There is a staggering disparity of quality between the singles and non-singles. The latter frequently devolve into pseudo-acoustic moments that awkwardly aim for stripped-down folk authenticity through muted electric guitars, a weakness reminiscent of his previous album.

Squid’s third album blends arty art rock with increasingly obvious trademarks of indie: grating vocals and melodies that feel deliberately jarring and non-repetitive (read: unpleasant.) These quirks have existed since their debut, but were previously balanced by their off-kilter grooves and the singer’s oddball charisma.

Her crystalline microcosm is undermined by the latter half's increasingly tacky Euro-dance beats and a halting, breathy flow reminiscent of '20s Nordic rap.

Abel Tesfaye's 22-track synth monument buries his House of Balloons grit under post-Blinding Lights pop machinery. His vocals, polished to icy precision, glow synthetic yet curiously bloodless, as is the case with much of his 2020s output. The synthpop-trap soul hybrids in latter tracks become soggy with self-pity, and by the 15th mention of "legacy" or "fame," fatigue outweighs empathy. At 84 minutes, this character funeral feels like a meticulously staged exit, just ... read more

Love the watery synths of "Leprosy" and the rapid-fire Philly club rap rhythms paired with a two-syllable
cadence on "4L."

On LOWER, Benjamin Booker joins forces with underground hip-hop producer Kenny Segal (who is known for his work with billy woods and Armand Hammer, projects Books himself also contributed to) to embrace lo-fi beats and glitchy electronics. The album’s themes cut into systemic racism (the searing opener Black Opps), homelessness (Pompeii Statues’ street-level vignettes), and fractured identities.

Rebecca Latimer Felton Takes a BBC stands out as a visceral confrontation: Booker ... read more

A dance album wrapped in polished, sci-fi coolness—unlike the raw thump of club bangers—where the first half dazzles with kaleidoscopic twists without slipping into self-pity.

Mac Miller's second posthumous album feels like a lucid dream resting on fragile and slightly unsteady foundations—perhaps shaped by the label's approach to its release or the unfinished nature of the ideas at the time. Yet, as the mysterious drumbeats and fading field recordings of the closing track drift away, what lingers most with listeners is the poignant way his lifelong reflections on substances and mortality seem to foreshadow what was never meant to be foreseen.

Tamara Lindeman expands her reflections on climate grief to encompass a broader emotional landscape, delving into both personal and societal dimensions. There's a certain intellectual quality to her voice, which communicates the emotional weight of interpersonal relationships and the disconnect from both society and nature. She acknowledges the ordinariness of pain—not as the result of sudden, external events, but as an inherent part of daily life. In a manner similar to Cassandra ... read more

Cain's latest is a dark ambient left turn, a self-isolation from her audience that feels more performative than genuinely experimental. It yearns for substance beneath the haunting, theatrical Americana.

The album moves away from the reggaeton boilerplate and North American hip-hop influences of his earlier works, instead exploring island-rooted dance music and electronic elements. While this shift brings a fresh perspective, the layering could feel somewhat straightforward, leaving parts of the mid-to-late sections without the same dynamic pull that percussion once provided.

Audio Vertigo departs from the despair of Elbow's previous two records, featuring upward-moving melodies, with the subtle funk influences behind the melodic lines adding a nice touch.

Tom Krell tends to hide his true intentions beneath layers of sound manipulation, and this album takes it even further, yet it still carries the curious, DIY spirit of indie.

This is modern music with a conscious mindset, bold and confident in its approach.

A hyperpop compilation, and a love letter to the influential label’s legacy.

Not your average abstract hip-hop with cryptic piano loops; Sadhugold’s steady, hazy touch brings samples that feel both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

The album bursts with the vibrant pulse of East Coast hip-hop, merging Hi-NRG beats that just never let up.

It is more refined than King Gizzard’s recent bloated jam sessions, with the standout tracks being those with punchy, bold melodies and instrumentation.

Featuring a rough texture that grows with depth, Cascade by Floating Points offers a captivating and layered experience.

Owens' vocals have found a more refined balance, and while the smooth, continuous house vibes may lack variation at times, they remain enjoyable overall. The occasional punchier tracks, however, leave a lasting impression.