This Week in Mainstream

by Nick Wilmer 

Last Sunday, the family of Christina Grimmie, a singer-songwriter and contestant on The Voice who was tragically murdered last summer, released an animated music video to “Invisible”, the lead single from Grimmie’s upcoming posthumous album. The video was a beautiful tribute to Grimmie, as it depicted her as a super hero.

Taken from YouTube.

On Sunday, BADBADNOTGOOD released the music video for their song “Lavender” ft. Kaytranada and Snoop Dogg (Nightfall Remix). The video has caused controversy for a scene where Snoop Dogg attacked a Donald Trump look alike. The rapper has now joined the likes of Madonna, Green Day, YG, Marilyn Manson, and other popular artists using their platform to take a stance against the Trump administration. Decaf Magazine will not show Trump’s response as anyone with Internet access has an idea of what Trump tweeted.

Taken from YouTube.

On Monday, Lady Gaga teased new music by posting that she was working in the studio again, just months after her releasing her latest album, the classic rock and country inspired Joanne.

On Monday, it was announced that Jordan Peele’s Get Out made $100 million so far at the box office, marking the first time a black writer-director’s debut feature film has made $100m.

On Monday, MTV announced that the Movie Awards would be the Movie & TV Awards from now on.

“We’re living in a golden age of content, and great storytelling and characters resonate regardless of whether you’re watching it in a theater or on TV,” said Chris McCarthy, the president of MTV. “The new ‘MTV Movie and TV Awards’ will celebrate even more of the brightest, bravest, funniest and most shared films and TV shows resonating across youth culture.”

On Monday, Billboard announced that Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain” has become her 22nd top 5 hit in the United States, breaking her fifth-place tie with Elvis Presley for the most top 5 hits. Not yet 30, the superstar is likely to break the records set by The Beatles, Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Janet Jackson and have more top 5 hits than any other artist.

On Tuesday, Billy Ray Cyrus, country star and father of Miley Cyrus, teased his daughter’s new music on social media. “@MileyCyrus Excited to hear more of the new stuff” Cyrus tweeted. He later deleted the post.

Photo via Billy Ray Cyrus’ Twitter.

On an unannounced date, Selena Gomez started the Selena Gomez Fund for Lupus Research with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) to help find a cure for the chronic inflammatory disease.

On Friday, Disney’s much anticipated live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast was finally released in the U.S.

This week in popular music history:

Taken from YouTube.

Cher’s influencial song “Believe” hit #1 in the U.S. It is one of the first hit songs where a singer used Auto-Tune, leading to many nick naming the technique as the “Cher effect”.

Going Back to the Wilderness

(Photo Via @amnthewilderness on Instagram)

Andrew McMahon is a man of many names. Few will know him as a member of the band Something Corporate, some as the frontman of Jack’s Mannequin, but buy and large, most will know him as himself, possibly with “in the Wilderness” tacked on the end.

McMahon has been present in the music industry for over fifteen years, though his latest project began in 2013 with The Pop Underground EP, his first release under the moniker Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. The self-titled full-length album came later in 2014, brandishing his most well-known single, Cecilia and the Satellite. 

Following a tour with alternative staples, Panic! at the Disco and Weezer in the summer of 2016, McMahon released his newest album, Zombies on Broadway in early February.

Out of all of the bands and albums I’ve reviewed so far, I strongly feel that this is going to be the album that will most please the masses. While most of the artists I’ve covered have had very specific sounds that just may not be for everyone, the heavily pop-influenced melodies and slightly manufactured sounding instrumentals make this record radio ready.

From the more mellow tones of Birthday Song, to the quick rhythm of Walking in My Sleep, you’d think there would be some sort of disconnect between the songs, yet somehow, McMahon has created an incredibly fluid sound that makes each song sound just like it came from this album. I’ve found myself most strongly drawn to Don’t Speak for Me, So Close, and Island Radio simply because I’m a sucker for a good riff and a catchy melody, though I really don’t think you can go wrong.

Compared to his previous album, Zombies on Broadway has a much more mature sound and really has shown the growth of McMahon as an artist. I do miss a bit of the dreaminess the first album had, though that’s really the only criticism I have for this release.

While it’s difficult to compare this album to anything, I would recommend Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness for fans of the Wombats and Bleachers, or really anyone who is in need of some great pop music.