Viagra Boys are back with another album that's as silly as it is incredible. Their signature art punk and dance punk riffs, paired with sharp instrumentation, once again collide with lyrics and vocals that range from laugh-out-loud funny to downright surreal. The production has also stepped up a notch, in my opinion—it's remarkably clean while still retaining a raw edge.

Overall, it's a confident and chaotic ride, proving once again that Viagra Boys know exactly how to ... read more

I feel bad that it’s taken me so long to listen to and review this absolute masterpiece. 'how i'm feeling now" hits so hard—phenomenal production, razor-sharp songwriting, pure emotion.

Kind of gives me vibes of Cameron Picton joining an indie rock band.
The guitar riffs are artsy—some are even a bit catchy, with hints of ’90s indie rock. It’s undeniably a Speedy Wunderground release, and Dan Carey’s excellent production really brings everything together.

"Y" is a little unfocused, with the band trying a little of everything to see what sticks. Some of it works, some of it doesn't. My personal favourite is "Lady's Who" which feels a little bit like if Courtney Love joined a Windmill scene band.

Just when you think you've seen everything the Windmill scene has to offer, Fat Dog smashes you in the face with this absolute banger of an album. It bops like hell—catchy, visceral, punky, and absolutely bloody epic.

You’d be forgiven for thinking Touchdown Jesus were formed amid the Windmill Scene in South-East England. Yet, while the Cincinnati collective is thousands of miles from where this mix of avant-prog and art rock thrives, they’re doing an incredible job creating it. Their second EP elevates every aspect of their debut, only deepening my excitement for what they might deliver next.

Her lyrics hit deep, the interludes are beautiful, and the production is stunning. A journey that everyone that even slightly enjoys hip-hop needs to take.

Messy, raw, but at the end of the day, alright.

When an album still feels incredibly modern seven and a half years later, you know it's special—and that's exactly what "Pop 2" is. The music is brilliant, Charli's vocals are impeccable, the features are (mostly) great, and it's produced to near perfection by PC Music. Fucking killer mixtape.

Many consider this Stevie Wonder's first standout album. While I can't say this definitively, as I haven't heard much of his earlier work, I can certainly jump aboard the train and say that this is superb. His vocals are outstanding, his musicianship—especially on the keys—is incredible, and the lyrical content is powerful, particularly in the final track, "Evil". It's a fantastic start to the incredible run of albums he would continue to release from ... read more

"ランプ幻想" is a beautifully warm album that captures the essence of Western lounge-pop and reshapes it into a gorgeous Japanese jazz-pop experience. The instrumentation is delicate, and the vocals—both male and female—are utterly delightful.

It’s a heartwarming listen.

Wooo!

Their sound is much more laid-back compared to their earlier work, which I'm more familiar with. Some tracks almost have a hint of Muzak—not so much in quality, but in mood. Overall, it’s a very chill listen, with a few funkier sections scattered throughout. The only real letdown is "I Need a Bathroom"—not just because it’s an odd choice for a song topic, but also because it feels a little uninspired.

Pretty great, and a fun time. Stu's vocals are too quiet

Absolutely mind-blowing. I’ve intended to listen to Casiopea since I first heard them three or four years ago, but the stars never aligned. Well, it was worth the wait. Every member is on top form—the bass is funky, the keys are jazzy, the guitars are frenetic, the drums are tight, and the brass and sax sound incredible. What a vibe.

Heart's debut album is not one to be underestimated. It's an incredibly mature, high-quality blend of pop rock and hard rock that lands brilliantly. The softer songs are wonderfully relaxing and almost reminiscent of artists like Harry Nilsson. Then, just when you're settled, you're booted up the arse by Zeppelin-tinged hard rock—absolutely exhilarating. What an adventure.

It may not be the most groundbreaking release, but Scowl's sophomore release is varied, impactful, and engaging. I love how the album jumps between flavours of melodic hardcore, alternative rock and pop punk. There are a couple of songs here that I could have done without but this is still a great album.

What an album! Justice's 2007 debut is a superb electro-house experience, with every track seamlessly flowing into the next. It's catchy, groovy, and, above all else, fun.

"From The Fires" is undoubtedly one of the most controversial albums on AOTY, but I’m going to be quite boring with my review: I like it. Yes, it is derivative, but for the most part, the tracks are solid, with a few that stand out as exceptional—namely "Safari Song," "Highway Tune," and "Black Smoke Rising." Coincidentally, these also feel like the tracks where the band sounded most like themselves.

While it may not reinvent the wheel, ... read more

A fantastic mix of ambient EDM and full-on dubstep. It can shift from having your eyes closed, bobbing your head from side to side, to moshing like a lunatic in the blink of an eye.