// Walk Me Home: a polished stroll down generic pop streets //

Benson Boone first appeared on the public radar with his earnest charisma on American Idol, but it wasn’t until he released his debut EP, "Walk Me Home…" in 2022 that listeners got their first real taste of his studio sound. Long before "Beautiful Things" became his breakthrough smash in 2024, this five‑track collection was Benson’s opening gambit — five singles, three of ... read more

// Here We Go Again: a better second time around...mostly //

"Here We Go Again" (2009) emerged swiftly after Demi’s debut, "Don't Forget" (2008), essentially serving as a continuation that maintained the same pop rock and pop punk sound prevalent in the 2000s, aimed primarily at tweens and teenagers. From the opening title track, it becomes apparent that many of the elements present in her debut remain intact — not only in terms of sonic identity but also ... read more

// Sinner: a false prophet of nu-metal //

"Sinner", the debut LP by American nu-metal band Drowning Pool, remains the group's most notable — and arguably only — successful project, remembered primarily for its smash hit “Bodies,” a track that quickly eclipsed the band itself and became ubiquitous in early 2000s hypercam and AMV videos. Despite its lasting presence in the annals of nu-metal, the album raises an interesting question: does being memorable ... read more

Música subestimada, com letra linda e vocais impecáveis. Sinto que a quantidade de agudos só incomoda aqueles que não estão acostumados a consumir cantores competentes de verdade, afinal, se essa música incomoda, nem sei o que os incomodados sentiriam ouvindo artistas como Mariah Carey ou a própria Demi Lovato em seu material próprio. A mixagem da canção é ótima, salientando os vocais sem que eles soem ... read more

// Beautiful Tragedy: channeling tragedy into the rawest beauty //

In This Moment’s 2007 debut, "Beautiful Tragedy", is a fascinating time capsule of mid-2000s metalcore, blending visceral emotion with the genre’s signature intensity while introducing a voice that defied expectations. Fronted by Maria Brink, whose journey to the mic began with guitarist Chris Howorth initially dismissing her during auditions for being a woman — only to relent after hearing her ... read more

// Alter Ego: a pop chameleon in search of herself //

Lalisa Manoban, known as Lisa since debuting in the record-breaking K-pop girl group Blackpink, has been one of the most promising figures in global pop since her solo breakout with "Money". Ironically, "Money" was merely the B-side to her single "Lalisa", which, despite its significantly higher investment, failed to achieve remarkable success beyond the expected reception of a Blackpink member’s solo ... read more

// Tsunami Sea: lost in an ocean of possibilities //

Spiritbox has risen meteorically in the contemporary metal scene, transforming from a promising newborn act into one of the most anticipated bands of modern heavy music. With their sophomore LP, "Tsunami Sea", the question was whether they could meet sky-high expectations. As with all their previous work, this album delivers Spiritbox’s signature blend of djent-heavy riffs, energetic metalcore breakdowns, soaring clean vocal ... read more

// One Love: more like one laugh //

For decades, David Guetta has been a dominant force in electronic music, commanding the mainstream with commercial success and a pioneering spirit. With One Love, his fourth studio album released in 2009, Guetta not only solidified his status as a global superstar but also delivered a collection that spawned a factory of radio hits, club anthems, and beach club party favorites. Prior to this album, he had produced moderate successes, but nothing quite ... read more

// Beautiful People: the beautiful, the very bad, and the sadly ugly

David Guetta and Sia’s latest collaboration, "Beautiful People" (2025), arrives as a polished reimagining of a track that once reigned as a cult favorite. Originally, the song existed as a widely circulated demo over a decade ago, with many fans mistakenly believing it featured Rihanna’s vocals. That early version, complete with fan-made clips amassing millions of views, captured the raw energy of ... read more

// ME: a project that shows nothing about her //

Jisoo, widely recognized as the least remarkable member of Blackpink in terms of vocal ability, rap skills, and dance performance, has always held the "visual" position in the group — a role that prioritizes adherence to South Korean beauty standards rather than musical prowess. Given this, expectations for her solo debut were never particularly high, and it was somewhat surprising that it even happened after the other three ... read more

// Ultraviolence: Lana Del Rey's fantastically-crafted cruel world //

Lana Del Rey established herself as a sleeper giant from the moment she officially entered the music industry with her debut album, Born to Die (2012). The album positioned her as a central figure in the rising alternative pop scene of the early 2010s, gaining prominence primarily on the alternative-focused social network Tumblr. Always an artist swimming against the tide, Lana brought a level of refinement and ... read more

// EUSEXUA: when Twigs loves herself as she should //

FKA Twigs has long been a defining force in alternative and experimental pop, consistently pushing boundaries since her debut, "LP1", propelled her to the forefront of the genre nearly a decade ago. Yet, never one to stagnate, she embraces the current wave of electronic music permeating the industry with her latest opus, "Eusexua". The album, though firmly rooted in techno and electronic music, revels in an intricate ... read more

// Reflection: A reflection of Fifth Harmony’s inconsistencies //

Fifth Harmony’s debut album "Reflection" (2015) was the group’s breakthrough beyond their teen audience, propelled by hits like "Bo$$" and, most notably, the global smash "Worth It", which still echoes in department stores worldwide. The album leans more into R&B than its predecessor, "Better Together", while remaining predominantly pop at its core. However, while it ... read more

// Better Together: Fifth Harmony done almost right //

Fifth Harmony's debut EP, "Better Together", introduced the girl group to the music industry following their third-place finish on "The X Factor USA" in 2012. Marketed with an emphasis on their supposed genuine friendship, the EP sought to convey this energy — both among the members and with their fans. In that regard, it succeeds masterfully.

Despite the group later becoming notorious for their lack of ... read more

//Midnights: a mid album for mid nights//

Taylor Swift's "Midnights" marks her return to pop after the folk-driven "Folklore" and "Evermore" duology, aiming for a more mature pop sound without the bubblegum energy of "1989" or the angsty rebellion of "Reputation". The goal is a polished pop project that places her acclaimed songwriting at the forefront without sacrificing its pop sensibilities. But does it succeed?

At its best, ... read more

After meeting at a Christian music camp, instrumentalist Ben Moody and pianist-vocalist Amy Lee formed Evanescence and quickly released their debut, 'Evanescence EP', in 1998. The amateurish recordings, made in Moody and Lee’s homes, present a version of Evanescence that, while rooted in alternative metal, leans far more into gothic rock with slowcore and doom elements. The songs are centered around operatic background vocals, eerie church organs, and lethargic tempos that ... read more

'Slowcore' is a subgenre of indie rock known for its slow tempos, sparse instrumentation, and melancholic atmosphere. While it shares influences with folk rock, alternative rock, dream pop, and Midwest emo, its defining characteristic is the emotional weight it carries rather than any rigid musical structure. Carissa’s Wierd, an indie rock band formed in Tucson, Arizona, in 1995 by Mat Brooke and Jenn Champion, developed a cult following due to their approach to slowcore, ... read more

'Goliath', the debut studio album from Butcher Babies, burst onto the heavy metal scene in 2013 with a thunderous roar, quickly cementing the band’s reputation as a force to be reckoned with. At first, it was impossible to ignore the attention drawn by the female-fronted dynamic, with Carla Harvey and Heidi Shepherd exuding a captivating stage presence that combined raw sensuality with unrelenting aggression. However, what truly set the band apart was their vocal mastery. The ... read more

Charli XCX has long proven herself as a master of reinvention, pushing boundaries in the ever-evolving pop landscape. From her breakout hits like "I Love It" and "Boom Clap", she initially thrived within the mainstream formula. However, her artistic journey soon took a bold turn. Partnering with PC Music, Charli moved away from predictable success to embrace a more experimental sound. While divisive at first, albums like "Pop 2" and "Charli" are now ... read more

Mariah Carey’s "Caution" (2018), her twelfth studio album, stands as a polished demonstration of her enduring talent and adaptability. At this phase of her career, Carey has little left to prove, yet she exceeds expectations with a collection that is as cohesive as it is innovative. After navigating years marked by personal struggles and shifting vocal capabilities post-"Butterfly" (1997), "Caution" feels like the work of an artist who has reached a place of ... read more