"Dirt" is an almost perfect example on how you produce a heavy rock album to an extremely high quality without it sounding overly-polished or artificial. The whole album is dark and melancholic with brooding guitar parts and soaring vocals, backed by a strong rhythm section. All of this is complimented by superb mixing and track sequencing that keeps this ~1 hour album feeling fresh and always offering something new.

There's a very high chance that you've already heard a ... read more

Some of the tracks here stand very well on their own, some really don't. Still, it was an interesting listen and it's nice to see A.G. Cook getting into scoring, especially when you're as talented as he is.

Contrary to what seems to be the most common opinion of this album, Softcult's debut album really flourishes when it mixes elements of alternative rock and riot grrrl with their otherwise run-of-the-mill, spaced-out shoegaze, because, to me, that's what makes them stand out.
That doesn't make their more "standard" tracks that bookend this project bad, it's the elements where they really let their emotions go and just fucking rock that stuck with me.

Cool psychedelic rock with splashes of southeast Asian influence, both instrumentally and compositionally. It's a great album for dancing and daydreaming.

This album is so difficult to to rate. The music is beautiful, both in its instrumentals and vocals, the album flows really well, and just overall, the production is excellent.

But... I spent the entire album thinking about how much this sounded like Phoebe Bridgers. You'd be hard pressed to find a single moment here that feels unique to Searows.

So that begs the question: what do you rate an album that does a really good impression of another artist?

And thus began one of the greatest album runs of all time.

With Mars' first solo album in nearly a decade right around the corner, I thought it was time to revisit 24K Magic – an album that I haven't listened to in full since Silk Sonic dropped. And it was fun to revisit a short, but quality nostalgia trip to the R&B and synth funk sounds of the 1980s and 1990s. The production is quality, performances are top-notch, but I do think there are a few tracks here and there that feel a little derrivative rather than standing on their own ... read more

2021 had a lot of amazing releases, but for me, this was one of the most *fun* albums. It didn't take itself to seriously and paid homage to the soul and funk sound of the 1970s in a way that was more than just a tribute, it was great in its own right and genuinely stands amongst those the classic of soul and funk.

Man, I'm so conflicted on this album. You'll go from some of Poppy's heaviest material to date and it's well-written and actually sounds pretty good, if a little clean for my liking.
But then a couple tracks later, you're presented with this bland, incredibly over-produced pop-metalcore that sounds ass and isn't even saved by particularly interesting songwriting.
So I suppose it's ironic that the *Poppy* parts of the album are the weakest.

Whilst "Bleu" can be a little bit up and down in terms of quality – with a fair chunk of songs sounding quite samey – the highs are definitely worth sticking around for because they are catchy, fun, and incredibly well-produced.

It can feel almost impossible to differentiate yourself from the magnitude of amazing alternative rock and indie rock bands that are flooding the underground rock scene in the UK, but Westside Cowboy seem to do this with ease on this short and sweet second EP. With a superb mix of indie rock, noise pop and power pop, they create songs that are as fun as they are creative. It's just a shame that it's over so soon, because I would happily listen to another 40 minutes of this!
I'll ... read more

"locket" is a mixed bag, mainly because it lacks creative direction. It sounds like everyone but doesn't sound like Madison Beer. It's afraid to pick a direction and go in it, so instead we get 11 songs that sound like different artists in the alt-pop scene, from Charli xcx to Billie Eilish. And some of these efforts do sound great, and some of them sound fine. And that's what's a bit annoying, "locket" is fine, but it could've been great.

Whilst not the most versatile album you'll hear in 2026, "I Am" is a very strong collection of Alternative R&B and Jazz Rap that's catchy, engaging, and enjoyable with some great vocal performances and fantastic production throughout, especially in the beats, which are fun, and retro-inspired whilst also sounding fresh.

Contrary to what the second track may get you to believe, "Heavy Jelly" proves that punk is still very much alive in the 2020s, with heavy riffs, and tongue-in-cheek lyricism that does a decent job of treading that fine line between funny and corny. Though there are a couple of fuller moments here and there, it's overall a short and fun listen and a good excuse to spend 30 minutes moshing.

Absolutely incredible progressive metal. Top-class production and superb musicianship from start to finish. I suppose you could say that this is the album where Tool really became Tool.
I think some of the interludes can draw the album out a little for no apparent reason, and that can be a little annoying when the core material is so good. Taking a break to listen to a German guy natter on about the eggs of satan can just feel a bit unnecessary.
Overall though, I won't let that relatively ... read more

Catchy, fun pop rock. The mixing is absolutely superb as well.

Goddamn, the metal core/hardcore scene in 2024 had banger after banger and this was no exception. Absolutely brutal, riffs and production with super dark and depressing lyricism.

📚🍂 Americana Tunes to Relax/Study to

Maybe not best enjoyed front and centre, but it definitely provides a great vibe to just relax into.

As someone who has had a passing curiosity about Queens of the Stone Age for quite some time, I find it a bit embarrassing that I have felt satisfied just listening to "Songs for the Deaf" on repeat for the past decade. Especially when an album this good sits in their discography. It has to stand as one of the best alternative rock albums of the 2010s. It is diverse in its sound, combining their classic stoner rock style with more art rock elements that keep the album feeling fresh ... read more

Nina’s fun and free flavour of EDM is just so damn nostalgic, but not in a way that makes her sound like she’s mimicking anyone. She’s taken a sound that tens of thousands of zillennials absolutely adored and really made it her own.