Many of these indie rock/hyperpop albums are incredibly fun. Trinket shares that energy, although the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Many times, the instrumentals or the vocals get in the way of a good idea. Sometimes the mix, intentional or not, gets so messy that it’s hard to enjoy without noticing. Tracks like landslide and BURNMATERIAL have awesome instrumentals but the vocals sometimes become obnoxiously sung. Other songs like Recap : or BUMPR have an irritating instrumental ... read more

What I view as his best album, Kendrick Lamar pulls together an album that not only speaks on the injustices of racism and the exploitation of black individuals in the music industry, but also contains influences of jazz and funk that make the album not only an engaging story but also a fantastic listening experience.

FAVORITE TRACKS: WESLEY’S THEORY, FOR FREE? - INTERLUDE, KING KUNTA, INSTITUTIONALIZED, THESE WALLS, U, ALRIGHT, FOR SALE? - INTERLUDE, MOMMA, HOOD POLITICS, HOW MUCH A ... read more

Kendrick Lamar sharpens his production, lyricism, and storytelling on good kid, m.A.A.d city. The beats and hooks on the more hype songs on this album are catchy and the more narrative cuts are engaging and feature smart lyrics from Lamar.

FAVORITE TRACKS: SHERANE A.K.A MASTER SPLINTER’S DAUGHTER, BITCH DON’T KILL MY VIBE, BACKSEAT FREESTYLE, THE ART OF PEER PRESSURE, MONEY TREES, POETIC JUSTICE, M.A.A.D CITY, SWIMMING POOLS (DRANK), SING ABOUT ME I’M DYING OF THIRST, ... read more

Section.80 has some issues with songwriting and hooks, but the lyrics, concept, and song ideas that Kendrick Lamar displays early on show a great proof of concept that Lamar will continue to build on.

FAVORITE TRACKS: A.D.H.D, KUSH & CORINTHIANS, HIIIPOWER, BLOW MY HIGH (MEMBERS ONLY), F*CK YOUR ETHNICITY, HOL’ UP, RIGAMORTUS, POE MANS DREAMS (HIS VICE)

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: NO MAKE UP (HER VICE)

After 11 years since their first single, Good Kid finally releases their debut album, "Can We Hang Out Sometime?" This may seem odd until you realize that the band has been coasting off the backs of four sequential self-titled EPs. The first two EPs has some good songs on them but it was evident that by Good Kid 3, the formula for their songs was starting to wear its welcome. Madeline was an exception to this, however. Good Kid 4 specifically saw backlash for playing it too safe. Even ... read more

It may be a bit too long, but Hurry Up Tomorrow is the most cinematic project from The Weeknd.

FAVORITE TRACKS: CRY FOR ME, TAKE ME BACK TO LA, NIAGARA FALLS, OPEN HEARTS, WITHOUT A WARNING, I CAN’T WAIT TO GET THERE, TIMELESS, BAPTIZED IN FEAR, SÃO PAULO, DRIVE, WAKE ME UP

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: REFLECTIONS LAUGHING

While not as tight as After Hours, Dawn FM still features catchy synthpop and insane synthwave bangers.

FAVORITE TRACKS: OUT OF TIME, IS THERE SOMEONE ELSE?, SACRIFICE, LESS THAN ZERO, GASOLINE, TAKE MY BREATH

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: STARRY EYES

After Hours is a stellar blend of synthpop and alternative R&B that is sequenced to perfection and features infectious hits and glorious, heavenly tracks.

FAVORITE TRACKS: AFTER HOURS, SAVE YOUR TEARS, TOO LATE, IN YOUR EYES, BLINDING LIGHTS, HARDEST TO LOVE, HEARTLESS, ALONE AGAIN, FAITH, SCARED TO LIVE, ESCAPE FROM LA, SNOWCHILD, UNTIL I BLEED OUT

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: REPEAT AFTER ME (INTERLUDE)

With 18 tracks, Starboy is The Weeknd’s most bloated album. However, the song ideas present on this record tend to succeed at being effective, infectious R&B and hip-hop hits more often than not.

FAVORITE TRACKS: REMINDER, SIDEWALKS, I FEEL IT COMING, STARBOY, PARTY MONSTER, DIE FOR YOU, ORDINARY LIFE, ATTENTION, STARGIRL INTERLUDE, ROCKIN’, FALSE ALARM, ALL I KNOW

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: SIX FEET UNDER

The Weeknd makes a successful foray into pop music while still maintaining the effective parts of his Trilogy mixtapes, leading to his best work since House of Balloons.

FAVORITE TRACKS: SHAMELESS, EARNED IT, AS YOU ARE, CAN’T FEEL MY FACE, IN THE NIGHT, TELL YOUR FRIENDS, THE HILLS, OFTEN, ACQUAINTED

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: ANGEL

The Weeknd’s first commercial project features sweeping and luscious instrumentals and passionate vocal performances. However, at some points, the lyrical content and vocals mesh poorly with the production, leading to some tracks that leave a lot to be desired.

FAVORITE TRACKS: KISS LAND, WANDERLUST, THE TOWN, TEARS IN THE RAIN, LOVE IN THE SKY

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: ADAPTATION

After the relative step down that was Thursday, Echoes Of Silence bounces back with some great, moody R&B tunes that tie the trilogy up in a great way.

FAVORITE TRACKS: NEXT, MONTREAL, XO / THE HOST, INITIATION, SAME OLD SONG, D.D.

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: ECHOES OF SILENCE

Good follow up to the stellar House of Balloons, but some weak songwriting and production ideas weighs the project down.

FAVORITE TRACKS: THE ZONE, ROLLING STONE, THE BIRDS PT.1, THURSDAY

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: LIFE OF THE PARTY

Revolutionary project.

FAVORITE TRACKS: WICKED GAMES, THE MORNING, HOUSE OF BALLOONS/GLASS TABLE GIRLS, THE PARTY AND THE AFTER PARTY, WHAT YOU NEED, HIGH FOR THIS, THE KNOWING

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: COMING DOWN