This hits the fuckin’ spot. The performances are amazing, and my Lord the production is impeccable: huge when it needs to be, lush in the right places, and it has this rough edge which perfectly compliments the dark nature of the record. The flow of this album is incredible, too. Utterly otherworldly.

Favorite tracks: “Dusk”; “Unseen World”

Overall, this is a pretty decent album by SiR, but I was left with this feeling like it’s a watered down version of what I’m used to with this man. The writing isn’t nearly as interesting or catchy, the production is a bit bland at times, and the vocals just aren’t hitting the same. He’s simply capable of doing much better than this.

Favorite tracks: “SIX WHOLE DAYS”; “KARMA”

At times, this album really does shine quite a bit. This is mostly so when it’s going for this threatening, scary vibe such as on “TMVTL”, but also in its more charismatic, boastful moments such as “BRON”. Quite consistent throughout then, with some standout moments. Fun listen overall.

Favorite tracks: “TMVTL”; “BRON”

An album filled with gorgeous, soothing, dreamy songs which strike such a delicate balance of melancholy and hope. Not every track on here is equally good, but man when it hits there are some tears involved. Exceptional at points, very good across its duration.

Favorite tracks: “How Beautiful I Am”; “A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart pt. 3”

So, Portishead’s third and probably final album. This thing sounds absolutely haunted, desperate. It’s as if Beth wants to scream out of fear and pain but somehow can’t. The potently dark feeling of anxiety this record communicates punched me right in the stomach. Phew, wow.

Favorite tracks: “Threads”; “Plastic”

Thom and the boys are back! No, not those boys. Well, sort of, but not really. Anyway, these boys sure know how to write some damn interesting music. The production on here is super warm and cozy, and the sonic structures throughout the record sound truly great. Gosh darn, it’s pretty.

Favorite track: “Bending Hectic”

Such a dark record, potently discussing themes of mental illness, drugs, and suicide. Probably one of the best progressive rock albums I have ever heard. The band truly peaked on “Anesthetize” in particular, that track has everything I wish for in a song in this genre. Exceptional.

Favorite tracks: “Anesthetize”; “Sentimental”

Somewhat intrigued by the incredibly negative reviews and the terrible title of this record I decided to jump in, like giving in to that “l’appel du vide” one can experience standing on top of a building. It couldn’t possibly be as bad as people are saying, right? Right?! Boy was I wrong. I regret this.

Favorite tracks: yeah no, no way

We’re what now for the American dream?! Alrighty then. Questionable lyrics aside, there’s hardly anything interesting going on with this ‘return to form’ for Green Day. Not horrible, just drenched in mediocrity. Mediocrity which leans towards bad more often than not. Meh.

Favorite track: “Living in the ‘20s”

One of those records on which the ideas are pretty great, but fail to connect with me a bit. The songs are well-written at their cores, but didn’t always go where I’d hoped they’d go, if that makes any sense at all. Maybe not, but anyway: I enjoyed this album quite a bit, still!

Favorite tracks: “the CIA”, “coelacanth”

The predictability of this record makes it a rather uninteresting experience. The song structures, the chord progressions, the melodies: it’s just not doing anything exciting for me. Not to say that it’s terrible, it’s just not an album to really sit down with. Have it on in the background, maybe.

Favorite track: “Heartbreak Kid”

Some of these tracks have some interesting ideas, but on nearly all of them Cudi fails to build on those ideas. Man it’s flavorless, to a point that I was bored by like the fifth track. This combined with the album being bloated as hell made this a bit unpleasant to sit through. I’m sleepy now.

Favorite tracks: “RAGER BOYZ”; “CUD LIFE”

This album creates a mesmerizing, holistic R&B experience. The production of the instrumentals is so smooth and near spotless, leaving plenty of room for Uchis to shine on top. This consistency gets broken up from the track “Muñekita” onwards, which is a switch that doesn’t really resonate with me. Still, a good record!

Favorite tracks: “Te Mata”; “Young Rich & In Love”

They had us in the first half. This dark, moody, smooth, ominous energy that 21 can bring without losing the bite that tracks like these require is so nice to listen to, but man the songwriting just becomes all sorts of mid in the second half. Had some fun with this one, but diminishingly so.

Favorite tracks: “née-nah”; “redrum”

Talk about knocking it out of the park! I don’t think I’ve heard more perfectly clean production this year. This album is meditative, it’s ear candy. The way Sampha shows restraint on these tracks and builds this wonderful record out of it all is nothing short of exceptional. Take a bow.

Favorite tracks: “What If You Hypnotise Me?”; “Spirit 2.0”

There’s potential on this album, sure. It just shines through very sporadically. Some of the production choices genuinely confused me, specifically towards the end of the record. It ends up being a very hit-or-miss project by Birdy, which I feel could’ve been quite a bit better.

Favorite track: “Raincatchers”

Damn. Drenched in anger, bitterness, frustration, and hopelessness, this album unapologetically spits in the face of capitalism. For the most part, there’s no color, only grey. This feeling of there being no more color is conveyed so well in every fiber of this record’s being. Well fucking done.

Favorite tracks: “Cable Street Again”; “Plattenbau Persephone Praxis”

This record really shines in the first half. There are some very catchy, groovy, fun tracks on here, some properly ambitious ideas sprinkled through as well. The second half is far less successful, as most tracks end up sounding a bit stale, bland. I really liked this album, and also didn’t.

Favorite tracks: “Shy Boy”; “Kamikaze”

Very few records resonate with me like this one does. It’s a moody and bitter, yet very comforting experience. Every little sound on here feels like it’s been placed there with all the care and intricacy in the world, and it manages to stay organic in the process. Rakei knocked it out of the park with this. Absolutely gorgeous.

Favorite tracks: “Hiding Place”; “Lucid”; “Nerve”

The songs on this record painted such vivid pictures in my head. It’s like a soundtrack to the movie it created out of my thoughts. There is this melancholic nostalgia going on, which is complimented so nicely by its soothing drowsiness. Sit back, relax, and let the daydreaming commence!

Favorite tracks: “Russian Strings”; “The Ballad”