A completely bland "pop" album that shows a stagnation and devolution of the artist known as Harry Styles.

I had listened to one another project by a British native, that being "Fine Line." I came away from it thinking it was a fine project, as although some tracks felt focused and tested to be "the song of the summer", other tracks felt a more complex idea than what Pop was offering in the late 2010s. Skipping forward to now, and it feels as though Styles ... read more

A 3 track EP that features some some fine production and ideas. It's no contest what is the best track off the Ep, as despite it's being the shortest length track compared to the other two, it remains a powerful song. Thanks to great production and equally amazing lyrics, "I Want Things To Be Beautiful" is the reason you should listen to this EP. It's powerful, complex, and explores the theme of beauty and desire that I wouldn't expect from such a release of this ... read more

In 2021, it was a year with a wide range of qualities. It ranged from Drake's "Certified Lover Boy", what many considered a low point for the "6 God", to many listeners's 2022 AOTY "CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST" by Tyler, The Creator. JPEGAFIA's "LP" and subsequent 'Offline Version' was the beginnings of JPEG's entry from pure underground artist to becoming more recognized by mainstream audiences. Then comes baby Keem.

All the ... read more

A marginal improvement to Baby Keem's "The Sound of Bad Habit", but it suffers from trying out too much.

Baby Keem's second tape, "DIE FOR MY BITCH", features a much more confident artist who isn't afraid to be vulnerable. Across the 34 minute tape, there are some surprisingly more emotional and reflective tracks that were not really found in the rapper's first. It's clear Baby Keem has matured since the release of "The Sound of Bad ... read more

Although it may feature some average verses and production, the lacking progression and overall subpar ideas present create a very uninteresting mixtape to venture through. It does have some fun adlibs, some interesting sampling clearly inspired by how the genre was doing the same back in late 2010s, and there are a track or two I find myself likely to revisit.

There is definitely potential for Baby Keem, but it'll depend if he can improve on the flow of the tracks and if he can improve ... read more

This is just a select few tracks from the upcoming game title "Marathon". If this is what I can expect from the score once it fully releases, I cannot wait.

Across the four tracks, it has a nice shared atmosphere and sound profile. Synths, electronic, and some industrial instrumentations is what makes up the songs. Within said tracks then are some filtered and abstract vocals, evoking a sense of otherworldliness.

In comparison to other electronic scores and video game soundtracks, ... read more

A nice ambient album that will whisk you away into the unknown. Understatement's EP "Small Circle" is a quiet album that slowly drifts into pure bliss and atmosphere as the listener soaks up everything on display. It's production is top notch, as everything comes out clear. This is a pretty good album to listen to during a slow point of the day, like the golden hour of sunset, or the moment before the night becomes fully dark.

If "The College Dropout" didn't convince you of Kanye's genius, then "Late Registration" will.
As time has gone on, "Late Registration" has become an interesting sophomore album to return to. Considering his freshman release, in which it showcased a hungry and passionate MC and producer who was trying to make it in the game, this in comparison felt controlled. What worked in his last album is brought forward into this release, while also trimming the very ... read more

Well produced and crafted, it lacks the depth Venturing has shown in their previous singles and Album. As much as I adore the sound and direction this single had, it's lyricism falls short of what Venturing's "Ghostholding" showcases in ability and skill.

A really good showing by NIN, but in comparison to the first two albums, feels a little unfocused and bloated. Still has really good Industrial Metal and Ambient tracks, but following up "The Downward Spiral" would be difficult for any artist, including NIN themselves.

A fun vocaloid rock album. It's very well produced, having a nice punch to the instrumentation and vocals. The vibe is fluffy, light, with some tracks that offer a nice variation with changed undertones in both genre and lyrics.

Five years is what separates "Pretty Hate Machine" and Nine Inch Nail's sophomore album "The Downward Spiral". Their freshman album had already tipped the needle forward for what industrial rock could be, so I thought I was ready to hear the follow-up by Tent Reznor and his band. There was definitely room to grow for NIN, as although "Pretty Hate Machine" was a great album, it lacked a certain refinement. It had descriptions of actions, but I didn't get ... read more

Freaky, experimental, and disgustingly near avant-garde like ideas, Nine Inch Nails "Pretty Hate Machine" is everything not 80s.

As someone who was born in a whole different millennium from this release, most of what I know of the 1980s is a very specific image. MTV is god, movies like Blade Runner and E.T. make up the aesthetics of the 80s nostalgia, and the sound was either predominantly poppy prep or deeply reflective ballads that hid their intentions well. Very much ... read more

A slightly above average ambient album that doesn't really evolve through its 15 tracks.

Although sounding quite modern for a release from 1987, it fails to challenge and evolve through its different tracks. What changes in the songs are often tiny lyrical and melodic flourishes, however minor. It does lead to an experience that flows well, but lacks a moment that may compel the listener to not just tune it out. By the end, it becomes simple to almost forget that music was playing.

I ... read more

For many listeners, I think it's difficult to understand the in-between point of video game music. One side is what you may have heard when limitations were everywhere, with a limited amount of audio channels and processing powers. Beeps, boops, and tones are what made up the soundscape of video games as a medium. Yet, like all other technology and media forms, it eventually evolved to allow uncompressed audio, giving the choice to composers on what they could make. Some of these creatives ... read more

A very fun introduction tape.

The duo Paris Texas' mixtape "BOY ANONYMOUS" is an interesting release. Throughout eight tracks, the audience gets a platter, a sample of what the duo can do. The clear standouts are production, energy, and imagery. In most of the tracks, a story is told, clear ideas are explained, having an almost cinematic language to it.

However, due to the more subpar lyrics and specific deliveries, feeling at times lackluster to the intensity that is meant to ... read more

Cute, fun, and enjoyable. Easy ear candy that is nicely produced and made.

A better showing than "AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP", but it suffers from its over ambitious attitude.

In comparison to what Rocky had put out prior to this release, it offers a lot new and interesting ideas from the artist. At points, it does sound like the West Coast creative is pushing the limit on what one may expect from a rapper like himself, deciding to try new genres. "TESTING" isn't the title for no reason, as Rocky finds himself exploring electronic, futurism, and other ... read more

A mainstream sound that goes down too smoothly.

When considering the previous output by A$AP Rocky, one thing that I realize about the East Coast native is that he knows style and loves to experiment. The samples and visionary ideas the artist has is varied, uncompromising, especially compared to his peers of his time, and the people that followed him since. Although I can say I am not the biggest fan of everything Rocky has put out, I can respect his vision.

With ... read more

A small, yet necessary, jump from "LIVE.LOVE.A$AP" to "LONG.LIVE.A$AP," the East Coast rapper has become a much more confident and creative lyricist.

The biggest standout is the change of energy and power he bolsters. He wasn't this fully meek and quiet person, per se, on "LOVE", but on this album, Rocky beginning to find his own flow and energy that equates to being able to measure up to the best of the game. The project features a ton of up and comers, all ... read more