Going back and listening to this after the release of Punisher, there is quite a drop off especially in the sound. Stranger in the Alps is much more akin to your prototypical indie folk sound. However, Phoebe Bridgers is such an amazing vocalist and songwriter that she's able to carry most of these tracks.

This is the Death Grips album that has grown on me the most over time. It's not even that experimental for the group. I just think it took a few years before the pummeling electronic production really sunk in with me.

This album really did get released at the perfect time. Lyrically, it's such a vivid depiction of millennial poverty. Even if the pop punk structure and the vocals could be a slight drag, there is no doubt how emotionally effective this album is.

I generally like this dreamy soundscape of this album, but it does come at the detriment of some of the least interesting tracks that rely too much on the atmosphere over having compelling instrumentation.

Easily the best produced and most well realized project from Allie X.

Really fun pop tracks mixed with some cheesy Halloween themed lyrics. Kim Petras has a really expressive mid vocal range, but other than belting, she is really limited. I do enjoy the dark synthwave beats though.

Dedicated loses the atmosphere that Emotion did so well, but it's still chalked full of solid pop tunes.

The best thing I can say about this album is that it sounds pretty decent and the gospel arrangements work pretty well. Cool.

Pretty immaculate sound for a hip-hop project that also happens to include some really solid bars and delivery from Vince.

As somebody who isn't religious, I get pretty particular about the lyrical framing of religious projects. Personally, I found this album to be a little too self indulgent with the incredibly thin instrumentation unable to bring out anything further.

Truly one of the weirdest, yet most interesting listens I've had in awhile. On one hand, most of the songs here actually have potential. They've got solid melodies and good hooks. However, I just can't take Tyler Joseph's juvenile vocals seriously most of the time. His writing can sometimes veer completely into laughable cringe as well. It was quite the experience going through all the emotions of initially hearing a track and liking only for it to get inevitably tanked by Tyler or the ... read more

Sucker Punch might be one of the most average pop albums I've ever heard. Tracks have the bones of a quality pop song only to have their potential squandered with uninteresting production and passable vocal performances.

I remember years and years ago when I actually thought this was a really good album. Unfortunately over time, the searing flaws of this album became way too apparent to ignore. Chief among them is the awful production, complete with ugly synths and poor instrumental mixing. I know everyone loves to bag on the lyrics, and while they're definitely not good, at least I can sort of weave a coherent theme through the whole thing. Tyler Joseph is a talented songwriter. It just seems like he gets ... read more

Horrific follow-up to one of the most intricately produced and lush sounding albums of the 2000's. I don't mind going in a totally different direction, but this album just made a total mess out of it. Some tracks just sound downright awful with others leaving absolutely no impression on me whatsoever.

Rather disappointing follow-up to what I believe was the highlight of their discography. No track here comes close to having the bite or the groove that LCD Soundsystem have made their name on.

This album is features a lot more tasteful production and immersion of electronics than 22, A Million. Not every track works, but it's a step back in the right direction.

It's really easy to listen to this passively as a really run of the mill set of ballads, but that doesn't do this album justice. Julien's songwriting is jawdropping, saving even the uninspiring compositional choices throughout the record. Not to say Turn Off the Lights doesn't sound good though. It has a very reverb heavy and sparse palette, making it a little bit derivative. But its strength is its ability to accentuate Julien's angelic vocals and the amazing lyrics. Truly a cathartic ... read more

Given the time we're currently living in, I tried to take some extra listens to be a little more objective about this album. In the moment, it's can be easy to get wound up in the cultural and symbolic importance of such a work like this that it can be difficult not to overhype it. But even considering that, I believe this is the strongest Run the Jewels project yet. El-P really took the production to the next level. I've always found his sonic palette a little bit dull and one note, but that ... read more

Seriously transcendent songwriting combined with heartfelt performance after performance. I wouldn't except anything less from Fiona Apple. The only minor qualm I have is the somewhat bland percussion patterns that are a little overfeatured.

I can't help but think a lot of people got caught up the whole backlash regarding the dumb comparisons that were made between this album and OK Computer. This album definitely doesn't deserve some of the massive hate it gets from some people. It has definitely grown on me since its release even despite its pretty obvious shortcomings.