CommRadio Weekly Playlist: April 7

Opinion/Story posted April 7, 2021 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Staff

The CommRadio Weekly Playlist—here members of the arts and entertainment department write about the songs that dominated their playlists during the week and what makes them so good.

“1+1” by Beyoncé

A song that I’ve been listening to a lot is “1 +1” by Beyoncé. It was released back in 2011 as the lead-off track to her album “4.” Beyoncé has always been one of the best singers in pop music, and this song is one the many examples.

“1+1” is a power ballad, and the lyrics are about proclaiming your love to your soul mate while discussing the high and lows of a relationship. The production is perhaps one of Beyoncé’s most stripped back with nothing but a simple electric guitar.

The song perfectly showcases Beyoncé’s powerful range and emotional voice. Her vocals are very well-controlled, even when she's constantly jumping up and down the octaves. The grittiness in her chest and voice and the pureness in her falsetto matches the strength and vulnerability of the storytelling.

“1+1” is an achingly beautiful ballad that sends a simple message about love conquering all, and it will be remembered as one of Beyoncé’s best ballads in years to come.  —Jimmy Lu

“Things You Can’t Change” by Rhys Lewis

I find great joy in a good Spotify recommendation, and this week, the streaming service introduced me to a tune titled “Things You Can’t Change.” I cannot recommend this love song enough to all of my fellow romantics out there.

This soulful piece was released in 2019 by British singer and producer Rhys Lewis. It was featured on his debut album “Things I Chose to Remember.”

The song is about loving your partner for all the things they cannot change about themselves.

Listening to this selection feels like being wrapped up in a hug. It reassures listeners that their pesky insecurities don’t matter to their significant other.

Lewis declares that he wants his spouse for the worse and the better. He sings, “Yeah, I love you for you, babe/For all the things you can’t change.”

Everyone deserves a love like Lewis describes. Queue up this song when you are in the mood for a heartwarming listen.  —Maggie Wilson

“This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)” by Talking Heads

I think it is safe to say that 1980s bands and artists created a lot of timeless tunes. One of those songs is “This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)” by Talking Heads.
 
Talking Heads released their fifth studio album “Speaking in Tongues” in 1983. The ninth track is this funky, groovy, and all-around great vibe song.

Oftentimes, it can be hard for different people to like “strange” songs. This song is the type of song that everyone would like. It can be played during a hangout or during a casual party. I feel this way about many Talking Heads songs though.
 
This song is an amazing new wave song. New wave was a popular genre in the ‘80s, just like how rap and hip-hop are the current popular genres. In my opinion, this is a top-tier new wave ‘80s song, and everyone needs to have “This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)” by Talking Heads on their playlist.  —Emily McGlynn

“Breaking Up Slowly” by Lana Del Rey ft. Nikki Lane

“Breaking Up Slowly” is featured on Lana Del Rey’s latest album “Chemtrails over the Country Club.” This beautiful song is one of two on the album with a featured artist. Nikki Lane, the country singer featured, sounds excellent on this folk-inspired track.

The song is written beautifully. It tells a great story that is told by both artists. The song is about heartbreak, but it is sung in a hopeful manner that makes the audience excited for the future. Lana Del Rey is a phenomenal lyricist, and with the help of Lane, she creates a wonderfully written track.

The song is also sonically phenomenal. The melodies are very catchy and addictive. The folky strings complement the instrumental, which sounds similar to most Del Rey songs. The beat manages to be both upbeat and dramatic at the same time. It is a wonderful instrumental.

Finally, both vocalists sound incredible on the track. The standout moments in the song for me is when they harmonize. Their voices blend insanely well together, creating such a special sound. Lane has a great twang to her voice that I love.

For someone who is not a large fan of country music, I absolutely adore this song. I think both artists do an incredible job; the beat is perfect, and the lyrics are very engaging. You should definitely check this song out if you are a fan of Lana Del Rey’s music or if you enjoy folk tunes.  —Jack Freiser

“Home to Hell” by JT Music, Andrea Storm Kaden

Being an enjoyer of video games, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there is a lot of video game-themed music that I like. Lately, following the recent release of “The Ancient Gods: Part 2” for “Doom Eternal,” I have become re-obsessed with “Home to Hell.”

Written by popular video game music makers JT Music and featuring the gorgeous vocals of Andrea Storm Kaden—a partnership done multiple times before—“Home to Hell” is an epic alongside the game it is based on.

It really captures the fury of the protagonist, the Doom Slayer, with its rap and chorus sections that can set a fire in the mildest of hearts. It even cracks jokes about the quarantine since the game and song came out last March when it started, and it even references the game’s epic soundtrack made by guitarist Mick Gordon.

It is a fiery song that gets the blood pumping and is exceptional when playing “Doom,” making any listener feel like an omnipotent demon slayer.  —Colton Pleslusky

 

Jimmy (Chien-Hsing) Lu is a senior majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email jfl5603@psu.edu.

Emily McGlynn is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email at esm5378@psu.edu.

Maggie Wilson is a sophomore majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mwilson@psu.edu.

Jack Freiser is a freshman majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email jef5614@psu.edu.

Colton Pleslusky is a junior majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email csp5289@psu.edu.

About the Contributors

Jimmy (Chien-Hsing) Lu's photo

Jimmy (Chien-Hsing) Lu

Senior / Telecommunications

Jimmy (Chien-Hsing) Lu is a senior from Taiwan majoring in telecommunications at Penn State. He is a contributing writer for the CommRadio arts & entertainment department. If you’d like to contact him, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Colton Pleslusky's photo

Colton Pleslusky

Fourth-Year / Telecommunications

Colton S. Pleslusky is a fourth-year from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania majoring in telecommunications at Penn State. He is a director and writer for the CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Department as well as the host on Nittany Stories and a co-host on Nittany Record Club alongside Emily McGlynn. He does behind the scenes tasks, including directing, producing, programming and more for the Centre County Report. To contact him, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Emily McGlynn's photo

Emily McGlynn

Third-year / Broadcast Journalism

Emily McGlynn is a third-year from Birmingham, Michigan majoring in broadcast journalism at Penn State. She is the Co-General Manager alongside Alex Rocco and Dylan Price. She is involved in the news, arts and entertainment, sports and production department. In the news department, she is one of the news producers. She frequently writes reviews for the Arts Department as well. Listening to music, watching movies, and staying updated with news and pop culture are some of her favorite things to do. To contact her, email her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Jack Freiser's photo

Jack Freiser

Third-Year / Telecommunications

Jack Freiser is a third-year student in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University studying telecommunications. He is very passionate about both music and film. He aspires to impact the music business as a successful A+R by signing artists who will be culturally relevant and will leave an impact on the world, and through keeping a strong relationship with the artist and their team. Email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Maggie Wilson's photo

Maggie Wilson

Sophomore / Public Relations

Maggie Wilson is a third-year student from Harleysville, Pennsylvania, majoring in public relations at the Pennsylvania State University. She is a writer for the CommRadio arts and entertainment department. Her coverage includes music, movie, and documentary reviews. She has spoken on the Nittany Record Club radio show and discussed current pop culture events live on air. She is the current social media intern for Lutheran at Penn State. If you’d like to contact her, email her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).