Wrap Music: The Weeknd, Troye Sivan and Halsey

Here's what happened in the world of music this September.

Albums, albums, albums. They seem to be coming out on a daily basis at the moment! Well, that’s why we do this; so you get your monthly wrap of what’s new in the insane world of music and I get a reason to spend even more of my time on Spotify.

Already this month we’ve reviewed Miley Cyrus’ surprise Dead Petz release and Ryan Adams’ take on Taylor Swift’s 1989, as well as listened to the latest songs by Sia, Sarah Blasko and 1D. Now, the rest!

WILD by Troye Sivan, the Perth-actor-then-YouTuber-but-still-actor-and-now-successful-singer, is back with his latest EP. Roughly a year after Happy Little Pill, WILD spells out Sivan’s growth. He seems to have found his own style and a way to extend that style to other artists, including Adelaide rapper Tkay Maidza. He’s tearing it up, and I’m here to support him every step of the way. (No surprise this thing went straight to number one in Australia.)

Key Track: “FOOLS”

Honestly, if I could say the whole EP I would, but “FOOLS” combines the punchy drops Sivan is known for with lyrics you’ll be singing along to – woefully - all summer.

Anthem for Doomed Youths by The Libertines, back after a good 10 years of breaking up. It’s British indie rock as you remember it but don’t necessarily want it. There are lyrics with cultural references, drums, guitars; the whole post-Britpop shebang. The first part of this album is awesome - upbeat and punchy - but then you get to “Belly Of The Beast” – seriously, that’s the name of Track 6, not just a play on words - and it just gets boring. The record picks up a little with “Glasgow Coma Scale Blues”, but not enough to be impressive.

Key Track: “Gunga Din”

The reggae style guitar is cool and it’s a decent single, but that’s all.

Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd, the Canadian singer-songwriter who got us all questioning the meaning of his song "Can’t Feel My Face" and wondering just how exactly his hair works. Beauty Behind the Madness is a solid album. It’s dark, mysterious; like R&B but… not exactly, filled with introspective lyrics and tied off with his sinuous vocals. Granted, there are a few lines here and there that will make you cringe – but that’s forgiven with dark tunes and epic collabs (I’m a sucker for Ed Sheeran, alright?).

Key Track: “Losers”

I guarantee this will be the next single off the album. It combines The Weeknd’s signature vocals with some nifty clapping.

Badlands by Halsey is like a cat that just suddenly appeared on your front door and decided that you’d be its new owner: you have no idea where it came from but you’re happy to let it move in. Halsey appeared out of nowhere, but I’m definitely happy to let her stay. Badlands is an epic journey from beginning to start. Each song is masterfully crafted. No two tracks sound the same and they each have their own little edge to them… just like Halsey.

Key Track: “Ghost”

Ghost is probably the first track we all heard and it’s a great start into letting Halsey into your life.

Caitlin Moore is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. Learn more about our contributors program.