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(10/25/16 7:55pm)
Rating 6/7
She’s back. Childhood pop star, JoJo, has returned to the music scene after a decade-long battle from the clutches of a seven-year contract with Blackground records that prevented her from releasing new material. Some might remember JoJo as the mermaid’s friend in the movie, Aquamarine…hey, I’m not judging! However, I suppose most remember her as the singer of smash R&B hit, “Leave (Get Out),” released in 2004 when she was just 13 years old. JoJo became the youngest artist to ever have a number one single on the Billboard mainstream Top 40 chart; and now under contract with Atlantic, she is likely on the road to further recognition with the recent release of Mad Love. The album, ten years in the making, was released October 14.
Mad Love., in its entirety, is a well-produced R&B album that was well worth the wait. It’s a good mix of meaningful content (“Music.” and “Reckless.”) and catchy club tracks (“Vibe.” and “Good Thing.”) that runs through your head hours and even days later. JoJo addresses emotional topics including the recent death of her father, the strain of her career, labors of love, addiction and depression. Truly, an eight-year contract debate seems to have had a positive effect on her career, allowing time to mature, gain life experience, and hone her craft in preparation for this particularly solid album.
The track that shook me on first impression and became my uncontested favorite is the album opener, a heartfelt ballad entitled “Music.” The piece is drastically simple and distant from the dance-pop vibe of the rest of the release. It pushes away the distraction of heavy production and focuses in on a basic piano accompaniment, highlighting JoJo’s immense vocal ability that originally accounted for her success. The touching lyrical confession of her passion for music couldn’t be a more fitting way to return to the industry and kick off her Atlantic debut. It’s a clear statement that she’s no longer a little girl stuck in the spotlight. JoJo is all grown up and she’s a star.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m4xsDviZQM[/embed]
(10/07/16 8:12pm)
Nineteen-year-old Detroit native, Ian Ruhala, is better known as the DIY lo-fi Indie rocker, HALA, who was recently announced as one of the artists scheduled to play WIUX’s Pledge Drive on Friday, October 14th. HALA released his first official album Spoonfed in May and, luckily for us, is headed to Bloomington to show what he’s got to offer. WIUX borrowed his time to ask a few questions:
Q: What label are you associated with?
Balaclava Records.
Q: Background band info: How did you start making music?
I like really started writing and recording my own songs when I was in high school. You know, singing the blues of a 14-year-old kid; I really haven't stopped since.
Q: What music has inspired you?
Listening to my Dad play classic rock covers, and singer/songwriter people.
Q: Favorite show story?
We played a show in Porte Alegre, which was during our interesting little Brazil tour. There was like 300 plus people in this building, and it was a wild party. The next morning I woke up in the Brazilian version of Bob Dylan's house, and had to take a cab to get to the airport before 7 a.m.
Q: What's coming up for the band? New music? New shows or tours?
I'm always writing songs. The Beatles put out a single every three months and an album every six, for several years, that is an inspiring "motto" that I want to put to practice. And, with the live shows, I want to try to get a good string of dates for this upcoming summer. Tour life. Rock n' Roll, you know, I want to experience it all.
Q: Has Detroit inspired your music?
Yessir! When I was recording my latest release I would even look outside my window, to stare at the Motown Museum for inspiration.
Q: Where can an average Joe go to listen to Hala?
Anywhere! Soundcloud, iTunes, Spotify, just make sure when you Google the name you don't type in "Halal," that is something totally different from the band HALA, haha!
Remember to come out to Pledge Drive to support WIUX and hear HALA for yourself. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your friends!
HALA - Problems @ Mi Casa Hostel