After four years away, JAY-Z came back with 4:44, and honestly, it was exactly the album he needed to make. After the bloated and forgettable Magna Carta… Holy Grail, which felt more like a product than an album, 4:44 stripped everything back. It’s tight—just 10 tracks, no wasted space—and more importantly, it feels like Jay finally let his guard down. Instead of just flexing like he always does, he actually reflects.

Right from the opener, Kill Jay-Z, you know this is ... read more

With Drunk, Thundercat fully leans into his weird, wonderful world, delivering an album that’s equal parts funky, introspective, and completely unhinged in the best way possible. The album’s such a fun ride, mainly because of its bounces between deep grooves, existential musings, and the absurd, signature Thundercat, humour, all tied together by his ridiculously smooth and funky bass playing and airy falsetto.

Right from the start, Rabbot Ho sets the tone. It’s short, goofy, ... read more

After the success of the groundbreaking Currents, Kevin Parker released the B-sides and remixes. This EP serves as a pleasant supplement to one of the most defining albums of the past decade. The B-sides is an enjoyable collection of additional content that provides a few new tracks that could have easily been included on the original record.

First, we have a new track: List of People (to Try and Forget About). This track immediately highlights why Tame Impala’s sound is so unique. The ... read more

On SDL, Ronnie Flex once again fails to create something truly memorable. When he first debuted with De Nacht Is Nog Jong, Net Als Wij Voor Altijd, he showed real potential—his sound was fresh, innovative, and full of promise. But over the years, he seems to have lost that edge, falling into the trap of simply following trends rather than pushing himself forward. While Altijd Samen still had moments of introspection, SDL disappoints on both a production and songwriting level. There are a ... read more

After rising to fame through The Voice of Holland, Maan returns with Eclips, an album where she finally attempts to break free from the generic, faceless pop sound of her first two records. And honestly, I really appreciate that ambition. Her earlier work often felt safe and predictable, lacking any unique musical identity, so it’s refreshing to see her push her creative boundaries and try something different.

That being said, while the intent is there, the execution leaves much to be ... read more

Red Pill Blues is everything you'd expect from a Maroon 5 album– generic, predictable, and, quite frankly, uninspired. It sounds so dull and uninspired that it ends up feeling like a simple cash grab and not like a real artistic effort. The band seems to have settled into a safe zone, relying on their established formula of radio-friendly pop-rock production, but without any real creativity or artistic vision behind it.

From the opening track, it’s clear that Maroon 5 ... read more

Drip or Drown sees Gunna again sticking to his familiar trap sound, and unfortunately, it doesn’t offer much beyond that. While there are a few moments that sound somewhat okay, the album as a whole feels incredibly flat and uninspired. There's little substance behind the generic production, and the lyrics don’t bring anything fresh or exciting to the table.

Most of the tracks blend into one another, creating a repetitive and predictable listening. The album doesn’t ... read more

With Drip Season 2, Gunna just continues his sound of generic trap music he has become known for since his breakout in 2016. And unfortunately, it doesn’t bring much originality or excitement to the table. The album sounds incredibly repetitive, with most tracks sounding similar to each other and ending up in a forgettable mix of generic trap songs.

One of the main problems with this project is its lack of energy and creativity, making it feel lifeless and formulaic in the end. While ... read more

Evolve could’ve been a necessary new chapter for Imagine Dragons, but in reality, it just feels like another retread of what they've already done, and it’s still not good. Their signature stadium anthems are still in full force, but there's nothing here to make you think they've moved forward. It’s a lot of the same: big, bombastic, and corny choruses, loud drums, and hooks designed for radio play, but the formula has worn really really thin.

The production is ... read more

Heartbreak on a Full Moon is a massive album, clocking in at over 40 tracks, but the sheer length ends up working against it. While there are a few decent songs like Privacy, the ridiculous amount of tracks only makes the album feel insanely bloated and overwhelming (while ironically also very underwhelming in terms of quality). It’s as if Chris Brown thought quantity would make up for the lack of quality, but in reality, it leads to a lot of forgettable moments.

With so many tracks, ... read more

Although I didn’t really have high expectations, Teenage Emotions by Lil Yachty is still a pretty disappointing project that simply fails to engage you. It’s a very generic trap album that feels completely uninspired and lifeless from start to finish. The production is quite generic, the flows predictable, and there’s just very little here that stands out compared to other trap albums.

Most annoying part is that Yachty doesn’t bring much exciting to the table at all, ... read more

Sampha’s debut album, Process, is nothing short of a masterpiece. Seriously, this record hits deep. Sampha, with his signature soothing, soulful voice, created something that feels both incredibly personal and universally relatable. Process is a beautiful journey through grief, love, loss, and self-discovery, all delivered by his vulnerable, emotional, and soothing vocals accompanied by delicate production.

The album kicks off with Plastic 100°C, and right from the start, you know ... read more

Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. stands as one of the most-defining albums of recent hip hop, solidifying his place not just in the hip hop scene, but also in the mainstream. Following the critical success of To Pimp A Butterfly, an album rightfully praised as one of the greatest albums of all time, DAMN. sees Kendrick taking a shift in approach, with Kendrick embracing a more accessible sound without compromising his artistry. The result is an album that became both a mainstream success and a ... read more

At this point, it’s almost expected that Tyler, The Creator will deliver something outstanding with every release, but CHROMAKOPIA still manages to surprise. Tyler has built a reputation as an artist who doesn’t just drop albums—he crafts entire worlds around them. His ability to create a fully immersive experience, where the music, visuals, and overall aesthetic all come together seamlessly, is unmatched. CHROMAKOPIA is no different from his previous projects. From start to ... read more

The Hardstone Psycho deluxe edition adds four new tracks to an already strong album, and honestly, they all fit seamlessly into the original tracklist. None of them feel like throwaways or unnecessary additions, which is often the risk with deluxe versions. Instead, they reinforce the album’s vibe and expand on its sound without disrupting the flow.

While these extra tracks don’t necessarily reinvent Hardstone Psycho, they do enhance the experience, giving fans a little more of ... read more

After a strong and deeply personal debut, Willem finally returns six years later with Spuug Van God. While his sharp, introspective songwriting is still very much present, the album doesn’t quite feel like a clear step forward. Instead, it lands somewhere sideways—not a disappointment, but not exactly a revelation either.

Lyrically, Willem remains as compelling as ever. His ability to craft thoughtful, poetic, and emotionally raw verses gives the album plenty of weight. But where ... read more

A Love Letter To You 3 is one of Trippie Redd’s most consistent and refined projects to date, further solidifying his place in the trap/emo-rap scene. The third instalment in the ALLTY series balances high-energy bangers with introspective lyricism, making for a dynamic listen that plays to Trippie’s strengths.

From the start, Topanga sets the tone with its gospel-like production and hypnotic melody, making it one of the project’s standout tracks and also one of my favourite ... read more

Following the somewhat inconsistent The Human Condition, Jon Bellion returned with Glory Sound Prep. On this album, he continues on his signature Pixar -esque sound but refines it with tighter production and more deliberate songwriting.

Tracks like Conversations With My Wife, Stupid Deep, and Blu stand out, blending introspective lyricism with cinematic production in a way that feels as grand as it feels personal. Bellion’s ear for catchy melodies while also adding meaning to them ... read more

Brent Faiyaz’s Lost Souls is a fine EP that further solidifies his place in the R&B scene. Across the project, Brent’s vocals float as smooth as usual over the minimalist and laid-back production, allowing his introspective storytelling to take centre stage.

Lyrically, Lost Souls is personal and reflective, with Brent talking about usual themes of love, trust issues, and the struggles that come with success. The main highlight on the album for me is Trust, which stands out for ... read more

Jay Rock’s Redemption is a really solid album, especially considering everything he’s been through. After that crazy motorcycle accident, it’s clear that themes of survival and growth are at the heart of the record, but it’s still very much accessible for anyone just looking for a good listen. There’s a nice mix of street rap with some more radio-friendly vibes that work well together.

WIN and King’s Dead are some of the standout tracks, with that energy ... read more