a refreshingly fun album, production is stellar and the vocalists were chosen perfectly. feels like the vibe they were going for with this album was incredibly executed. also really stands the test of time! although house can be quite a rigid genre they have a unique take on it and this could be released today with zero outdated allegations. also a go-to gym album for me

this is a 2022 ass beat and cover art but love them both! + ice spice finally using a different flow i used to pray for times like this

a masterclass in pop music, this album is a gift that keeps on giving and a major step-up in quality from her debut. incredible and wields everything a mainstream pop record needs. it's almost innovative even though she uses chart tropes that are extremely of the album's time, everything done works in the album's favour and it's pieced together so well. there's a couple dud tracks that stand out like a sore thumb to me (and i'm not talking about hands on me - a ... read more

witty and clever songwriting that never bores me, thick and intricate production, sure it's playful and fun but it's a vunlerable and honest inquiry into her relationships too and i've enjoyed the way she portrays her emotions in her more recent work, especially this album. there's an air of helplessness about the exhaustion of dating men which is a topic she really dives into here, it's interesting and it's a personal but still relatable approach to the played out ... read more

great production, not every song stuck out to me but it's a surefire memorable listen due to the emotional vulnerability jim lays on thick. you can tell he's incredibly talented and not afraid to have fun with it which i enjoy. he's deserving of all the acclaim and more.

never seen a mere 4 track ep be so controversial but i see why now i've tuned in - tyla's just a force to be reckoned with. she's dangerously confident on here and the songs are all fun and carefree but you can tell she means business more than ever. i'm glad she's expanding this into an album (90% sure) because the tracks all compliment each other and sound very cohesive. and i hope she pushes mr. media because yes

so interesting and cohesive, the production is lush all over with slight 90s inspiration peeking through on some of the songs which i love, making me want to light a cigarette and stare out a rainy window like i'm in a tv show. it's still standard mariah, moody and heartfelt with her emotions on the surface, which is reflective of her tumultuous love life and you can tell she puts her whole soul into her music as it's really her therapy. every track has it's own identity and ... read more

fantasic & fun, i love this approach to a party album and what a gorgeous blend of genres on display wow. dipped in and out of quality at times but at its highs, amaarae's third album is a unique and memorable one.

a softer and more laid-back album than her first ones, with dreamlike ballads that feel like floating on a cloud (although, sometimes it does get too sleepy) and upbeat dance cuts that feel dated but fun. 'dreamlover' is a gorgeous intro, perfectly blending the two sides to this album. when music box is strong it's incredible, but there are valid criticisms of dull moments on the tracklist where it feels like her heart wasn't in it. i loved the incorporation of gospel ... read more

delightful and brimming with soul, the follow-up to her triumphant debut album picks up where it left off, showcasing an array of songs that feel like SONGS, ticking every box with lush, detailed instrumentals and obviously impressive vocals. her voice is supernatural on this record, the power and range displayed is second to none. i also love the title because she really does hone in on her emotions and use her voice as an expression of her feelings on each song, the whistle notes can sound ... read more

partygetsmewetter!
an innovative mix of the haunting and fun elements of R&B of this era, with flawless production and an enthralling display of vocals and melodies all over. partynextdoor's voice is smoother than ever but he's not afraid of an occasional belt and this blends perfectly with the celebratory but dark urban ambience of his beats that echo drake and the weeknd's early work but take it further and puts pnd's own spin on the toronto nighttime vibe which was ... read more

music for smart people

anti, with every listen, makes more sense of why rihanna took an almost 10 year hiatus after this. she made a near-perfect pop/alt r&b record where she expressed her creative freedom to the fullest and in turn anti became one of the most recognisable albums of recent years. even the deep cuts are crowd pleasers and the singles are known and loved by a large portion of all gen z and millenial music listeners. it is simultaneously an accessible easy listen and alternative and left-field, with ... read more

a smooth and sexy ep with some key standouts that make kwn a promising artist to watch, she's definitely found a lane in horny r&b and when she ventures into more chill alternative sounds it works too, but i feel like she's capable of more and though this was an enjoyable listen, it was a little forgettable. 'do what i say' and 'back of the club' are surefire bangers though and have been getting a lot of play from me this summer.

rihanna's role in pop around this era was to provide consistent bangers by following trends but raising the bar for them, and she had a subtle experimentalism she brought to the table of radio pop of the time which is probably most potent on unapologetic. although there are missteps that could easily be chopped off the tracklist, when it's good it's incredible, with a perfect balance of intricacy and simplicity to the production. her voice is noticeably gorgeous throughout the ... read more

this is another solid drake project picking up where 'so far gone' left off. sonically it's very similar and has the same big city at nighttime (specifically toronto) vibe and it gorgeously encapsulates the era. i am a massive lover of music people can consider 'outdated' because like yes transport me to summer 2010! such an immersive listen when you really imagine the hype this album would've had and how excited people were about it, especially in his hometown. i ... read more

1h and 2m of insane levels of perfection and attention to detail with not a millisecond of flaw. a curated concept so well executed with collaboration used as a tool and genres not only explored but deepened and revived. the themes of partying, sex, liberation and freedom are potent as ever and this is one of the most fun, impressive and beautiful albums of our time. although it's celebratory, it's so good it gets me emotional. has anyone ever been this talented before? literally what ... read more

very solid breakout tape, really encapsulates this era nicely. it does everything a mixtape should but actually feels like a polished album, with many standout songs and a cohesive tracklist. it feels very toronto and i'd love to have been there to experience the rise of drake with this dropping, it seems evident he'd go far and be remembered from listening to this. quite a standout in his catalog in my opinion.

a celebratory and enjoyable project with plenty of standout tracks to go back to. great collaboration all over this and every artist brings something to the table and the message of 'the gift' is beautiful, even on weaker songs there's something to enjoy. a detailed vision was executed incredibly here and it makes for a very great listen.

a phenomenal body of work, raw and expressive lyrical content over bouncy and thick trap-leaning production making for a story of modern love told from her unashamedly honest point of view. summer walker's relationship with london on da track made for some incredible music and storytelling, which started on this record, relaying some deeply relatable but personal insight to the beginning of a troubled but indulgent relationship. although she started out on bare neo-soul instrumentals that ... read more