I've been quite the fan of Josh Tillman's previous work as he has been able to explore an ever expanding scope of topics including relationships, religion, human nature, all while maintaining his signature sense of sardonic wit. However on this newest record he trades in all of his signature styles for a watered down lounge record that has Tillman lamenting similar topics while shedding his most interesting sonic and lyrical qualities.

On 'Melt My Eyez, See Your Future' Denzel Curry sheds the tough exterior to spotlight some of his most sensitive and vulnerable experiences. The rapper has always been a deep thinker and feeler however I have never felt like I've understood him the way I do after listening to this album. Curry also embraces more old school aesthetics of jazz rap and boom bap that I personally think suits him so well. Definitely his best record to date, but if there's anything I've learned about Denzel Curry ... read more

Wow. Yeah so Beach House has been making music for over 15 years now and they still possess the capability to completely blow away their previous work. On this newest record, a double album, Beach House break the project up into 4 distinct chapters, almost as if you were consuming 4 EP's. However the full experience of the record has an impeccable fluidity to it that feels buttressed by the structure of the chapter motif. Often I find myself getting tired of double albums near the back half, ... read more

Chaz Bear delivers an immaculately produced trip through various flavors of psychadelia on his newest release. This might be one of his most consistent efforts to date as the record flows from track to track with fluidity akin to butter on a hot day. The highs on the record don't necessarily blow me away but there are few low spots across the whole release.

Thebe Kgositsile AKA Earl Sweatshirt delivers a much more immediate album with 'SICK!' especially compared to his most recent releases. The record never dips into the mundane as Earl has an impeccable taste for jazz inspired instrumentals, but it never really reaches the emotional poignancy of 'Some Rap Songs'.

I was a big fan of Charli's most recent album 'How I'm Feeling Now' which showcased her willingness to push the boundaries on her arguably most experimental album to date. However on this most recent record it feels more like an overcorrection from Charli, returning to a safer sound that sounds derivative of many synthpop and club albums that proceeded it. The album is still better than the pop music she was making during her 'Boom Clap' era, but it's certainly a downgrade from her most recent ... read more

It'd be an understatement to say that Big Thief have been making some of my favorite music over the past 5 plus years. The Brooklyn based folk rock band have been on a roll ever since their first release back in 2016, one upping their last album seemingly every time they go into the studio. With 'Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You' the group reaches new heights of experimentation, expanding their sound in new directions while never losing touch with the grounded folk rock aesthetic that ... read more

Altin Gun return with another fantastic blend of funky folk music this time with more of an emphasis on incorporating synths and more electronic production. On 'Yol' the band delivers another example of why they are one of the more unique groups releasing records right now.

Roberto Carlos Lange comes through with another brilliant record as 'Far In' sheds the intimate aesthetic of his previous album for a more expansive listen. Although the pacing on this record could use a little more fine tuning it is still another warm psychedelic experience that allows it's listeners to drift off into contemplative thought.

The Australian punk rock outfit delivers on another thrilling release that delves a little deeper into Amyl's thoughts and feelings on gender, politics, and general life philosophies. The band doesn't re-invent the wheel on their newest record but if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Peggy continues his dominance over the experimental hip hop field that has become more saturated in recent years. On 'LP!' Peggy builds off of the sound he displayed on his most recent release 'EP!'. Viewing the two releases as interconnected seems obvious as a few cuts off of 'EP!' even make it to the final tracklist of this new album. I wouldn't say this is Peggy's most impressive release but it certainly is not a far drop off from his most recent projects.

IDLES deliver a slow burning titan of an album, with frontman Joe Talbot shifting his focus to more poetic and esoteric lyrics over the pummeling guitars, drums, and bass of the backing band. On 'Crawler' IDLES deliver a more expansive and at times more experimental version of the punk and noise rock they have been putting out over the last few years. Standout 'Car Crash' literally had me gasping at it's sonic audacity while experimental track 'Progress' sees the band venturing out into new ... read more

Damn, Paak and Mars form what can only be described as a cosmic coupling of funkadelic fellas on their newest joint effort, 'An Evening with Silk Sonic'. The smooth production is accented by the oozing charisma of the bands' two frontmen as Mars and Paak croon over 70's era instrumentation that evokes the funk, soul, and R&B of the time. They certainly aren't reinventing the wheel here, but if it ain't broke don't fix it right?

'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert' not only doubles as my own personal mantra, but it perfectly exemplifies the existential angst at the center of this dramatic tempest of an album by Little Simz. Within the songs Simz ties together personal stories of her lived experience as a woman of color, as a daughter to a flawed father figure, and of course as a performer and artist. The heights on this new album certainly reach higher stratospheres than her previous albums, however I would say that some ... read more

On Tyler's newest release he continues his hot streak of exquisitely produced records but this time uses the runtime for a well deserved victory lap. The emotional content may not run as deep on 'Call me if you get lost' compared to his last two records, but Tyler returns to his bombastic self congratulatory ways from his past but this time is able to display his work with the maturity and technical efficiency he has showcased gaining throughout the years. By far one of the most fun records you ... read more

I give Modest Mouse credit for trying something new here, but I will be honest there were some points on this record that felt like the band was trying way too hard to be something they aren't and not nearly enough time delivering on the promise of their already constructed aesthetic. Not entirely sure who the audience for this new record is

As a huge Mogwai fan I always try to take time to give a listen to their newest releases, despite the band having some mixed results more recently. 'As The Love Continues' sees the band mixing the aesthetics of some of their recent soundtrack work such as 'Atomic' with some of their electric based instrumentation found on 'Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will' and 'Rave Tapes'. Overall this release falls somewhere in the middle of their discography in regards to quality as there are some real ... read more

Slowthai delivers a by the books rap album who's main distinction is the tonal shift from the first half of the record to the second. There are certainly a number of good bars on this record, and Slowthai offer's more vulnerability on this record than past releases.

I never would have imagined rating a comedy album as high as I'm rating Bo Burnham's 'Inside'. I already considered Burnham to be one of this generation's most trailblazing comedic artists, however after this new release it's fair to say he has truly taken his talents to the next level. I remember watching the special and thinking, "holy shit, these songs hold up on their own" and that's not to say Burnham's previous songs didn't, but the layered instrumentation, production, and ... read more

Michelle Zauner and Co. return for an immaculately produced summer album that offers it's audience energetic dance tunes as well as heavier shoegaze tracks. The inclusion of string arrangements are also an interesting and unique addition that showcase the evolution of Zauner's project from a bedroom pop project to a fully realized pop outfit.