Look, it may be quite derivative, but it's also a debut album! I don't think having completely established sound is that important when they're so early on in their career. Obviously, it would be dumb if they were unoriginal and boring, but that isn't the case here. I think they got the most important thing that a group like this needs, and it's that they know how to make a catchy ass song. There's a decent amount here too! I do think it starts to lose steam a bit ... read more

"Just give me something I can believe"

Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea ponders whether love is truly enough to stabilize you in times of insecurity, and if it can even exist in a world that prioritizes your efficacy as a worker. PJ Harvey returns to her classic alt-rock sound to create a bustling soundscape representative of the dichotomy of business and pleasure. While it's not bursting with joy, there's a feeling of hope that runs through this album that you ... read more

Is This Desire? sees PJ Harvey taking a more muted and subdued approach at times, contrasted the frenzied moments of alt rock that she has become known for. It definitely scratches a different itch than everything she has released thus far. This album, sonically, is a departure from what she's typically done, even with the more familiar tracks interspersed. While the quality may vary and I feel like it's overall less consistent than an album like To Bring You My Love, I'll ... read more

If I were to describe the sound of To Bring You My Love in one word, it would be crisp. I wouldn't quite call it a reinvention, as I think the visceral and dirty sound PJ Harvey harnessed on her previous work is still at the core of this album. However, it does feel much more polished (to an extent) and sonically expansive version of her past sounds.

Thematically, this album seems to be about the futility of looking for love and the inherent codependency of feminine love in a patriarchy. ... read more

The raw, angsty energy of Rid of Me is incredibly enamoring and a lot more dynamic than her previous outing. The core essence of this album seems to be shining light on the sides of women that are frequently disparaged by society. The moment the title and opening track of the album explodes into an anthemic and transgressive moment of rage, you know you're in for a ride.

I think this album really does a great job at capitalizing off of that potential that shone so bright on Dry. Vocally, ... read more

PJ Harvey shows a lot of potential on her first LP, but it's just a little too rough around the edges at some points.

The amateurish feel of Dry is very much a part of the appeal of this album. I can't even really imagine tracks like 'O Stella' or 'Sheela-Na-Gig' remastered... I feel it would ruin the spirit of them. They have an almost live music vibe to them, like I could totally imagine hearing a lot of these songs at some kind of open-mic night in a bar. ... read more

This album doesn't really demand your attention, it doesn't even really feel like it's asking for it.

Harry is constantly working against himself with his monotonous delivery of almost every song on this album. He wears his inspirations on his sleeve while simultaneously demonstrating that he doesn't really understand what makes their music so good. The production is really this album's saving grace as it's the only thing that gives it a pulse, I actually quite ... read more

On 'locket', Madison Beer is still taking her sweet time finding her own sound. She gets you excited with the dancy electropop infused 'yes baby' before she just cuts straight to the boring, derivative alt-pop. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised, because that's what Madison Beer is best at. She'll release great song every now and then that makes you think "hey... maybe she's finally got herself figured out" then just go back to the same old. ... read more

Wow... this album is just an incredible depiction of grief. It really encapsulates the almost... guilty part of grief? As in sort of being forced to move on from such a traumatic event because the world stops for nobody and battling this part of you that is trying to look forward to the future vs trying to grapple with your own feelings and not feeling like you're just leaving someone in the past. The glitchy production on here really just enhances the suffocating and complex emotions this ... read more

It's nice in the background, but there's nothing really grabbing that keeps your attention. Obviously I get that it's an instrumental album, but I honestly feel like something of these songs are just like... pop songs without vocals.

At times, this album is a really pleasant listening experience. Other times, it's kind of unbearable. This challenged me as a listener... unfortunately it was not one I could overcome. But, hey, maybe it'll grow on me with time. Who knows.

FAVES: 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six // In the Neighborhood // Swordfishtrombones

Such an iconic album. This influence of this album really extends outside the alt rock sphere, especially with its songwriting. Alanis Morissette really goes for the jugular with her lyricism and the almost campy way she writes about making men accountable has definitely influenced modern pop music.

FAVES: You Oughta Know // You Learn // Ironic
LEAST FAVE: Perfect

This album has an incredible soundscape that captures you for its entire runtime. It has this synthpop sound with a gothic flare that makes every track on this album intriguing at the very least, even if some do feel like they take a bit of a detour.

FAVES: Never Let Me Down Again // Behind the Wheel // Nothing
LEAST FAVE: Little 15

A lot of very nice piano led singer-songwriter stuff on here with some really pretty strings every now and then. The best songs on this album lean into that more. Nothing really stood out in particular though, a relisten may be in order though.

Very solid collection of rock songs. Songwriting isn't necessarily standout, but these guys add a lot of personality to these songs which I think really makes the album.

I don't want to just call this a snooze fest because I think albums require more nuance than being called boring... however

As someone who listens to music, I can indeed confirm this is rock.

FAVES: Welcome to the Jungle // Nightrain // Think About You // Sweet Child O' Mine
LEAST FAVE: Paradise City

Good riffs, great riffs even. Unfortunately, he spends entirely too much time (more than 0 seconds) singing about how he's in love with 16 year olds and how youthful and pure his girlfriends are.

FAVES: Lust for Life // The Passenger // Tonight
LEAST FAVES: Sixteen // Turn Blue

The Divine Feminine is a big step-up from Mac Miller's previous album as well as his best thus far.

Mac Miller hasn't had the most consistent discography. It seems like the past 3 albums have gone back and forth between having a more bombastic/upbeat sound and more melancholic/intimate sound. I much prefer the more intimate sounding stuff. Lucky for me, this album is exactly that. Not only that, but it's by far Mac's most concise and coherent album.

It feels like he ... read more

GO:OD AM is a disappointing follow-up to what felt like Mac Millers artistic actualization.

Mac essentially just goes back to what he was doing on his first LP and, at this point, it's rather tiring, and with a longer runtime, feels incredibly bloated. I'll give him credit where it's due, the inclusion jazz elements on a lot of these tracks is nice, but it can't really save the core issue of this album.

I'm not saying Mac can't make hype or upbeat music ... read more