This isn’t a fun album. Sonically it sounds like it’s actively trying to keep you at arms reach, and that’s intentional. This is an asphyxiating listen, it’s a draining listen. By the Time I Get to Phoenix sees two of three band members grieving the loss of their friend and band member Steppa J. Groggs for a large duration of the album. It’s hard to talk about how great the album is because in the end it doesn’t really feel like an album, it’s a cry for ... read more

it’s impossible to deny the talent behind this album. Little Simz shows such an immense amount of versatility on this record, jumping from moments where she is backed by massive orchestral sections creating an immense sense of scale, to more intimate, groove based moments calling to afrobeat and funk music. Lyrically, Little Simz becomes incredibly introspective in this coming of age record that functions similarly to To Pimp A Butterfly.

I have no clue how Peggy topped himself with this one but he did it. There just isn’t a miss on this album. Peggy packs in his best production work on this album, his eclectic sample choices, off-kilter drums, and constant musical evolution in every single song on this album would make this endlessly re-listenable if it was just instrumentals. But Peggy also includes some of his wittiest and engaging lyrics that get better on repeated listenings. In all honesty, this is my favorite album ... read more

KicK iii is the crowing achievement of the KiCk series. Unlike iiiii where Arca finds herself at her most minimal, KicK iii finds her at her most visceral and aggressive. The soundscapes are metallic, industrial, and endlessly abstract. At many points sounding almost like a new age Death Grips. Still, despite being so aggressive and puzzling musically (seriously I have no clue how she even began creating these soundscapes), Arca packs in some incredibly catchy hooks on pretty much every track ... read more

Promises is vast in scope and sound but very restrained in its composition, saying a lot with the least possible musical movement. This is a slow moving yet highly rewarding and engaging piece of music, with some of the best sound play in any album this year. An enchantingly magical listen.

Cavalcade is a menacing album. At times the soundscapes are a discordant cacophony that wallows in its own musical complexity. While at other moments black midi strips themselves of everything and focuses on simply delivering a solid tune. If you’re impressed by technically complex (I’m almost every sense of the word) than definitely give this album a listen. Other than that, it’s really not for everyone.

2021 was the year of magical collaborations in the music industry. Sufjan and Angelo crafted one of the most inviting records of the year. Sonically this sounds like a warm embrace, the pristine, masterfully crafted instrumentals are the perfect accompaniment for the enchanting vocal performances by both artists. Lyrically, this album deals with distinct stories based on films watched prior to the recording sessions, which leads to some of the most interesting lyricism in music of last year. Oh ... read more

kiCK iiiii is the Arca at her most ambient and abstract. This record has some gorgeous modern classically inspired ambient music. For a while this was my favorite of the KiCk series but it lost some of its enchantment on the re-listens. Still, a beautiful album.

This is a long, intense, and uncompromisingly dark album. The sound play on this album is highly detailed and highly rewards repeated listenings. The atmosphere is like a thick fog that never lets up, constantly shifting, but never weakening. If you’re a fan of Nicolas Jaar’s more abstract albums like Cenizas, than this is definitely one to check out immediately.

This is one of those albums that words can’t really do justice. Every aspect of this album is great, there is no weak link on this record. The luscious country and soul instrumentation that shows up on this album is so welcoming and delightful. Yola’s vocals are astounding, showing incredible control, versatility, and range. The songwriting present on this record is of a really high caliber, and incredibly emotive. Everything about this album works together to create one of the best ... read more

An unexpected but entirely welcome collaboration, Richard Dawson and Circle team up and give some of the best progressive rock music of the last couple of years. Richard Dawson’s one of a kind voice sounds great over the lush instrumental passages laid out by Circle. One of the major highlights of this album are the standout lyrics that are seen on every track, ranging from songs about the end times as seen from a tree to a semi biographical approach of a famed biologist. This album is an ... read more

Sure, it’s not a grand artistic statement like other 9/10 records, but it’s not trying to be. This is just 30 minutes of pure funk and soul perfection.

This is the mandatory noise/noise inspired record that needs to be on my year end list. But, unlike most noise records I’d say this one can definitely appeal to a much wider audience than a typical album within the genre. Even if this album has incredibly shrill and harsh soundscapes, it’s juxtaposed against these incredibly moving and soulful vocals. The blend of acoustic instrumentals, walls of harsh noise, and balladry on this record make it wholly unique. The mixing on this ... read more

My 666th rating 😳. I heard it a while back but took me until now to actually rate it. I can’t really say I return to this album as a while frequently. But when it bangs it BANGS.

It might be one of his weaker albums but it’s still a FJM record.

Some really great moments here but the whole project just doesn’t really deliver all that much bite.

Confidence Man once again prove that they have immense potential but once again just fall short of greatness.

I don’t know man this shit was so boring.

Could be dustier

This sounds like a band named Duster would make this.