In this weekly column, senior Emily Thomas provides her take on a new albums, concerts, and artists.
Acoustic Avenue: quarantine top 4
September 3, 2020
Music has always had a way of speaking to me and making me feel some type of way; whether it’s a happy feeling, a sad one, an angry one, or a powerful one. In a time when the world needs unity, music has been there for us like the universal language we can all use to connect with each other and understand each other.
Some of the music that has been released over these past few months has expressed some of the many feelings that we are all experiencing during these difficult times.
These four songs have depicted the love, anger, sadness, and frustration we are all feeling right now. Not only do they express our emotions about COVID but they also express our anger about police brutality and the death this country is seeing.
We should consider musicians, songwriters, and singers as essential because without their music, we would be lost. It is so important, now more than ever, that we communicate with each other. What better way to do that than through music?
Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber: “Stuck with U”
For me, this song expresses the love and compassion that we need right now. We are stuck with our families and loved ones right now and that makes it the best time to try to understand each other and show each other love.
twenty one pilots: “Level of Concern”
This song also has a sweet way of showing love but also, like the title says, concern. The song feels like it’s taken from the perspective of someone who is expressing their worries over the current situation and needs someone to comfort them and make them feel safe.
Kid Cudi and Eminem: “The Adventures of Moon Man and Slim Shady”
Next up is my personal favorite off this list.
This song expresses its concerns and opinions through Eminem’s verses. He is known for saying what is on his mind in his music and that he did in this song. He expressed his anger at those in political office not doing anything about this pandemic, people refusing to wear masks, and police brutality. This song is one of the more emotionally packed songs from the list.
Anderson Paak: “Lockdown”
Last on this list is Anderson Paak’s “Lockdown” where he creates an anger and frustration filled environment. The song brings up the point that this is not a lockdown, black people are being shot in the streets for no reason and now is the time to protest for years of systemic racism in this country. Fear is being used against the people and it needs to stop now.