I think it’s safe to say that Eminem may have some delusions of grandeur about the Slim Shady persona’s effect on pop culture at large. Yes, rappers exaggerate their status for effect in verses all the time, nothing wrong with some healthy embellishment here and there. But man, I’m beyond sick of this me-against-the-world mentality Eminem refuses to let go of, despite being the best-selling artist of the 21st century. You can’t be the top dog and the underdog at the same ... read more

Brilliant once again. With a little time, I could see myself coming to enjoy 'The Great American Bar Scene' even more than last year's self-titled record. I was late to the party with Zach Bryan, but off the strength of his recent output alone, he has solidified himself as one of my favorite songwriters to hit the mainstream in a loooong while, country or otherwise. He's one of the few musicians out there who is seemingly able to deliver both quantity and quality in his art; ... read more

Genuinely made my week. This is a ridiculous, raucous lil tune. 'Gag Order' was such a cynical, despairing release, one that I didn't expect ANY kind of followup to for some time, much less one as colorful and fun as "JOYRIDE". 'Gag Order' was Kesha's darkest and, in my opinion, most artistically fulfilling project so far, and I'm overjoyed to hear her apply that album's experimental touch to the carefree pop stylings of her earlier work. ... read more

Didn't luv it. Not as disastrous as it coulda been, but this is still is still pretty subpar. El Guincho's characteristically high-quality production decisions can only do so much to cover up how comically uninspired the core of 'C,XOXO' is. I quite liked the melodic progression of track 6, "Dade County Dreaming", and track 13, "pretty when i cry", is probably the most solid tune on here. But whatever goodwill this album builds up is instantly erased by ... read more

Hooray!!! :D Easily Megan's best project since her mixtape era, and I think I might like it even more than 'Fever'! This is just some catchy, high-impact Southern hip-hop that is enormously consistent for Megan, and manages to be rhythmically varied while (almost) always playing to Megan's strengths as a rapper. I had a good feeling leading up to this album's release; Megan is finally free from the constraints of her previous record deal, and all three of the singles, ... read more

There's a solid fistful of beautiful ballads in the back half, but on the whole I found this to be enormously unsatisfying. Also very confused by the inclusion of the Tame Impala cover here. "Same Ol' Mistakes" is awkward and completely untransformed as a cover, giving 'Anti' the distinction of "first ever studio album to include straight-up karaoke". Kevin Parker's got a production credit on it, but idk I just couldn't shake how odd the ... read more

Age has not been terribly kind to 'Jagged Little Pill' but "You Oughta Know" continues to be class. Not sure why that song still lands so well for me despite serving up an oversold, exaggerated version of many of this album's more unfavorable characteristics. It might be nostalgia, or it might just be how believably pissed off she sounds while singing this. I find Alanis's quirky, yelped delivery to be much more suited toward spite than tenderness. "You ... read more

Can't say enough nice things about the movie, it left a stronger impression on me coming out of the theater than any new movie since... idk fuckin 'Mad Max: Fury Road' probably. The soundtrack works wonderfully within the context of the film, but on its own I find this album to be marginally less impressive. I love about half of the songs here, the rest of it is sorta boilerplate trendy indie stuff that is lyrically way too on the nose with its evocations of 90s nostalgia and ... read more

A little disappointed that I'm only just hearing this now. Absolutely stunning work from one of the greatest ever.

Quite honestly, this exceeded all of my expectations. 'BRAT' rides the same shamelessly simple pop wave as 'Crash' but with much more sweat, texture, and varied emotional content. I really do enjoy the coy little niche Charli has carved out for herself within pop music. She leans so hard into her ironic it-girl schtick with a wink and a toss of the hair, while still displaying a genuine adoration and reverence for the glitzy tropes of pop superstardom. The album's truly vulnerable moments such ... read more

Much like the show itself, there's peaks and valleys but I genuinely didn't hate it. I'd even wager that the Alastor/Vox duet is quite good.

something must be done.

Nuttiest snare sound of the year, it actually cracked me up how much it sounds like I'm being hit in the face with a big rubber dodge ball lmaooo. This is very good! I was initially blown away by the sheer bludgeoning power of 'YWGBYST', and there's great variety in the sorts of rhythms that Knocked Loose are able to cram into these songs; "Don't Reach For Me" and "The Calm That Keeps You Awake" almost sound like the work of entirely different bands. Great vocals too! As far ... read more

Very interesting little record here. Can't decide if this is the start of something special, or if the substance is already there and I'm just not in the right mode to hear it yet. Regardless, "Pool of Life" and "In Doubt?" with MIKE are excellent tracks, and given how short this album is, I'll certainly be giving 'Truest' a few more chances.

Top 10 covers ever, easily. Monstrous debut single, still one of their best tracks ever. <3333333333

Brilliant. Everything I wanted the band's debut to be, and then some. No one song here is as singularly catchy as "Assimilate", but on the whole 'Too Dark Park' is so much fiercer and more daring than what came before. This that quality demented industrial shit man.

Manifesting the next album being Megan's best work yet. She's one of the most charismatic rappers working today, but up until now her studio LPs haven't lived up to the promise of 'Fever'. She's 3/3 in terms of her latest singles, and I'd love nothing more than to see her come through and deliver one of the year's best rap albums!!! Fingers crossed! :3

Not the best album I have heard in my life, but maybe the sexiest.

idk what i'm supposed to get outta all of this in the Year of Our Lord 2024. I'll just sit this one out...

I lov dis. I can dig most of 'WE STILL DON'T TRUST YOU' too. Metro does his thing, and I haven't heard Future this locked in since 'THE WIZRD". Very high baseline of quality across the whole project. Good stuff! :3