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McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

Tyler, The Creator performs on the Frank Stage on the final day of the three-day Day N Vegas hip-hop music festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021.

Review: Everything must remain

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor April 18, 2023

Tyler, The Creator’s “Call Me If You Get Lost,” released in the summer of 2021, would go on to win the Grammy for “Best Rap Album” and would be critically acclaimed upon release.  Many unreleased...

Throwback Review: "The Slim Shady LP" by Eminem

Throwback Review: “The Slim Shady LP” by Eminem

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor March 3, 2023

Eminem is undoubtedly the biggest most recognizable artist in rap history, however, he wasn’t always such a powerhouse. Before 1999, he was an unknown battle rapper from Detroit. One album would rocket...

David Bowie's "Blackstar," released at the end of his life in 2016, endures as one of his powerful — even in a particularly popular and influential catalog.

Throwback Review: “Blackstar” by David Bowie

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor January 26, 2023

David Bowie is one of the most recognizable and influential artists of all time, and it’s only right that he goes out with a swan song for the ages. Released on Jan. 8, 2016, “Blackstar” is the...

2022 was an incredible year for music, and The Messenger has compiled a list of the best, and worst, albums of the year.

The best music of 2022 (and the rest)

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor January 20, 2023

2022 was a year of music best described as experimental. Last year, more than any other, has pushed the most creative minds to the front and center, and also signaled the fall of corporate, money grabbing...

While "King's Disease III" is a good album, it brings up the question, is Nas's legacy better left untouched?

Review: Is a legendary career better left untouched?

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor December 19, 2022

Legendary New York rapper Nas, known for songs like “N.Y. State Of Mind” and albums like “Illmatic” has recently made his mark on the rap scene with his “Kings Disease” series. Its most recent...

Kendrick's Lamar's second studio album "good kid, m.A.A.d. city" was released on Oct. 22, 2012 by Top Dawg Entertainment.

Throwback Review: “good kid, m.A.A.D. city” by Kendrick Lamar

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor November 21, 2022

Kendrick Lamar has long been considered one of, if not the best rappers and poets of this generation, especially after projects like “To Pimp A Butterfly” and “Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers.”...

Last week, 88rising and Warner Records released "Smithereens," the third studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Joji.

Review: Had to learn to let go

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor November 11, 2022

Joji has been on the rise for the past few years, thriving in the ever burgeoning alternative pop music scene. Releases like “Ballads 1” and “Nectar” show his natural talent at making dark,...

NSAI Songwriter-Artist of the Decade honoree Taylor Swift performs onstage during NSAI 2022 Nashville Songwriter Awards at Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 20, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Review: Fighting high expectations

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor November 10, 2022

Worldwide pop icon Taylor Swift has been on a career high lately. After her departure from Big Machine Records in 2018, and recent big name releases like “Red (Taylor’s Version)” and “Folklore,...

Though Green Day's "Dookie" rocketed them into the mainstream — dragging pop-punk from the underground with them — "Insomniac" showed that there was more to the band than snotty punk-rock stereotypes.

Throwback Review: “Insomniac” by Green Day

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor October 18, 2022

Green Day is arguably the face of the pop punk genre, and at the end of 1994, they were at a career high. That February they released their album “Dookie” which would peak at number 2 on the Billboard...

Bruno Mars's 2010 debut combines elements of pop, funk, R&B, rock and other styles to create music both familiar and unlike any other artist before him.

Throwback Review: “Doo Wops And Hooligans” by Bruno Mars

Gabe Santos, Staff Writer October 7, 2022

Bruno Mars has been an iconic figure in pop culture for some time now, having released some of the biggest songs of the past decade, and is one of the loudest voices in pop music, neo soul, and R&B.  However,...

Though the popularity of HBO's "Euphoria" is due to its dramatic portrayal of teenage addiction, much of its mood is created by its equally dramatic soundrack.

Throwback Review: “Euphoria” by Labrinth

Gabe Santos, Staff Writer October 6, 2022

HBO’s “Euphoria” has been one of the most popular TV shows for the past year. It offers a dramatic interpretation of high school life — but what really sets it apart is the imagery. Gorgeous...

Released on April 1, "Unlimited Love" is the 12th studio album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Review: Unlimited run time

Kennedy Tetour, Managing Editor April 8, 2022

The Red Hot Chili Peppers rose to fame in the 80s, and were one of the first bands to mix tones of funk and rock. Some of their biggest hits include “Under the Bridge” released in 1991 and “Califorication”...

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