I can't tell if this is brilliant or the worst thing I've ever heard...

Dark and shrouded in abstract mystery, billy woods off-kilter rapping meshes brilliantly with Kenny Segal's rock and jazz production, creating a supernaturally feeling hip-hop record that is concise and refreshing.

Classic danceable, poppy, emo punk from Paramore, but with a more mature tone. Hailey's songwriting is clear and introspective about her career. She doesn't hesitate to diss the ones who wronged her and crave the intimacy of a partner who she's made peace with leaving behind. She blames her stubbornness on her thick skull, her greatest source of strength, and her greatest weakness.

The energy is explosive and quintessentially tongue-in-cheek punk rock, embellished with synths, woodwinds, and saxophones. Not every track sticks for me, but when it hits, it hits.

This record is actually golden. There's such a somber whimsy to it. It's so well produced, so well performed. Even with the language barrier, you can tell there are sonic consistencies that flow the themes of the record together, climaxing into an instrumental swelling track that made me feel like I was safe in God's arms.

I owe an apology to Dijon for sleeping on him. This album is phenomenally well-produced and chock-full of so much charm and creative brilliance. In a year where the sounds of Dijon and Mk.gee are catching on in popular music, I don't think anyone can do it as good as them.

This is a record that sounds odd in its purely auditorial context. When paired with the Absolutely short film, I believe it truly all comes together. This is an album of passionate impromptu performances between friends ... read more

Despite some classic underground cloud rap sounds, the overall mixtape doesn't come together to make something of note.

JID is instantaneously incredible in his mastery of the essentials of a classic hip-hop album. The Forever Story rolls seamlessly through nasty flows, slick production between hardcore beats and soulful chops, and writing that cuts introspectively deep about purpose, drive, and family.

Cautious Clay sets out on a journey of jazz-striken R&B along with himself, Joshua Karpeh, to explore his family history and the intimate way their story connects with his own life and makes him the musician he is. Whether it's told through heartbreak ballads or improvised instrumentals, it all comes together so well to make a long-lasting impression.

An argument can be made for lacklaustre production, but I find Elizabeth's songwriting so clever and biting, it makes a strong lasting impression that has me coming back for more to feel those passionate emotions again and again.

It's short, inoffensive, and delightful pop music. Grant is a hopeless romantic, and his passion makes that clear.

From the release of the singles, I could tell this record wouldn't bring much more to the table than typical Americana instrumentations and performances that don't quite sound like Julien and Torres are at their best.

With classic, reverb-soaked falsetto vocals, Ally Evenson washes herself in thick psychedelic pop production and lover girl yearnings.

Big X knows exactly what he's there for. He doesn't overstay his welcome, and accomplishes his mission: big stepping over crisp southern soul beats.

I thought stoners usually made good music. If this is what Eyedress makes while high, it might be time to put the blunts away.

Amber Brain comes through with her sophomore album as The Japanese House, full of lush indie pop production. While I think the lyricism takes a hit in quality, the bops are undeniable. Plus, my interest is always piqued when Charlotte Aitchison has a songwriting credit. Nevertheless, whether you need summertime jams or sad girl ballads, In The End It Always Does has plenty to go around.

The folk, pop, and rock production on Forever Is a Feeling is stellar across the board, but I just don't feel Lucy's songwriting has the chops to stand apart from her contemporaries.

This Old Dog fleshes out Mac DeMarco's niche, with more fully developed sonic ideas and existential lyricism to match his now iconic psychedelia.

Mac's release here doesn't stand on its own apart from his previous LP except for a shift in experimentation with more a psychedelic sound.

Mac DeMarco's sound defines his corner of jangly indie rock, but the record doesn't quite come together.