Music

Niamh Smith In 2014, the Baltimore-based synthpop group Future Islands unexpectedly became a viral hit. Featured on the Late Show with David Letterman in the U.S., and Later… with Jools Holland in the U.K. shortly afterwards, the lead single from their fourth album, the emotionally resonant Seasons (Waiting on You), was named the best song of 2014 by esteemed publications, such as NME and Pitchfork. The band found themselves playing festivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury, and, determined to keep up with the demand for new music, they rushed out another album, 2017’s The Far Field. Despite positive reviews and good sales, the quartet of Samuel Herring (vocals), Gerrit Welmers (keyboards), William Cashion (guitars) and Michael Lowry (percussion) have described the record as ‘condesc...

Clarissa Philpott Premiering on BBC Four at the end of September, a documentary special dedicated to the missing chapters of a forgotten part of musical history, ‘Black Classical Music: The Forgotten History’, was presented by stand-up comic, activist and Royal Holloway alumnus Lenny Henry, alongside writer and music broadcaster Suzy Klein. Their focus throughout the 90 minute programme was on the hidden figures of the classical music world and the emphasis on the sheer creativity, musicality and beauty that was translated through the music of POC composers. In this article I hope to highlight and celebrate just a handful of the composers mentioned.  The earliest composer mentioned in the programme was Ignatius Sancho, born of West African heritage in the 1720s. Sancho began hi...

Aminé’s second studio album sees the rapper define his sound following his 2017 debut Good For You. With Limbo he develops his lyricism from a primarily immature, albeit enjoyable and entertaining, style to a more poignant and topical approach, whilst still bringing with it Aminé’s quick wit. Written during the first half of 2020, the lyrics are partially inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other black Americans killed by American police, with Aminé delaying media for the album so that he could join the BLM protests spanning across America. Kobe Bryant also features heavily as a source of inspiration for the album with Aminé saying in Woodlawn that he was like a dad to him. This culmination of a father figure dying and a powerful mo...

At Royal Holloway there is plenty to do, in particular when it comes to music. Of course given the social distancing measures that must be adhered to this year, events and socials may be slightly different than previous years, but all of our societies are doing their best to adapt to the new norms!  Jane Holloway Choir The Jane Holloway Choir was set up in January 2018 as a non-auditioned choir for students, and prides itself on being run by students for students. The choir strives to provide its members with the chance to sing in an amateur choir at weekly rehearsals, and perform in chapel services and concerts, both on campus and in the local area.  The Jane Holloway Choir is a great opportunity whether you have previously sung in choirs and are eager to continue, or ...

Here at Royal Holloway we are lucky to have a wide breadth of musical talent, and as the Music Editor of Orbital, I hope to bring you some new, up and coming faces each month! If you would like to be included in a future feature, please contact me directly at [email protected].   Miriam Endersby: Miriam is a 21-year-old soprano singer, currently studying French and Italian at RHUL. She recently spent a year-abroad placement at Istituto Monteverdi Conservatoire in Cremona, Italy, where she studied with the sopranos Federica Zanello and Maria Billeri, and the bass-baritone Mario Luperi. Miriam has a particular interest in baroque and early opera, and is currently writing a dissertation on gender and power in Handel’s Italian operas. She also enjoys Gilbe...

In a year that will have more flat parties than nights out, a good playlist is more important than ever. Here’s the biggest hits to add to yours! ·         WAP - Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion ·         Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles ·        Savage – Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyonce ·         Break My Heart – Dua Lipa ·         Blueberry Faygo – Lil Mosey ·         Spice Girl – Aminé ·         EARFQUAKE – Tyler, the Creator ·         goosebumps – Travis Scott ·         Kill the Director – The Wombats ·         Ransom – Lil Tecca ·        ...