Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Summer 2026 27 Album Reviews @rebekah_writes94. TANGO Y CHORO: MUSIC FROM ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL FOR VIOLIN AND CELLO Duo-B | Hirono Borter, Philip Borter MSR Recordings Released September 12, 2025 As I'm writing this, I'm going through a lot of changes in my personal life. I even adopted a cat! Navigating this while still working full- time and writing has really been like a dance. How fitting that this album is of tango and choro, dance music from Argentina and Brazil, respectively, expertly played by Duo-B. Made up of violinist Hirono Borter and cellist Philip Borter, the two musicians expertly play together to craft an album of works by some of the most notable composers in tango and choro, as well as three original pieces by Hirono herself. There is something special in each song. I love the stomping in "El Esquinazo," composed by the father of tango, Angel Villoldo. "Tico-Tico no Fuba" is infectious, and I really enjoy how Duo-B play with dynamics here. Tango y Choro also features two pieces by Chiquinha Gonzaga, a female composer and conductor who, according to the album notes, was "one of the first to de- fine choro as a distinct Brazilian musical form." Duo-B definitely shine in "Corta-Jaca" and "Atraente." I personally love the rendition of Carlos Gardel's "Por una Cabeza;" the first time I put on the al- bum and got to this track, I said, "Wait a minute! I know that song!" Connoisseurs of cinema are in for a treat, as this tune is featured in films such as Schindler's List and Scent of a Woman. Hirono's compositions fit in well with these classics. When you hear the title of Hirono's "Tango Nostalgia," one would expect something cheerful or child-like. Instead, the piece is an embodiment of the kind of nostalgia one feels at a funeral: all-consuming, full of regret. The way Hirono moves between notes almost sounds like sobbing. "Train" is a fast-paced dance that captures the energy of a bustling train station. And I love the strumming effect in "On my Way." The hardest part about performing music with multiple people is knowing how to work together. Hirono and Philip do more than just play at the same time; they navigate each piece expertly in a musical conversa- tion that is pleasing to the ear and faithful to the forms of tango and choro, all while still providing some- thing new. My cat and I give this album two paws up! Tango y Choro is available for streaming on major platforms, and can be purchased on msrcd.com. Rebekah McAuliffe was initiated into the Gamma Upsilon chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota at Morehead State University in 2013. She currently resides in Lexington, KY, where she teaches writing classes. She can be found on TikTok and Instagram as AFTERGLOW Sleep Theory Epitaph Records Released May 16, 2025 S everal months back, I bought a bunch of albums that looked fun to me to review. Little by little, I've been chipping away at that stack, in addition to the ones I've been receiving from readers (thank you all so much!). Afterglow was one that I was looking forward to finally getting to, and I'm so happy that I can finally share this debut from Memphis, Tennessee's own Sleep Theory. Electronic production and R&B inspiration blend seamlessly with alternative rock and metalcore. This is especially true for "Gravity" and "Fallout," the latter of which previously appeared on their 2023 EP Paper Hearts. "Static" brings together rock with elements of EDM and pop for an opening track that you can't help but dance to (on a personal note, this song really speaks to me as someone who struggles with sensory processing). Guitarist Daniel Pruitt provides the extreme vocals for the album, and he does a fantastic job; as an avid listener of metal, I can appreciate a solid blegh that adds an extra punch of aggression to an intense breakdown, like the one in "Parasite." Afterglow is a study in contrast; Pruitt's screams are completely different from the soaring vocals of lead singer Cullen Moore, but they are two pieces of the same puzzle, coexisting with one another perfectly. Moore is at his best on "Words Are Worthless." This ballad features the Budapest Symphony Orchestra as they add a symphonic touch to a song that rounds out a strong album. Other standouts include "Just a Mistake," "III," and the title track. If I had to describe Sleep Theory's sound, it would be like if Linkin Park and Breaking Benjamin had a baby, then Boyz II Men and 2000s R&B babysat it as it grew up. And I mean that in the best of ways. Afterglow is available for streaming on major platforms, and for purchase from major retailers. For more information, visit sleeptheoryofficial.com.

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