this album is like store-brand soda—technically music, but you won’t crave it. the record had piano ballads, disco, synths, dance, and just overall i would describe as bedroom pop. let's just say i was extremely underwhelmed with this project; i found most of the songs extremely boring. apart from 'ojos tristes', which is a stellar song, i really don't see much but generic bland pop. what the actual fuck was that moaning 'sunset blvd' pre-chorus and ... read more

i genuinely felt rich listening to this record. coming into the album, i only knew the first three songs, and i felt like i already had a clear vision of how the record would feel. this is a classic 2000s pop record. she mixes social commentary and cultural influences with luxurious production and catchy melodies. also im guessing theres a clear big culture vulture argument here, i hear different culture influences; black american, latin, egyptian, and most noticeably asian. i personally ... read more

my immediate reaction: this has been the best solo debut from the blackpink members. i hate making the comparison cuz it probably gets annoying for them, but i was underwhelmed with rose and lisa debuts, this was just very refreshing. this is a solid debut and i see a lot of room for more innovation and growth. she blends pop with hip hop, rnb, rap and acoustic. sometimes it did feel like the project went too many different directions, to the point where it lacked cohesiveness. the chorus ... read more

truly encapsulates mother monster! mayhem is a riveting sound landscape with dance at its core, but also slower powerful songs that still make sense within the record. it's infectious, catchy, and a beautiful rediscovery of gaga; although sounding similar to her early work, it still successfully stands on its own and shines brightly. 'disease' was a perfect blend of electronic clash, it deserved so much more success. the lyrics to 'perfect celebrity' were extremely ... read more

this was a mess with a few highlights. it doesn't make sense to have a supposed alter ego for your debut album, like you're just getting started girl... it felt like she was trying too hard to be quirky and alternative with no real substance, it got tiring. the beats of the songs themselves were not bad, but 80% of the lyrics were atrocious: they are extremely generic and so cringey that at times it felt like a 12 year old wrote them. 'elastigirl' made me physically cringe. ... read more

this is what hope sounds like: folk, nostalgic, peaceful sound. although at times it was undeniably basic, the record had its highs. noah kahan’s strong suit is definitely on his personal lyricism and poetic songwriting; the guitar was also fantastically used. he was telling stories through and through, and i was engaged, if only and probably for that one time on most songs. the record did feel like a breath of fresh air, imagined myself on a peaceful forest just reminiscing and ... read more

starting off the whole record with the lyric "all i have is my legacy" i loved, especially knowing this is his last album as the weeknd. the seamless transitions throughout the album had me gagged, i didn't even notice the songs changing. 'wake me up' felt haunting and sooo smooth: very michael jackson. 'open hearts' had me singing along almost immediately, so catchy and so good. 'enjoy the show' was depressing, holy shit: it was truly a beautiful ... read more

DtMF felt like a homecoming to puerto rico for benito; this is a fun record. i enjoyed him dipping into various genres, especially to represent the diversity of latin genres and specifically here, puerto rican. i also enjoyed that to make up for the monotonous low vocals and benito-isms. the first half really felt like the good and mediocre songs were interspersed, one good unique one and then one basic reggaeton beat. the latter part of the record felt much more personal and i enjoyed it most. ... read more

motomami is nothing short of an iconic moment in modern music, a bold statement of artistic vision that defies genre boundaries. blending reggaetón, flamenco, experimental pop, neoperreo, and more, she crafts a sonic universe that feels uniquely hers. she has songs that showcase her ability to innovate while staying rooted in her cultural identity, proving she's doing what no one else in the industry dares to attempt. her star power radiates throughout, commanding attention with ... read more

my first real introduction into k-pop, and i'm impressed—this is a refreshing mix of slick production and irresistible hooks. it’s the kind of album where the first few tracks immediately find a home on my gaming playlist. it's the perfect upbeat and vibey backdrop, easy to replay. that said, the latter half of the EP feels a bit weaker, with the last three tracks lacking the same punch as the opening bangers. despite that, the overall package is polished and creative, ... read more

few albums bleed emotion as raw and unfiltered as adele's 21. this record captures the vulnerability of heartbreak and self-discovery, weaving it into timeless melodies that hit you right in the soul. her expressive and soulful voice is particularly a highlight, for it is truly what makes this album. there is resilience, aching fragility, and every track feels like they are sung straight from the heart. this is peak Adele, where her unmatched vocal depth meets storytelling that lingers ... read more

intimate and personal, camila (album) is a good representation of camila as an artist. when this came out i remember loving some songs in here, and although i haven't listened much of it recently, there are still some good tracks here. there's a lot of ballads, midtempo beats, acoustic, and latin. it did feel mellow and vulnerable, and i did have fun listening through. her vocals are especially pretty, and although i don't really like the nasily tone, she sounded great. i do have ... read more

this is actually a decent pop record, at times cringey and predictable, but still decent. although the majority of the tracks are generic, there are some fun highlights: 'cruel summer' & 'lover'. taylor takes on a bubblegum, colorful aesthetic with some political concepts within the album and her public persona. i do like the messages she's transmitting. i saw one of the critic reviews say this: 'Lover is, fittingly, evolutionary rather than ... read more

holy shit this is campy! an enjoyable blend of electronic, rock, dance, alternative, and more. rina is exuding spirit through this record: with a confrontative and confident attitude, yet vulnerable and emotional. 'this hell' is such a fun concept and a certified pride bop. in a lot of the songs her vocals were reminiscent to lady gaga, especially on 'send my love to john'. overall, it was an exicting project and it kept me entertained. she is an explosive force, ... read more

might need a bit more time to fully understand and love this album, but as of first listens, it was good, but i didn't love it. lyrically and thematically, frank is deeply personal and vulnerable, sharing on his addictions, family, insecurities, doubts, and more. at times the record did feel chaotically mixed, especially on 'pretty sweet', but it worked: it shows his boldness. i didn't like this record as much as i thought i would, especially because of its high appraisal. ... read more

*only reviewing the deluxe tracks*

sza never really misses, and this sounds excellent. it's not as good and concise as the standard version of SOS, but it is a solid album, second album, deluxe, whatever it's just good music. i love when sza dives into different genres, and for me that's where the highlights are: 'BMF' and 'scorcese baby daddy'. these 15 new songs really do feel like an extension of SOS, which is why i understand why it's not a ... read more

why is it that that specific shade of orange perfectly encapsulates what this album sounds like? this is what expensive sounds like!! the production in this record is brassy, hazy, and bold: it felt weird, but in a good sense. lyrically, frank is open, vulnerable, and relatable. he does feel like a natural storyteller, with details specific to each story. his vocals are really good and the whole project is extremely cohesive. i might need to warm up a little more to the more experimental ... read more

i've heard some of the hit songs from blackpink, but never really got into them. listening to 'APT.' intrigued me on what rosé was doing, so i decided to tune in to this album. thematically, rosé is talking about a very toxic love and manipulative relationships. her vocals were pretty in 'number one girl', and made it up for the next track, '3am'. 'APT.' is just so fun, brash bubblegum. the lyrics in this record at times felt cringey ... read more

this was explosive, and a good word to describe it: lush! this project exudes sisterhood, unison, empowerment, with harmonies and beats that take you back to the 90s, 2000s sound. there's heavy inspiration from destiny's child, tlc, and the cheetah girls: it almost makes me hesitant to call FLO their own artist. at times i didn't feel like i was listening to a new band, rather just an imitation. access all areas was a good album, plus there are a lot of seamless transitions in ... read more

just a boy and his guitar. shawn is vulnerable, and the lyrics felt very personal. this project is folk, slow, and country twang: all acoustic. this project reminded me of classic beatles and john mayer. ‘heavy’ felt right out of a glee episode. ‘the mountain’ was beautifully written, encompassing the media’s perception of shawn over the past few years: his spiritual journey, the cult allegations, his private relationships picked apart, his sexuality. watching from ... read more