transition from MCPD to Berghain is life changing

Holy Fucking Shit: 98

Trip Hop manifesto. Reshaped the genre, accomplishing whatever it could; took it to its necessary conclusions in terms of soundscapes and experience conception. Its gloomy-dark-dense-heavy-dreadful-suspended atmospheres and its ethereal-angelic vocals crafted what was then and still is now an absolutely unique experience. Not 100 just because there are a couple songs that may feel redundant towards the end.

More explosive but less anarchic, starts off setting stellar high standards but then it slowly loses its focus resulting a bit redundant towards the last 2-3 songs. Still the playing is great and most of their signature features feel more defined than in EVOL, but was this more mature and conventional version of SY truly a step forward?

P.S.
Shizoprenia is probably my favourite Sonic Youth track so far

Band and genre defining work. Its misty, dreamy but still heavily consistent sound textures sublimate in an almost extra-corporeal experience.

black curtain slashed with bare hands.

unique soundscape for each single song on the project, pops front to back, sample based masterpiece.

Whole lotta sweetness. Every track has its own little sound palette that blooms in an unexpectedly layered crafting. Catchy as FUCK but not monotone, some songs are weaker than others but still the front to back experience is sparkling.

Very immediate yet attention rewarding jazz record. Sometimes I feel like he plays piano hundred times harder to fill the background void of not so elaborated bass lines or drum patterns. Still, he effortlessly manages to swing from melody to melody and mood to mood as his overall piano performance was pure sweet. Doesn't go higher than 80 because there are way more complex and brilliantly orchestrated albums out there. Doesn't go lower than 80 because every track is subject to twist ... read more

I wanted to like this SO BAD but I just think it doesn't feature an atmosphere set, a strong build up and an unpredictable evolution in most of the songs. May result boring once you're in the middle of it, no impressive sound experimentation or even melodies that catchy to build 4 minutes song off of it. Didn't peruse as I wished in an all round display of melanchony, the lyrics are there but it doesn't manage to actually build something so emotionally strong or unique to ... read more

THE BEST. It just offers the best production, best sample valorisation, biggest amount of absolute earbusters and THAT start had my chair literally flying away.

way funnier than the first one, way more unpredictable, way more bangers ==> way better.

Feels like a dopamine injection

Easy perfect score. Most forward thinking pop album of the decade and one of my really favs oat. To justify the score I'm just gonna say that you'll find the exact same amount of sparkling and dazzling electricity in every single seconds of the record, then it's just up to you to give it the well deserved listen.

Goes head to head with Madvillainy in terms of performances but then they pretty much embark opposite paths. Madvillain runs over you with its explosive energy and immediate but exquisite beats, once you press play you'll wait 46 mins and 50 sec before you'll stop jumping, dancing and laughing across your room. This stuff petrifies you on the edge of your seat, and every single cell of your body stops working for 56 mins and 42 sec, overwhelmed by the dark, IDM, minimalist and ... read more

Just considering personal enjoyment this would be an easy 90 but we gotta keep in mind that it may lack in variaty and overall sperimentation (it doesn't sound like any other modern pop record but it doesn't come up with something absolutely original). By the way, I consider this to be her best hands down and honestly a no skip project, melting numerous influences and coexisting genres and so giving birth to something pretty trascendental that just drags you deep into another parallel ... read more

Opens up and closes tight but there are like 10 superfluous tracks in between where JID still manages to show off his undeniable rapping skills but the energy is not there and the songs really feel like nothing happening, expecially production wise. Feats are just TRASH, the best one is probably WG and he doesn't even actually rap.

Absolutely unique soundscape from both the artists, villanous and humorous deliveries unfold in Madlib's gloomy and jazzy production. Perfect tracks length for Doom's explosive and overwhelming approach and insane creativity in building up a definite atmosphere for each single song. Rap flows like holy water descending from an unsainted statue immersed in a dense, varied and misterious forest, in full bloom. So dark, so funny, so good. To split hairs, there are a few interludes wich I ... read more

The level of Introvert and I Love You, I Hate You remains unmatched during the record, but that's nothing to be blamed of. Great sound palette, constantly evolving and bringing something new to the table, whether it's a hit or skip. Her performances go from groovy ad elegant to energetic and electric, even if probably her sophisticated pen better matches the first kind of approach with brilliant and soulful delivery. Being more direct, I think she absolutely stands out in full focused ... read more

The focus, the fusion, the emotions, the front to back energy. Hit after hit, sound textures thick as earth's surface, layered storytelling... enough to be a 10 I guess.