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

All musicians create demos, but most of those demos arent meant for fans to enjoy. Streaming, though, has made it easier for for fans to find demos — and sites like Soundcloud have made it easier for leakers to share demos widely.

Demos, leaks and lost tracks

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 22, 2023

In the digital age it’s easy for music that artists never intended to release to be heard by general audiences. Every so often someone will get a hold of demos or unfinished tracks in mass quantities...

Messenger Mixtape Track 12: I Know The End by Phoebe Bridgers

Messenger Mixtape Track 12: “I Know The End” by Phoebe Bridgers

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 16, 2023

As the year comes to a close, so does The Mchenry Messenger. As seniors graduate and move on to their lives after high school, it felt right to have a specific theme for this final track on the mixtape...

Music has always been an important aspect in the culture of the world, but how has music influenced changes in that culture?

Cultural resets: Moments that changed the focus of popular music

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor May 2, 2023

Music is an ever evolving, and ever important piece of our culture. We at The Messenger have attempted to mark shifts in the ocean over the course of American musical history. For the purposes of this...

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...

Messenger Mixtape Track 11: “Waterfalls” by TLC

Messenger Mixtape Track 11: “Waterfalls” by TLC

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor April 13, 2023

So far the songs on the Messenger Mixtape have been very diverse. With that being said, we have yet to have a true, straight up R&B song on the playlist. That is until Lydia Lawrence, business...

Messenger Mixtape Track 10: “The Great Gig In The Sky” by Pink Floyd

Messenger Mixtape Track 10: “The Great Gig In The Sky” by Pink Floyd

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor April 6, 2023

Submitted by features editor Alayna Majkrzak, “The Great Gig In The Sky” by Pink Floyd, while obviously a pop culture staple regardless, has seen some recent resurface due to its popularity on...

MTV Unplugged defines a generation with acoustic performances from the worlds biggest artists.

Unplugging a generation

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor March 17, 2023

MTV Unplugged’s concept is one that I find very interesting. Taking the biggest artists, stadium performers, and putting them in an intimate acoustic setting has led to some of the most unique performances...

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...

Messenger Mixtape Track 09: Blind by Korn

Messenger Mixtape Track 09: “Blind” by Korn

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor February 28, 2023

Nu-metal of the 2000’s has seen a resurgence recently and along with it, the newest addition to the Messenger Mixtape, submitted by yours truly, “Blind” by Korn has seen a resurgence. Released...

Throwback Review: “The Score” by The Fugees

Throwback Review: “The Score” by The Fugees

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor February 21, 2023

February is host to many significant album releases, but for this throwback review, we at the Messenger thought February 13th, 1996’s “The Score” by Fugees was the best pick. The final album by the...

Messenger Mixtape Track 08: Void by Ronen

Messenger Mixtape Track 08: “Void” by Ronen

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor February 10, 2023

 The newest track on the Messenger’s mind is a textbook 2010’s hip hop record that encapsulates the emphasis on emotional lyrics and dark production. This week's track is “Void” by Ronen,...

Messenger Mixtape Track 07: Alien Blues by Vundabar

Messenger Mixtape Track 07: “Alien Blues” by Vundabar

Gabe Santos, Arts and Entertainment Editor January 31, 2023

Music keeps us going here at the Messenger, and with this newest installment of the Messenger Mixtape that continues to ring true. Submitted by features editor Alayna Majkrzak, alternative rock...

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