Daft Punk: The robots who rocked the world
This story was originally published in the March 2021 print issue of The Cluster.
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This story was originally published in the March 2021 print issue of The Cluster.
Before the reign of streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, vinyl records were the primary way to listen to a favorite artist uninterrupted in the comfort of one’s home. Now, both music artists and music lovers alike can utilize these products for nostalgic, artistic and expressive purposes. Whether you are new to record shopping or an experienced collector, you may wonder about how records achieved such a resounding place in modern pop culture, how to properly shop for vinyls and even where you can find local record shops in Macon. Read on for tips, tricks and spots! Resurgence Although there is great dispute about when exactly vinyl “died,” it is widely accepted that the listening method slowly became obsolete between the late 1980s and the early 2000s, largely due to the creation of smaller alternatives like compact discs and cassette tapes. Last year, though, a sudden surge in record sales began to take place in the music industry, and records were reported to have outsold CDs for the first time since the 1980s. This vintage sound revival can be contributed to various factors, including the fascination Gen Z has with notalgia, vinyl’s unique sound that can’t be replicated through other platforms, the precious quality that vinyls hold as both a creative outlet and an investment and overall experience of owning a vinyl record. Vinyl shopping etiquette Not too long ago, the few ways to purchase a vinyl were checking out a traditional record store to scope out new releases, going to a flea market or striking it rich at a yard sale. Now, thanks to technological advances, one can buy new or used records online. Typically, a local record store would be one’s best bet due to the store owners’ wealth of knowledge about vinyl care and to avoid the runaround with skyrocketing shipping fees. However, when shopping for used records, one must exercise caution against buying a defective record with scuffs, warps, dull sheen and deficient (or nonexistent) packaging. Nevertheless, building and nurturing a diverse record collection is an utmost necessity for a music aficionado that will be beneficial for years to come. Local shop shoutout Record stores are frequently found within the confines of a booming city. Luckily for Macon, there are various forms of record retail. Old School Music Headquarters, a Black-owned record shop that has been open for over 50 years, has a wide array of titles. The shop, run by former radio host "Laughing" Lafayette Haynes, has sold over 1 million records since its inception and does not plan on stopping anytime soon. Fresh Produce Records is another option for record shopping, with a wide variety of genres and styles. Within this variety, the store showcases a particular affinity for the folk-rock and rock genres. However, due to pandemic protocols, they are currently only available for website ordering. With the combined reinvigoration of vinyl records and an overload of retail options, there isn’t a better time to get into expanding your record collection. Whether you’re a seasoned record connoisseur or just getting into the scene, there’s plenty of room to enjoy the essence of owning a piece of history or investing in your favorite artist’s transition to vinyl alongside streaming services.
Content warning: This article addresses pedophelia, racism and misogyny. Sex sells, no matter how much the world wants to deny its incurable desire for vices. The sexualization of the industry has always been at the forefront of controversy and contentment all at once by sexually-charged music and music videos, literature, film and other forms of entertainment. Despite this, the world’s moral disparity between sex appeal and the innocence of children plays a peculiar role that was pushed past its breaking point with the promotion of the French film “Mignonnes,” also known as “Cuties,” by Netflix. “Cuties,” a coming-of-age film, explores the life of a young Black girl who has an “ignited awareness of her burgeoning femininity” by joining a neighborhood dance crew that directly challenges her family’s conventional values through the group’s “increasingly sensual” choreography. The film received relatively positive reviews at Sundance, which resulted in Netflix buying the film’s rights for distribution and promotion. Netflix incited a social media frenzy after the movie platform presented a poster of young girls posing suggestively while dressed in revealing clothing along with an equally suggestive description of the film. Although Netflix formally apologized, many people have petitioned to remove the film from the platform and cancel its release. The film’s rollout evoked many controversial matters to rise from the surface, such as the issue of pedophilia, due to the film’s unsettling rating of TV-MA by projecting the stories of minors to an adult audience. Another issue that dwelled beneath the surface was the effect of misogyny towards these children and their story being taken out of context by Netflix and angry petitioners across social media sites. Along with misogyny on a wide scale, many have overlooked the fact that the film highlights the viewpoint of a Black girl, ultimately bringing the perspective of misogynoir (the term applied to misogyny against Black women coined by feminist Moya Bailey). Misogynoir’s history traces back to the beginnings of slavery and the stereotypes of Black women on plantations, particularly the Jezebel (the highly seductive and submissive temptress). The pressures of these expectations placed upon Black women are increasingly stressful, intimidating and destructive, due to the fact that not all Black women fit into these narrow boxes. The tricklings of this notion have played a significant role in the plight of Black women through comedic purposes, warped body image and higher thresholds of perfection by societal standards. Although the celebration of sexual liberation is gaining significant traction, one must contemplate the innocence of a child like a gem that is worth protecting. Children are highly impressionable individuals and will most likely imitate something that they have seen to be trendy. Due to social media’s hypnotic influence on children, the preexisting predatory notions of men and other factors, there is much pressure for girls to act older than their age and be seen as sexual beings prematurely. Nevertheless, the over-sexualization of minors, particularly Black girls, must be taken into account when the situation is presented. Our society must allow girls the chance to grow up and experience the simplicity of childhood and wholesomeness on a balanced level.
Undoubtedly, this stressful time has impacted our mental health. Whether that impact has been for better or for worse, listening to music can be a healthy way to stay sane. This time has also given us an opportunity to relive some of the most iconic moments in music that may have defined our lives at one point, or discover new music that you’ll be listening to way after quarantine. Either way, here are some albums to uplift your mood. Chloe x Halle - The Two of Us (2017) Described as “not an album, not quite a mixtape” by the duo discovered by Beyonce, this cohesive body of work was released on March 16, 2017, initially only on the streaming platform Soundcloud free of charge. It was eventually added to other major streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Although this record was a stepping stone for their most definitive album (The Kids are Alright) released the following year, it was important in establishing their reverberating sound. The themes of love, contentment and being level-headed with dreams are prominent throughout the record while being accented with their distinct harmonies and euphonious vocals. Noname - Telefone (2016) Fatimah Walker, who goes by Noname, gained traction on the music scene via Chance the Rapper on his 2013 “Acid Rap” mixtape and has been unstoppable in honing her craft ever since. Although the Chicago native’s debut album faced several setbacks before its release, it was received well with critics for its jazzy production quality and the artist’s spoken word rap delivery. Despite its fuzzy, soulful and happy-go-lucky production, the album hosts crucial internal discussions of self-discovery and awareness in the futility of her existence. However, it doesn’t forget to shed a light upon the unproportionate targeting of black individuals and deciphering the allure of fame and fortune. Hive Mind - The Internet (2018) This neo-soul California-based collective of five boasts of having multiple talented artists that are both established in their own right but create masterpieces when in collaboration. “Hive Mind,” their latest project, showcases the group’s versatility that proves that they are the true epitome of rhythm and blues. With silky vocals from Syd (former member of Odd Future), bass guitar credits from Steve Lacy and Patrick Paige (with additional vocals from Lacy), jazz-infused keyboard credits from Matt Martians and hypnotic drum beats from Christopher Smith, this album will be sure to keep you vibing with its funk and soul ladened production. Isolation - Kali Uchis (2018) As the most aptly titled piece on this list, this project exudes infectious vibes that transcend the listener to another sonically pleasing dimension. Described by critics as being in “a world of her own,” Kali Uchis, a woman of Columbian-American descent, displays her soft and feathery, yet powerful and compelling vocal technique adorned with pleasurable neo-soul, reggaeton and samba jazz production in her debut album. Complete with features including the aforementioned Steve Lacy, Tyler the Creator and Jorja Smith, this project also displays Uchis’s range in acknowledging the various personalities of her collaborating colleagues and effectively and sonically reflecting their personalities onto each of their prospective records. Reverberating around the album are themes of grappling with feelings of love and indifference, coping with the trials of life and recovering after heartbreak while summating a “forward-looking, but vintage-feeling” message. Although this is only a brief list of the myriad of musical projects that can be a source of nostalgia or a newfound obsession, these albums could also be a source of temperance during this unprecedented time. Each of these projects presented has been, and still are, a highlight of my experience during quarantine and could be part of yours too.
Everyone who has been in the scope of college admissions is familiar with the daunting tasks of facing standardized tests one way or another through the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT). These tests are a gigantic part of college admissions and can determine whether you are accepted or denied to an institution. The COVID-19 outbreak has made many traditional college operations come to a screeching halt, resulting in many institutions allowing prospective students to apply to schools with or without standardized test scores, but the question still remains: should schools still consider test scores during the pandemic or waive them altogether? One must consider the pros and cons of the entire situation and why this choice should be entirely up to the student. The pros of waiving these tests first include the alleviation of SAT/ACT prep costs. Standardized test preparation is a multi-million dollar industry—specifically “between $400 million to $700 million”—consisting of study books, test preparation classes and counseling to better equip students for maneuvering the logistics and strategies of the tests. Registration fees for these tests are also a significant financial factor that students must cover. Another benefit of waiving test scores is the alleviation of stress that students may feel when preparing for these tests, which have potentially harmful repercussions of “increased commitments for psychiatric and anxiety issues” due to increased anxiety levels and the possible outcomes at stake for their overall future. Most students take these tests between their junior and senior years in high school, which is one of the most demanding times in a student’s academic career. When this is factored out, students could use this time for other academic pursuits such as applying for scholarships, attending college tours and working and perfecting college essays. The cons of waiving these standardized tests should also be considered. Although “scores alone are no longer enough” to get you into a “good” school, one must still consider that GPAs vary from school to school and sometimes do not reflect the standards and demands set at a higher learning institution. While these tests may not display what a student is capable of, they do offer a window into how a student performs under pressure in a time-taxing environment. Another disadvantage of waiving these tests is the possibility of academic ambiguity with “no real metric of consistency in place” to decide whether a student is fit to join the population of their institution or not. Standardized test scores have held much weight to the college admission process over the years and have influenced overall college rankings, accessibility to jobs and qualifications for various scholarships. If this system is no longer brought to the forefront as the way of accepting students into schools, it would mark “the beginning of the end of our obsession with high-stakes standardized tests” that formerly established the trajectory of those in higher education. This pandemic has welcomed the reality of a new normal regarding many once established traditions, including the handling of school admissions. This has been administered by the flurry of decisions being made by executives to eliminate the intimidation of college admission testing altogether as a long term decision. It even leaves the question of why standardized tests have had such a quintessential position in the world of higher learning and academia (this can be answered by socioeconomic status, financial leverage and other potential advances). I believe that there should be an option for students between waiving the scores and taking the tests. Taking the tests would give students extra credential weight alongside their application, but shouldn’t hinder other students’ chances when they also have so much to offer. Although this can potentially invite partiality, this option can cater to both those who can provide the necessary financial means for the tests and those who cannot. Students should take advantage of this time as a whole due to the drastic changes that are happening in our country and our world. The practice of standardized testing is not disappearing entirely from the college admissions process anytime soon. Nevertheless, students should take this opportunity and advantage of proving themselves to an institution without the leering limitations of test scores and challenge themselves to view themselves as more than their score, but what they can bring to the table when looking for an institution to further educate and cultivate them.
This past decade has been a memorable one, especially in regards to music. Many songs quickly shot up the charts with their undeniable catchiness, variety and flair. Others became popular because of memes, or maybe they steadily crept their way into your Spotify playlist without you even realizing it. Whatever the case may be, these songs have had a huge impact on the previous years and possibly the entire decade. With the new year in full swing, there is so much curiosity surrounding which artists will be releasing new music in 2020. Only time will tell, but until then, here’s a list of musicians who are expected to release new music this year. Billie Eilish The eighteen-year-old singer has certainly had many hits under her belt including her 2016 debut single “Ocean Eyes” which quickly became a fan-favorite for its ethereal and light sound. She has received critical acclaim this past year, particularly from her debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go.” Songs such as “Bury a Friend,” “Bad Guy” and “When the Party’s Over” had R&B influences with mellow, yet mildly dark undertones that set her apart, making her a four-time Grammy nominee. Since the release of her debut album, Eilish has dropped a single from her sophomore album, which is rumored to be released this year. She is currently working on writing a new James Bond theme song for the film “No Time to Die” for the movie franchise. “It feels crazy to be apart of this in every way,” Eilish said in an interview with CNN. “I’m still in shock.” Frank Ocean Many fans are awaiting the return of the “Thinking Bout You” singer who has been popping in and out of the public eye since the release of his latest album “Blonde” in 2016. His enigmatic mannerisms and chronic disappearances have made him the subject of piqued curiosity from many people, even from those who don’t proclaim to be fans of Ocean. According to W Magazine, “(he) is always working on music and other things.” He was also the subject of speculation at Camp Flog Gnaw last year when he was expected to perform as a surprise guest for the festival. When festival-goers realized the surprise guest was Canadian rapper Drake, fans went into a disappointed uproar. Since then, Ocean has released two singles late last year, “In My Room” and “DHL,” rumored to be from his upcoming album, which is set to be released this year. He is also scheduled to headline Coachella this year, his first live performance since 2017. Rihanna This songstress-turned-business mogul has not released any music since the release of her latest album “ANTI” in 2016. Songs like “Needed Me” and “Work” climbed the charts and ruled radio airplay with their edgy, Caribbean style. Since then, she has been featured in other artists’ songs such as “Wild Thoughts” with DJ Khalid, “Loyalty” with Kendrick Lamar and “LEMON” with Pharrel’s music group N.E.R.D in 2017. In the meantime, she has launched several successful business ventures including Fenty x Puma (a holistic fashion brand), Fenty Beauty (her makeup brand that made waves with its inclusivity in shade ranges), Fenty (her LVMH luxury fashion brand, making her the first woman of color to partner with the esteemed fashion house) and Savage x Fenty (her lingerie line that boasts inclusivity of body types), starred in the movie “Guava Island” with Donald Glover and much more. Although she has been busy building an empire, she has not forgotten her musical roots and has been teasing the release of her ninth studio album to her fans in a joking manner since last year. The album is supposed to be “reggae-inspired or reggae-infused,” Rihanna said in an interview with Vogue. “It’s in my blood.” The album was supposed to come out last year, according to Rihanna’s response to a fan on Instagram. Currently, the album is completed and ready to be released, but, according to Rihanna’s Instagram account, she “is listening to R9 by (herself) and (refuses) to release it.” Lil Uzi Vert The Philadelphia-born rapper has been pegged by fans to release new material since the release of his latest solo album “Luv is Rage 2” in 2017. Since then, he has collaborated with several different artists throughout 2018 and 2019 including Young Thug, Juice WRLD, Gucci Mane, Tyler the Creator, Lil Baby, Blocboy JB and so many more. He has also released six singles, posted the promotional shoot on his Instagram and is constantly teasing many snippets for his upcoming album “Eternal Atake,” which is set to release this year. The artwork for the project caused serious controversy due to its stark similarities to the logo of the Heaven’s Gates cult, which was known for the mass suicide of its members in 1997. In 2018, Uzi said during a concert that he “was finally done with that joint, imma drop that jawn,” but the delay may have been attributed to his former music label, Generation Now, which Uzi had constant discrepancies and disagreements with. He has since broken ties with the label and is now on Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation. The album is supposed to drop “soon, I guess,” Uzi said in a statement. “Yeah, soon.” J Cole The “No Role Modelz” rapper has been busy with the artist collective and record label “Dreamville,” which he founded in 2007 with his manager Ibrahim Hamad. They have released the Grammy-nominated album “Revenge of the Dreamers III” and just released the deluxe version of the album “Revenge of the Dreamers III: Director’s Cut.” Cole has not released a solo album since the release of “KOD” in 2018. The upcoming album, which is set to release this year and rumored to be titled “The Fall Off,” is supposed to be a direct response to his previous album. He teased the album during his performance at the Day N Night festival in Las Vegas last year with a parody presidential campaign video that featured Cole. Fans were also offered campaign posters at the concert. “Make your voice heard,” the video said. “Vote for the Fall Off, 2020.” These artists, and many more, have persistent fan bases just waiting for their next music release. It’s only a matter of time when, or if, they will bring forth their fan’s wishes. In the meantime, we can only dream that their next projects live up to all the others.