Trying to decide if I am delusional for saying this is better than Melodrama. My favorite album of all time for many years, has it really been dethroned by the same woman?

this is absolutely magnificent and everything i wanted from this album. “we can’t be friends” and “i wish i hated you” are definitely the stand outs for me.

this is (so far) my album of the year undoubtedly. SOUR was one of the greatest debut projects of this century, yet her and her incredible producer Dan Nigro had the guts (crickets, i know lol) to tackle the task of doing one better. SOUR, although stellar in its own right, did have its few flaws that were likely a result of a rushed finish between the time "Driver's License" dropped in January of 2021 and the album's release just five months later. but even in the little time they ... read more

when reading through the reviews on here, i think some of the criticism is valid. Snow Angel lacks the cohesiveness of her debut EP that got a lot of praise and attention due to tiktok virality last year. though i also see this quality as a display of her range as an artist, in addition to it being a gateway to sounds she could explore further in the future. for me, i'd love for her to steer more in the direction of "Pretty Girls" on subsequent projects. she hasn't really done ... read more

milk of the siren has no business being a deluxe track. this is the exact sound this album should’ve had based on the cover art, aesthetic, and Death being the lead single. really wish she had went in this direction sonically for the rest of Portals considering this is far and away the best track…

DYKTTATUOB was certainly a slow burn for me. it took a few listens to really click with me, but i made it. it's no NFR or Chemtrails, but i still do love this project and enjoy most of the songs. this is a much more subdued record compared to the likes of NFR that tend to be more in my ballpark, with just a few fleshed-out production moments sprinkled throughout the record.

highlights include the wonderful second single 'A&W' and its INSANE production shift (gives me 'Hard ... read more

these bad bitches cannot make a bad song even if they tried. i honestly still prefer their EP and the sound they went for with that project, but that is not to say this full length record is something to scoff at. the lyrics throughout this album are brutal, beginning with the gut-punching intro 'Without You, Without Them' that brought a few tears. my favorite moment on this record was the callback to 'Me & My Dog' on the final track. M&MD is one of my favorite songs of all time, and ... read more

a much more introspective tale but a similar sound to Gray's debut, Superache is a testament to queer love in the twenty-first century. i can unfortunately relate very strongly to the themes of this album and Kid Krow as well. the tale of constant unrequited love in your twenties fucking sucks, and i think that he, again, perfectly captured those intense emotions situationships can bring. he also brilliantly touches some other themes like family/childhood trauma (we won't go into this but let's ... read more

tbh i am a little torn with this record. Cry Baby was definitely her strongest record, but i'd put Portals only second to that with K-12 in third. all three are fantastic and cohesve bodies of work that have proven the incredible talent and wit of Melanie Martinez. i really enjoyed Portals both in terms of her lyrics/vocals and the production choices. 'Death' was a wonderful choice for a lead single with its whiplash production change halfway through and very dark lyricism that is a hallmark of ... read more

holy fuck, little did i know what kind of album i was getting into when i hit play for the first time. this is one of the best albums of all time IMO. this sounds like what Solar Power should’ve been (i still loveee SP so don’t take that wrong pls lol). this is a sunbathed record through and through. the production on this album is fucking breathtaking (Pretty Places, Listen, Symptom of Your Touch, and Stomach primarily come to mind)! these two women are so insanely talented and ... read more

this album is just fucking brilliant. it isn't complex or trying too hard, it doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's littered with various writers (no shame to that, because it obviously works well when done correctly [see Renaissance]). every single song is a hit in my eyes, and i love hearing her voice on some more mainstream-adjacent material. i certainly do enjoy her experimental music as well, but it's refreshing to hear her relax the iron fist on pushing genre boundaries for this ... read more

i will admit that on my first listen, i really did not like this album. my initial score was a 62, meaning i gave the album an eight out of thirteen possible points on my scale. there were a few standouts after that (literal) midnight listen on release night, but the rest fell flat for me. however, after playing the album all the way through many more times, i have come to absolutely adore it. i honestly believe this is easily one of her best albums, right up there with reputation, folklore, ... read more

Five Seconds Flat is arguably one of the best albums of the year. it has such strong songwriting and production (RECKLESS DRIVING CUTOFF!!!!!!), in addition to gorgeous vocal performances from Lizzy and featured artists like Finneas. this has a very obvious theme and is sonically quite cohesive, littered with acoustic guitars and layered harmonies. i really was floored on my first listen, and have only further fallen in love over time.

rating: 13.5/14 — 96
(each track is worth one point. ... read more

admittedly, it took me a while to come around to this record. but now i cannot stress enough how IMMACULATE this album is. the cover is gorgeous and perfectly encapsulates the dance floor bangers ahead. this had me shaking my ass in the car!

rating: 16/16 —100
(each track is worth one point. good tracks get 1 pt, mediocre tracks get .5 pt, bad tracks get 0 pt)

standouts:
- ALIEN SUPERSTAR: WHEWWWWW THIS IS ART!
- CUFF IT: absolutely understandable the hype
- CHURCH GIRL: the mf BEAT on ... read more

a stunning record! i actually like this more than SAWAYAMA, for this record explores more of that dark, punk side with songs like Imagining, Frankenstein, and Hurricanes. from top to bottom, rina created magnum opus material only on her second effort. the album is cohesive, perfectly-produced, and full of bangers. absolutely an album of the year contender, and the first track will hook you in immediately!

rating: 13/13 — 100
(each track is worth one point. good tracks get 1 pt, mediocre ... read more

this is a fantastic album! her debut was great, her sophomore record was amazing, and In the Meantime is right up there with The Pains of Growing. ITM falls slightly short of her second album IMO, but it's still a beautiful album through-and-through. and i must to commend her for the title of this album, for it encapsulates the aura of these songs perfectly. easily one of my favorite album titles of all time.

the themes here are quite similar to The Pains of Growing, though this album leans a ... read more

another perfect album from the powerhouse that is Adele. i really appreciate that she took a different approach here—most of the tracks are quite long and feature more experimental production and melodies compared to her past records. the use of voice memos/voicemails throughout the album was a beautiful touch that really brought her music and story down to earth. and although divorce and heartbreak have been discussed in music many times over, Adele does it with a magic touch that no ... read more

this album is truly wonderful. i honestly don't even have much to say, other than that i am so grateful for Phoebe Bridgers bringing more spotlight to this group and their music. MUNA is a loud and proud queer album for the masses, with a great blend of pop bangers, guitar ballads, and even a dip into the alt scene. and the voices in this group are so unique and sound absolutely fantastic together. cannot wait to hear more from them in the future!

rating: 11/11 — 100
(each track is worth ... read more

i know this album is controversial, but it really shouldn't be. it is cohesive, it has a consistent story, and the mellow production of the record was fitting after a long year and half stuck in our homes with our own thoughts and self-reflection. there are some lesser tracks on here, but Solar Power is still a fantastic record. Fallen Fruit especially is one of Lorde's best songs, and it was surreal to hear it live in Chicago this past April. overall, this record is a nice change of pace after ... read more

this is truly an incredible record. the country-alt-pop genre blending may not be for everybody, but i think she used that style perfectly here—it fits the heartbreak of this album wonderfully. many tearful moments were had when listening to this, specially during the three track run of "Hardest Part," "Unfinished," and "My Side of the Bed." the latter in particular has developed a personal connection to me, with unfortunately-relatable lyrics about a past ... read more