Gizzward

There's really nothing about this album that I don't find to be excellent. To me this is the best production The Alchemist has ever created over a full project, consistently presenting an eerie, woozy, and vivid atmosphere that transports me to some odd places. For some reason, this grimy and Afrocentric atmosphere reminds me a lot of the vibe in the game Dishonored 2, which is one of my favorite games. The performances are ultra-consistent, catchy, and endlessly re-playable for me, and to me, ... read more

This album is very eerie, and I think that's what leads to it's greatest moments and songs. The mix of shoegaze, drone, and trip-hop is pretty unique, and while I don't think anything about this record is really above and beyond the best in those genres, it is very consistent and its mood is also unmitigated. Empty Words and Black Light are the most memorable tracks in my opinion because they incorporate everything the record has in the most complete way, and the vocals are also top-notch on ... read more

I feel like the one word that can perfectly describe what Love Deluxe accomplishes is "Beauty". Sade Adu's voice is genuinely perfect and remains the focal point throughout all the sparse and varied instrumentation on the album. The lyrical themes include love, heartbreak, pain, and loss. These are universal in their relatability, and how Adu manages to capture the emotion through these lyrics and her voice allows the music to be timeless and resonate deeply with, in my opinion, any ... read more