Leon Thomas III makes a solid entrance into the R&B scene with Genesis, showcasing his vocal talent and songwriting skills. Best known from his Nickelodeon days (Backyardigans, Victorious) Thomas proves he’s far more than just a former child star. On Genesis, he shows that he’s a true artist with real potential.
Vocally, Leon Thomas is confident, gliding over the smooth production. His voice has a warm, soulful quality that fits well within modern R&B, reminiscent of ... read more
After a rough stretch of legal battles and time behind bars, Meek Mill came back with Championships—an album that balances high-energy anthems with moments of real introspection. Dropped in 2018, this project isn’t just another entry in his discography—it’s a statement about survival, success, and the lessons learned along the way, making it one of his strongest releases to date.
At 19 tracks, Championships is ambitious, maybe even a little too long, but Meek delivers ... read more
With only six tracks, On the Rvn is a brief but fresh showcase of Young Thug’s versatility. While it doesn’t necessarily redefine his artistry or push boundaries the way some of his other projects have, it still delivers a collection of solid tracks that highlight his unique ability to float between melodic, introspective, and high-energy trap sounds.
The EP kicks off with On the Run, featuring Offset, setting the tone with a dark and urgent atmosphere. Thug’s delivery is ... read more
Takeoff’s debut solo album, The Last Rocket, doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, but it’s easily one of the strongest solo efforts from the Migos trio. Instead of chasing trends or trying to reinvent the wheel, Takeoff sticks to what he does best—smooth flows over spacey, hard-hitting beats. It’s not the most groundbreaking or experimental project, but it’s a solid listen from start to finish.
The album opens with Martian, immediately setting the ... read more
Curated and executive-produced by Kendrick Lamar, the Black Panther soundtrack is a great companion piece that captures the spirit of the movie while standing strong as its own project. While most soundtracks simply serve as background music for a film, this one goes beyond that, bringing together some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B to create something special and also culturally relevant.
Kendrick’s curation is felt throughout the album, whether it’s through his own ... read more
Willem, who once dominated the scene with The Opposites’ high-energy bangers, did a complete 180 with Man In Nood. This album strips everything back—no high-energy party anthems —just raw, honest storytelling. It’s an emotional deep dive into self-reflection, struggles, and figuring out what’s next.
One of the standouts on this album is Houten Pak. It’s heavy, confronting, and packed with emotion as Willem lays out his fears, regrets, and the weight of his ... read more
21 Savage really took himself to another level with i am > i was, proving he’s more than just a rapper known for cold-blooded bars and menacing delivery. On this album, he sounds refined, confident, and fully in control, delivering some of the most introspective and hard-hitting tracks of his career. It’s a testament to his growth both as an artist and as a person, balancing street-rap with moments of vulnerability.
From the very start, a lot featuring J. Cole sets the tone with ... read more
After the somewhat forgettable Carl and the Passions, The Beach Boys made a great comeback with Holland. It’s an album that feels like an adventure—both in sound and in the way it came together. By the early ‘70s, the band was in a weird spot. Brian Wilson had stepped back even more, and the rest of them were trying to figure out where to go next without completely losing what made them The Beach Boys in the first place. So, in what was probably one of their stranger career ... read more
After the artistic highs of Surf’s Up, Carl and the Passions sees The Beach Boys in a transitional phase. Released in 1972, the album is a bit of a departure from what fans were used to. With Bruce Johnston gone and the addition of Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar, the sound shifts—it’s still The Beach Boys, but it’s different. It’s like they were trying to reinvent themselves, but it’s not always clear what direction they’re heading in.
The title ... read more
LIFE’S A TRIP is a solid album from Trippie Redd, showcasing yet again his ear for catchy melodies, melodic emo rap/trap performances, and his versatility in sound. While it doesn't really bring much new to the table, it's still an enjoyable listen filled with catchy hooks and bangers, such as Taking a Walk, Wish, and Dark Knight Dummo that highlight Trippie at his best. These tracks show the energy and introspection we'd come to love from Trippie.
However, the album does ... read more
BEASTMODE 2 is Future sticking to his formula—a raw, melodic trap sound with Zaytoven’s signature piano-driven production. While it has its moments, it ultimately feels more like a safe retread than an essential entry in his discography.
The biggest issue with BEASTMODE 2 is its predictability. Future delivers the same autotuned crooning and flex-heavy lyrics we’ve heard countless times before, without much variation or innovation. While RACKS BLUE and RED LIGHT have a nice, ... read more
Swaecation is definitely not gonna blow anyone's mind, but it’s exactly what I wanted from Swae Lee. It’s not reinventing anything, but it’s a super chill listen. If you’re in the mood for something smooth, vibey, and laid-back, this album has you covered.
Tracks like Touchscreen Navigation really show what Swae does best, floating over dreamy beats and just making it sound effortless. Then there’s Offshore with Young Thug, which, to me, is one of the best ... read more
The Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack is pretty much the right soundtrack for the film. It has that fresh, youthful vibe that fits with Miles Morales' persona. While it doesn't try to reinvent things or bring anything innovative, it really nails the vibe of the movie. There’s a solid mix of hip-hop and R&B influences throughout, which reflects the feel of the film.
Obviously, Sunflower by Post Malone and Swae Lee is the big highlight here. I mean, that song just ... read more
As a signee of The Weeknd’s XO label, Black Atlass had the perfect platform to create a sleek and moody R&B project, and Pain & Pleasure delivers on that aesthetic. The album leans heavily into the shadowy, atmospheric soundscape that has defined much of modern alternative R&B. Black Atlass has a nice voice that gives the project a sense of identity, and his falsetto adds a seductive edge to the album’s more intimate moments.
The production is polished, sticking closely ... read more
After the disappointment of MANSION MUSIK, Trippie Redd tries to get back to what made him stand out with the fifth installment of the A Love Letter To You series. And while it's definitely an improvement over his last project, it still doesn’t quite capture the magic of the earlier ALLTY albums. It feels like Trippie is trying to reignite that emotional, melodic spark we know him for, but the results are a bit all over the place.
There are definitely some standout tracks here. ... read more
With Rocket Power, Quavo really shows he’s grown—not just as an artist, but as a person too. This album feels a lot more focused and personal than his first solo effort. After the Only Built for Infinity Links tape with Takeoff, this one hits differently. It’s like he’s using this project to reflect, but also to pay tribute to his late nephew and Migos brother. And honestly, that’s where Rocket Power shines the most—when Quavo’s getting real about his ... read more
Having already enjoyed the original eternal sunshine—which was a clear step up from Positions—I was excited to hear what Ariana had in store for the deluxe edition. And honestly? She delivered. Instead of throwing in a handful of unfinished leftovers just for the sake of a deluxe release, she added five brand-new tracks (plus an extended version of the intro), all of which feel fully realised and meaningful. These aren’t low-effort deluxe tracks—they actually add depth ... read more
After three years, NAV is back with a new album. As expected, he still sounds as robotic and monotonous as ever, but surprisingly, this project isn’t as bad as you might expect. In fact, compared to some of his past releases, this one shows some noticeable improvements. NAV leans more into melody and emotion here, which actually works in his favour. While he has always incorporated a melodic style into his music, this time, it feels more intentional, with songs like SINKING, YOU, U.N.I., ... read more
When Kanye West and Kid Cudi announced they were teaming up for a full-length collaborative project, expectations were sky-high. The two had a long history of working together, dating back to 808s & Heartbreak and Man on the Moon, but a full album was something fans had been craving for years. KIDS SEE GHOSTS not only met those expectations but exceeded them, delivering a project that ranks among the best work either artist has put out.
As part of Kanye’s 2018 run of seven-track ... read more
After the success of Starboy, The Weeknd initially set out to make another upbeat, pop-leaning project. However, his highly publicised breakup with Selena Gomez changed everything. Instead of continuing down the same lane, he scrapped his original work and channelled his heartbreak into My Dear Melancholy,—a six-track EP that marks a return to his darker, moodier R&B roots.
Right from the opening track, Call Out My Name, it’s clear that this project is deeply personal. The song ... read more