This album is so atmospherically amazing, just so nocturnal in its nature and feel. The lead singers vocals are so raw and full of emotion, not trying to sound pitch perfect. The sound can be a bit grating at times, but that might just be down to what my ears are used to. The concept is great, having this toxic and twisted love regarding New York. The moodiness and often chaos of NYC is reflected with the group.

The production is brilliant, the band has this brilliant Post-Punk sound. The ... read more

This album is definitionally beautiful, rest in peace one of the greats. Nujabes' project seemed to be focused on this peaceful soulful sound, and the producer excelled in doing so. Whether that be on the instrumentals or who he chose to rap on them. Specifically, Cise Star and Substantial were brilliant. Their lyrics felt so uplifting and encouraging and often sent positive messages that rap seems to lack , for example in a track like “Blessing it”. Also, their flows and ... read more

We needed this from Vince, this direction, and if you don’t feel this way, I think you may eventually. This a statement, a political one, and a perspective Vince hasn't delved in on until now. He goes over the USA as a construct, and how the promise of the ‘American dream’ is covered in lies, scandals and prejudices. This album is a vivid representation of the damaged America, displaying who he believes has control and who is dictating the narrative. Even in a song like ... read more

If Dre wasn't in the limelight yet, he sure is now. He has further developed his Gangsta Rap sound, with mean vocals and confident but not overly aggressive demeanour, defined by his tone. Dr Dre makes it known how times have changed since he started, and he's back to remind people he's one of the foundations in this genre, and still one of the best in it. He delivers, the bars are strong and memorable, the flows hit too especially on songs like “The Watcher”. The ... read more

From the off this album has you screwing your face. Dr Dre landed as producer and rapper in the early 90s, and the high level he was at both really made him shine, and this is displayed in the Chronic. This is Dre announcing his entrance and the fact he is coming in to dominate, and that he is separating himself from both Death Row and NWA as a whole. His flow is smooth and relaxed, paired with a clear confidence in what he is saying. Snoop Dogg is also featured in the majority of the tracks, ... read more

I have never listened to a Genesis Osuwu project before; so in order to understand him a bit more I did some research on him, what the album meant (especially the title), and what genre he utilised. That is where I was perplexed; his listed genres being Political & Conscious Hip Hop, Neo Soul, genres of Punk and even Alt Dance. I wondered to myself how he could possibly make a cohesive project if he is covering that many genres? But he did pretty well. Immediately as I hopped into the album ... read more

Here we are, the final installment of this triple album drop. While I didn't think his releases could be redeemed with this project, I had hoped that it would make up some ground. So here is the flagship album of the three, “Iceman”. Not sure why I gave it such a grandiose introduction, especially as it didn't quite provide the level of one. Drake as an artist seems quite undirected, as this shows in the project. What was I supposed to get from Iceman? How was I supposed ... read more

Drake, Drake, Drake. Three albums in one night, and this one of the two that should've stayed in the vault. From the very intro, which just randomly switched and was just not good in general, you could just tell this project wouldn't be of note. In the project we see the more melodic side to Drake then the other. The singing isn't horrible, while not technically excelling. But the shallow lyricism does not help the cause, and does not improve in the parts he raps. Where were the ... read more

Back with another review. JID entered making himself a name for rap to watch with this project. Immediately you are drawn to his impeccable flows, fast and drum-like. He is able to flow and switch so smoothly, with complex rhyme schemes, and includes so much alliteration. It is so brilliant, but if you listen in, you'll realise it's not just the flow but the lyricism too. He describes his come up and how he is so hungry to win and uplift himself from the street. We get to see JID ... read more

This is genuinely some of the worst music I've heard this year. The rapping performance from Drake is so utterly corny it's unbelievable. He does not seem hungry, and his bars have no depth to them. They're some of the most basic, generic party song lyrics and just lyrics in general. singing is not horrible but it's not the best thing technically. His delivery for the first few songs were decent, but then he just goes into this monotone, deadpan voice. Along with that he ... read more

This is the Jackson 5's second album, and the first album of a busy 1970 for the group, releasing 2 more projects that year. They continue on a similar trajectory to their last album in terms of quality, and the fairly simplistic love songs. Clearly the title track stood out as the best of the bunch, which I found Motown often do, releasing a hit single, make it the title of an album, and surround it with filler.I feel this is done here, but that doesn't mean the other songs are not ... read more

The start of Michael's dynasty. The debut album from the Jackson 5 includes a mix of covers and originals respectively. Micheal's voice from the get go was so special, and stood out as it had a much higher range to most male singers at the time. His technical ability and tonality were so brilliant, and made every song so warm and wholesome. His brothers on both instruments and backing vocals added to the atmosphere, and added a light ambience to the atmosphere when needed. The songs ... read more

Kehlani comes promptly with a follow up to her biggest song to date, “Folded”, with her self-titled project. She is making a real name for herself in the R&B scene with her throwback 90s and 2000s style. The project is full of songs based on romantic relationships, but other than that, no subject too particular, or a specific theme throughout. Kehlani has always had her sweet and clean vocals, and they are featured throughout. Her hooks are amazing throughout, the melodies ... read more

I can't believe it took me so long to get to this project, especially with it being released in 2024. The whole project has an amazing otherworldly feel to it, and that is created through the story, the vocal performance and the production. The project sees Mica Tenenbaum as having this disk to see her ideal self. In the story she sees an advert that builds one's perfect future self, with a procedure which she decides to go with. This is only in her mind, as in reality she has to face ... read more

This album situates itself as one of the first real highs in MIKE's discography. He had a few albums before this but this was the first one that really seemed to find strong critical acclaim, and I would agree with the majority as I believe the praise is deserved. MIKE raps about the struggle in his own view, the longing for help in his life. He is able to open up about his health, whilst giving us clear causes through the life of the street, and the hustle he must do. The loss of hope he ... read more

Earl Sweatshirt and Mike provide us with a double album. When I first saw this project, I expected the two rap together on the whole album. Whilst that didn't happen other than a couple of songs, they provide us with a full double album and enough tracks to satisfy. Mike goes up first with Pompeii, named after the ancient city. He focuses on themes of rebuilding and his thoughts in tracks. His deeper, slurred tone is prominent, and it adds a small contrast to some of the production. ... read more

Why is he meowing at MEEE

Arguably the best bassist of our time, who is highly regarded among musicians in the same stratosphere, delivers a new project. One of the things I love is Thundercat's use of layered vocals, which just add so much soul and atmosphere. When he sings, he loves that falsetto tone, and it blends well with the instrumentation. This makes it so while his voice isn't out of this world on the technical side, the soothing tone he carries makes him sound great. The ... read more

Here we are with Slayyyter's new album. Going into this I had little idea what to expect from her, other than some high maintenance Hyperpop. Slayyyter takes on this classic American female type who is focused on three things; sex, money and drugs. She's about getting rid of her problems, and making her problems fade through the party life. Although the subject of matter goes against almost everything I stand for, different opinions, perspectives and views is what makes us humans. ... read more

Raye, my goodness me. This felt like a theatre musical in the form of an album. Raye's voice has this amazing blend of this soulful style and an operatic one, which represents the style of this project as a whole. I'm not entirely sure, but this just feels like her influences have been blended sonically. Everything is so exaggerated, a musical hyperbole, but I love it because of that. Raye takes us through a story of romance, with four acts, each representing a season, starting with ... read more

Kanye is back. Well I didn't know if I wanted to see the day, but here we are. I would say Kanye performs decently, he just seems like he has a lack of energy in this project. Maybe that's what he's going for, but it just sits a bit flat for me. His rapping ability is decent, not the greatest, and nowhere near his best. However I'm glad he addresses what has been going on with him over the past few years, and seems to be turning a new leaf, shown with lyrics in ... read more