Chicago’s bedroom pop artists Hundredbucks and Julius Dolls teamed up for a two-piece this past week. The first track has a shoegaze-flavored melody accompanied by electronic rhythm while the second track is a midtempo jam with an watery, chugging riff. Both feature vocal parts from each; Bucks and Dolls sing about missing someone but not putting up just yet, growing
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This year I had the pleasure of attending day one (of three) of Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. It was my first time seeing a large-scale live music event with thousands of people in attendance since the pandemic. Pitchfork thankfully required proof of vaccination and many showgoers wore masks, so despite the readjustment anxiety of navigating crowds again, it felt
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Chicago-based indie pop artist Julius Dolls has a new single out. This one kicks things off with a disco feel, gradually introducing Dolls’ ethereal vocals and swelling into an uplifting dance jam that folks of all tastes could enjoy. The production and lyrics together make you feel young and want to bide your time with the people and good times
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Chicago-based alternative hip hop/R&B artist Justin Armonia just dropped his second album. He delivers an inventive, forward-thinking exhibition of atmospheric textures, bringing lyrics of faded states of mind and unearthing pathways to loving oneself. Features from fellow artists Handofjade, Julius Dolls, and Nate Barksdale land in the mix too. It’s been a monumental month for Justin Armonia, considering his release
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Nu-Jaunt is the Chicago-based alternative R&B duo of Nate Barksdale and Justin Armonia. With post-punk and neo-soul sensibilities, Nu-Jaunt push musical boundaries with avant-garde self-awareness. Their lyrics encompass the sensationalism of trendy modernity, which effectively strips the self from authentic wonder. Music was never meant to be so stratified in the first place, and the duo work beautifully to dispel
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The Chicago festival closed with a bang on Sunday night.
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Day three of Lollapalooza featured a vast array of sounds spanning generations.
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A trip of hip hop heavy hitters were the focal point of day two in Grant Park.
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Thousands flocked to Grant Park for a star-studded first night of the festival.
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Ben Slowey talks to the experimental artist and poet.
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