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The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

Pentatonix returns with an eclectic album for the holidays

Pentatonix returns with an eclectic album for the holidays
With old and new favorites, Pentatonix impresses with variety and Christmas cheer.
Joshua Flores, Staff Writer November 19, 2020

Well known for their covers of a variety of popular music, Pentatonix brings listeners a fresh, well-crafted selection of Christmas favorites, as well as a few original holiday songs. Bringing feelings of warm nights and Christmas chills, the band covers a variety of holiday sentiments, giving audiences...

Lecrae brings snappy beats and meaningful messages

Lecrae brings snappy beats and meaningful messages
“Restoration: The Deluxe Album” is catchy and dives into inspiring topics.
Lauren McBride, Senior Copy Editor November 17, 2020

The effects of fame, current world issues and the need for Jesus are themes that Lecrae covers in recent album “Restoration.” The latest “Restoration: The Deluxe Album” contains six new tracks, continuing on with these messages while adding a wider variety of songs into the mix. The rapper provides...

“Confetti” lacks depth and variety

“Confetti” lacks depth and variety
Little Mix’s latest album is catchy, but fails to present something new.
Lauren McBride, Senior Copy Editor November 10, 2020

Since winning The X Factor in 2011, British girl group Little Mix has left their mark on pop culture. Hit single “Shout Out to My Ex” established them as a go-to band for women looking for empowering sounds to blast on a girl’s night out. Their latest album release “Confetti” brings back some...

Sam Smith returns with more emotion and honesty about love

Sam Smith returns with more emotion and honesty about love
Smith continues to merge music about heartbreaks with dance anthems.
Joshua Flores, Staff Writer November 5, 2020

In recent years, Sam Smith has emerged as an up-and-coming artist who tackles serious subject matter, while also including a number of fun, catchy tunes to keep on repeat. In their latest album “Love Goes,” Smith details a number of blunt, tragic songs about losing the one you love, but also the...

Theatre 21 and the Conservatory navigate through change

Theatre 21 and the Conservatory navigate through change
Theatre and music departments merge during coronavirus pandemic, leading to additional adjustments behind the scenes.
Lauren McBride, Senior Copy Editor October 13, 2020

Conducting classes during the coronavirus pandemic is not the only major change theatre and music departments have faced. Plans for Theatre 21 to merge into the Conservatory of Music were finalized and executed this semester. With the department undergoing some reconstruction, students and faculty have...

Quarantine motivates Biola’s musicians

Niki Small and Jordan Yarbrough, performing as their duo Similar Opposites.
Student and alumni music artists navigate and push through the challenges COVID-19 has placed in their way.
Lauren McBride, Senior Copy Editor September 26, 2020

For those who rely on group collaboration and public displays of their work to fuel their creativity, quarantine was either the best or worst thing to happen. With live performances and many other aspects of the music industry on pause, student and alumni music artists have been forced to think outside...

Alicia Keys does it again

Alicia Keys does it again
New album release “ALICIA” is moving, original and fresh.
Emily Coffey, Managing Editor September 22, 2020

Alicia Keys’ new album dropped on Friday and the 15-track work is genius, which was to be expected. Her career has featured R&B bops such as “No One,” “If I Ain’t Got You” and “Girl on Fire.” This album features tracks that speak into racial injustice, personal strength and a shifting...

“Bill And Ted Face the Music” is a fun, absurd ‘80s reboot

Courtesy of IMDb
Audiences return to the bizarre time travel adventures that sustained the series since 1989.
Joshua Flores, Staff Writer September 3, 2020

After the release of “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” the dysfunctional duo returns for the third and final installment of the iconic ‘80s music-based series, starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. With both nods to the past and plenty of updated references and scenarios, director Dean Parisot...

Conservatory students experience setbacks due to COVID-19

Conservatory students experience setbacks due to COVID-19
Changes to one-on-one instruction and group rehearsals present unique challenges.
Emily Coffey and Kayla Santos April 25, 2020

Amid the chaos of the coronavirus, Conservatory students have adapted to online education. Music majors are reeling the effects of the switch, as physical presence is an integral part of the musical learning process. But with some patience and creativity, students and professors alike are overcoming...

Jeremy Zucker opens heart in ‘love is not dying’

The pop singer brings unique, catchy songs loaded with meaning in his latest album.
Lauren McBride, Senior Copy Editor April 21, 2020

Rising pop artist Jeremy Zucker brings some heart and soul back into pop music with his latest album “love is not dying.” This stirringly beautiful album is characterized by peaceful tunes, cool ambient sounds and even a few sudden transitions into hard rock. Beautifully diverse, “love is not dying”...

Rediscover disco with ‘Future Nostalgia’

Dua Lipa presents a funky pop album reminiscent of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Lauren McBride, Senior Copy Editor March 31, 2020

In a world of sickness and stress, “Future Nostalgia” may have come at just the right time. Dua Lipa takes classic pop music and puts her own unique spin on it in her sophomore album, presenting irresistible dance tunes and a fun escape from reality. Distinctive ‘80s and ‘90s influences set this...

Your life in lyrics, courtesy of Justin Sinclair

Your life in lyrics, courtesy of Justin Sinclair
Music alumnus tells stories through song.
Rebecca Schwind March 27, 2020

It is one thing to have a favorite song that you listen to all the time, but it is another to have a song that tells your personal story. Alumnus Justin Sinclair seeks to do both. Since graduating in 2018, Sinclair has been working in LA as a songwriter and producer, collaborating with artists such as...