4X4 had the potential as a hype track, but is ruined by its mixing. Sounds as if it's being played 50 feet underwater. Unfortunately, also nothing new or fresh from Travis.
Edit: mixing seems fixed, already sounding way better. 58 -> 70
Edit II: okay song is hard though. 70 -> 75
Louder, Please is a fun debut that taps into 2010s EDM and dance-pop vibes. It’s upbeat and playful, but it doesn’t really bring anything fresh to the table. There are a few standout moments, but overall, the album fails to keep momentum all the way through. That said, it’s still a solid start for Rose Gray, and she definitely has the potential to create something exciting in the future.
I'm so glad with how the Mac Miller Estate handles his legacy. Balloonerism is absolutely beautiful - simply Mac at his best. It’s emotional, raw, and truly amazing. You can really feel Mac made this album with so much care. I’m so grateful it’s finally been officially released; it’s a powerful reminder of how special Mac was and how much his art continues to mean.
Edit: Still in awe about Funny Papers. How could one make a song so beautiful and touching. What a ... read more
With House of Balloons, The Weeknd introduced himself as a great pioneer, reshaping the boundaries of R&B. Its raw, emotional lyrics paired with eerie, atmospheric production and his angelic voice make it innovative, fresh, and groundbreaking. It still blows my mind that The Weeknd dropped this at just 20-21 years old. The emotional depth, the raw honesty, the sonic world he created, it’s unreal. Easily one of the best mixtapes/projects of all time.
Coming out at a time when R&B ... read more
Good News is literally one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. I still remember how hard it hit when it dropped, and it’s still hitting just as hard 5 years later.
Intense, graphic, sexy, euphoric.
Provocative, edgy, thought-provoking.
Technically and visually stunning.
Dawn FM is undeniably one of The Weeknd’s most ambitious projects, a full sonic experience that further solidifies his ability to evolve through new territories while staying true to his signature style. With this album, Abel continues on that electronic, synth-driven 80s sound he began exploring with After Hours and pushes it to a new peak. Every song is packed with intricate ... read more
There’s only one word to describe Animals, and that’s: brilliant. The album is just pure brilliance. With Animals, Pink Floyd reached a new creative peak, delivering one of the most compelling, convincing, and groundbreaking concept albums in music history. On Animals, the band takes aim at society with sharp, satirical critiques, using animals as metaphors for different social classes (similar to what George Orwell did with Animal Farm). Written primarily by Roger Waters, Animals ... read more
Who Let The Dogs Out is a chaotic mess, musically all over the place with no clear direction. Critics seem to think it’s edgy, but it’s just noise. The lyrics are weak, offering nothing beyond surface-level attempts at rebellion. It’s loud for the sake of being loud, with no real substance behind it. What’s worse is how critics keep pushing this as some kind of generational statement. It’s like they’re more interested in being on trend than actually calling ... read more
Tape feels like a whole lot of nothing. Few tracks are okay, but the rest falls into a sea of mediocrity. Just background noise at best.
After Flower Boy proved Tyler, The Creator could evolve and push his artistry forward, IGOR took things to an entirely new level. This album is bold, unexpected, and yet, in hindsight, feels like the only logical next step in his artistic journey. With IGOR, Tyler created another fully realised experience, with Tyler committing to reinvention in a way that few artists dare to. Again, he completely immerses himself in this new sound, this new persona, and crafts something that feels cinematic, ... read more
Released in 2018, Swimming is one of Mac Miller’s most honest and emotionally rich albums. With Swimming, Mac takes you inside of his head at a pivotal moment in his life. The album is reflective, immersive, and perfectly blends jazz, funk, R&B, and hip-hop into something that feels warm, cohesive and emotional, it’s like a late-night conversation with yourself.
From the very start, Come Back to Earth sets the tone. It’s melancholic but not completely hopeless, with Mac ... read more
Still in awe about that second beat.
Alchemist did!
Boldy James and The Alchemist absolutely nailed it, The Price of Tea in China is amazing. The gritty production hits hard, setting the perfect backdrop for Boldy’s smooth yet impactful flow. Lyrics are on another level, with storytelling that captures life’s harsh realities. Boldy is definitely one of the hottest rappers in the game right now, and this album proves it. A perfect mix of sharp bars and great production—one of 2020's best releases.
Just doesn’t hit the same way his other projects do. The production and flows feels kinda lifeless, missing any energy. There’s some weird mixing on quite some tracks too, making most songs feel off. The whole thing ends up feeling flat, like it’s not coming together at all. Not terrible per se but definitely not his best work.
When After Hours dropped right at the start of the pandemic, it was more than just a new album – it was a generational culture-shifting moment. The Weeknd was already one of the world’s most popular artists, but this project took him to a whole new level. With After Hours, The Weeknd created this entire cinematic universe, where the lines between music, film, and performance art completely blurred. The mix of 80s-inspired synthwave and his signature dark R&B made for an album ... read more
A very welcome step up compared to "Nadie sabe...". Benito blends more of Puerto Rican culture into this record, blending traditional elements with fresh production. The result is a true celebration of his roots that stands out as a cohesive and solid project, and his most innovative project to date.
One of the strongest drops of 2024, BLUE LIPS by ScHoolboy Q is a standout project that strengthens ScHoolboy's position as one of the best rappers in the game currently. The lyricism is sharp and introspective, hitting on every track, while the production masterfully balances grit and polish. Impressive effort from start to finish.
Unfortunately, compared to 2093, LYFESTYLE falls a bit flat for me. There's too many tracks that sound somewhat uninspired, like Yeat's just going through the motions, making the album not always that engaging all across. There's a couple of standouts moments, such as Orchestrate, but most of the album comes off as too forgettable to me.
Tyla's debut album is a fine introduction to her as an artist, showcasing her potential. It kicks off strong with a handful of tracks that immediately grab your attention. However, towards the end, the energy dips, with some weaker cuts in the mixt. That makes that the latter half of the album feels less engaging, coming off a bit bland and repetitive. While it’s a decent effort overall, a stronger finish could have made it more memorable.
Magic is peak modern-era Nas and easily my favourite from the Nas x Hit-Boy trilogy. This album works best when played start to finish with each track flowing so smoothly into the next, feeling like a cohesive whole. Nas is as hungry as ever, with top-tier lyricism that hits just right. Hit-Boy’s production is incredible too, blending a more modern sound with classic grit. Together, they’ve created something timeless that shows their chemistry is unmatched. Magic is sharp, cohesive, ... read more