Category: Audio

  • The best Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro alternatives

    The best Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro alternatives

    The Apple AirPods are overrated. These are the best truly wireless headphones you can buy and are great alternatives to the AirPods.

  • Massdrop x NuForce EDC3 headphone review: Balance of performance and price

    Massdrop x NuForce EDC3 headphone review: Balance of performance and price

    Massdrop has been killing it with their headphone collaborations lately. The Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX are, in my opinion, the best deal in audio right now (can’t wait for the HD 6XX drop? Get the Sennheiser HD 600, which are the same headphone). The company also has me drooling over the Focal Elex, but…

  • Beats Pill+ review: Improved sound but still a poor value

    Beats Pill+ review: Improved sound but still a poor value

      I really hoped Apple would turn Beats around and make truly great sounding audio gear. The Beats Pill+ has improved tremendously over the original, but it’s still not enough. I found the original Beats Pill to sound thin, even though it had a strong bass emphasis. The Pill+ improves on the Pill’s sound in…

  • Record review: ODESZA – ‘In Return’

    Record review: ODESZA – ‘In Return’

    I rarely find an album where each song stands on its own. ODESZA’s sophomore album, In Return, had me addicted from the start and kept me addicted through every track on the record. I was first hooked on their single, “Memories That Call You (feat. Monsoonsiren),” which I thought was phenomenal. I worried that the couple…

  • Music Spotlight: Edo Lee

    Music Spotlight: Edo Lee

    A friend of mine shared Edo Lee’s “Black Coffee” on Soundcloud and I was instantly hooked (thanks, Rachel!). Lee’s style has everything I love: laidback beats, smokey jazz melodies, and The Big Lebowski. Edo Lee, born Adrian Lee Hayman, hails from New York City and is a mere 21 years old. In an interview with ThrdCoast, Lee…

  • Record Review: Sia – ‘1000 Forms of Fear’

    Record Review: Sia – ‘1000 Forms of Fear’

    It’s been four long years since Sia Furler released an album. The “socially phobic” musician has been staying out of the spotlight, ghostwriting for popstars like Beyoncé and David Guetta. Fame had gotten the better of Furler, who attempted suicide but was saved by a friend’s call. She had to find a way to deal with…

  • Music Spotlight: mr. carmack

    Music Spotlight: mr. carmack

    When I’m working, I can’t listen to music with lyrics because it’s distracting. Electronic, beats, and trap music are perfect for getting me through the day and that’s how I stumbled upon mr. carmack. Aaron Carmack is a Honolulu-based DJ and producer with four full-length albums that are all very good. His beats vary from…

  • Record Review: Andrew Bird – ‘I Want to See Pulaski at Night’

    Record Review: Andrew Bird – ‘I Want to See Pulaski at Night’

    If you like Andrew Bird’s music, you’re going to love I Want to See Pulaski at Night. The latest EP from Bird is a beautifully structured mini-album filled with swooning violin riffs and endless loops. The opening track, “Ethio Invention no. 1” sounds like there’s a whole orchestra behind him but if you know Bird, you’ll…

  • Record Review: Andrew Bird – ‘Break It Yourself’ Deluxe Vinyl Box Set (896/1000)

    Record Review: Andrew Bird – ‘Break It Yourself’ Deluxe Vinyl Box Set (896/1000)

    I am a lucky man to possess this box set. Only 1000 people got their hands on this amazing package of music, stationary, and other goodies. I have to thank my girlfriend, Anne, for picking this up for me for our five year anniversary. So what comes in the package? Two 180g LPs pressed perfectly…

  • Record Store Day 2013

    Today is the annual Record Store Day, a day and event that brings exclusive albums, singles, and more. It’s a great way to show your support for your local record store so get out there and buy some records! The list of exclusives is long but Distinctive Rhythm Instrumentals by The Dave Brubek Trio, HWUL Raw Cuts,…

  • Record Review: Justin Timberlake – ‘The 20/20 Experience’

    Record Review: Justin Timberlake – ‘The 20/20 Experience’

    After a seven year hiatus, Justin Timberlake finally released a new album, The 20/20 Experience. He must have heard the cries after a PSA pleaded him to make music again. With such a gap in between albums, there is more hype about The 20/20 Experience than any other recent album release in recent memory, although the new Daft…

  • Record Review: Atoms for Peace – ‘AMOK’ [XLLP583]

    Record Review: Atoms for Peace – ‘AMOK’ [XLLP583]

    Atoms for Peace is an experimental electronic/rock group comprised of super-star musicians. Radiohead’s Thom Yorke heads the band with vocals, guitar, and piano. Other members of Atoms for Peace include Flea (bassist for the Read Hot Chili Peppers), Nigel Godrich (Radiohead producer), Joey Waronker (drummer for Beck and R.E.M.), and Mauro Refosco (Brazilian percussionist). There was…