84

This might honestly be WSG and Conway at their absolute best. Griselda Ghost is one of the rawest, grimiest, hardest-hitting albums in the entire Griselda catalog. From front to back, it’s dark, street, menacing, and relentless. It’s everything you’d want from a Griselda project—unfiltered and unforgiving, with that signature rawness and grit that makes them so addictive to listen to.

What makes this one so special is how tight and focused it is. Clocking in at just ... read more

Travis Scott - Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight
73

After the incredible trap masterpiece Rodeo, Travis came back with what felt like a slightly underwhelming follow-up. Don’t get me wrong—Birds is still a good album, but coming right after Rodeo, it just doesn’t hit the same. That said, there are definitely standout moments. Tracks like the ends with André 3000, way back, through the late night with Kid Cudi, goosebumps with Kendrick Lamar, pick up the phone with Young Thug, and wonderful with The Weeknd all show Travis ... read more

Rihanna - ANTI
75

By far Rihanna’s best album—and a really solid one at that. Her previous albums always felt a bit like scattered collections of songs, lacking a clear direction. But with ANTI, she seems to have cracked the code. The album feels way more cohesive, with a distinctive sound and focus running through it. Rihanna sounds as great as ever, and the overall mood of the project just works.

That said, while ANTI could’ve pushed the R&B boundaries even further, it’s fine the ... read more

Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman
74

With her third album, Ariana Grande once again showed growth as an artist. Her vocal performances are top-tier, and she delivers a strong batch of pop tracks. Songs like Dangerous Woman and Side to Side highlight her talent in creating undeniable radio-hits, blending powerful vocals with catchy production.

The album stays engaging throughout, with standout performances on tracks like Moonlight, Greedy, and Thinking Bout You. While it doesn’t always push lyrical or sonic boundaries, ... read more

Brent Faiyaz - A.M. Paradox
73

A.M. Paradox is a fine EP that showcases Brent Faiyaz’s signature soothing vocals over smooth R&B production. While it doesn’t break a lot of new ground, it’s an enjoyable listen that hints at his future potential. Nothing mind-blowing, but definitely a fine project.

Future - Purple Reign
75

Future is in his bag—again. Purple Reign is another reminder of why he’s the trap GOAT. As with most of his projects, the formula stays the same: a bunch of bangers, a few forgettable tracks, but the highs always outweigh the lows. And that’s exactly what happens here.

The project includes some of Future’s best tracks—Wicked, Inside the Mattress, Perkys Calling, and Purple Reign—all of which are near-perfect examples of trap at its finest. These songs hit ... read more

Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
73

24K Magic is Bruno Mars doing what he does best—smooth, funky, and insanely polished pop. Right from the start, the title track sets the tone: funky, confident, and danceable. Songs like Chunky, That’s What I Like, and Finesse keep that groove going, while tracks like Versace on the Floor and Calling All My Lovelies slow things down in that slick, seductive Bruno way.

It’s a super clean album—maybe a little too clean at times. Like, it sounds good, but also a bit too ... read more

Michael Jackson - Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix
75

Blood on the Dance Floor often gets brushed aside when talking about MJ’s discography, mostly because of all the remixes tacked onto the back half—but if you focus just on the first five original tracks? You’ve actually got something really solid here. These songs might not get the same love as his biggest hits, but they’re absolutely worth paying attention to.

Let’s start with the obvious standout: the title track. Blood on the Dance Floor is pure Michael ... read more

72

With the fourth instalment in the HWH series, Westside Gunn did what he always does—deliver. And did we really expect anything less? At this point, Gunn had already solidified himself as one of the best curators in the underground. His ability to pick the right beats, pair the right features, and add just the right touch of grime, style, and flair to each project—it’s all there again on HWH4.

This tape leans heavy into that signature Griselda sound: dusty soul samples, eerie ... read more

Rae Sremmurd - SremmLife 2
64

Coming off their solid debut—which had some major highlights and introduced the duo’s energetic style to the world—Rae Sremmurd returned with SremmLife 2, a slight but noticeable step up. Just like the first album, it’s not always consistent, but it is a bit more refined this time around. Their sound remains breezy and fresh, and the dynamic between Swae Lee’s smooth melodies and Jxmmi’s rawer edge still works like a charm.

Their chemistry really shines, and ... read more

21 Savage & Metro Boomin - Savage Mode
60

Savage Mode is alright. 21 Savage and Metro Boomin definitely had some good chemistry going, and tracks like No Heart and X still hit hard. Those songs carry the tape, honestly. Outside of that, though, a lot of it kind of blends together. It’s got the vibe, sure, but not much that really sticks after the first few listens.

It’s not bad by any means, just a bit forgettable as a whole. Decent for what it is, but aside from a couple standout tracks, it doesn’t leave a huge mark.

Bastille - Wild World
68

Wild World is just a fine album by Bastille. It’s not bad by any means—Bastille definitely knows how to create a clean and catchy pop rock album. The production’s polished, the songwriting is solid, and there are some enjoyable moments throughout. But at the same time, it doesn’t really move me or leave much of a lasting impression.

I guess I was hoping for something a bit more bold or different. Instead, it kind of plays it safe if I’m being honest. It’s ... read more

J Balvin - Energía
65

Energía Lado B isn’t a groundbreaking project, but it definitely has its charm. I remember playing this a lot back in 2017—it’s just one of those albums that’s easy to throw on and just vibe with. It’s got that smooth Latin pop and reggaetón sound that Balvin does so well, and while it doesn’t necessarily break new ground, it definitely delivers on atmosphere.

There’s nothing overly deep or experimental going on here, either lyrically or ... read more

Empire Of The Sun - Two Vines
65

After the success of the hit songs on their first two albums, Two Vines did have some expectations – you’d hope that this album again contains some amazing hits. But, just like their first two albums, you come out thinking, “it was just fine”. It’s definitely not bad, and there are indeed a couple of standout tracks that hit really hard, but as a full album, it just doesn’t leave much of a mark.

They’ve always had a talent for creating big, shiny pop ... read more

Lil Uzi Vert - Lil Uzi Vert vs. The World
70

Lil Uzi Vert Vs. The World really was a moment. Back when this dropped, Uzi had everyone in a chokehold, and it’s easy to see why. The energy, the melodies, the charisma—it all just clicked with everyone. This tape was pure fun, full of that youthful, carefree vibe that made Uzi stand out from the jump.

Tracks like Money Longer and You Was Right are straight-up classics, with Uzi’s unique delivery bouncing perfectly over spacey, playful beats. His voice and flow just fit ... read more

USHER - Hard II Love
46

By the time Hard II Love dropped, Usher had already long cemented himself as an R&B veteran. But unfortunately, this album doesn’t add much to that legacy. After a bunch of underwhelming releases, this was supposed to be a return to form (especially since the 4 year gap between this one and Looking 4 Myself), but instead, it feels like more of the same—generic, uninspired, and ultimately quite forgettable.

And it’s not even that Usher doesn’t sound good, no, his ... read more

Jon Bellion - The Human Condition
57

The Human Condition is one of those albums that felt fresh and exciting at the time, but revisiting it now, it’s a bit of a mixed experience. Jon Bellion’s signature Pixar-esque, hyper-stylised production is definitely unique—there’s no denying the guy is insanely creative. But sometimes, that creativity gets in its own way.

The album is packed with very rich and detailed production, layered vocals, and a whole lot of effects on every track. Songs like All Time Low and ... read more

Majid Jordan - Majid Jordan
50

Majid Jordan’s self-titled debut is mostly underwhelming and kind of forgettable. The duo clearly has chemistry, and there are moments where their signature moody take on R&B comes through well, but as a whole, the album doesn’t do much to stand out at all.

After a few songs in, everything starts to blur together. Additionally, the album leans way too much into the clichés of modern R&B, without much new to offer.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad ... read more

J. Cole - 4 Your Eyez Only
79

4 Your Eyez Only might not be J. Cole’s flashiest album, but it’s definitely one of his most personal and thoughtful. It’s got a quiet strength to it—tracks like For Whom the Bell Tolls, Immortal, Ville Mentality, and Change show Cole in reflective mode, really diving into life, legacy, and the bigger picture. The title track especially stands out—probably one of the most powerful and well-written songs in his catalogue.

That said, the album isn’t without ... read more

Kid Cudi - Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin'
75

Coming off the weird, out-of-the-box, at times atrocious, and super experimental Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven, Cudi made a strong return with Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’. The album cover alone already sets the tone—it’s dark, moody, and feels like a late-night sonic journey. Cudi really pulls you into this atmospheric soundscape with haunting beats, his signature humming, and deeply personal songwriting.

Highlights include By Design with André 3000, Rose Golden ... read more

Create an account to rate and review albums.
Recent Review Comments
On Vince Staples - Cry Baby
"@Fred2121 Thanks! Yeah I just heard it and it's really crazy, might be the best song off the entire album.. really hope it'll come on streaming at some point"
On Olivia Rodrigo - the cure
"@Ciroriberi thanks! I have to admit Drop Dead has grown on me a bit, though it's still a pretty straightforward synthpop tune. Both tracks do their purpose well though."
On Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
"@JustheG thanks! much appreciated🙏🏼"
On Olivia Rodrigo - the cure
"@MitchellDP spot on, I really hope her new album leans more towards this sound rather than the more standard synthpop sound of Drop Dead"
On The Strokes - The New Abnormal
"@Natedrizzle007 Thanks! Much appreciated🙌"
On JohnyBoy's review of Olivia Rodrigo - the cure
"This one is so much better than Drop Dead, might be my favorite song of her already, the build-up is absolutely amazing"
On jit_0's review of The Weeknd - Wanderlust
"Such an amazing, yet underrated track. Could've come straight out of the 80s"
On LeBaguette56's review of JPEGMAFIA - EXPERIMENTAL RAP
"Well said🎯"
On JPEGMAFIA - EXPERIMENTAL RAP
"@LeBaguette56 thanks! much appreciated🙌🏼"
On 𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓉's review of JPEGMAFIA - EXPERIMENTAL RAP
"@TheNevermeant 100%, he got way too comfortable on this album, it just feels like a bunch of leftovers sticked together rather than something new and creative. And I get what you’re saying about the wider scene too, there’s definitely a lot of hip hop artists that don’t really push boundaries anymore on their latest albums and just stick to what already works because it still sells. I mean, most of their fanbase will still swallow it. Hopefully that trend gets broken through soon, because it will only further devaluate the quality of music (at least in the mainstream)."
On 𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓉's review of JPEGMAFIA - EXPERIMENTAL RAP
"Spot on, it's all getting quite samey at this point. Basically heard the same flow on like 10-12 tracks man😭 Still solid enough, but after ILDMLFY, I was really expecting him to push things further considering that was probably his most refined project yet."
On Drake - ICEMAN
"@KoriOnAOTYWeb Bar of the year?🥶❄️🧊"
On Drake - MAID OF HONOUR
"@KoriOnAOTYWeb Thanks! Yeah, it's definitely a rough one haha, though I think Habibti is even worse lol"
On 𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓉's review of Drake - ICEMAN
"@TheNevermeant well, at least great for Drake's 2020s standards I'd say (not that that's saying too much loool)"
On ‎Remi's Reviews's review of Drake - HABIBTI
"this album was such a snoozefest😴"
On 𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓉's review of Drake - ICEMAN
"@TheNevermeant Yeah 100% agree, there's only a couple of tracks that were not doing too much. If he'd cut the tracklist to the best 12 songs it would've genuinely be quite great imo"
On DenzelCurryFan's review of Drake - ICEMAN
"@DrDrum Ah yeah I meant solo album haha, but Her Loss was indeed pretty solid"
On DenzelCurryFan's review of Drake - ICEMAN
"Definitely his best album in like 6 years probably?"
On 𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓉's review of Drake - ICEMAN
"@TheNevermeant I mean I guess I have to in order to find out if they're really as bad as people say they are... but I'm afraid they are actually straight ass haha I'm already glad he separated the different genres across three albums so Iceman wouldn't be another bloated playlist-type-record. He probably put all the bullshit on the other two albums but I guess I just have to see it for myself haha"
On filipiakye's review of Drake - ICEMAN
"Facts, it's a pretty solid album"
On Drake - ICEMAN
"@arhant67 Iceyyyy cold🥶❄️🧊"
On 𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓉's review of Drake - ICEMAN
"Man I was really expecting it to be a snoozefest, but weirdly, I was kinda engaged all the way haha.. It's definitely his most consistent album in YEARS, and that says a lot lol"
On Noah Kahan - The Great Divide
"@Ciroriberi True true, if he'd only trimmed it to like 12 tracks it would've been better"
On Wu-Tang Clan - Wu-Tang Forever
"@rbntlly Thanks! That guy knows ball, that's for sure haha. Reunited might fr be one of their best tracks"
On Olivia Rodrigo - drop dead
"@bartonthebeat Thanks! It will be quite a challenge she set for herself, and to be very honest, I don't think the record will be better or more distinctive than what's already out there right now.."
Advertisement

April Playlist