Ultra Sunn is one of those bands I’ve added tracks from to various playlists, but I had never actually sat down and listened to a full album until now. What I’ve always enjoyed about them is that they land on the more club friendly, dance oriented side of industrial. They have a distinctly European electronic feel that really sets them apart, somewhere between electro-industrial and synthpop.

Musically and lyrically, I thought this was a great album. It definitely leans into that space rock and art rock approach, and honestly, it reminds me a lot of early Radiohead. Now, when it comes to the vocals, that’s where things get a bit hit or miss for me. One thing I’ve noticed with a lot of British rock is that, ever since the Britpop explosion in the early ’90s, there’s been this vocal trend where it’s become almost a staple for singers to whine. And to be ... read more

The production on this album is absolutely amazing. You can definitely hear that UK grime influence, which really helps it stand out from a lot of other hip hop albums.

As for the rapping, I personally prefer the more laid back tracks where she just flows along with the music. Those moments feel more natural and enjoyable. But when it shifts into the more aggressive tracks with a lot of attitude, I just can’t take it seriously. She honestly sounds like an angry teenager or frustrated ... read more

Considering this is top 40 radio friendly alternative pop, I have to admit that I actually enjoyed it. Twenty One Pilots is one of those bands where, if I go back to their earlier albums, I’m not the biggest fan. But when it comes to their newer releases, I find myself really enjoying them.

They have a great way of mixing electronic music with alternative and hip-hop, and anytime a band blends electronic elements with alternative, well that’s a total weakness for me.

This is one of those sleazy albums I just can’t help but enjoy. It’s a gritty mix of glam punk and hard rock, and what’s really cool is that it came before glam metal and hair rock really took off. In fact, this album is often considered one of the first glam and hair metal records of the 1980s, and it had a huge influence on bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Guns N’ Roses. Like I said, it leans heavily into that sleaze rock vibe, so it’s definitely not ... read more

I was looking for a recommendation similar to the Scorpions and was pointed to this album. While it’s not quite on the same level, it’s definitely a solid comparison. It actually sounds like a hybrid of the Scorpions and AC/DC. This is also one of those albums I can see becoming more enjoyable the more familiar you get with it. It didn’t fully hook me on the first listen, but I’d definitely be open to revisiting it again in the future.

I love how Sufjan Stevens sound has evolved in different directions over the years, but he always stays true to his singer/songwriter foundation. This album definitely goes in a more experimental electronic direction than anything he had done before. It leans heavily into glitch pop and IDM.

The percussion is intentionally irregular, built around glitch beats, chopped samples, and IDM style programming. Even though the album takes a more digital production approach, he still manages to weave ... read more

This was actually a pretty interesting album to listen to and research. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is from Pakistan, and the style of music he performs here is called Qawwali, which is tied to Islamic mysticism and rooted in Indian and Pakistani traditions. This particular album is a compilation of tracks released on Real World Records, a label founded by Peter Gabriel as part of a broader push to bring world music to Western audiences.

Over the years, this album has been heavily sampled by ... read more

I think this was a very unique album, especially when you take into account when it came out and what was happening in music at the time. The early 70s were the formative years for both progressive rock and heavy metal, and this album feels like it sits right at that intersection.

This is probably one of the earliest examples of heavy rock being mixed with orchestral arrangements and progressive complexity. I personally love how the guitars are paired with the heavy use of organ, which was ... read more

“Somebody’s Watching Me” is easily my favorite song out of anything Michael Jackson was ever involved with outside of his solo work. Even though Michael only provided vocals on that one track for Rockwell, it’s such a perfect song, I’ll never get tired of it. On a scale from one to five, it’s a six.

The rest of the album is more laid back by comparison. There’s a bit of a Motown feel mixed in, but overall it’s a cool blend of 80s electronic ... read more

It’s not a bad album, but personally, I’ve always felt that Spacemen 3 might be a bit overrated. My biggest issue is that half or more of their tracks tend to just idle without really going anywhere. They set a mood, but don’t always build on it or evolve. This is one of those bands I really want to enjoy more than I actually do. The aesthetics are there, and I get the appeal, but it doesn’t fully land for me.

Stöner is a modern stoner rock and metal band formed by former Kyuss members Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri. To me, they genuinely feel like a continuation of where Kyuss left off. This album has all the heavy, doom laced riffs and thick, fuzzed out basslines you’d expect, plus those gritty, bluesy solos that are a staple of the desert rock sound.

What really stood out is the laid back flow of the album. It feels like it leans into extended jams, giving it a loose, unfiltered energy. ... read more

So Drab Majesty normally does more of a darkwave/synthpop sound, but they definitely switched directions on this album. The first track features Rachel Goswell from Slowdive, and honestly it really reminded me a lot of Slowdive’s latest album. After that, you get a couple of tracks that lean heavily into a more cinematic ambient direction, and then one other track that pulls closer to indie pop and neo-psychedelia. This album really caught me by surprise, but I ended up really enjoying it.

Man, talk about a 90s time capsule! This album is such a product of its era that I don’t think it’s aged particularly well. It blends radio friendly alternative rock with the trip hop and hip hop beats that were everywhere in the mid to late 90s. There are even moments of Eastern raga rock influence that feel like throwbacks to 60s psychedelic pop.

Despite some big names behind the production, like Dan the Automator, this album ultimately feels kind of dull and dated to me now. ... read more

This was actually a collaboration album between Calexico and Iron & Wine. I’m not too familiar with Iron & Wine, but from what I’ve read, they lean more toward folk, which would explain the slight shift in sound. Compared to Calexico’s usual output, this one feels a bit more straightforward in its alternative country approach. That said, it still retains the signature southwestern, desert atmosphere that defines Calexico’s sound.

I really enjoy this as a modern day synthpop album. It definitely sits on a foundation of darkwave and coldwave, but without diving into the heavier darkness of industrial or goth. It feels more emotionally restrained, and more accessible. If anything, it reminds me of early Depeche Mode, before their sound turned darker and more brooding. It’s sleek, melodic, and atmospheric, with just enough edge to keep it compelling.

What a fun album! I didn’t know anything about this band going in, but from what I’ve read, they started out as a Norwegian black metal and neofolk group before completely shifting gears with this release. On this album, they embrace a more experimental electronic direction, and it worked in the best way possible.

The best way I can describe it is that it sounds like the soundtrack to a decaying city, where the culture is slowly devouring itself from the inside out. It has a strong ... read more

If I had to sum up this album, I’d call it a trip hop jazz noir soundtrack to a movie that doesn’t exist. The one thing that remains consistent throughout is its cinematic nature. It fully embraces the feel of a soundtrack, but without the visuals. Some parts reminded me of 90s trip hop and the funky big beat movement from the 90s era electronic scene. Other moments lean into quiet, spoken word segments, evoking imagery of a jazz band playing in the corner of a dark, smoke filled ... read more

One thing I really love about this album, is that a good portion of it was recorded in Ibiza, and you can definitely feel that influence. This album carries a laid back, airy vibe that reflects the Balearic movement of the time. New Order was aiming more for rock song structures, but built them on the framework of dance music and acid house, which blended colorful synthpop with alternative rock, while the guitars take a more subtle role. They’re mainly used for texture and occasional ... read more

The Cars have always been one of my favorite classic rock and new wave bands, so most of their catalog is going to get good reviews and ratings from me. This album marks a slight transition from what they had released up to that point. Their first two albums were more radio friendly and leaned heavily into straight pop hooks, but this album takes a darker and more experimental turn. There’s a heavier emphasis on synths and electronics, creating a moodier atmosphere. Despite the shift, ... read more