I really was thinking 'yea this can't be that bad', and the first few tracks even had me thinking that. Turns out this album is severely up and down. It's extremely formulaic, producing as many duds as it does catchy songs if not more. Posty unfortunately has a trend in his discography of releasing underwhelming albums with some really good songs, and that's the case here as well. I was genuinely impressed by tracks like "Wrong Ones", "I Had Some ... read more

For better or for worse, i,i feels like, for the lack of a better word, the 'poppiest' Bon Iver release yet. While I feel this holds the album back from being as groundbreaking as Bon Iver's previous work, the musical plateau this album finds itself at still provides plenty of good qualities to latch onto. The music is still endearing and filled with passion, only it sounds kind of different here. This album holds a sort of victory lap tone, which is likely what sets it apart in ... read more

The ambient qualities makes this straight up my alley, but I honestly can't say I enjoyed this as much as I anticipated, even after a few front to back listens. I think this genuinely could have been album of the year material with more cohesion and direction. This is my first time hearing a James Blake album, and you can hear the charm not only in his production, but in his vocals. He has a phenomenal voice, but while Yachty is also an enticing vocalist, the two don't compliment each ... read more

Seriously one of the most breathtaking ballads I've ever heard.

I've found out one thing's for certain while randomly picking Snoop album's to listen to, and it's that he's weirdly inconsistent, hiding gems like this album nobody would really think to listen to. BUSH is quite the contrast to the vast majority of Snoop's catalogue. I mean, it's pretty much entirely not hip hop. Instead, Snoop teams up with Pharrell and The Neptunes to construct a ten track groove fest of funky synth pop. Something we almost never see, Snoop ... read more

One of Bladee's more one dimensional releases of the 2020s, but a good one for sure. Compared to something like 333 or Spiderr, The Fool has considerably less substance, sticking pretty much entirely to the synth heavy trap production. However that doesn't hold Bladee back from dropping what is quite a consistent, fun string of songs. The first half of the album is particularly strong, delivering great, passionate tracks like "The Fool Intro", "Let's Ride", ... read more

Really impressive production and a clearly great ear for enticing instrumentals, flows, and song structure. It's tough to criticise, but the tape clearly has its homemade tone, which has its charms and its drawbacks. Songs can feel slightly choppy at times and foggy in the mix. At times songs can also feel like they throw a sort of interlude/external sample in play without a ton of direction. I get what's trying to happen there but it doesn't always work with great effect. ... read more

The second Cynthoni release is a bit more interesting, but a little less consistent. While "Nine Red Squares" was a nice vibe that pleased my ambient-addicted brain, the EP did start kinda slow. "Dancing Dots" and "System Link" are just really really standard Dnb tracks that don't do much to stand out. Fortunately that changes with the rest of the project, the last three tracks bringing things uphill. "Meh.Tuhl.Hedz" is a 6 minute flashy frenzy of ... read more

We are truly in an odd place in the Drake timeline. Even though "It's Up" is a good song, this such a nothing release. He's made way better songs similar to "Blue Green Red" and "Housekeeping Knows" is just embarrassingly bad. Like we're in an age where Drake is getting carried by Latto, no shade to her. I have a feeling Drake's not going anywhere from here and that's completely fine.

I listened to this album months ago and only wanted to write a review after I'd fully digested it because there's a helluva lot to unpack and I feel like I wouldn't be doing it justice if I didn't really dig deep, even if at times it's quite difficult to decipher.

First I'll say I'm not from the hood and I won't act like I am or fully grasp what it's like to live there. The farthest I've gone in that direction is staying in an airb&b in an ... read more

I'm years overdue for a relisten on this and I finally got it done. In memory 2001 has always been quite a solid album but kinda patchy and inconsistent to stand up to the near untouchable likes of The Chronic. That said, relistening made me appreciate songs I either completely forgot about or didn't care for before. Of course you have your great hits, in my opinion the best of which being "The Watcher" (maybe not a hit but whatever) and "What's the ... read more

Yung Lean continues to intrigue me.

I really wish this album was as good as the first four tracks because damn this album starts absolutely quality. "My Agenda" to "Violence" are four really well produced, therapeutic, and atmospheric songs that left quite the impression. Like this is some of the best I've heard from Lean thus far. Needless to say I was super hopeful for the rest of the project but it doesn't exactly hold up. Now the vast majority of the content ... read more

Another great Logic album. Years in the making, Ultra 85 isn't as good as something like The Incredible True Story, but it was still worth the wait. There is truly not a moment I didn't enjoy on this album. One thing you can count on Logic for is the production. It's seamless on pretty much every track, even transitioning in and out of skits. Ranging from clean boom bap to trap, he's seriously rapping on some of the tightest beats hip hop has been seeing in the past several ... read more

Benny is back with a short and decent collection of songs. I will say it's more consistent than his effort earlier this year, albeit feeling lower effort. Regardless, this album is pretty good and offers a few great highlights. "Knightfall", "Kitchen Table", and "The Blue Building" were great creations of a fairly simple formula. Amber Simone really amplifies the last of the bunch with a great guest feature. But most notably is "Higher", the closing ... read more

This HAS to be one of the best songs ever.

Damn this thing is beautiful. While Happier Than Ever saw Billie as a reformed, mature artist, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT makes her sound entirely different at times, and for the better. None of this is overthought. From front to back the album throws plenty of well produced, well sung, and genuinely gorgeous sounding songs which at this point have declared a new lyrical standard for Billie. "LUNCH", "THE DINER", and "BITTERSUITE" were the only songs that I didn't ... read more

There's something about this song that just sucks all the bad energy out and makes me super appreciative.

I heard "Goody, Goody" in an Italian restaurant in New York and thought it was dope, but upon revisiting it, accidentally started listening to this album. I mean it's great, your classic jazzy Sinatra. The album starts alright but really doesn't consistently pick up until "Tangerine". From here, other than maybe "Love Is Just Around the Corner", the album goes on a great streak until the end with its most enticing and fun set of tracks. His twist on ... read more

It has a few great songs, probably plays as really good background music, but not so well in an attentive listen. It's cute but held back by the samey camp of the late 50s/early 60s. A lot of it is just watered down versions of the hit single, "Emotions", which really is a phenomenal track. That's kinda the case for most of these albums though, and really it doesn't sound bad. It rides on the qualities it can and certainly isn't a bad listen. There just isn't ... read more

Maruja feels like evil BCNR.

Maruja is a band I've been intrigued by but haven't actually checked out until now and I'm thrilled. Post-Punk really scratches an itch that no other strand of rock does, and when this band takes it to the level that they do, it's truly special. "Connla's Well" is a tone setting, layered, and spacious first track that functions enticingly as an intro. At under two minutes, the track manages to throw so much at you that fills you ... read more