Music

The leaves are nearly gone, the nights are longer, and the airwaves are already filling with Christmas music. Wait– what happened to Thanksgiving?

As soon as Halloween ends, the world seems to skip straight to sugar cookies and Mariah Carey. I have to protest this. Where is the soundtrack for stuffing and gratitude? What’s with the minimal selection of Thanksgiving music? 

Sure, Thanksgiving isn’t a full-blown “season” like Christmas, but who cares? Is giving thanks to our loved ones not worth an awesome jingle? It makes you wonder: what would a Thanksgiving song even sound like? Hymns about mashed potatoes? Riffs about your aunt’s pumpkin pie? I can only imagine how catchy those bangers would be. 

There are a few songs that count as honorary Thanksgiving anthems in my book. Maybe “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young, “Thanksgiving Theme” by Vince Guaraldi Trio, “Kinky Love” by Pale Saints, “Me & Mr. Jones” by Amy…

Image by Clover Ebbott

Generation Z’s teenage experience differs from every other generation due to the invention of social media. Algorithms on apps like TikTok and Instagram are designed to learn and adapt to each user’s interests and find their “niche”. These social media platforms offer a great way to find new music, far easier than previous generations who relied heavily on radio and physical music mediums. Of course, everyone had their own taste – rock, new wave, jazz, etc. – but popular musicians were often popular to all, and smaller musicians had a harder time “making it”. 

Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud have provided up-and-coming artists with an easy way to get their music circulated. With so many ways to find new music and artists, listeners are developing increasingly specific taste and gravitating towards niche communities.

Along with community in niche groups comes competition…

1. FKA TWIGS
Album: EUSEXUA Afterglow
Label: Young/Atlantic

2. MEI SEMONES
Album: Kurayami/Get Used To It + Itsumo [EP]
Label: Bayonet

3. ROSALIA
Album: Lux
Label: Columbia

4. CHARLI XCX
Album: "House featuring John Cale" [Single]
Label: Atlantic

5. FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE
Album: Everybody Scream
Label: Republic/UMG

6. EMILY YACINA
Album: Veilfall
Self-released

7. GUIDED BY VOICES
Album: Thick Rich And Delicious
Label: GBV Inc.

8. JAY SOM
Album: Belong
Label: Polyvinyl

Avi Perl in the KWVA 88.1 FM studio 

Every Sunday night around 10 p.m., Avi Perl (aka DJV) sits down for a two-hour show at the University of Oregon’s KWVA 88.1 FM radio station. With a playlist on deck, she prepares for her personalized show “Rambles&Beats.” 

Sitting in the station with the mixing board in front of her, vibing to her favorite music, Perl remains there until 12 a.m., doing what she does best: sharing her passion for music with her audience.

For Perl, joining college radio was a way to find her own community, and it has now become a defining part of her college experience. It has given her a space to explore her love of music, connect with other students and DJs who share that passion, and grow into a leadership position where she learns lifelong skills. 

“Going into college, it was always a goal of mine to get involved with the campus radio, wherever I ended up…

A sensory deprivation tank is a person-sized pod filled with salt water. Epsom salt water to be exact, and enough epsom salts to create the specific gravity needed for a person to float with their face above the water without having to try. The water is kept at body temperature, around 95 degrees. After a while, you can’t tell you’re even in water anymore, it just feels like you’re floating in a comfortable abyss. 

This experience is called float therapy. It’s a glimmering, buoyant, new-age sensation. These are also the words I would use to describe "Vågen Igen," the debut album by Denmark’s Mona Moroni – the album I would want to listen to while in a sensory deprivation tank.   

I don’t know what made me connect the two in my head. I’ve never done float therapy. But something about this album feels watery, deep-sea like. Maybe it’s the jellyfish on the cover. Its translucent body reveals some sort of glittering veins or…

1. JEFF TWEEDY
Album: Twilight Override
Label: dBpm

2. ROSALIA
Album: Lux
Label: Columbia

3. DANIEL CAESAR
Album: Son Of Spergy
Label: Republic

4. FOO FIGHTERS
Album: "Asking For A Friend" [Single]
Label: Rosewall/RCA

5. JAMES K
Album: Friend
Label: AD 93

6. JEJUNE
Album: This Afternoons Malady
Label: The Numero Group

7. KHRUANGBIN
Album: The Universe Smiles Upon You ii
Label: Dead Oceans

8. NOT FOR RADIO
Album: Melt
Label: Atlantic

9. OKLOU…

Album cover for Luke’s New Band’s sophomore album “Luke’s New Album.”

“Luke’s New Album” may be new, but Luke’s New Band is far from a beginner.

On Oct. 7, 2025, Luke’s New Band, a group of student musicians at the University of Oregon, released their second album, “Luke’s New Album.” Containing seven tracks total, “Luke’s New Album” is a fun collection of songs telling tales of regret, love, yearning, and reflection. 

“Locked in 4 U” has high-quality production and is a ballad that matches the themes of the record very well. As the opening track, it does a nice job of setting the tone for the entire album. With a strong bass line, this song is somewhat like an indie-rock and jazz fusion. It’s perfectly placed to give the audience a taste of what’s to come for the rest of the album. 

“Paper Snowflakes” is when Luke’s New Band showcases their instrumental talents. Leaning into the…

1. TAME IMPALA
Album: Deadbeat
Label: Columbia/Sony

2. MOJA
Album: I'm Hungry !!
Label: Overdrive

3. FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE
Album: Everybody Scream
Label: Republic/UMG

4. BASSVICTIM 
Album: Forever
Self-Released

5. AUTOMATIC
Album: Is It Now?
Label: Stones Throw

6. DANIEL CAESAR
Album: Son Of Spergy
Label: Republic

7. FRED AGAIN..
Album: "Ambery" [Single]
Label: Atlantic UK

8. JOANNE ROBERTSON
Album: Blurrr
Label: AD 93

9. MOTHER SOKI…

Update: As of noon on Tuesday, November 4th, this issue has been resolved. 

We apologize that the KOCR Oakridge signal is temporarily down. We are having technical difficulties with the transmitter and will have it up and running again as soon as possible, we anticipate Tuesday, November 4th. 

Photo via Bustle 

Wigs. One of the most versatile costume pieces. A wig can be a defining feature of many famous artists or classic characters. As Eugene Halloween party-goers scramble for a last minute costume, it might seem as if the procrastinating party guest has struck gold walking down an aisle in Hirons or Spirit Halloween. Even one small detail can recall the image of one of the most beloved pop or classic rock icons of modern music.

A Halloween costume based on a famous artist is one of the most recognizable and stand-out costumes, and, in some cases, can be easily thrown together depending on the level of preparation for the occasion. From Britney Spears and her giant snake at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2001, to a platinum blonde wig and all black…