Floaty, euphoric goodness. That buildup into the beat is something else, especially when experienced live. If you ever get a chance to see Underworld perform: fuckin' *go*.
Intensely chaotic, incredibly emotional, and utterly dystopian at times. This record cries out to you, only to punch you in the face as you dare approach it. You get approximately two and a half minutes of breathing room. Good luck.
Favorite tracks: “Distract and Divide”; “Gilded Cage”
This new Alter Bridge album feels rather stale and flat, generally. It fails to excite me and simply pales in comparison to some of their earlier work. It became a bit of a blur halfway through, as I found myself forgetting some of these tracks whilst I was still listening to them. I really, truly wanted to like this one. Kind of a letdown.
Favorite track: “Slave To Master”
WE TOOK IT TOO FAAAAAAAaaAAaAAAAR!! This shit brings the summer into the club. God, it’s just so much fun. I mean, doesn’t this whole album make you wanna bounce across the dancefloor?! I’m fucking here for it. WOOOOO!!!
Favorite tracks: “CSIRAC”; “Battery Death”; “Fuck My Computer”
Such an amazing couple of tracks. The build from serenity to pure bliss in Second Sleep and the way it transitions into Star Eyes is so well done. But man, the latter of the two is probably one of my favorite Magdalena Bay songs yet. The subtle sax, the unnerving synths, and those strings?! Yes, please!
![青葉市子 [Ichiko Aoba] - Luminescent Creatures](https://cdn2.albumoftheyear.org/100x0/album/1020365-luminescent-creatures_163309.jpg)
Had the privilege to see Aoba play live a little while back, and she had me in tears for the full 60-minute duration of her performance. I think I needed it. This leads me to the best way I can describe her music: it’s soothing in the most genuine way possible. Feel what you need to feel. It’s alright. You’re okay.
Favorite tracks: “FLAG”; “tower”
An album which I like for nearly all the choices it makes, particularly in terms of the production and the way it compliments the flow of the tracks on here. Yet somehow, it fails to fully convince me of its quality. I can’t really pinpoint why? All that aside though: interesting record!
Favorite tracks: "Girl Feels Good"; "Eusexua"; "Room Of Fools"
I’ve such a soft spot for this band, as I practically grew up listening to them ever since they released their 2007 effort ‘As Daylight Dies’. I’m so so glad to see the boys continuing to push themselves and finding inspiration to release another very solid album, 18 years later. Cheers, legends!
Favorite tracks: "Aftermath"; "The Fall of Us"; "Where It Dies"
Such a subtle, warm, and comforting record, yet it has this nostalgic and even slightly melancholic undertone to it. It’s so hazy and billowy: like a puffy cloud you can just drift away on, without a care in the world. Phew, I’m glad I put this on today. I think I needed it.
Favorite tracks: “Feel All the Time”; “Dorothee Thines”
Yeah, I don’t know about this one. Seriously, the production on this record makes the already rather uninspired tracks have so very little expression that it started to bore me about 10 minutes in. Dull, mechanical and rather stagnant. Overall pretty forgettable, sadly.
Favorite tracks: No real standouts
Sit down, put this on, and bawl your fucking eyes out for 90 minutes. Unapologetically depressing and hauntingly beautiful. It feels like getting pulled out of reality and being plunged into a bottomless pit of hopeless nothingness. I’ll leave it at that.
Favorite tracks: “Amber Waves”; “Onanist”
For over 15 years of my life, I’ve been a fan of metal music. I have no idea how to even start to comprehend what I’ve just heard, and I love that. Heavy, grainy, erratic, atmospheric, and it will absolutely, positively rip your fucking face off. Pardon my French (hah).
Favorite tracks: “Épreuve”; “Mauvais Œil”
Yeah, this is nice eh? From the insanely groovy “Safe From Harm” to the infectiously feel-good “Be Thankful For What You’ve Got” and the utter masterpiece that is “Unfinished Sympathy”: Massive Attack very rarely miss with anything they release, and this has been true since their very first LP.
Favorite tracks: “Unfinished Sympathy”; “Safe From Harm”
BANANA-BANANA-BANAAA!! It IS erotic when my makeup runs, thank you. I don’t know what I’m talking about either, you silly goose. Anyway, I quite enjoy this record, but it just about misses out on being truly great. Production is sounding absolutely pristine, as per.
Favorite tracks: “Blackest Eyes”; “Trains”
This is such a weird one for me. I’ve been listening to this album for about a year now and I’ve still not decided whether I really like it or not. There are great tracks on here, especially in the first half, where the musicianship and Wilson’s production so nicely compliment each other, but then my feeling with most of the material on here ends up being.. a bit meh? Strange.
Favorite tracks: “Harridan”; “Dignity”
Love, lust, and the struggle of it all. By no means a novel concept, but man is it executed effectively on this record. Smooth, groovy, catchy? How about all of the above. As per usual, KAYTRANADA’s production is absolutely on fuckin’ point. Was dancing all the way through its one hour duration, which speaks volumes. Good one!
Favorite tracks: “Please Babe”; “Lover/Friend”; “Weird”
Yeah, I don’t really know what we’re going for here. The whole thing feels subdued, even in the places it’s not supposed to be, and this makes it feel a bit sterile and bland. All the ideas here are executed in such a similar way that the record becomes such a long listen. That’s not to say that it’s horrible, it’s just a bit.. boring.
Favorite track: “Play”
Phew, this band made something special here. The background of the album and the way this is incorporated in both the songwriting and the lyrics.. man. The way the tracks flow into each other, how they tell the story together, and the emotion of it all. Fuck me, this is such a great album. Thank you for telling your story, mister Homme.
Favorite tracks: “I Appear Missing”; “Smooth Sailing”
Boy, do I like me some good ‘ole core on a Wednesday morning. LMTF have evolved into one of my favorite modern metal acts. The group are so good at condensing energy into their tracks, and thus this album too shines in its highest energy moments. It’s not super consistent or inventive but come on, ain’t this fun?! It’s heavy, it’s angry, it’s bouncy: I’m vibing.
Favorite tracks: “To Know is to Die”; “Over the Garden Wall”
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On 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐄's review of Thornhill - BODIES
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On KaitoNkmra's review of glass beach - plastic death
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On DarkCat's review of Kali Uchis - ORQUÍDEAS
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On SilasHylen's review of TOOL - Fear Inoculum
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On 𝔻𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕪's review of Lonnie Holley - Oh Me Oh My
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On DarkCat's review of Geese - 3D Country
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On BingChilling's review of Loathe - I Let It in and It Took Everything
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