Some misses here but it's fascinating to see schafter delving deeper into the sound from his previous EP.

Thugger's first album post the infamous RICO case is surprisingly shallow and lukewarm.

Goldlink's return to hip-house shows just how comfortable he is in this environment, even if the output is uneven.

Although it doesn't quite reach the heights of "Erotic Probiotic 2", Nourished By Time's debut LP still showcases his strengths as a musical inventor and songwriter.

Marcus Jones strikes gold on "Erotic Probiotic 2", a heartfelt, nostalgic, and starry piece of 80s-infused bedroom R&B.

On spectacular "Black Star", Amaarae is inventive. confident and commanding - no matter where her artistic mind pushes her.

Rochelle Jordan continues her dive into steamy dance-pop with excellent results.

Breezy, sultry and swaggering, Rochelle Jordan's "Play With The Changes" is Kelela's "Take Me Apart" moved to the dancefloor.

Kevin Parker's most traditionally electronic endeavor to date reveals his weaknesses as a DJ - too many songs are basic, confused and sometimes weirdly amateurish.

Redux:

Slightly warmed up to some of the songs on the album - as Drake’s ear for melody and catchy flows shines through at times. Can’t see it go higher than this though and my original point stands

Original review:
46

Drake & PND are hardly ever remotely close to reaching the peaks of their best collaborative work on "$ome $exy $ongs".

"Take Me Apart" is stunningly, strikingly beautiful - with her immaculate ear for melodies and production, Kelela's soothing voice covers a range of emotions in various relationship stages. From excitement and anticipation, through passion to heartbreak and grief in 14 spectacular songs.

There's little to no spark on Lil Baby's new record.

If you're into Central Cee's flow this may be a comfort album, it is such at times for me. Most of the time, however, the record is tiring, one-dimensional, and safe.

After a stellar dance album, El Conejo Malo's overlong rap endeavor feels stale and colorless.

After lackluster and confused "nadie sabe...", Bad Bunny strikes right back with his boldest musical statement yet.

"Echoes of Silence" rounds the trilogy up perfectly, a big exclamation mark at the end of what "House of Balloons" started.

The Weeknd stretches the sound of "House of Balloons" for a project that's busier and less immediate than its predecessor but oftentimes reaches similarly high peaks.

Equally mesmerizing and immersive musically as disturbing in its lyrical content, "House of Balloons" is an unforgettable experience on all fronts, as after only a few minutes it gets obvious that you are witnessing the birth of a huge talent.

Abel Tesfaye steps out of the shadows and right into a dog shit on the sidewalk.

Although "Beauty Behind The Madness" has obvious highlights, it feels like Abel is trying to pacify his pop urges, drowning them in murk for the fans of his early work.