Pretty fun and enjoyable Spanish art pop record. It proposes some nice ideas and sounds, though there are some clear standouts. (ecco) has easily the best vocals and direction in sound in the entire album, and it's a pretty sweet song. Weirdly enough, I also really liked sukkKK!!, like it's honestly a banger. Still a lot of other cool songs too, and I can see why people like this guy.

70/100

The ideas on this project are pretty artsy and smooth, but most of these songs, though quality, fall short in being much special or entertaining. Pretty good album though.

70/100

Love to see it. Boldy James is locking in with the monthly drops. Posca's smooth production bodes so well with Boldy James' chill delivery. James sounds like he's actually rapping here as well, and this happens, the outcome is always good. Nancy Botwin is one of his best tracks this year, with this very entrancing beat with these blaring horns and piano melodies. The rest are pretty great-good as well.

75/100

After a 15 year hiatus, Stereolab proposes a delightful palette of sounds on Instant Holograms On Metal Film. I'm not sure how to describe it, as well as I'm not sure what this means in the context of the band since I haven't listened to their music, but the project seems mature. It feels a tad too long though. Melodie Is A Wound is a standout here, it progresses quite well and I really liked the instrumentation going on in that song. There's a few other great tracks as ... read more

deadAir is popping off this year.

This is a true plugg package: it's packed with muddled but fun vocals and rapping, along with a ton of simple 808, synth, and drum oriented beat choices. Stay true forever is not all that daring or interesting, but it is certainly enjoyable, especially with songs like 2Door and I Was Meant To Die Like This. But there're a few sleepers (in the bad way) as well, like idyll and Ovrseas. But the project's lows aren't all that bad, and overall ... read more

Holy effin hell, this project deserves some more love

I'm not well-versed in genre specifications in the metal world at all, but I generally must say that that I Don't Want to See You in Heaven is a cinematic, chaotic, and wonderful blend of various sounds. In a second you're listening something relaxing and melodic, and in a few more, you're witnessing a beat-down of full-blown aggression and grit, and in the next you're listening to suddenly listening to something ... read more

I didn't really like Unmusique, but this was really solid. I feel like there can be improvements to sound quality, like the mixing and layering of sounds. Plus, this style of music isn't my cup of tea. But besides that, the production is nice, the vocals are satisfying, and the entire album is just pretty chill. There's also a couple of really good cuts, HYDROXYCUT, INFINITUDE // UROBOROS, and SISTERHOOD for example.

75/100

Rage is really just not for me, though I really like most genres. Perhaps I'm hearing wrong, but I think that the only redeemable factor of this mixtape is are the beats, which are not all that amazing either. I don't really love Lucy's vocals on here, and usually, they don't blend well with the production. Some songs just feel like a drag. There definitely are a few worthwhile songs though, notably Ouija, Fenty Face, and Ultraviolet.

65/100

13 Months of Sunshine is great in its highs, and just okay in its lows, and most songs fall into the latter category. Basically, it's just an alright pop album with only some highlights.

70/100

Matt Maltese made up a large part of my taste in music in early 2024, so when I found out he was dropping this project, I was very excited. I must say, he's just as good as I remember him to be. Hers offers tender vocals and gorgeous, jazzy instrumentation, which makes for a very emotional and/or soothing experience. I don't have very many specific critiques, besides the fact that I just like some songs more than others. Even so, the general theme and sound is maintained throughout ... read more

Rico Freaky

It's not a project that would blow you away, but simply have a great time with efficient production and sprightly rapping. I only knew of Rico Nasty from features here and there, like on Denzel and ScHoolboy's works, and I must say, the performances I had heard beforehand were great. That being said, her performances on this album were up to my expectations. What's really good about this project is her delivery; It is extremely charming and engaging. The overall ... read more

I was not expecting this to be as good as it is. Lots of fun, vibrant instrumentation, and splendid vibes. Another Reincarnation, March on Pax Ramona, and Weird World Awake. are upbeat bangers, while other tracks like Qwik Maff and As The Humming Hovers are rich and warm pieces. This album is just really great and well-rounded. Not as great as the album cover though.

80/100

Great electronic production, lots of personality, and intensely energetic tracks. I'm not a huge K-Pop fan or anything, but this album is very solid!

75/100

Some of woods' music already had some horror undertones, but this straight-up feels out of a horror movie. There are various great things about this album, from the samples, to the substantive bars, to the perfected delivery, but the production on this damn album is just so different. It's atmospheric, unsettling, and vibrant all at the same time. Not only that, each of these songs are chockful of allusions, metaphors, and meanings. This album is just awesome. Corinthians, A Doll ... read more

billy woods and Kenny Segal is unmatched. As usual, the project is lyrically dense, wonderfully produced, and amazing all in all. I really love how jazzy this album is. Though personally it's not superior or up to the standard of some of his other stuff, such as their previous collaboration Hiding Places. Some songs just lack presence, and to be honest, no song blew me out of the water- but there's certainly many great, re-playable tracks.

85/100

Fairly simple beats and woods doesn't do much greater than the ordinary. Still, these songs hold a good amount of weight, and billy woods' standard for what he releases is great. Classical Music is gorgeous. Fuchsia & Green and Magdalene are great as well. But me personally, this won't really stick to me.

75/100

Can he be beaten?

The standards can't be exceeded if the standards are already at its maximum

Aethiopes is surreal, haunting, crushing, really weird, and really really amazing. And you could thank billy woods' god-tier lyricism and Preservation's god-tier production for those things.

Firstly, Preservation's work is largely eerie, layered, and mastered, and he brings great justice to the efforts in wood's raps. There are just so many highlights in the beats, with ... read more

An album that is pretty difficult to digest. The production is weird as hell yet gorgeous, billy woods is amazing as per usual, and Moor Mother's vocals are quite beautiful. Everything's great, but it feels off even after 2 listens, and I can't put my finger on why. It's like the album sounds unsatisfyingly or messily great.

80/100

I really like the ideas and production on here, they're honestly awesome. I also think that these songs are generally good; But this is pretty easily one of his least impactful and interesting releases yet.

Shepard's Tone is actually great btw. Western Education Is Forbidden and Suzerain as well

75/100

Ooh, a lot of words! Good job me!

This album contains some of the most insane hip-hop beats I know... Kenny Segal is a beast.
This album also contains some of the most charming and well-written raps I know... billy woods is also a beast.

I don't know of an album quite like this. This album is legitimately filled to the brim with eargasms. It's bustling with this batshit good production under absolutely ruthless rapping. I'm not even sure how to describe the production with ... read more