Maruja's debut studio album, fittingly titled 'Pain to Power,' is a lyrically dense, aggressively lush, and musically wild ride. The sound itself is quite unique, but it isn't when compared to the music Maruja has already released numerous times. I understand that's the main criticism currently, but regardless, it's impressive, and this album will remain as one of the most notable albums of the year. Still, I could 100% see this sameness getting tiring for me in ... read more

Top three abstract hip-hop album of the year, and it ain't 3. (can't decide between Balloonerism or this)

At first, I thought that the production was too light or rather simplistic auditorily, but it later came to me that that's what makes this album all the more delicate, artistic, and beautiful. 'The Sword & The Soaring' contains utterly immaculate production, soft-spoken rapping, and greatly empowering lyricism. It's just an all-rounded top-tier listening ... read more

Breaking News: Ninajirachi has never been to London

Ninajirachi's debut, 'I Love My Computer,' is a banger, simply put. It exudes pure energy and fun. Her songs feel well-designed, with intricate production and lively vocals. It also maintains a great deal of consistency, with something new in each song. To create a debut album of this caliber really just shows Nina's potential and talent fr.

I loved London Song, iPod Touch, Fuck My Computer, Delete, Infohazard, Battery ... read more

Golly... such absurd and imaginative production this is. I only knew about SOPHIE from the amount of love she gained by electronic music listeners and from hip-hop songs that she's produced here and there, but I had never learned much about her. Now, I still do need to learn more, but this served as a wonderful introduction to the pure talent that she had in producing. And of course, rest in peace.

85/100

It's difficult to create a 20-track album that is this consistently great.

Leader singer of rock band Paramore, Hayley Williams' solo project 'Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party' is largely my introduction to Paramore's music, and it did not disappoint. Music of this general sound/genre isn't my cup of tea, but this album is truly so vibrant and melodic. Literally 90% of this album are just bops-- though the last two tracks, Good Ol' Days and Showbiz, are two ... read more

The songs are great on Lorde's 'Virgin', but there's little variation or thought-provoking material. The production choices are good, and it's an easy album to enjoy and replay-- but we already know that Lorde has the ability to make something more impactful, diverse, and musically abstract than this.

80/100

Lorde's 'Melodrama' is an outstanding pop album, but compared to the expectations I garnered due to the great critical acclaim it's gained, it's relatively sonically unimpressive.

The production is generally great, and some of the best you'd be able to find in the genre- but there's something about the production certain tracks like Hard Feelings/Loveless, Homemade Dynamite, and The Louvre that make them so much more captivating than others. The immersion of ... read more

Lol my track average rating is 69

It's a flawed album, though it's reasonably fine and is somewhat fun.

It's unbearably one-sided. I mean, the entire album is essentially about sex. The lyricism is just so extremely bland too. The overall sound of the album is also very similar to what she always sounds like. But sometimes, she does it well enough to make the song actually viable to repeat, like the single Manchild, Go Go Juice, and Never Getting Laid. Even more infrequently, a ... read more

I'm actually struggling to find any flaws in this project. 2022 album 'learn 2 swim' was already mature and excellent, but he sweeps the floor with 'sankofa', or in other words, "to go back and get it." redveil creates a sound that is so jazzily grand and provocative that is one of the best in the modern "underground" rap scene. He's oftentimes rapping with every cell of his body, and if not, he's probably melodically blessing our ears. ... read more

A surprisingly amazing listen. On some Joey Bada$$ shit, redveil was barely an adult and he lowkey had already mastered his rap sound. Only difference is that veil produced most of this project. That's talent for sure. together, pg baby, new info, better, morphine, and automatic are all fire tracks.

85/100

Jane Remover's mixtape "Indie rock" (liar) isn't the best music in the world, which I think is what people wanted or expected, but it's still high-quality rage with great production and vocals. Though, I will agree that this isn't necessarily fleshed out or cohesive. Even though I don't love rage as a whole, I had my fair share of enjoyment here, and they managed to create at least some variation, which is pretty tough to find in the genre.

75/100

Yet another banger.

It seems Jane has the sole purpose of making fun and enjoyable on ♡. It won't make you turn up as Revengeseekerz would, nor would it make you tear your hair out out of devastation like on Census Designated. It's in its own wonderful, subtle, and fresh musical boat.

My favorite was 'Music Baby'; I just love the production and vocal choices they made here. I'd consider every other track to be really good, too. My least favorite was Flash in the ... read more

I'm surprised Taylor Swift is still relevant

Really not all that bad, but it's obviously not good. I can't deny that I think a few tracks are good, this including Elizabeth Taylor, Wood, and the title track. The rest are just decent or mid. There're a few exceptions though; for one, Eldest Daughter. "But I'm not a bad bitch / And this isn't savage" ... "So many traitors / Smooth operators" ... I mean, come on. Another one is CANCELLED!. The ... read more

To make the best rock album of the year, take a scoop of psychedelic art rock, sprinkle some despair on it, and then, for the cherry on top, add chaos.

Geese's "Getting Killed" is such a fantastic record. I really don't have the slightest complaint. Cameron Winter is a wonderful vocalist and writer. The instrumentation and all the other elements are amazing as well. Not a single miss either. Islands of Men is my favorite track on here. 10/10 performance from Cameron, and ... read more

The genuine shock I experienced when she started singing in Japanese

I had slightly higher expectations going into this album, as it's widely considered one of the best albums of this year. But I'm not saying by any means that this isn't a good record. In fact, I think it is great.

The strong points in this album are when wide and gorgeous sound palettes are, while still being cohesive. It's just where she showcases her musical strengths best. Tracks that exemplify this ... read more

McKinley Dixon's gotta be a top 10 artist in the rap scene right now. He has created some of the best music in the past decade.

To a great extent, Dixon matches the quality found on his previously perfected album, "Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?" (2025 release), on "Magic, Alive!" As always, the production's immaculate, the rapping's fresh, the features are dope, and the music, generally speaking, is fantastic and hard-hitting. What sets this apart from his last ... read more

I've been needing more production like this in my life... I cried twice on my first listen, solely because of the absurdity of the production.

McKinley Dixon's "Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?" is grand, thought-provoking, and emotional. It's also one of the best Jazz Rap projects of the 2020s.

Dixon's work on this album is superb in every way. His pen is sharp and poignant, presenting his life on both a personal and social level. His scrappy yet sophisticated rapping ... read more

Javelin is what I'd describe as devastating elegance. It is euphonious, in both its bold and its delicate moments. I don't have many words, but this is just beautiful, just like any other of Sufjan's work. I really like Goodbye Evergreen, Will Anybody Ever Love Me?, Shit Talk, So You Are Tired and Little Red Fox.

90/100

What a fucking album.

Sufjan Stevens' Illinois is one of the most well-executed, fascinating, and imaginative concept albums I've ever had the honor of listening to. It consists of non-superficial commentary and personal experiences revolving around life, love, loss, spirituality, history, and culture, all packed into a wondrous 74-minute package. Absolutely perfect chamber instrumentation, spanning layers of woodwinds, piano, strings, brass, and more. Sufjan's vocals are ... read more

Of course, he just had to release a 13-minute version of the already depressing Fourth of July.

This reissue of Carrie & Lowell is really just a delight, especially these new tracks. Wallowa Lake Monster, in particular, is one of my favorites. I love the piano and the vocals on it. The new version of Fourth of July is another standout. Pretty spine-tingling song.

Obviously, the demos aren't as refined as the true project, but they show a different side of Sufjan's artistry. It ... read more