For those seeking for a dreamy alt-rock/shoegaze project, 日のあたる場所にきてよ brings all of that to the table with soothing riffs, soft-spoken vocals and a mellow atmosphere; though some ideas have me personally feeling there's a bit more to be desired.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Heya, 9
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Rebirth

Brutal, relentless, and wild. Those three words perfectly describe Frontierer as a band, and it's no different with Oxidized. It's also the best the group has ever sounded with improved production and much more dynamic song structures. It's a must listen for the mathcore junkie, but also not for the faint of heart with new listeners.

FAVORITE TRACKS: / Hope, Corrosive Wash, Motherboard, Glacial Plasma, Removal of the Copper Iris and the Lightning Pill, Heirloom, Daydark, The Damage and The ... read more

This is my first time diving into a Wage War project, and honestly not bad. The project has a really strong start in the first three tracks with lots of fun riffs, transitions, and meaty breakdowns. Going into the latter half, they begin to mix in some cleans which is where I feel there needs some polishing. Otherwise a decent project that metalcore fans should definitely give a try.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Maniac, Relapse, Teeth
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Never Said Goodbye

After being thoroughly impressed with I Disagree and now the NXT EP, there was no way I was gonna miss out on this project. Poppy explores a variety of ideas in the alternative genres, putting out some very enjoyable cuts but only a few really stuck out to me.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Never Find My Place, As Strange As It Seems, Her
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Bloom

I'm surprised I've not heard of this group before, but the general feedback is that this is arguably one of their best works in their discography. Firstly, I really love how this EP is one cohesive piece, with the EP name being spread out among the song titles and just how well they flow into each other.

The Sun Sleeps is very much the metalcore centerpiece of this EP, with bombastic buzzing guitars an infectious riff after the chorus I can't get out of my head. My favorite has to be As If It ... read more

Regarding highlights, Hypnosis had great build-up to its crushing finish, Alkaline is beautifully composed, and some other tracks were pretty decent. That being said, the rest of the track list is an absolute drag and the pay-offs from the drawn out intros is rather disappointing. Probably one of the most inconsistent releases I've heard all year.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Hypnosis, Alkaline
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Descending

Pretty decent production for otherwise undercooked ideas.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Let's Ride
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Desiree

The band that made me realize "swancore" was even a term. I first heard a track from this band back in high school that thought had a really unique sound with its technical and progressive yet elegant sound. Hearing about this band again, I decided to take a peek at the singles and see more of what the band had to offer.

I'll admit, I wasn't too impressed by the singles at first. However, now having listened to the album in full, the tracks I've already heard have grown on me and the ... read more

This is Injury Reserve like we've absolutely never heard them before, with a sound that's so hard to comprehend yet it makes so much sense. I cannot think of any other hip-hop release that sounds like this. I'm sure Groggs is extremely proud.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Superman That, Postpostpartum, Footwork in a Forest Fire, Knees, SS San Francisco, Top Picks For You, Ground Zero, Smoke Don't Clear, Wild Wild West, Outside
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Bye Storm (if I REALLY had to choose)

Arguably the most anticipated metal release of this year, and damn did it live up to the hype.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Yellowjacket, Halcyon, Sun Killer, Constance, Silk In The Strings, Eternal Blue, Hurt You, Secret Garden, Holy Roller, We Live In A Strange World, Circle With Me
LEAST FAVORITE: The Summit (still great though)

My first time listening to a project from this artist. It certainly won't be my last.

FAVORITE TRACKS: ALL
LEAST FAVORITE: nope

Apart from a few tracks, I'm genuinely blown away by this??? Kingslayer might be banger of the year.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Kingslayer, Dear Diary, Teardrops, Parasite Eve
LEAST FAVORITE: Ludens

After the underwhelming release of their previous album Gore, Ohms represents another step forward in the band's sound evolution by taking small risks and still sticking to their core sound. This certainly isn't their heaviest album by any means, but in my opinion it is their most cohesive and consistent album to date.

Going to be entirely honest. Might be one of my favorites in the discography.

Side note: Damn, Chino's still got it nearing 50 years old. His vocals are still as haunting and ... read more

JESUS IS KING is an album that really failed to live up to its high expectations. Cheesy, sometimes cringy lyricism and barebones production make it seem like the project was rushed and unfinished.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Use This Gospel, Follow God
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: On God

There Existed an Addiction to Blood's unsettling atmosphere is bundled together with the group's oozing creativity, as well as Daveed Diggs' smooth flow and unique story telling.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Blood of the Fang, Run for Your Life, La Mala Ordina, Club Down, He Dead, All in Your Head
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Story 7

Easily one of my favorite clipping. songs of all time. Dayum son.

I never thought Titanic Rising would be rivaled for my AOTY but here we are. Angel Olsen on this new album manages to maintain a consistent and elegant style throughout the album while making each track an entirely different experience, and each one is just as memorable and sensational as the others.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Chance, All Mirrors, Impasse, New Love Cassette, Endgame, Too Easy, Spring, Lark, Tonight, Summer
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: What It Is

The production quality of previous Danny Brown albums is consistently present throughout the record, but more basic songwriting and flatter tone from Danny himself makes it slightly more difficult to not zone out once or twice during the play-through.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Negro Spiritual, Dirty Laundry, Best Life, Savage Nomad
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Combat

I'm usually not a big fan of this music, but there's a handful of tracks on here that really shined potential for me, while others had so many grating ideas crammed into them that it left the tracks as whole an uncomfortable mess.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Silver Cross, 1999, 2099
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Click

Chelsea Wolfe takes a much more stripped-back and acoustic approach on this new project, and in a few places feels too empty to compliment the chilling and intense atmosphere she's known for bringing to many previous projects.

FAVORITE TRACKS: Deranged for Rock & Roll, Little Grave, American Darkness
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: When Anger Turns To Honey