Written By: Alurabella Chandler and Jacob Flores, Staff Writers
New Releases from November
UXLXVE – XLOV
This new album that dropped November 5, 2025 has already received much praise from Korean Pop lovers all around the world. The lyricism is very sultry and has had good reviews from the k-pop community. I would rate this album an 8/10; it is a song that is quite different than most K-Pop songs. My favorite song on this album is “Biii:-P”, it is a very hyper song with a cute concept, different from their usual concept. One of the reasons this album has been very well rated is because this group is completely self produced, written, choreographed, and styled, showing off the diversity throughout their group. They have been complimented many times on the difficulty of their dances and how well they have been produced. Some might find their songs and their genderless concept weird, but it has been seen as a breath of fresh air from the usual k-pop songs. With only debuting in early 2025, and having only dropped one full album so far, it is anticipated that this group will make it extremely far in the industry.
DO IT – Stray Kids
Stray Kids, one of the biggest Korean Pop groups, dropped one of their greatest comebacks of all time. This album dropped on November 21, 2025 and was one of the most anticipated albums of 2025. Stray Kids had recently released an album in August of 2025 that was highly rated and won multiple awards, so the expectations for this new album “DO IT” were extremely high. Even under the pressure, this group who writes and produces all of their own music, came out with musical history that shook the industry permanently. I would rate this album a 10/10, with its more loud and energetic songs, mixed with their more emotional ones, it had such good contrast within it. The vocals in all of the songs could be described as angelic and have received much praise. I would recommend the second song on the album called “DIVINE”, because it starts off with beautiful vocals and continues to stay extremely diverse with the vocals and genre, going from rap to singing throughout the song. This album has easily been one of the best releases in the K-Pop community as of 2025.
Old Releases from 1960s – 2000s
By Jacob Flores, Staff Writer
Can’t Buy A Thrill – Steely Dan
Known as one of the best debut albums of all time, Steely Dan’s Can’t Buy A Thrill proves the point that even beginners have shot. Released in November of 1972 under ABC Records, Can’t Buy A Thrill is Steely Dan’s debut album that introduced the mix of Jazz Rock and the up and coming genre AOR. Starting off with a groovy but subtle rock introduction “Do it Again” is the first track on the album, and it does not disappoint with its groovy guitar, drums, and maracas blasting in the background of your ears while the lyrics talk about self-destructive behavior with lyrics such as “ you go back, jack, do it again” explaining the motives of the song. “Dirty Work” the second track on the album, mixes a subtle rock background against outstanding lead vocals colliding into each other to make what is known as “a masterpiece” , while the song talks about subject of affairs and “being used”, the song makes for a satisfying listen with its sorrowful lyrics and groovy instruments. The album continues with tracks such as Kings, Midnite Cruiser, Change of the Guard, and Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me), with all songs having different and memorable moments whether that being lyrics, main choruses, or a certain instrument, making each song unique in taste and genre. “Only A Fool Would Say That” is the fifth tack on the album, combining and odd tempo, unique or “exquistite” instrumentation, making for a sort of tango like song, while also making the whole point of the song a “call out” to John lennons song “imagine”, criticizing it for its “utopian idealism” with lyrics such as “Anybody on the street has murder in his eyes” standing out. “Reelin’ In The Years” is the seventh track on the album, and sticks out as being the main focus of the album, with its uptempo and beat, loud piano and guitar, and harmonizing vocals by Donald Fegan, Reelin’ In The Years is a song that talks about running out of time and self awareness with lyrics such as “Your everlasting summer you can see it fading fast so you grab a piece of something that you think is gonna last” making major conclusion to the song. “Fire In The Hole” is the seventh track on the album, that mainly focuses on piano as the main instrument, with its groovy and mellow sound, Fire In The Hole discusses a topic of a fellow band members dodge from being drafted to Vietnam, with lyrics being a main factor but the piano taking the spotlight with at points feeling the drive and soul being put into the song or at points having the feeling of “Scarce” or even “ Anger” at moments. The album closes off with “Turn That Heartbeat Over Again”, with it being the 10th and final track, Turn That Heartbeat Over Again takes every lesson and meaning from all the songs before and concludes it with discussing the innocents of a person and then life altering moments occurring, with lyrics such as “Oh micheal, Oh jesus you know im not to blame” being the key phrase of the song. Steely Dan’s Can’t Buy A Thrill will forever be known as one of the greatest albums of all time and Steely Dan’s best album in the catalog. Proving the point that music and lyrics have meaning, and you can’t be afraid to speak up or else nothing will happen if you do so. If you’re in the Groovy mood or want a new and exciting album to listen to, Steely Dans Can’t Buy A Thrill is the album for you.
Crying Laughing Loving Lying – Labi Siffre
Music comes with identities, and Labi Siffres Crying Laughing Loving Lying shows each and every form of it. Released in October, 1972 under Pye International records, it debuted as Labi’s third and most popular studio album. Starting off the album with a vocal only song “Saved” brings honesty, bravery, and passion to the table, with subjects such as slavery, and freedom being addressed, while also telling the feelings Labi felt in his life story. “Cannock Chase” the second track on the album, is a mellow but upbeat song with a gentle guitar and amazing vocals that reflects resilience of hope. “ Fool Me a Good Night” is the third track of the album, which is a loving song to accept the truth, while the instrumental reflects something as close as a lullaby. The album continues with songs such as It Must Be Love, Gimme Some More, Blue Lady, Love Oh Love Oh Love, and Hotel Room Song, with each track relying on the acoustic guitar as the main focus while mixing gentle and light vocals in the mix. “ Crying Laughing Loving Lying ( From “The Holdovers)” is the eighth and title track of the album, that resembles the Folk and Folk Rock genres as one, mixing acoustic guitar, echoey drums, and sweet harmonic vocals, truly making it the “ main focus” of the whole album. “My Song” is the tenth track of the album, is a song that speaks about the connection to one’s identity, which is done beautifully with a gentle piano and a soothing orchestra as the main instrumental. My Song is also known for being one of Labi’s most popular songs, which most notably “ I Wonder” by Kanye West, sampling certain lines such as “ and I wonder if you know, what it means” and “ to find your dreams come true” as a reflection that Labi’s words and harmonic vocals touch and spread to one another. “ Till Forever’ “ is the eleventh song on the album, that tells the story of a loving relationship and appreciation for another person with lines such as “ I still adore you” and “ I’ll love you ‘Til Forever” explaining the deep connection, with vibrant acoustic guitars backing up as the main focus instrumentally. “ Come On Michael” serves as the twelfth and final track of the album, talking about “ a friend named Michael” and sort of “word of encouragement” for this “ friend named Michael”, with beautiful harmonies and groovy electric soul piano in the background. Labi Siffre will always be known as one of the best folk music producers, and Living Laughing Loving Lying proves Labi’s placement and stance in the Folk community and Genre. If you’re in an upbeat mood or looking for something new, Labi Siffre’s Crying Laughing Loving Lying is the album for you.
Ten Summoner’s Tales – Sting
Known for being the former lead of the band “ The Police”, Sting made a name for himself on his solo career for his hit album “Ten Summoner’s Tales.” Released on March 1st, 1993 under A&M records, Ten Summoner’s Tales was Sting’s 4th studio album to introduce the topics of love and mortality while mixing the upbeat genre of Pop Rock. With the first track on album “ If I Ever Lose My Faith In You” showing the new and “experimental” change that the album was going for, with the song having upbeat acoustic guitar, high quality vocals, and gentle drums, that all comes together for the chorus as a sort of confusing but amazing sound. “ Love Is Stronger Than Justice (The Munificent Seven)” is the second track on the album, mixing weird time signatures and an upbeat tempo, with harmonic vocals as the main chorus, while the song tells the story of seven brothers helping a town, but instead finding greed, love, and loyalty. The album continues with songs such as Fields of Gold, Heavy Cloud No Rain, She’s Too Good for Me, Saint Augistine in Hell, Everybody Laughed but You, and Something the Boy Said, with each song being different in rhythm, instrumentation, and choruses making for a “one of a kind” experience for each song on the album. “Seven Days” is the sixth song on the album, that includes a unique tempo drum pattern, making for an interesting experience while also being taken away from the upbeat tempo to a more mellow and almost unsettlingly shocking chorus, with the songs main focus being “running out of time”, with trying to face a romantic relationship while racing against time from a rival. Seven Days is also known for being a call back to one of Sting’s previous songs “ Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” from The Police, with major similarities and most notably the chorus somewhat being a resemblance at points towards it. “ It’s Probably Me” is the eighth track on the album that serves a somewhat of a “ Dreamlike” song, mixing echo sounding background instruments with light sounding vocals, almost soothing at points. “Shape Of My Heart” is the tenth song on the album, known for being the “ hit single” of the album which is also Sting’s most streamed song, with slow rhythm, gentle drums, and a catchy guitar beat, all combined together with “impencible” singing. The story of Shape Of My Heart is about a card player or most notably a “gambler” that gambles not to win or lose but to learn off the experience he takes while he plays, hence the catchy almost spy-like rhythm and theme. “ Nothin ‘Bout Me” is the twelfth and final track of the album, which includes an almost Hip Hop or Pop rhythm, being a song that is meant to be “funny”, it definitely pleases as the “epilogue” bringing at least a smile or a feeling of happiness while listening, almost making someone want to dance. Ten Summoner’s Tales will forever be known as one of the best Pop Rock albums of all time, with Sting also being known for his amazing song production talent. “ Summoner’s Tales” isn’t just an album to be thrown to the back of the mind, but rather an album to be played over and over again, making each and every listen enjoyable like the first experience. If you’re looking for an album to “fulfill your expectations”, Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales is the album for you.