Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

A playlist for late fall

Kate Gordon, Life Editor November 17, 2023

The end of the semester can be downright depressing. The deadlines for final exams and papers, which seemed so far in the distance at the beginning of August, are now only weeks away. Plus, the weather’s...

1989 (Taylors Version) has already taken the world with Swifts matured vocals and new From The Vault tracks successfully revitalizing the former Album of The Year.

Has Taylor Swift’s re-recording project started to falter?

Kethan Srinivasan, Staff Writer November 3, 2023

Some will know it as Album of The Year. Others might recognize it as the biggest musical reset of the 2010s. I remember it as the album with the incessantly-played lead single, “Shake It Off.” But...

Frontman of The Happy Fits, Calvin Langman, dazzles Cleveland with his spectacular cello and vocal skills.

In concert, The Happy Fits showcase the beauty of positive and negative emotions alike

Amanda Wu, Staff Writer November 3, 2023

On Sunday, Oct. 22, the indie rock band The Happy Fits performed at the House of Blues in downtown Cleveland. Blasting off with “Do Your Worst” from their newest album, “Under the Shade of Green,”...

Stephen Sanchezs new album Angel Face tells the story of the enamored Troubadour Sanchez and his love interest, Evangeline, with songs reminiscent of 1950s hits.

Stephen Sanchez’s “Angel Face”: An angel’s voice, but does it have an angel’s wings?

Kethan Srinivasan, Staff Writer October 6, 2023

If you would describe yourself as the type to often get stuck in a TikTok death-scroll, then perhaps you need no introduction to Stephen Sanchez. In the last year alone, the up-and-coming singer has experienced...

The musical SIX reinvents the women behind Henry VIIIs six failed marriages, painting them in new, brightly-colored lights.

SIX: The Musical: Feminist Think Piece or Surface-Level Fun?

Srilakshiya Sudhakar, Contributing Writer September 15, 2023

I was somewhat familiar with the story of the infamous King Henry VIII prior to hearing about “SIX: The Musical,” whether it was from a passing mention of the Protestant Reformation in history class...

Laufeys new album features songs that pay tribute to her musical influences while also maintaining a sense of intrigue for younger music lovers.

Can Laufey’s “Bewitched” truly beguile its listeners?

Kethan Srinivasan, Staff Writer September 15, 2023

There’s a certain quality in Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir’s voice that sounds almost supernatural. Taking the musical stage under her first name—pronounced “lay-vay”—the 24 year-old singer, songwriter,...

Olivia Rodrigo releases her highly anticipated second album, GUTS (2023), two years after her debuting critically acclaimed album SOUR.

Olivia Rodrigo plateaus with “GUTS”

Kate Gordon, Life Editor September 15, 2023

Expectations were high for Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album. “SOUR,” her 2021 debut album, won Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2022 Grammys and landed Rodrigo a whopping seven nominations. Its lead single,...

Reneé Rapp releases bold new songs about love and trauma in her debut album, Snow Angel (2023).

Reneé Rapp’s “Snow Angel”: a self-assured, standout LP

Kethan Srinivasan, Staff Writer September 8, 2023

Reneé Rapp has slowly but surely made a name for herself in multiple ways. There are more than a handful of Vines and TikToks out there of her singing riffs like it’s child’s play, or belting high...

Speak Now (Taylors Version) features a mature, updated album cover consistent with the tone of her new recording.

Speak Now (Taylor’s Version): a youthless replica or a mature retelling?

Kethan Srinivasan, Staff Writer September 1, 2023

At the time of its release, “Speak Now” was one of Taylor Swift’s most remarkable bodies of work. It is—as of now—her only self-written record. Swift swaps the rainbow-tinged romance of “Fearless”...

The Record invites audiences into the intimate lives of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus (pictured, left to right) through meaningful lyrics that tell stories.

Here’s how to get the most out of your listen to Boygenius’ “The Record”

Kate Gordon, Copy Editor April 7, 2023

The first full-length album from indie supergroup Boygenius, “The Record,” is set to become this year’s album of the summer. Despite having its fair share of sad songs, including its tearjerker ending...

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