FAVORITE TRACK: Sirus Black

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Tom Marvel Riddle

I don't listen to black metal often so I'm not the best judge for this but I love the theme of Harry Potter and magic throughout this record. It's smart and the use of unconventional noises to make the music sound more whimsical is really smart. The guitar on this is nice like on The Love of Severus Snape and the intro for this album is really charming.

FAVORITE TRACK: The Other Side

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: On It

So I didn't know who Sullivan was, but I was anticipating this by seeing hype for it on twitter and knowing that there would be an Ari Lennox and .Paak feature. I've said it before- if R&B isn't great, then it's boring. Jazmine Sullivan is a great singer and super engaging- the problem is this album isn't. The fact that this album is almost more interlude than music takes you out immediately. The interludes are interesting for the ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: Fast Life

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: What is On My Mind

This sounds like a Christian album but I can't tell. It has very Christian-like themes to it but never flat out says if it is. Wanderer is a pretty standard pop-ballad album. It has some really solid vocals on the track Wanderer and the cover of Boulevard of Broken Dreams. The more mainstream sounding soulful-pop sound works for EL.SY's voice like on Fast Life, Shadow or Blank Stares- even if it is a little out of place. On ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: Last Words

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: They Killed John Henry

Knowing the context of this album is the most important thing. First listen, this might just sound like another Americana/folk country record but knowing that this record is a tribute to Earle's son, fellow country singer Justin Townes Earle, it makes this whole project a lot more somber even though it is an upbeat album for the most part. The only song directly about Earle's son is "Last Words" which is a ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: 01010000, Pt. 2

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Addendum

Much like his 2021 release, Addendum is a really short EP. Every song is less than 2 minutes, but this EP feels more lively than MMXXI. The beats are more engaging on this project even if they're much shorter. But the fact that none of these tracks feel like full songs prevents this EP from being memorable.

FAVORITE TRACK: Poly-800 +

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Protagonista

Parteum is a Brazilian rapper and this is a really short EP from them in a series of EP from the last year or so. There's really nothing special about this and it's really short with no track being over two minutes. Poly-800 + is really the only memorable track. With no vocals, it's just a clean mix of instrumentals to create a laidback sound. But besides that I really don't see anything memorable in this project.

FAVORITE TRACK: It's Okay

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: A World Gone Blind

Supposed to be released in 2010, Blu releases an unmastered and unmixed version of what-would've-been his debut.

Even in an unmixed state, the production is incredible. The use of samples and variety of beats and influences is amazing- even in an early state. The samples on tracks like Spanish Water are unique and really innovative. The lyrics on this are straight-forward and interesting with tracks like It's Okay and On ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: 6AM

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Phantom Pains

Hey this is really impressive!!

The production of this is great. It's very inspired by classic and avant-garde rap, using more classical samples for beats. Phantom Pain and Another Chance have a great beat. 6AM and Love You <3 are loud and in-your-face with these wonderful, bluesy instrumentals.

The most notable thing from this record is the performances. JVNUS has a fantastic flow as well as the features- Phantom Pain is laidback ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: Biohazard

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Roach Head

500th review yay!!

Momma is a lofi, garage band signed to Run for Cover records. I keep a really close tab on RFC's bands because they've signed a lot of acts I've fell in love with over the years like Elvis Depressedly, teen suicide and Modern Baseball. So I wanted to give Momma's debut a proper review.

The dreamy vocals match great with the down-played and heavy guitar on tracks like Bug House. Biohazard and Carny are so catchy ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: When the Cold Hit

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Everything I've Seen Needs Rearranging

Katia Krow's I've Called Off The Search, I Know Exactly Where You Are is a lonely ambient album. The best songs on this are the ones that stray from an airer, more isolated sound and include a gentle guitar that feels homily. When the Cold Hit has this lonely feeling with a beautiful and simple guitar that gets covered by reverb and naturalistic sounds to create something special. The instrumental ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: Magewand

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Sacagawea

These songs are mixed beautifully and tracks like Lavender Cresecendo and Magewand are laidback and interesting. But after only a short amount of time, the songs become really boring. Someone pointed out how this all sounds like Youtube outro music and it's all I can think about when listening.

FAVORITE TRACK: My Best Friend

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Things I Thought Were Mine

A pretty innocent and forgettable indie pop EP. The vocals are good and the songs are catchy but there's really no substance.

FAVORITE TRACK: New Summer Janken (part.2)

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Cherokee

So Satanicpornocultshop is an experimental Japanese band. I know from their 2010 album and the song Paradise but I wasn't aware they put something out until really recent.

This album is really weird which is to be expected from this group. They use any kind of sound to make a song, like New Summer Janken just being a collection of whistles and weird talking. The Funkytown sample on part 2 of New Summer Janken is smart ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: Lisboa

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Abril

Anavitória's COR is a bit redundant and linear project. Although the songs stay in the same tone for a majority of the album, it's done well and performed with great vocals that supported by soft acoustics. Lisbosa really uses the power of the singing vocals with a chimey sounding instrumental and an acoustic sound on Tenta acreditar to elevate the singers. The instrumentals on Selva and Ainda é tempo are also very endearing and ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: To the Guy Who Stole My Bike

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Damage Control

Ok maybe because it's so early in the year and I'm setting my expectations low- but I really enjoyed this. Fuck Art is very inspired by late 90s-early 2000s pop punk like Jimmy Eat world and Yellowcard. I like to consider myself a pop punk connoisseur and also a very unfortunate poptimist, so music like this is what I eat up. The songs are simple and loud with whiny vocals- and that's how I wish all music was ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: Stabbed Her to Death

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Carry On

Zheani's sound is really nothing new. It's in the frame of other acts like NAKED or Poppy or Brooke Candy that take really vulgar topics and put this sexy and weird twist on it. Besides the Cameron Azi feature on Stabbed Her to Death and that first verse of Whore of Babylon, I don't really see anything special about it. Zheani brings a screamo-rap flare to her music but one that needs to be perfected as it isn't always good. ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: Russian Roulette

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Electricity

Alexa Melo's album sounds very similar to Bully- the guitar playing is hard and the vocals are an homage to 90s rock. Melo's take, though, is a little more modern and centered around her voice. Digital has a great guitar and Chemicals has a wonderful acoustic. The instrumentals mostly fade as Melo's voice takes center stage on this album. She sounds great on Chemicals, Evergreen and Hopeful. Russian Roulette has the most ... read more

FAVORITE TRACK: Blood Loves // Satyrs

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Gravity

I really like this one. This is a weird, experimental EP with long songs. It's very inspired by Swans and Daughters but the vocals on this carry it. The vocals are strange and enticing and make these long and winding rock songs entertaining.

FAVORITE TRACK: Full Stop

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Turn a Page

Very laidback indie music. It's not the newest and freshest sound in vocals or instrumentals, but the songs are fun and catchy and really encapsulate a very laidback mood. Although the trumpet solo on Martin is very different and a very nice touch.

FAVORITE TRACK: You’ll Miss Me When I’m Not Around (Things You Say Remix)

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Delete Forever (Channel Tres Remix)

If you think this Delete Forever or IDORU remix would be played at a rave, you are out of your mind.

Grimes proves with this you can't make a mediocre album any better by releasing the remixes of it. You'll Miss Me When I'm Not Around is the only reason to listen to this album as it's the only good remix. It's lively and fun but still doesn't sound ... read more