign and I’ll be quietly crying for years to come.
Babe Haven – Anxiety
On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, I’m really into the latest album by the punk band Babe Haven. anxiety, lately. It’s 25 minutes of queer female rage and I can’t get enough of it. Check it out Bandcamp.
– Cheyenne MacDonald, Weekend Editor
jesus the lizard – Shelf
Even rave reviews of comeback albums are predicated on the expectation of a preemptive apology or pitiful praise. Comparisons to the headlining days of musical relevance are inevitable; “You look amazing for your age.” I wish there was a way to draw conclusions Shelf without that baggage, because Jesus Lizard doesn’t sound any better than a band that just took three decades off has any right to. it just never sounds like the past.
Shelf It is not noticeable with confusion among his creations. Of course, “What if?” It doesn’t reach the previous curves of “Rodeo in Joliet,” but “Lord Godiva” glides over the riffs, thunder and crude oil of Duane Denison. The manic physicality of David Yow’s voice is unchanged – neither angrier nor weakened by effort after 60+ years of rocking dreams.
Many groups that appear to be frozen in amber are exposed again as if they were covered. If they had the energy to do something crazy anymore, they would bring back their glory days with a bang. ShelfWith sheer ferocity, on the contrary, it’s a band that continues to do exactly that, as always, as always, and make it sound really, really good.
— Avery Ellis, Deputy Editor, Reports
Sabrina Carpenter – Short and Sweet
There’s a part of me that hates keeping up with pop music, and I cringe when I realize that the last few albums I’ve been listening to have been albums by pop princesses Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, et al. . It’s also the part of me that resisted listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album for months (and probably the part that refused to watch an incredible movie). Schitt’s Creek until this year).
I say all this only to explain why I am so late in appreciating the good Short and Sweet. And the non-judgmental side of me unashamedly loved Carpenter’s new music and asked all my friends if they listened to his music. When I talked about it with different groups of friends, it became clear how there was something for everyone, regardless of our diversity in taste.
I’m a fan of R&B, hip hop and basically anything I can dance to or sing along to. The tracks “Bet u wanna”, “Taste” and “Feather” became very repetitive items in my playlist and yes, I went back to his old discography for some of these titles. However, my current absolute favorite is Espresso. It has a catchy hook, clever lyrics, and an elegant beat that gracefully straddles the line between upbeat and downbeat. I love the wordplay, and at first it sounded to me like Carpenter was singing in another language when I touched on the rhythm and melody. As someone who works in tech and is sometimes a gamer, I’m especially impressed by the use of the words “top left to right”, “switch” and Nintendo. Really, rhyming “espresso” with “Nintendo” wasn’t something I expected to work, but it did.
But back to the point I made earlier: Even if that kind of chill dance club vibe isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of it. Short and Sweet this may apply to you. For example, I wasn’t a big fan of “Please, Please,” but I know friends who do. While “Bed Chem” and “Good Graces” didn’t hit me the way “Espresso” did, these two are among his most streamed songs on Spotify. I’m also starting to warm up to Juno.
That is, we all have different tastes. Maybe you’re more of a Chappell Roan fan. I also like some of his recent music, just not as much as I enjoy Carpenter. I also really enjoy “Die With a Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, which I will add to my karaoke duet repertoire, but I play less now. If you prefer the likes of Ariana Grande, NewJeans, and Doja Cat, you’ll probably have a good time with Sabrina Carpenter. Since I’m so late to the party, you’re probably already late.
— Cherlynn Low, Associate Editor, Reviews
