Opinion – Listening Now

I Feel Like Dancing (In My Mind)

I’ve never been much of a dancer. Frankly, if you know me well, you’re probably aware that I’m actually quite averse to it. It’s always been hard for me exactly to put my finger on, but there’s something about parties and clubs and otherwise dance-focused events that never clicked with me. When forced into suchContinue reading “I Feel Like Dancing (In My Mind)”

Music That Matters: Sufjan Stevens

“Music That Matters” is a series of posts highlighting music with special significance in my life that has stuck with me, and has become a foundation for my appreciation of music as a whole. Here I will be discussing the legendary and prolific indie singer/songwriter, Sufjan Stevens. At this point, Sufjan Stevens requires hardly anyContinue reading “Music That Matters: Sufjan Stevens”

Music That Matters: The Glow Pt. 2

Antonio Topete “Music That Matters” is a series of posts highlighting music with special significance in my life, that has stuck with me, and that has become a foundation for my appreciation of music as a whole. For my first entry, in honor of its 20th anniversary, I will be discussing the 2001 lo-fi indieContinue reading “Music That Matters: The Glow Pt. 2”

The Way Music Looks

Antonio Topete When I hear a song that I know, maybe before I think of the song name, or artist, or can recall any other information about it, the first thing that pops into my mind is an image of its album art. Often, the only thing I can remember at all is the artContinue reading “The Way Music Looks”

Shoegaze And Letting The Noise In

Antonio Topete Reasonably, most people don’t like noise. The hissing of a pipe, dripping water as you’re trying to fall asleep, a neighbor overstepping the boundaries of volume as they assemble their third piece of furniture this week. When we hear noise, it feels like a distraction, like stimulus that is so strong you can’tContinue reading “Shoegaze And Letting The Noise In”

The Top Twenty

Antonio Topete I’ve always loved lists. For me, seeing music critics publish their end of year lists every November and December feels like a holiday. For many others, the idea of ranking art, be it music, film, literature, or any other creative medium, is a futile exercise of subjectivity. And while I would agree reachingContinue reading “The Top Twenty”

How Ambient Pushes Me Forward

Antonio Topete When you first hear ambient music, a few thoughts may occur to you. Maybe it’s that this is very relaxing, but you don’t know if you could listen to a whole album of this. Maybe it’s asking yourself “when would I ever hear this?” And maybe it’s that you’re a little bored. ForContinue reading “How Ambient Pushes Me Forward”