I wish this record was 12-15 tracks long with a decently arranged tracklist. It would have been one of her best albums.

I wish this record was 12-15 tracks long with a decently arranged tracklist. It would have been one of her best albums.

Happy valentines day for those who celebrate it

(A retrospective review)
Norman EFFING Rockwell! This record is pure California bliss. It’s been four years since Lana Del Rey’s sixth studio album, and I still remember how exciting the build up for this record was. First, Lana started posting pictures of her and Jack Antonoff, known at the time for his major input in Lorde’s critically acclaimed Melodrama album. In the first weeks of September 2018, Del Rey dropped “Mariners Apartment Complex”, a beautiful and ... read more

Absolutely gorgeous country-folk album, with devastating and somewhat hopeful tracks. The revelation in the title track as to why she sings in such a low register broke me. And that is just an example of the masterful songwriting Kara offers on her debut album.

One of the most beautiful singer-songwriter albums of the year. A very quick and comforting listen, like someone reading a bedtime story next to you.

The promotion for this album made it to be something it definitely is not. The dark, anxious and restless concept of the record "Midnights" is lost through the middle of the album, only to be picked back up by the end of it. Songs like Question...?, Vigilante and Karma don't seem to fit in with songs like Anti-Hero, which is, in my opinion, Taylor's best pop song to date - I dare say, with challenging lyrics for the mainstream pop sphere and a masterful execution. If only the record ... read more

For a long time "Speak Now" was my favourite Taylor Swift album, but unfortunately the magic was not brought back with "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)". It is a very faithful and very well-crafted recreation of the original, that honours its value and complements it with some (not all) engaging and unique vault tracks. Perhaps I just changed my mind regarding the original record, as not as many songs hit me the same way they did a couple of years ago.

Though considered by some to be a mere replica of "SOUR", "GUTS" is, in fact, a very much needed follow-up to Rodrigo's debut album as it fixes most of its issues. The repetitiveness of the one-themed piano ballads of "SOUR" is replaced in "GUTS" with pop-punk/alternative rock anthems about heartbreak, social anxiety, fame, insecurities and growing pains that deliver a very engaging listening experience. Contrary to "SOUR", "GUTS" ... read more

Avant-garde pop music. "Desire [...]" surpasses every expectation anyone had regarding Caroline Polachek. A very self-referential and cohesive body of work that pushes the boundaries of pop and tries out different sounds and interesting mixes with Caroline's impressive vocal performances. The uplifting tempo of most songs, although, makes deeper cuts like Crude Drawing of An Angel and Hopedrunk Everasking feel underwhelming, even though, on their own, they're pretty well arranged ... read more

It's all about friendship and queerness. "the record" might not be the best project for any of the individual members of the group, nor the best collection of songs they released together, but it's mostly tasteful and pleasant to listen to. Nevertheless, Julien Baker stole the show, with the fantastic composition of Anti-Curse and her amazing vocal performances in 20$ and Not Strong Enough. Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers also delivered some album highlights, with the songs We're In ... read more

Obscure, raw, unpolished and effortless, "[...] Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd" finds Lana Del Rey at her greatest singing about her doubts and fears. Beautiful and subtle pianos and strings make up the majority of the record, and although some might find it to be a tedious task to go through the album, I can't help but feel immersed in the world she created around it. Trap beats also make up for part of the record, which adds a much needed pace to it by the end of Sweet, with the stellar ... read more

Undoubetdly, Mitski's best collection of songs so far. "The Land is Inhospitable And So Are We" is a cohesive, immersive and starking project that delves into Mitski's desire for self-love over grand pieces of orchestra and country-folk inspired sounds. It truly takes you mentally to a deserted cabin in the woods, with nothing to do but to make a deal on a midnight walk alone. Even on its weakest moments, such as the song The Frost, the lyrics are captivating enough to keep you ... read more

A visible enhancement over the original, "1989 (Taylor's Version)" gave a new life to older songs, such as Out Of The Woods and Clean. Sure, Style's magic might have faded, but the rest of the record holds up pretty well compared to the beloved original. Despite the fact that, sonically, the Vault Tracks were clearly recorded during the "Midnights" recording process, which makes them feel out of place in the album, they're still the best collection of vault tracks so far.