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The Rise of Punjabi Music in Canada: A Cultural Renaissance

April 5, 2024

In the heart of Canada's diverse music scene, Punjabi music is making significant strides, marking a new chapter in the country's cultural tapestry. This shift is not just a testament to the...

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Portugal. The Man: Through Songwriting Triumphs and Trials

April 5, 2024

At the heart of Portugal. The Man is a songwriting process deeply influenced by their experiences, emotions, and the landscapes of their Alaskan upbringing. John Gourley, the band's frontman...

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Stephanie Poetri: Navigating the Stars and Soundscapes

April 3, 2024

Indonesian-born artist Stephanie Poetri is not just a musician; she's a sonic storyteller whose narratives unfold against the backdrop of a world obsessed with digital connectivity and astrological...

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Universal Music Group and HYBE Forge Strategic 10-Year Distribution and Collaboration Agreement

April 1, 2024

In a significant move that underscores the evolving dynamics of the global music industry, Universal Music Group (UMG) and HYBE, a prominent South Korean entertainment company, have announced...

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The National: A Journey Through Melancholy and the Art of Songwriting

March 31, 2024

Since its inception in 1999, the National has meticulously crafted a sound that resonates with the subtle complexities of human emotion, blurring the lines between melancholy and a peculiar sense....

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NIKI: A Profile on Self-Discovery and International Acclaim

March 29, 2024

Nicole Zefanya, known professionally as NIKI, has carved a unique space for herself in the contemporary music scene, transforming from a self-made YouTube artist into a history-making star...

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Jhené Aiko Embarks on the Magic Hour Tour: A Celebration of Resilience and Artistic Collaboration

March 27, 2024

In the dynamic world of contemporary R&B, few artists possess the ethereal quality and lyrical depth of Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo. Known for her soulful voice and introspective songwriting, Aiko...

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SZA's "Saturn": Chart-Topping Success and Insight into Her Songwriting Process

March 22, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of R&B music SZA stands as a beacon of innovation. Her latest single, "Saturn," marks a significant milestone in her illustrious career. Debuted during the 2024 Grammy...

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The Rap Challenge of Drill Beats: Why Cardi B Didn't Release Ice Spice 'Munch' Remix

March 20, 2024

Drill beats, with their gritty textures and relentless rhythms, represent one of these challenging frontiers. Cardi B's recent experience with recording a verse for a remix of Ice Spice's "Munch"...

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Ariana Grande's Lyrical Odyssey: Love and Loss in 'Eternal Sunshine'

Ariana Grande has once again captured the spotlight with her latest album, "Eternal Echoes." This time, Grande embarks on a deeply personal journey, weaving her narrative through the thematic...

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Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar Triumph: Crafting Oppenheimer's “Unplayable” Score

March 14, 2024

In the grand auditorium of dreams, Ludwig Göransson clutched the Oscar statuette for Best Score, a testament to his monumental contribution to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. This win adds another...

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The TikTok-UMG Standoff: A Battle Over Music Rights and Its Ripple Effects

March 10, 2024

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music company, has withdrawn its catalog from TikTok, the leading platform for music promotion...

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Olivia Rodrigo Strikers Gold Again with “GUTS”

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Photo Source: Teen Vogue

For Olivia Rodrigo’s devoted fans, the long-anticipated moment has finally arrived.  After a long two year wait since the release of her first breakout album “Sour”, Olivia Rodrigo is back with her sophomore album, “GUTS.” Olivia Rodrigo has been a revelation in the music industry since her first album, with songs like “drivers license” and “good 4 u” taking the world by storm. The pressure on Rodrigo’s new album has been undeniably immense after the massive success of her debut album. But she does not have to worry, as “GUTS” is already here and it’s nothing short of a masterpiece. 

Just like her 2021 debut, “Sour,” the album has 12 tracks, with Rodrigo credited as a lead songwriter alongside her go-to producer Dan Nigro. Rodrigo talks about how the album is “about growing up and finding your footing in the world” in an interview with The Guardian. The first single of the album, “Vampire,” was released back in June 30, 2023. In only its first week of release, “Vampire” racked up as the highest one-week streaming total on the Hot 100 with 23 million streams. 

It was not the single that only skyrocketed with streams, “GUTS” also became Rodrigo’s second No.1 album at the age of 20. Around 302,000 albums were sold in the U.S. and nearly 100 million streams in the first week, making it the largest opening week for any album released in 2023. In comparison to her breakthrough album, “Sour” debuted with 295,000 units sold in the opening week.

The album included many hits, with all 12 tracks from the album placed in the top 40 of Hot 100. Upon the album’s release, Rolling Stone even granted “GUTS” a score of a perfect 100, titling it as an “instant classic.” Fans has also gone crazy with Olivia Rodrigo announcing a 75-date world tour that is going to start in February 2024. However, if you’re in Toronto and you were looking forward to attending her concert, then Ticketmaster has unsurprisingly announced that tickets to each of her 2024 Toronto dates has been already sold out. You don’t have to worry since you can still stream her “instant classic” album on both Apple Music and Spotify! Below is the track list of the album of the year contender. 

  1. all american b – h 
  2. bad idea right
  3. vampire
  4. lacy
  5. ballad of a homeschooled girl
  6. making the bed
  7. logical
  8. get him back
  9. love is embarrassing
  10. the grudge
  11. pretty isn’t pretty
  12. teenage dream