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The Kids Aren’t Alright: Depression’s Dangerous Presence in Popular Music

by Dana Behling

(trigger warning: depression mention, suicide-related imagery)

(image credit: Universal Music AB)

Clinical depression has been labeled a 21st century epidemic, with Forbes reporting in May that rates of diagnoses for the disease rose 33% overall between 2013 and 2016, and a staggering 47% among the Millennial generation during the same timespan. No matter what the cause is for this drastic increase, one thing is clear to those of us born after 1990 - the music we listen to is riddled with themes of depression across all genres, and it isn’t always with the intention of promoting positive outreach concerning the disease.

Lana Del Rey, one of the most prominent faces in alternative pop, uses suicidal thoughts and depression as major themes in the inspiration for her music, with her breakout album titled Born to Die being one of her most popular. In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Del Rey even stated that there was something “glamorous” in dying young, even sporting a tattoo on her finger that inspires the idea.

(image credit: Cosmopolitan)

To be clear, artists using depression as inspiration for their craft is nothing new, with some of the industry’s most influential and celebrated voices, including Johnny Cash, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse, all being very open about their struggles with mental illness in the music they produced. The problem arises in the fact that two out of three of these artists died at the age of 27 as a result of their illnesses, and each of them hailed from different time periods of popular music. There are a plethora of artists in modern music that use depression as a means of forming their brand, arguably more than have ever been witnessed in previous decades, and many of them list Cobain and Winehouse as being direct influences on their own careers.

For many suffering from mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, the music of artists like Lana Del Rey, Halsey, and Lorde, to name a few, serves as an escape from their own problems living with disease. The fan bases of these artists also foster a community of individuals who understand what it’s like to struggle with poor mental health. In the cases of some artists, such as Del Rey, however, depression is glamorized and romanticized to the point that it’s seen as trendy to be diagnosed with - nothing more than an accessory to fit an aesthetic.

The album cover featured at the head of this article is that of Swedish artist Ängie, accompanying her 2018 record Suicidal Since 1995. The image looks as if it’s been ripped from the pages of Vogue, presenting the subject of suicide as one that is sleek, fashionable, and not nearly as devastating as it truly is. As for the album itself, its seven tracks explore habits of substance abuse in order to escape from thoughts of depression, unhealthy coping mechanisms that have the power to destroy the lives of those afflicted with them.

(image credit: NME)

Themes such as those found in Suicidal Since 1995 have appeared increasingly in music since the start of the decade, with Tove Lo’s “Habits (Stay High)” becoming a chart-topping single in 2014. While it can be argued that songs and artists such as these serve a purpose of bringing up the topic of depression in mainstream conversation, they also do little but give listeners suffering from the disease an agent to wade in unhealthy thoughts.

(image credit: Odyssey)

There is a silver lining about the topic, however. Many artists who use depression as a means of creation also express emotion over their recovery, providing an example for those also struggling with mental illness. Lorde’s 2017 album Melodrama, for example, explores depression after a breakup and learning to love oneself through the pain. And while depression-heavy in their themes, two Marina and the Diamonds’ albums, Electra Heart and FROOT, ultimately express the peace found in recovery with the songs “Happy” and “Fear & Loathing,” the former of which actually opens the album with a positive message. Demi Lovato is perhaps the most popular artist who speaks up about mental health issues, working as an advocate for those experiencing trouble with depression and other disorders to seek help and recovery.

For those struggling with depression (myself included), musicians who share our experiences and write about them can create havens for us to feel less alone in our illnesses. There’s a huge difference, however, between fostering solidarity through identification and honesty concerning difficult issues, and using sadness as a means to sell a brand. We as consumers must be conscious of the artists we support when it comes to their stances on mental illness. If they use it as a device to seem more artful, they aren’t doing much to help themselves or anyone else to create understanding for an extremely serious and misunderstood problem.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, we at The Setlist encourage you to speak up and reach out. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers 24/7 support, as well as other resources, some of them located on the University of Delaware campus.

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Songs We Love This December

The entire Setlist staff is back this month with more songs we’ve been listening to and loving recently! As always, we’ll post this entire playlist on our Spotify, so check it out and see if you can find something new to vibe with. 

Dana Behling - President

Magazine by Vera Blue - Super luxe and laced with gorgeously melodic strings. I’ve shamelessly had this alt-pop hit on repeat for weeks.

Aristocrat (feat. Garibay) by Poppy - Great to put on if you want to be transported to another time. Vaguely reminiscent of the film Marie Antoinette. I would have made this whole album my pick for November if I could.

Grace by Florence + The Machine - This song is a religious experience. I might still be coming down from the high I got seeing her perform this song live in October.

Maddie McVey - Editor/Writer

The Walker by Christine and the Queens - A beautiful melody from the French visionary with a stunning music video to match. One of my favorite tracks from one of the best pop albums of the year.  

It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) by The 1975 - A sparking sing-along bop with honest lyrics about frontman Matty Healy’s struggles with drug addiction. Sure to please fans of both the band’s new and old sounds.

Feeling of Falling by Cheat Codes feat. Kim Petras - This brand new dance song featuring the on-the-rise pop star will make you wonder how this isn’t on the radio yet. There’s nothing like guilty pleasure pop!

Maggie Doggett - Assistant Manager

Party Favor by Billie Eilish - A slow bop that is nice to listen to on a calm car ride. The perfect song to listen to once you’ve finally broken up with someone you should have broken up with a while ago.

What You Waiting For? by Lily Allen - A song that will make you dance and cry at the same time.

Waiting for Cars by Soccer Mommy - Beautiful and haunting. Perfect song to listen to when your falling for someone and you need to know if they are falling for you.

Alex Woods - Writer

Jet Fuel Can’t Melt Steel Beams by Camp Cope - A song for the angry femme females that brings to light the real struggles of being a female.

Talking Straight by Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - A great tune to blast in your car and to help forget your problems.

Self Care by Mac Miller - A song by the late multi-instrumental artist. This song highlights the importance of taking care of yourself and the hard truths of mental illness.

Keven D’Arcy - Social Media Manager

3 Nights by Dominic Fike - A song by a new artist emerging from South Florida. The chorus is so damn catchy.

Sunflower by Rex Orange County - It has been so cold lately, and this song just makes the winter a little more bearable.

Summer Days by A R I Z O N A - I really just miss summer. This song will make you want to party on the beach.

Sara Rudick - Treasurer

14 Faces by Lewis Del Mar - A cool indie rock jam I’ve recently discovered.

Torn by Neck Deep - I love when punk rock bands do covers of classic pop songs, and this time is no exception.

Bambi by Hippo Campus - If you’re in the mood for some fun chill vibes, I definitely recommend this song (and band).

Molly Kennedy - Photographer

Alien Boy by Oliver Tree - Recently discovered this soft alternative pop artist and fell in love with this vibey song.

Come Out and Play by Billie Eilish - My favorite artist came out with a soft and calming tune.

Without Me by Halsey - Her recently released song is relatable beyond compare and I love the story behind it, a great bop overall.

Alina Serbina - Editor

Trash Bat by AFI - AFI is finally back with another song and an EP coming out on December 7th! Since The Blood Album, I’ve patiently waited for new content and I was not at all disappointed by this new song!

Criminal by State Champs - I’ve recently gotten into State Champs from a recommendation of a friend. Living Proof was released in the summer of 2018 and I love the overall sound this band has! 

I Couldn’t Be More In Love by The 1975 - I have patiently waited for the release of A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships and I am pretty content overall with this album. As always, Matty put all of his emotions out there with some honest and raw lyrics. This song is one of my favorites of the new record. 

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I Went To A Concert In Buenos Aires...Here’s What Happened

By Alina Serbina

Over Thanksgiving Break, I traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I had no expectations for BA other than finally getting to see my best friend who has been studying abroad there since August. I also decided to reconnect with some friends that we have met in the Dominican Republic a few years back.

One of the friends we made in the Dominican, Osky, is a musician in Buenos Aires! He is a sweet guy with the most adorable dog and a great taste in music. He also just so happened to have 4 tickets to a concert at Teatro Vorterix when I was visiting. Obviously, I was going to go. We got to the venue and it reminded me of a typical smaller venue in NYC (since I usually only go to concerts in NYC). Think of Irving Plaza or Terminal 5. 

By the time we got there, the main band was just about to start playing, so Osky and I made our way into the pit. The crowd was very welcoming and let us move up closer with no problem. As we made our way through, I realized that we were mostly surrounded by people in our age group (16-24). 

The band that played is called AirBag. AirBag is a pretty well known, local rock band. All of their songs were in Spanish so I couldn’t understand most of the lyrics since I speak close to no Spanish... However, the energy the crowd had made me feel right at home: circle pits formed, people sang on the top of their lungs and fan girls threw random items towards the stage. 

The crowd only got more and more intense as the set progressed. I have not seen a small band get so much attention before; the Argentinian youth are full of passion. Osky and I were both having a great time until Osky got his iPhone stolen from his pocket in the middle of the set. Phone theft is a very common occurrence in Buenos Aires, so keep that in mind if you’re ever traveling there. 

However, we stayed until the end of the show. The musicians were engaged with the crowd the entirety of the set, clearly giving it their all. My personal favorite was their guitarist; he was amazing! While the loss of Osky’s phone was definitely a buzzkill, overall, we both had a great time. I enjoyed experiencing a concert outside of the United States and spending time with an old friend!

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Halsey’s Without Me: Song and Music Video

By Afia Asamoah

So fresh off of Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, Halsey released a new song and video. I’m going to start with the video first. 

I saw this video: the tale of a toxic relationship, filled with (implied) sex and partying and drinking and generally two people being in love...and also the fighting and sadness and the girl eventually breaking free from it. Plot and shameless advertising of Beats Headphones and Yves St. Laurent red lipstick aside, my very first thought was: Why the heck does the guy in the video look like G-Eazy?

So maybe I’m the only one that saw it. As you know (or if you didn’t know, now you do. You’re welcome.) Halsey was in a relationship with rapper G-Eazy, and they even wrote a song together (which I personally thought was dangerous) and then they broke up. Got back together, then broke up again. They haven’t really talked openly about what caused the split both times, but they were split the second time when the music video came out. The guy (who is a friend of the singer) just had similar facial features and height to the rapper. I was like “THE SHADE.” But y’know, I might be reading into it.

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21st Century Liability Tour: Washington D.C.

(photo credit: FAULT Magazine)

by Lucy Kriner

On Friday, October 26th, Washington D.C not only experienced torrential rain and heavy winds, but a storm of a completely different caliber. 21 year old Dominic Harrison, known more commonly as Yungblud, brought his electric, nearly sold out “21st Century Liability” tour to a packed DC9 nightclub.

The energy skyrocketed when Kentucky native Arrested Youth took the stage in support of the show. The crowd swayed, clapped, jumped, screamed, and even caught lead vocalist, Ian Johnson, who was exercising his newfound stage diving skills.

A short intermission followed and the crowd packed in as the minutes ticked down to Harrison’s, as well as drummer, Michael Rennie, and Guitarist, Adam Warrington, took the stage.

Yungblud parted the crowd like the red sea upon arrival, making space for his mates and even his wheelchair. That’s right, I said wheelchair. Harrison suffered a broken leg early on in the tour and his vow to continue performing was certainly upheld that night. Despite the boot, crutches and wheelchair donning the stage, the band remained high energy, sweaty, and ready to deliver their message to the people that night.

The set closed out with an energetic rendition of “Die for the Hype” and one of the longest ovations I’ve ever experienced. But the night felt far from over as Harrison, Rennie, and Warrington are fiercely devoted to meeting and forming meaningful bonds with their fanbase; they stayed for over an hour to meet everyone coming through.

Yungblud stands as a firm reminder that the future is in the hands of the youth, and the youth take no shit.

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She’s BACK!

By Afia Asamoah

The mother fuckin’ princess is back, and she’s stronger than ever! So for those of you that didn’t know, starting in 2015, Avril Lavigne was on tour when she felt like she was experiencing night sweats and getting the flu. Two months later, she found out she had developed Lyme Disease.

 In an interview with ABC News, she said that she was bouncing from doctor to doctor while on the road, and she found that they were giving her the runaround. They didn’t admit that they couldn’t find out what was wrong with her, so they were saying things like “Why don’t you get out of bed and play the piano, Avril?” or “You’re crazy. Are you just depressed?” when she was bed-ridden. Through self-medication and a Lyme specialist who put her on herbs and antibiotics, she’s halfway to full recovery. But one night, while she was with her mom and she was sure she was gonna die, her mom prayed with her. She said “God, please help to keep my head above water.” And Head Above Water began to form.

Speaking of Head Above Water, the song and music video was released last week Wednesday, and ISSA BOP! My initial thoughts when I began to listen to it was “PRAYING BY KESHA”. It gave me that vibe; I’m not really sure why. They were both in pain, they both went through a lot, and they both had biblical references...and the ocean in their music videos. 

Besides the point, it was very powerful. Her voice has gotten stronger, and I really felt her pain through the words especially at the chorus. I genuinely started to feel myself tear up at the bridge where she goes “God, keep my head above water/I lose my breath at the bottom/Come rescue me, I’ll be waiting/I’m too young to fall asleep”. Plus, can we also talk about how beautiful she looks in the video? Like...dude...she was so...BEAUTIFUL. There was no skulls and bones, no hot pinks and blacks (not like she’s not pretty with them on) but because the song was so soul-baring, she looked so vulnerable yet strong and ethereal and SHE’S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL DON’T FIGHT ME ON THIS.

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twenty one pilots - “Trench” Album Review

(photo credit: Pop Buzz)

by Lucy Kriner

There’s little arguing to be done about the fact that Trench by twenty one pilots was one of the most anticipated albums of 2018. People have been anticipating its release ever since the duo went silent at the end of their blurryface album cycle. The record proved to be as deeply personal and lyrically profound as fans had hoped, tackling topics such as love, loss, and the crushing pressure of the band’s skyrocket to fame. “Leave the City” is one emotional cut sure to bury its roots deep into the hearts of all the members of “the clique.” Lyrically, it’s a sonic outpouring of love and grief after the death of frontman Tyler Joseph’s grandfather, who is pictured on the Vessel album cover.

The duo’s versatility is on full display as they flow seamlessly from slow piano on “Leave the City,” to high-octane, hip hop adjacent songs like “Levitate” and “Pet Cheetah.” Trench is an overall impressive follow-up to the album that shot them to stardom, playing on familiar aspects fans will love, as well as bringing a fresh new take on their own sound. Trench is available for stream on all major platforms. Catch Tyler and Josh on The Bandito tour this fall with support from Awolnation and Max Frost!

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Celebrating LGBTQ History Month with Music

by Alex Woods (images courtesy of GIPHY)

October is LGBTQ History Month! And with that, I have compiled a playlist to go along. Have fun rocking out!

 🏳️‍🌈 Time Warp - The Rocky Horror Picture Show

This film being one of the first films to showcase the LGBTQ community, it stays relevant and popular and its legacy will live on!

 🏳️‍🌈 Hymn - Kesha

A song for those who feel lost with no direction, this song is sure to make you feel empowered.

🏳️‍🌈 Church of the Poison Mind - Culture Club

British new-wave band Culture Club showcases the popular misconceptions of gays back in the 80’s and hits all skeptics with this catchy tune no one can resist singing along to.

 🏳️‍🌈 Strangers - Halsey ft. Lauren Jauregui

Halsey and Lauren Jauregui, both openly bisexual, curated this powerful vocal-and lust-driven track with the ugly side of relationships in mind.

🏳️‍🌈 Junky - BROCKHAMPTON

The rap group holds nothing back in this fiery track and is sure to get you pumped up!

🏳️‍🌈 Holy - PVRIS

Lead singer Lynn Gunn targets religious hypocrisy shuts down those who shame members of the LGBTQ community, herself incluced.

🏳️‍🌈 How Selfish I Seem - Trash Boat

Though the genre of pop-punk is known for heteronormative thematics, Tobi Duncan of trash boat makes waves with this track showing off the theme of self v. others and the uses of pronouns.

🏳️‍🌈 Girls/Girls/Boys - Panic! At the Disco

Bisexual stereotyping is crushed with powerhouse vocals and strong writing from P!ATD frontman, Brendon Urie

🏳️‍🌈 Starman - David Bowie

Bowie being one of the greatest gay icons of all time served the community well when releasing this hit track

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Songs We Love This October

There’s a lot of good music out there in the world, so this month, our executive board of music gurus got together and compiled a list of our favorite songs for this month to help you discover more of it. You can thank us later. 

Dana Behling - President

Rib Cage by NIXE - Ethereal, vaguely haunting, and perfectly melancholic, laced with excitement and the promise of new beginnings. A beautiful embodiment of the fall season, complete with nature sounds.

Shrike by Hozier - Woodsy and eerily, sorrowfully sweet. Typical, wonderful Hozier fare, topped with the cherry that is his enrapturing voice. Needless to say, I’m anxiously awaiting the release of another full album from my favorite Irish heartthrob.

Good Love by Aly & AJ - They’re back with a vengeance and have delivered the single bitch anthem we never knew we needed. Equal parts vulnerable and confident, sappy and powerful, this 80s-esque jam deserves no less than to be sung at top volume while running dramatically through rain-soaked streets.

Alina Serbina - Editor

Misery by Creeper- This song is the calmest off of the lowkey English rock band’s album. However, it’s eerie and appealingly haunting.  

Him and I by Halsey and G Eazy- A modern love song by this power couple that is bound to put anyone in their feels.

Tie Me Down by Gryffin (with Elly Duhe) - Recently heard this song playing in my friend’s car and couldn’t help but fall in love with it. The lyrics are so honest and something that we’re all too familiar with in 2018.

Maddie McVey - Editor

Kiss by Pale Waves - A sparkling cut about blissful love off of the Manchester band’s debut album. This group sounds just as cool as they look, and definitely need to be on your radar.

New Orleans by Brockhampton - The opening track off the boy band’s fourth album is a banger with stellar verses by each member, as well as a feature from Jaden Smith. When listening to the full album, let this track fade into the follower, “Thug Life,” for a chilled-out outro.

Upside Down by The Story So Far - This song sees the bay area pop-punk quintet mellow out like never before, and it suits them well. Despite the change in pace and impact, their skill with gorgeous melodies remains.

Sara Rudick - Treasurer 

Fun by Sir Sly- If you’ve in the mood for some -fun- chill vibes, Sir Sly has been such a jam for me lately, and I’m so excited to see them perform with Joywave on the 23rd.

Sassy by Anarbor- I’ve been anxiously awaiting Anarbor to release new music, and Sassy is part of the three new songs they released this year. It has more of a pop vibe than I normally prefer but very catchy nonetheless.

Backseat by Prelow- This song has a soothing yet sad vibe to it that I find relaxing. Really hits the feels for anyone going through relationship issues, but not too emotional as the background music has a catchy upbeat feel.

Maggie Doggett - Assistant Manager

Warm Honey by Willow - From the album “The 1st” of the indie/alternative artist known as Willow Smith, ‘Warm Honey’ is the definition of a chill jam.

Three by Lily Allen - From the album “No Shame” of the electro pop artist known as Lily Allen, ‘Three’ is an emotional song that is beautiful and sad.

I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend by Girl In Red - From the album “chapter 1” of the indie/alternative artist known as Girl in Red, ‘i wanna be your girlfriend’ is a jam that is perfect for any girl in the LGBT community who has had a crush on a friend.

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Arrested Youth - “Fear”Album Review

(photo credit: Genius)

by Lucy Kriner

September 27th brought the release of Kentucky-based artist Arrested Youth’s debut album, Fear. The record comes as the first non-dance release from New York-based label Lowly Palace.

Emotionally fueled and brutally honest, Fear is a triumph for the new wave of genre-bending alternative. Incorporating elements of punk, hip hop, and dance music, it creates the perfect storm of angst and insight into the mind of the project’s frontman, Ian Johnson. Songs like “VANS” and “Mirrors” tap into the pressures of societal and social acceptance, while others focus on our tech addiction (“Painting in Paris”). The record as a whole feeds into the artist’s seething review of 21st century society, and gives a voice to those who are angry, frustrated, and discouraged by the current state of the world.

Arrested Youth is currently on tour in the U.S supporting British punk artist Yungblud until October 27th. His socials are listed below.

Spotify: Arrested Youth

Instagram: arrestedyouth_

Twitter: ArrestedYouth

Facebook: Arrested Youth

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The Strength of Lauren Daigle

(photo credit: The Advocate)

by Molly Kennedy

No matter what you believe or don't believe, you have to believe that Lauren Daigle is breaking barriers. This female, Christian artist is coming up fast and hard. With her latest album, Look Up Child, debuting at number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, she has topped popular artists like Drake, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, and more. Usually, the famous female artists have to succumb to sexualized objectification in order to make music that will be popular - and if they don't, then they are simply dropped from their label or leave. Female artists are often not taken seriously in the music industry, and the fight Kesha had to put up against producer Dr. Luke (who she accused of sexual assault) is just one example of the many times females have had to sacrifice so much in order to do what they love. Lauren Daigle’s music is about her spiritual journey through the similar trials of her life.

Her music is woven with messages of faith, hope, and strength. These are the same messages that brought her through a desperate time of illness in her own life. A time where she made the choice to depend on and trust in God to get her through. This trial cultivated a deeper relationship with God and was a time of seeking His purpose in her life. She always had a passion for music and began asking God to show her what He wanted her to do with her talent. She believes that it was God who lead her to where she is today and thanks Him for it through her lyrics.

Her newest album, Look Up Child, is climbing the charts. Her lyrics are relatable no matter what your beliefs are. Though we live in a culture of comparison that leads to insecurity, Daigle’s song “You Say” reminds us all that we are valuable. In a world where we are constantly being compared to others through posts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media platform, she is able to shine a light on the fact that we are all here for a purpose and we are all loved. Lauren says herself, “I knew this would be a song of my identity. ‘You say i am loved.’ That's the truth.”

She exudes confidence in herself and in her beliefs, but in no way does she ever compare herself to others or preach that anyone should change who they are or what their beliefs are. She makes her music for herself and writes about what helps her through each day. This is why it is so amazing that she is getting the recognition she deserves. This talented young woman is tearing down harmful stigmas and helping create a new path for female artists in the music industry.

Listen to her on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/40LHVA5BTQp9RxHOQ9JPYj

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A New Genre Of Music Has Arrived… This is SURF TRAP.

(photo credit: Revolt)

by Alex Woods

Surf Trap has been meticulously formed by an up and coming indie rapper who goes by the name Felly.

Chris Felner is a multi-instrumentalist artist with a sound that is like no other. His artistry is a cocktail of intricate beats, timeless lyrics, and unique production. Older tracks such as, “Panama” and “Top of the Earth” showcase the young musicians early work and raw talent. Since the debut of his first album “Milk & Sugar” in 2014, the 23 year old has released a lot of solid content. WINTERS IN BROOKLYN, his 7th release, depicts his time spent in Brooklyn and the waves of emotions that the city brought him. It’s honest, harsh, and perfectly translated. Unlike most music put out these days, Felly makes music with a message and an underlying story (one of which was depicted in an illustrative book he released alongside the EP).

Surf Trap, his 8th studio release is the epitome of originality. He draws his inspiration from Bob Marley and says “his spiritual side and his timelessness” attract him most to the late musician. The tracks released thus far, “Pretty Girl” and “Miami” incorporate jazzy piano, trap influenced percussion, beachy guitar, and relaxed rhymes that are sure to please. This project in particular shows a completely different side of Felly. Unlike the thought provoking vibe of WINTERS IN BROOKLYN, Felly offers a chill and California inspired beach vibe. Surf Trap will be released on September 28th.

Four headlining tours, multiple festival features, and opening for T-Pain hasn’t seemed to tire out Young Fel. His energy level is higher than ever as he prepares to go on tour in the Fall of 2018.

Check him out on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2848adRcxvgWNRcz1g1tQD

Check him out on Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/felly/1286851208

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SYML and Flora Cash at First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia

by Clara Hernandez

An approximately 133-year-old church may seem like an odd venue to hold a concert, and you would be completely correct in thinking so. The 17th century architecture might make you question how good a rock show can possibly be in such a place. Let me tell you: it was hot, cramped, and did not have a whole lot going on effects-wise (in regards to lighting and bass capacity) considering it was a building normally used for Sunday chats with Jesus instead of cranking out serious bops. However, SYML and Flora Cash managed to bring the entire house down, despite the odd setting.

The opening act touring with SYML for his Where Did We Go tour was husband-and-wife indie-folk band Flora Cash. The duo were everything I longed for in an indie couple with their matching silver hair and very grunge clothing. Cole Randall wore big clunky black boots with shiny gold plates on the tops, black jeans, an Adidas tank, and messy hair all in his face. His wife Shpresa wore a baggy white sweatshirt, black tights with runs, and black thigh-high boots. 

Flora Cash opened the concert with their song “Nightmare” and followed it with other popular songs of theirs such as “Sadness is Taking Over”, “For Someone”, and their recent popular hit, “You’re Somebody Else”. I was consumed by Cole’s strained and passionate tone and how Shpresa’s unearthly and elegant melodies complimented it. 

After Flora Cash’s opener ended way too soon for my liking, Brian Fennell, aka SYML, stepped out into the pitch blackness. As the beginning of his new song “WDWGILY” played, a sad blue light beamed down on him and his keyboard. Given that the church didn’t have an advanced lighting set-up, Brian had his own soft lighting arrangement going on (reminiscent of an essential oil diffuser) that changed with the mood of the songs. His first song was quite sad, so it had variations of shades of blue flashing to the beat.

Subsequently to the intro song, all traces of light disappeared. The sweaty crowd was once again left in the dark. Then, through the abyss, we heard Brian’s voice say: “Yeah, I like to spend the time in-between sets in the dark. You. Me. Darkness; we get to know each other a lot better this way.” He then proceeded to take a slurp into the mic and tell us that he was drinking whiskey. I appreciated his humor so much; it made me connect with his music on another level.

Brian’s somber voice in a live performance made me feel so at peace. It’s quite a different experience than your typical concert where you have lots of dancing, loud singing, and cheering. Here, SYML opened up his heart to his audience, talking about his daughter and his wife - both of whom he wrote songs for. “Girl” was written for his youngest daughter who had just undergone surgery, and “Better” and “Clean Eyes” were written for his wife because, according to Brian, she inspires him to be better and always helps him gain a new sense of perspective. While you can’t necessarily head bang to these, there’s something to be said about being vulnerable at a concert and being one with your troubles. Here was this wonderful man going through so much and singing about his past pain, all while performing beautifully, and I couldn’t help but feel comfortable in such emotion along with him.

Brian is aware that his music is depressing, at one point stating: “I know guys; my music is sad as fuck. But it’s very cathartic.” There’s a very calming moodiness when listening to his music; you’re never just flat out depressed while listening along, but comforted. I feel that SYML does such a fantastic job of singing about more saddening topics without romanticizing them. His approach says, “We all go through these things, let’s not sugarcoat it. Let’s talk about it how it actually is.”

Ending the night, SYML played his popular hit “Where’s My Love” and “Mr. Sandman” to which everyone sang along. It was such a lovely end to such a unique concert, leaving the audience feeling so much closer to one another. As the lights came on and I took a look around, I could see that there was a diverse range of people who came to hear Brian Fennell. The alluring quality of his music is that it’s universal and applicable to everyone. There is such a stigma surrounding being depressed and going through rough patches that it was reassuring to see so many contrasting types of people there in that cramped venue, all present for the same reasons. SYML helped us be sad and proud about it.

[setlist-ud-blog]

Female Artists vs Record Labels

(photo credit: People Magazine)

by Maddie McVey

The Veronicas. JoJo. Tinashe. CL. Sky Ferreira. If you’ve ever heard of any of these artists, you may be wondering: what ever happened to them? It’s a good question, with the same answer for each case: they’ve all been held back from releasing new music by their record labels.

These five artists are definitely not the first to fall victim to the dark side of music industry politics, which affects singers and bands of all kinds (most notably recently with the controversy surrounding Kesha and the abuse she suffered at the hands of Sony Music). Each have something in common: despite coming from different places and releasing their debut albums at different times, everyone in this particular group makes pop or pop-crossover music, was in their teens or early twenties when they first rose to fame, and is a woman. While it can’t be strictly proven, this pattern points to the underlying issue of systematic sexism that makes it easier for companies to take advantage of young women. Each of these artists’ stories lends support to the theory.

(photo credit: theveronicas.com)

The Veronicas

The Veronicas, the duo of twin sisters from Brisbane, Australia, is probably best known in the US for their 2007 top ten hit, “Untouched” off of their sophomore album, Hook Me Up. However, instead of allowing them to ride on this success, their record label, Warner Music, brought their career to a halt.

"They stole four years of our lives,” Jessica Origliasso, one half of The Veronicas, told the BBC in 2014 while explaining how the label delayed and refused to release their third album. “It became a bit of a battle, and it took one bad-assed lawyer to help us get the hell out of that situation. It tests your faith, it tests your self-assurance and your confidence. Every part of you.”

The sisters got the last laugh when they signed to Sony Music Entertainment in 2014 and released their self-titled third album later that year. The superb first single, “You Ruin Me” went straight to number one in their home country of Australia. The girls then tweeted their former label Warner Music a simple, “Haha.”

Origliasso laughed when asked about the tweet in the BBC interview, admitting, “I can be a bit of a spiteful bitch. But at the end of the day, it felt good...That company was very, very, happy for a long time to sit on us and not allow us to do anything. It was criminal. But there’s no better feeling in the world than being proved right.”

(photo credit: People Magazine)

JoJo

An artist with a similar story is JoJo, the teen sensation known for the smash hits “Leave (Get Out)” and “Too Little Too Late,” released in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Once again, instead of allowing her career to flourish, Blackground Records (JoJo's then label) shut her down for seven years, rendering her unable to release anything but unofficial mixtapes and covers. She eventually got out of the situation in a 2013 lawsuit, in which she cited various offenses against her, including “irreparable damage to her professional career.” She moved on to sign to Atlantic Records in 2014, and finally put out her third album, Mad Love in 2016 after a whopping ten years.

"I’m going to be paying back my litigators for years,” JoJo told TIME magazine in 2015. "I was told by tons of lawyers that I would never get out and that I should go to college. But I knew that I needed to seize my youth and seize the moment, because I’m not going to be in my twenties forever. Now is my time.”

(photo credit: Billboard)

Tinashe

If you were part of the club scene in 2014, you probably heard Tinashe’s major label debut hit “2 On” on the dancefloor. Unfortunately, you may not have heard from her since. Despite beginning work on her sophomore album in January of 2015 and planning to release it soon after, Tinashe was met with dozens of setbacks and inappropriate actions from her label, RCA Records. She was forced to feature Chris Brown (who later trashed-talked her on Instagram) on a song, record with accused sex-offender Dr. Luke, sell her upcoming album title-track to Rihanna (before it was later bought back), and take part in a photoshoot where she had to pose fondling Travis Scott’s crotch over his pants. She told Vulture in 2018 that despite recording “probably 200 songs” for the album, RCA refused to budge. Eventually she took action herself, leaking the first single “Party Favors” from her mixtape Nightride without her label’s approval in 2015.

"I knew if I didn’t put something out, I ran the risk of continuing to push back my singles and my whole process,” she told Spin magazine. “I’ve got the songs, I need to put them out. I was just like, ‘Fuck it. I’m putting it on SoundCloud.’ So that’s what I did.”

Tinashe has since released her second studio album, the dark and sultry Joyride, in April of 2018.

(photo credit: allkpop)

CL

An artist who hasn’t been as lucky getting her music released is CL. The former leader of the world famous Korean pop band 2NE1 has been attempting to cross over into the American music market since before the group disbanded in 2016. Despite releasing her debut US single, “Lifted”, and going on an American tour all in that same year, the album she promised has yet to see the light of day. CL has recorded over 200 songs for the album, but the singer/rapper hasn’t been able to release any of them, the problem being that, although currently managed by Scooter Braun (who also manages the likes of Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande) in America, she still also has contractual ties to YG Entertainment, the Korean company that formed 2NE1.

The dark side of YG (and the Korean music industry as a whole) has been well documented. CL revealed to Elle magazine in 2013 that the company asked her to get plastic surgery before her debut as an artist. She said in her interview: "I stood up for myself and said, ‘No. I’m not doing it.'"

Her relationship with the company is still strained as they continually hold her back from releasing new music. In July 2018, when YG president Yang Hyun Suk posted on Instagram about starting recording on another artist’s album, CL commented, “Boss, what about me? #PleaseReplyToMyTexts.”

This wasn’t the first time CL had gone against her contract to stand up for herself. In December 2017, she uploaded a minute and a half of a music video for an unreleased song and wrote in the caption, “Showing this little bit I am able to may get me in trouble. But it’s worth the risk.”

Unfortunately, the K-Pop queen is still struggling to reach a breakthrough.

"I didn’t even know that it was hard,” she said amid tears on a 2017 episode of Korean TV show Livin’ the Double Life when discussing her US career. "Since (a K-Pop artist crossing over) never happened before, there’s no path I can follow. People want to help, but they don’t know how to help.”

(photo credit: Stereogum)

Sky Ferreira

Indie pop artist Sky Ferreira has also been unable to work with her current label much the same way. After releasing her stellar debut album, Night Time, My Time, in 2013, the singer has been struggling to get her next project, Masochism, released ever since. In 2015, she accused her label, Polydor Records, of intellectual property theft, tweeting:

"At least have the decency to give me some support/budget/promotion for my work, if you’re going to rip off my previous work that I paid for…” and added, “Maybe I would have ‘sold more records’ if I had the resources to do so. It’s completely unfair that can even get used against me… I’m talking about labels & how they all need new structure… & need to be more creative & supportive of the people that they sign.”

This has been a major point Ferreira has brought up on social media when giving her fans updates on the album. In July of 2017, she posted on Instagram:

"I was genuinely stuck at the mercy of other people before (for almost years at this point). No matter how hard I tried, it was beyond me. I couldn't say anything because of the possibility that it would make things worse. Being silent or ‘politically correct’ wasn't much help either. It felt way worse tbh. It has been genuinely tasking on my soul & so frustrating.”  

Most recently, in July 2018, Ferreira publicly called out her record label yet again on Instagram for locking her out of her own SoundCloud account and refusing to let her access her own music posted there. All the while, the release date for Masochism has still not been set.

It’s a shame that all of these talented women have fallen victim to the petty politics and sexism of the entertainment industry by the hands of record labels that seek to hold their professional careers and dreams hostage. Even The Veronicas, JoJo, and Tinashe (who all eventually released their albums) never reached the same amount of success they had previously. The worst part is that we’ll never know if these artists could’ve gone onto greater stardom under different circumstances. The best thing we can do now is support their releases when they do come out, keep supporting them despite their setbacks in a difficult, often unfair industry, and push for a change in the way record labels treat their artists.

[setlist-ud-blog]

Muse’s “Simulation Theory” Preview Review

(photo credit Kyle Lambert via Warner Music)

by Clara Hernandez

This upcoming November, English rock band Muse will be gifting our existence with their eighth studio album Simulation Theory, which is absolutely throwing fans for a loop with only a portion of the album having been released thus far (four songs, to be exact). The general consensus after listening to these four songs can only be described as shook. The divided opinion is more or less half and half between either vehemently hating it or loving it unconditionally.

Those that dislike Muse’s current sound attribute it to the band straying away from music they've made in the past, such as from Origin of Symmetry, Absolution, and Black Holes and Revelation which showcased harder rock and out-of-the-box creativity through guitar riffs and piano features. A lot of gripes towards Muse’s newer tracks are that they have become more mainstream and soft; writing what every other band is singing on the radio nowadays. While that may appear to be the case to some, devoted fans stand by their dauntless rock geniuses no matter what! Muse’s sound is always evolving; each album features a new theme and genre. We love a band who isn’t afraid to try new things!

These gems given to us off of Simulation Theory feature some The 2nd Law dubstep vibes, synth and pop, while fusing their classic quirky minor chord progressions and anti-establishment lyrics. The album cover and music videos show the alternative band showcasing retro 80’s feels (indicative of VCR tapes and arcade games) and simultaneously putting a futuristic/sci-fi spin on this time period (robots, werewolves, time travel). Take a look!

“The Dark Side”

Atop an 80’s synth-rock melody, Matt Bellamy’s ethereal falsetto flows overhead beautifully, creating a much-desired sound through this unique juxtaposition. You can not help but head-bob along to Dom’s reverb-ed drum fillers. “The Dark Side” literally feels like getting in a time machine and smashing the past and future buttons simultaneously. This song is such a wild mix to listen to because you can so clearly hear the draws from the 80’s, but also also Muse’s modern twist on everything - from the warped harmonies, percussive features, bent vocals, and layering of instrumentation; both computerized and man-made.

“Something Human” 

The controversial song in question: “Something Human” showcases a more laid-back pop atmosphere; complete with acoustic guitar harmony, mellow backup vocals, and of course the futuristic pitch bending. This song does appear to sound like something you would hear from other “mainstream” musicians, but try to appreciate the song from all of the thought put behind it in regards to instrumentation, rhythm, and lyrics/vocabulary (because let’s be real, who else uses words like “self-imposed,” “absolved,” and “unscathed” other than our very own Matt Bellamy?)

“Thought Contagion” 

This song is probably the “heaviest” out of the four songs listed. “Thought Contagion” opens with an addictive bass intro from Chris Wolstenholme which completely sets the stage for this dark banger. The guitar accompaniment assists in making the song very “alien” and sci-fi; almost as if you’re getting abducted. Taking place in a very appropriate minor key, frontman Matt sings of needing to get out while he can, but ultimately succumbing to others’ “false beliefs.” In the video, he ends up becoming a werewolf, which fits his metaphor that these false beliefs are contagious - and once you’re bitten, it’s hard to break back through.  

“Dig Down”

Back at it with the dubstep! “Dig Down” features a very sultry and passionate Bellamy (yes) telling us to find a way despite the world coming down around us. Typical Muse anti-establishment honestly: “And they try to divide us, we must find a way. We have entered the fray, and we will not obey, We must find a way.” I feel like the choice of this song in particular being dubstep heavy just really emphasizes the point they are conveying with their lyrics. It’s all the more catchy with that sick percussive beat. Nothing but power moves here, friends.

[setlist-ud-blog]

Keelan Donovan: Our New Favorite Artist, and Why He Should Be Yours

by Dana Behling

For the most part, none of us usually care what the opening act of a show is. We might show up for it, but we use the time during their set to get merch or document the first moments of our concert experience on our socials. In doing this, we can miss out on unknown artists who are just as good - sometimes even better - than the artists we actually paid money to see, and Keelan Donovan is a perfect example of why we should start giving a shit about opening acts. 

Before Smallpools rocked our world at Trabant Student Center last Saturday night, they sent Keelan to the front lines to warm up a crowd of irreverent college students, armed with nothing but an acoustic guitar, his wicked sense of humor, and a Hawaiian shirt, and none of us impatiently waiting for the main act expected what we got from him. He joked with us, sang with us, made us feel as if we weren’t watching him perform but were part of an intimate, hundred-or-so-person jam session in someone from our philosophy class’s basement. Even better than his killer personality, however, was Keelan’s insane talent. In person, his music is bluesy and folksy, the simplicity of his setup pairing perfectly with his smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics to create an atmosphere that is distinctly grass roots. We (our writer, Alex Woods, and I) compared him to Vance Joy, Hozier, James Bay, and even some more pop-centric artists like Gavin DeGraw, but despite his similarity to all of his equally enchanting peers, Keelan managed to stand on his own, presenting his unique version of what others like him had to offer. 

His studio recordings are a different - but just as freaking fantastic - experience. Much more polished in presentation than the man and his guitar we fell in love with, Keelan’s self-titled EP shifts between deeply personal ballads to light, uplifting, and significantly more pop-fuelled party anthems, all with the same emotional undertones and Mumford-esque backings. Certain songs of his, however, such as Touch and Go and his most recent single, Like A Radio, are much more alt-rock-inspired, sounding vaguely of Andrew McMahon and Walk the Moon but with an original spin, making each song perfect material for listening to on repeat for hours. What is so great about Keelan’s music is that it’s familiar, but incredibly his own.

We had the opportunity to actually meet Keelan after Smallpools finished their set, and he’s just as cool one-on-one as he is on stage. When asked about his experience playing at UD, he exclaimed: 

“It was a party, man, it was so much fun! ...I would come back any time you want me.” 

Well, Keelan, though none of us here at The Setlist are in charge of booking our acts here on campus, I can honestly say that we would love to have you back as soon as humanly possible, even if it’s just you and your guitar playing a woodsy rendition of Wonderwall on the Green. Thank you so much for hanging out with us. Let’s do it again.

Follow Keelan on Spotify

[setlist-ud-blog]

Perfect Songs For Your Zodiac Sign

by Alex Woods (intro by Alina Serbina)

Whether you believe in the stereotypes that come with zodiac signs or are just interested in finding some new tunes, we’ve got you covered. Our zodiac expert Alex has matched you (and all of your friends) with some great songs! 

♈ Aries - Courageous, Passionate, & Wild

Fire by PVRIS

I Wanna Be Sedated by The Ramones

Queen by Flint Eastwood

♉Taurus - Reliable, Practical, & Devoted

Don’t Save Me by Haim

Fangless by Sleater-Kinney

Buzzcut Season by Lorde

♊ Gemini - Gentle, Curious, & Adaptable

Yes I’m Changing by Tame Impala

Sunflower by Rex Orange County

Swing Swing by ayokay

♋ Cancer - Imaginative, Mysterious, & Emotional

Bad Fun by courtship.

Starring Role by Marina and The Diamonds

Shelter by The XX

♌ Leo - Confident, Funny, & Loving

Everybody Wants to be Famous by Superorganism

Love Me by The 1975

Supersonic by Oasis

♍Virgo - Loyal, Hardworking, Practical

Smooth Seas Don’t Make Good Sailors by Neck Deep

Hate To Say I Told You So by The Hive

Should I Stay Or Should I Go by The Clash

♎Libra -  Social, Fair, & Peaceful

The Love Club by Lorde

Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2

The Power Of Equality by Red Hot Chili Peppers

♏Scorpio -  Assertive, Decisive, & Expressive

Mob Ties by Drake

Fader by The Temper Trap

Hard Times by Paramore

♐ Sagittarius - Adventurous, Enthusiastic, & Generous  

Tongue Tied by Grouplove

We Will Run by The Nectars

Talk Too Much by COIN

♑Capricorn - Determined, Independent, & Stubborn

Doo-Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill

Jet Fuel Can’t Melt Steel Beams by Camp Cope

Give Me One Good Reason by Tracy Chapman

♒Aquarius - Original, Intellectual, Positive

Time to Pretend by MGMT

Give Yourself A Try by The 1975

I’m Good by The Mowgli’s

♓Pisces - Artistic, Selfless, & Intuitive

I Hope You’re Happy by Blue October

I Dreamt We Spoke Again by Death Cab For Cutie

Psycho Star by King Tuff