"Sometimes I feel like I can't go on like this forever. Days pass and nothing happens, and I feel so alone. In my heart, I seem to be waiting for something."
808s, one of Kanye's finest achievements, fascinates me. It fascinates me, amazes me beyond belief how artists, pushed to or far beyond their breaking point, can turn a moment of pure anguish, despair and unbearable pain into something beautiful to share with the world. A masterpiece that may touch the hearts of millions and ... read more
808s, one of Kanye's finest achievements, fascinates me. It fascinates me, amazes me beyond belief how artists, pushed to or far beyond their breaking point, can turn a moment of pure anguish, despair and unbearable pain into something beautiful to share with the world. A masterpiece that may touch the hearts of millions and ... read more
The kind of album I'd personally only imagine turning on if I was some angsty preteen after slapping my mom, locking myself in the bathroom and draining her top-quality hair conditioning down the toilet, but otherwise, I'd rather take my chances with the 'nanny' music they play at my doctors' waiting room. On a very lucky day, they play some Otis Redding.
Utterly boring, painfully conceived, almost delusional and unlikeable set of generic indie pop and R&B tracks you've heard before, done ... read more
Utterly boring, painfully conceived, almost delusional and unlikeable set of generic indie pop and R&B tracks you've heard before, done ... read more
It's Andrei fucking Rublev and Andrey fucking Tarkovsky.
Of course it's this good.
Going to keep this relatively brief because reviewing anything Tarkovsky-related seems irrational. Film scores as standalone records are often tricky to get right. As a listener, the struggle arises in evaluating the music separate from its source material. When a film truly captures you in the way Andrei Rublev does, such a possibility is thrown straight out the window. Try to focus on the music, you'll ... read more
Of course it's this good.
Going to keep this relatively brief because reviewing anything Tarkovsky-related seems irrational. Film scores as standalone records are often tricky to get right. As a listener, the struggle arises in evaluating the music separate from its source material. When a film truly captures you in the way Andrei Rublev does, such a possibility is thrown straight out the window. Try to focus on the music, you'll ... read more
( ＾◡＾)っ
Soul Lady paints a beautiful scene. You're walking through the neon-lighted, bustling streets of 80s Tokyo on a dark, cold rainy night. Surrounded by people, a city shimmering with life, yet intimidating and you're left with a sense of loneliness/dejection. Then, your eyes are set on someone in the distance, they look back at you, a mystifying force slowly pulls you two together. The city fades to the background and falls quiet, the lights dim, your heart bursts. At that ... read more
Soul Lady paints a beautiful scene. You're walking through the neon-lighted, bustling streets of 80s Tokyo on a dark, cold rainy night. Surrounded by people, a city shimmering with life, yet intimidating and you're left with a sense of loneliness/dejection. Then, your eyes are set on someone in the distance, they look back at you, a mystifying force slowly pulls you two together. The city fades to the background and falls quiet, the lights dim, your heart bursts. At that ... read more
"When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for people, to help humanity free itself from its hangups...I want to speak to their souls."
43 years ago today, John Coltrane took his very last breath on a hospital bed and departed from our mortal plane following a long, arduous fight with liver cancer. No man truly dies until he is forgotten. One of the greatest saxophonists to have ever lived, his music lives among us, influenced and ... read more
43 years ago today, John Coltrane took his very last breath on a hospital bed and departed from our mortal plane following a long, arduous fight with liver cancer. No man truly dies until he is forgotten. One of the greatest saxophonists to have ever lived, his music lives among us, influenced and ... read more
"I wish you well, I do
May you find peace in this world
And when it's over
Dissolve without pain"
No matter how many years you have under your belt with this band, nothing quite prepares you for a moment like 'Processed by the Boys' or 'Worm in Heaven'. Ultimate Success Today is in nearly every aspect a Protomartyr essential. A fine, intuitive, diligently crafted work encased in the disjointed rhythms and Casey's frantic vocal deliveries. One that knows how to speak and connect with ... read more
May you find peace in this world
And when it's over
Dissolve without pain"
No matter how many years you have under your belt with this band, nothing quite prepares you for a moment like 'Processed by the Boys' or 'Worm in Heaven'. Ultimate Success Today is in nearly every aspect a Protomartyr essential. A fine, intuitive, diligently crafted work encased in the disjointed rhythms and Casey's frantic vocal deliveries. One that knows how to speak and connect with ... read more
In for a rude awakening? Believe me, we're simply getting started. Allow me to invite you in on this fascinating epic known as Éons, a monolithic journey entwined between apocalyptic mayhem and pure bliss. It'll stir up some violent, rather grisly thoughts for the unprepared, but dive deeper in its wondrous cacophony, you'll find an elegant flower beneath the rubble.
Our journey takes us to distant lands, far from the reaches of mankind. A land of trembling earth and restless creatures ... read more
Our journey takes us to distant lands, far from the reaches of mankind. A land of trembling earth and restless creatures ... read more
"Music has the potential to transcend our differences. It can return us to our true nature of warm-heartedness."
Earlier today, I had the honour of celebrating the Dalai Lama's 85th birthday with my ill mother by her bedside, and in our moment of tranquillity, we recited the “om mani padme hum” mantra together in the hopes of a brighter future. To say I was taken aback by 'Inner World' would be an understatement. What's more enriching is perhaps what it represents. ... read more
Earlier today, I had the honour of celebrating the Dalai Lama's 85th birthday with my ill mother by her bedside, and in our moment of tranquillity, we recited the “om mani padme hum” mantra together in the hopes of a brighter future. To say I was taken aback by 'Inner World' would be an understatement. What's more enriching is perhaps what it represents. ... read more
In 'What's Your Pleasure?', you don't come to club, club come to you! Brilliant in its infectious, sensual energy and escapist club mood, Jessie Ware dabbles in 80s nostalgia for a record so tight and groovy, even the most stubborn of listeners may find themselves bobbing their heads a bit. As for fans, be sure to bring some extra water.
There seems to be a general misconception that pop music, the ones played for those drunk nights at the club, is reserved only for the younger, teen to late ... read more
There seems to be a general misconception that pop music, the ones played for those drunk nights at the club, is reserved only for the younger, teen to late ... read more
"Slowly, I went through the village I imagined as a child, I hope to never go back there."
I admire when albums this simple make me feel this way, leave me nearly breathless & enamoured til the very end. Albums so full in spirit, crafted carefully with so much love for the art, it seems you've fought through a tsunami or swam through an ocean to get through them. Such a special occasion for music this new seems strange, unordinary. These moments are so few and far between that ... read more
I admire when albums this simple make me feel this way, leave me nearly breathless & enamoured til the very end. Albums so full in spirit, crafted carefully with so much love for the art, it seems you've fought through a tsunami or swam through an ocean to get through them. Such a special occasion for music this new seems strange, unordinary. These moments are so few and far between that ... read more
Spellbinding, cerebral beauty where you least expect it.
Perhaps unlike any other hip hop record so far this year in its timely, plentiful presentation, choppy flow, and dopey aesthetic enriched almost to perfection. Delivered alongside strikingly moving lo-fi and psychedelic instrumentals, MIKE's 'Weight of the World' is an enchanting sketch-book of music that's as exciting as it is moving in its hypnotic setting.
MIKE's latest creative endeavour may be described as a thought worth a ... read more
Perhaps unlike any other hip hop record so far this year in its timely, plentiful presentation, choppy flow, and dopey aesthetic enriched almost to perfection. Delivered alongside strikingly moving lo-fi and psychedelic instrumentals, MIKE's 'Weight of the World' is an enchanting sketch-book of music that's as exciting as it is moving in its hypnotic setting.
MIKE's latest creative endeavour may be described as a thought worth a ... read more
Chaotic Romance. Little did we expect Charli's most passionately, openly touching and apt record to come also in the form of her most confined and compact.
I'd like to take a brief moment first off now that it feels appropriate to reflect on the aftermath of quarantine. Slowly driving up the northern Quebec countryside this past week, feeling the breeze and fresh cool air captured a great sense of relief. At last, a weight seemed to be lifted, yet reality comes striking back briskly, ... read more
I'd like to take a brief moment first off now that it feels appropriate to reflect on the aftermath of quarantine. Slowly driving up the northern Quebec countryside this past week, feeling the breeze and fresh cool air captured a great sense of relief. At last, a weight seemed to be lifted, yet reality comes striking back briskly, ... read more
Blistering barnacles! That's me!!
Have to thank @WhatTheFunk for the recommendation. Been on a road trip and this is perhaps the perfect mood-setter. Boby Lapointe offers listeners a colourful, light-hearted journey into the fascinating world of French Chanson. Its glamour is mostly lost by the language barrier, as non-native French speakers will have a very hard time following along with Lapointe's slapstick humour, but makes up for it with serene and rich musical arrangements.
Have to thank @WhatTheFunk for the recommendation. Been on a road trip and this is perhaps the perfect mood-setter. Boby Lapointe offers listeners a colourful, light-hearted journey into the fascinating world of French Chanson. Its glamour is mostly lost by the language barrier, as non-native French speakers will have a very hard time following along with Lapointe's slapstick humour, but makes up for it with serene and rich musical arrangements.
When your song so good it crashes the site.
Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs is coming out very soon, so going to save most of my thoughts for later. 'La maison jaune' just might be Klo Pelgag's finest work to date. As Klo herself describes it: "It's a song about when we finally leave this dreaded place in the hope of never returning". A song enchanted in ethereal, larger-than-life, transcendental beauty, completely earth-shattering in raw emotion and crippling in ways that'll leave many ... read more
Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs is coming out very soon, so going to save most of my thoughts for later. 'La maison jaune' just might be Klo Pelgag's finest work to date. As Klo herself describes it: "It's a song about when we finally leave this dreaded place in the hope of never returning". A song enchanted in ethereal, larger-than-life, transcendental beauty, completely earth-shattering in raw emotion and crippling in ways that'll leave many ... read more
Less & Less.
More & More: a fire that burns too profusely to comfortably sit beside, dies too quickly to keep you warm. K-Pop's superstar girl group returns with a mini-album that sadly finds itself torn between two worlds. On one hand, it aims to transition to a more Western, commercialized pop sound (evident in the strategic partnership with Republic Records) while maintaining the anthemic flair that defined their 2019 output. On the other, it tries to throwback to a more ... read more
More & More: a fire that burns too profusely to comfortably sit beside, dies too quickly to keep you warm. K-Pop's superstar girl group returns with a mini-album that sadly finds itself torn between two worlds. On one hand, it aims to transition to a more Western, commercialized pop sound (evident in the strategic partnership with Republic Records) while maintaining the anthemic flair that defined their 2019 output. On the other, it tries to throwback to a more ... read more
"To the world, you are just one person, but to one person, you are the world."
In the uncertain times we've found ourselves cornered in, recent music like Takagi Masakatsu's ethereal, peacefully contemplative Silent Rain film score almost seems essential. Simply, it serves to remind us to find tranquillity and harmony even in the darkest of days, and more specifically, to cherish those great little moments we have with our loved ones before they fade away. Sometimes, when beautiful ... read more
In the uncertain times we've found ourselves cornered in, recent music like Takagi Masakatsu's ethereal, peacefully contemplative Silent Rain film score almost seems essential. Simply, it serves to remind us to find tranquillity and harmony even in the darkest of days, and more specifically, to cherish those great little moments we have with our loved ones before they fade away. Sometimes, when beautiful ... read more
Gaga In Your Area.
When you're no longer pushing pop boundaries and instead resorting to cheap, sterile nostalgia for ineffectual party bangers, just how quickly does the formula begin to wear thin? The pop diva's latest collection of pop tunes attempt at capturing the catchy, anthemic glory of her Fame Monster days, but severely lacks the intriguing pop presence that defined those iconic pop hits to begin with. Chromatica's aspirant, loud party anthems are instead derivative, stark pop songs ... read more
When you're no longer pushing pop boundaries and instead resorting to cheap, sterile nostalgia for ineffectual party bangers, just how quickly does the formula begin to wear thin? The pop diva's latest collection of pop tunes attempt at capturing the catchy, anthemic glory of her Fame Monster days, but severely lacks the intriguing pop presence that defined those iconic pop hits to begin with. Chromatica's aspirant, loud party anthems are instead derivative, stark pop songs ... read more
The 1975's eclectic, political "End of An Era" album: one tedious attempt at ambition and virtuosity after another. Matt Healy and company experiment with many identities, throwing ideas at the wall to see what fits. That's fine, but rarely does the content ever translate into anything but a musical hodgepodge.
Of course, do take all reviews/interpretations of 'Notes' with a grain of salt. The 1975 has always been a band that's divided fans and critics alike, and always will. The ... read more
Of course, do take all reviews/interpretations of 'Notes' with a grain of salt. The 1975 has always been a band that's divided fans and critics alike, and always will. The ... read more
Yes Mr. Gunna, please enlighten us on how you "bit on her toes", how she "ride the dick like peg (yeah)" or how she "squirts on the sheets". I'm sure we'd all like to know this intellect of yours.
The bar is so low, it's getting ridiculous, really. Laughable I might add. I've lost count on just how many wet putang lines Gunna's splattered throughout this fiasco. Not to mention how he manages to make luxury lifestyle sound like a trip to the nursing home. WUNNA is ... read more
The bar is so low, it's getting ridiculous, really. Laughable I might add. I've lost count on just how many wet putang lines Gunna's splattered throughout this fiasco. Not to mention how he manages to make luxury lifestyle sound like a trip to the nursing home. WUNNA is ... read more
Self-love over self-hatred.
From the depressive, emotional instability of "Learning" to pure pop grandeur, "Set My Heart on Fire Immediately" plays out as not just another great Perfume Genius record, it's also an inspiring work of beauty. A continuation of growth for Mike Hadreas, a man gradually learning and overcoming the barriers of his identity and sexuality. Layered in confidence and elegance, the flower, alas, finds itself some more space to bloom in the ... read more
From the depressive, emotional instability of "Learning" to pure pop grandeur, "Set My Heart on Fire Immediately" plays out as not just another great Perfume Genius record, it's also an inspiring work of beauty. A continuation of growth for Mike Hadreas, a man gradually learning and overcoming the barriers of his identity and sexuality. Layered in confidence and elegance, the flower, alas, finds itself some more space to bloom in the ... read more
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Recent Review Comments
On WhatTheFunk's review of Melvins - Gluey Porch Treatments
"Thanks again! I agree with you, their 80s material is where it's at."
On WhatTheFunk's review of Melvins - Gluey Porch Treatments
"Fantastic review as always. My favourite of the Melvins records I've heard. Wasn't into albums like Bullhead.
Any suggestions for which albums of theirs you'd think I'd really enjoy? (Ones I haven't gotten to)"
On AndroidQuality's review of Lil Ugly Mane - Mista Thug Isolation
"Highly recommend checking out some Memphis Rap records if you're into this aesthetic. Starting with Three Six Mafia, N.O.D., etc. "
On kero kero bonito stan (he/him)'s review of Dua Lipa & The Blessed Madonna - Club Future Nostalgia
"You need Jeff Mills"
On WhatTheFunk's review of John Fahey - Blind Joe Death
"Gave this record another go today, perhaps one of my favourites of his. "
On DoubleZ's review of Chyi Yu - 橄欖樹 (Olive)
"You summed up this genre quite well. Campus Folk is music I grew up with, but never truly appreciated until recently with the current situation in Taiwan.
I feel I should correct you on one aspect. While it's true Campus Folk seemed "isolated" in its dominant era, it'd go on to not only have a critical influence on Taiwanese music, but partially, contemporary music of the Far East as a whole. Despite political implications & censorship, many of these major artists would gain immense traction in mainland China, and in turn, the style picked up cult followings in regions like Korea and Japan, because of its ideal blend of Western musical and Eastern thematic styles. It's nothing standout musically like you pointed out, but thematically, many of its elements would carry onto parts of contemporary Korean and Japanese folk in the 2000s/early 2010s.
So I wouldn't classify it as "isolated". It's hidden music from a foregone era, but in the broad scheme of things, it's heavily influential. "
On NewDawnFadez's review of Sachiko M, Toshimaru Nakamura & Otomo Yoshihide - Good Morning Good Night
"God Tier EAI"
On siberianbreaks's review of Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica
"Found another one: "sounds like a ridiculous cacophony that a meth addict would dream up""
On kero kero bonito stan (he/him)'s review of 諏訪根自子 [Nejiko Suwa] - 諏訪根自子の芸術 (Suwa Nejiko no Geijutsu): Early Recordings 1933-1935
"84 if you count RYM"
On TheTourist90's review of Sachiko M, Toshimaru Nakamura & Otomo Yoshihide - Good Morning Good Night
"Lmao, no worries. After all, this is one of the most controversial albums on RYM"
On TheTourist90's review of Sachiko M, Toshimaru Nakamura & Otomo Yoshihide - Good Morning Good Night
"Records like this are best categorised as "sound art", it's all about the process taken to craft such indistinguishable, complex elements that seem monotonous on the surface. Some of my interest is derived from my appreciation of the skills the artists put to the table (i.e. the complexity of the mathematical models used to compose Iannis Xenakis 2, the viola compositions of Intimate Rituals that are seemingly impossible to replicate). But most importantly, to put it simply, these are things that fascinate and excite me, and why I grow to love these kind of records. Pushing the boundaries of music to create something unique but also so refreshing.
"it’s the sound of diving headfirst into a completely alien musical language, one where any and all barriers of tradition cease to exist. it’s strangely cathartic in how it forces you to erase all predisposed notions you have of what music can be and just appreciate the sounds being thrown at you, and the way they overlap and interact""
On TheTourist90's review of Sachiko M, Toshimaru Nakamura & Otomo Yoshihide - Good Morning Good Night
"I'll try to present my viewpoint as best as I can. I adore Good Morning Good Night and other remarkable improvisational works like it, I find them to be absolutely stunning, immersive and evocative in its very intricate, contorted form. How in its most mundane elements (noise) it manages to break apart the contemporary elements of music as we know it to create something 'transportive' and "modernist" (I use that term very loosely), an asymmetrical work that's unlike anything else. It's more than impressive, I always find myself tuning in to pick apart what I hear as it never ceases to be fascinating. It's a difficult work to make heads or tails of, but I think that's where the appeal/"shelf-life" of these records come from. Similar can be said with my adoration for experimental film. "
On PeterJoe's review of Yao Lee (姚莉) - Yao Li Zhi Ge - Jing Xuan Liu Xing Ge Qu (姚莉之歌-精選流行歌曲)
"Love Yao Lee but 'Golden Voice' Zhou Xuan > 'Silvery Voice' Yao Lee"
On WhatTheFunk's review of Françoise Hardy - Tous les garçons et les filles
"You opening up about your mother really warmed my heart, it's a blessing that you're able to form such a sweet connection with Françoise Hardy's music, and I relate a lot. If there's one particular record from her that's perhaps "life-defining" for me, it has to be 'La question'."
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