Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over the Country Club
86

"Chemtrails Over the Country Club" is a beautiful project from singer, songwriter Lana Del Rey. This record further establishes what some people discovered after "Norman Fucking Rockwell!" but that her fans knew from the beginning.

Favorite Tracks: White Dress, Dark But Just a Game, Chemtrails Over the Country Club & Dance Till We Die

PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
94

"Let England Shake" is bold, original & incredibly moving. I will not elaborate too much, this record is literally art and I may or may not have cried while listening. All hail PJ Harvey!

Kylie Minogue - DISCO
81

"DISCO" is undoubtedly a triumph for pop goddess Kylie Minogue. One of the strongest records of her career, full of ...well... disco bangers with wonderful production, great vocal delivery, and addicting hooks. Definitely a standout from 2020.

Favorite Tracks: Miss A Thing, Dance Floor Darling, Real Groove, Magic & Say Something.

Cher - Closer to the Truth
50

"Closer to the Truth" is Cher's 25th record and can be described as classic Cher being that the record is predominantly dance-pop and follows a very similar formula to her best-selling project "Believe". There are some nice tracks on the record; including "I Walk Alone" & "I Hope You Find It", as well as feminist & romantic themes touched on. However, "Closer to the Truth" is more vessel than substance.

Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters
86

Fiona Apple's fifth record "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" is an experimental masterpiece. The record's approach to instrumentation is quite interesting, ranging from the use of pianos and drums to even the bones of Apple's deceased dog. Intricate and unconfined, the record stands as one of the year's best releases and touches on freedom, feminism, assault & depression.

Favorite Tracks: Heavy Balloon, I Want You To Love Me, Shameika, Rack of His & Newspaper.

Madonna - American Life
74

"American Life" arguably stands as Madonna's most vilified and underrated record. The 2003 release remains one of her most controversial and political records. With "American Life", Madonna marries folk, electronica and techno influences and lyrically, her approach was quite reflective both inward and outward; she focuses on Hollywood, fame, society, superficiality, war, love, and her family - all of which coincidentally (not really) fall perfectly under the concept/title of ... read more

Madonna - Madame X (Deluxe)
69

Although I was never in love with "Madame X", I never hated it either. As I mentioned in my review of the standard edition of the record, I felt there was some wasted potential on some tracks; one being "Dark Ballet". However, I decided to revisit "Madame X" and opted for the deluxe edition as it contains two of the best tracks on the entire project; "Extreme Occident" & "Looking for Mercy", both of which should've been on the standard ... read more

Madonna - Music
81

Madonna's eight studio album was an ambitious project for the singer, songwriter who opted for an electronica and country/folk fusion. Lyrically, Madonna touches on romance, faith, death and feminism for the most part. "Music" contains a handful of tracks that are not only highlights to the record itself but to Madonna's repertoire; included in that category are "I Deserve It", "Music" & "Paradise (Not for Me)". "Music" is a masterful record ... read more

Madonna - Rebel Heart
73

"Rebel Heart" is undoubtedly Madonna's strongest effort since 2005's "Confessions on a Dance Floor". The record contains dance, house, and trap infused tracks as well as some ballads. Lyrically, Madonna sings about love, drugs, sex and heartbreak - mainly. During the record, the music icon even references herself, most evidently in "Holy Water" which borrows lines from "Vogue". "Rebel Heart" is a solid pop record with a few dismissable tracks ... read more

Joni Mitchell - Blue
91

"Blue" is a beautifully crafted record from the legendary songstress Joni Mitchell. The album has a very simple, stripped back approach to instrumentation allowing Mitchell's emotional vocal delivery to soar as well as placing more emphasis on the lyrics. Thematically, Mitchell sings of love, suffering, escapism and motherhood. "Blue" is cohesive, bare and Mitchell's storytelling writing is both - astonishing and captivating.

Favorite Tracks: A Case of You, California, My ... read more

Britney Spears - Britney Jean
20

"Britney Jean" is a train wreck and without a doubt Britney Spears' weakest project. With the exception of the record's sole standout track "Work Bitch" and the decent "Alien" and "Perfume", there's really no listenable material on this album - it's painful to sit through.

Favorite Track(s): Work Bitch.

Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia
81

Dua Lipa's sophomore project is a glorious dance-pop/disco infusion that draws inspiration from giants of those genres; Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Blondie, Donna Summer & Olivia Newton-John, mainly. Lyrically, Lipa sings about love, heartbreak, feminism & sex. With the exception of "Cool" & "Good In Bed", every track on this record can be considered a highlight. Truly igniting feelings of nostalgia with the record's instrumentation & production as well as with ... read more

Christina Aguilera - Back to Basics
79

Christina Aguilera's fifth studio album "Back to Basics" is both sonically and lyrically a tribute to jazz & soul legends including Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Otis Redding & James Brown. Lyrically, "Back to Basics" shows a different side to Aguilera; a vulnerability and naivety rarely shown by the artist in previous or follow-up works. The record is unapologetic, empowering & occasionally heartbreaking; some of its highlights include "Back ... read more

Kylie Minogue - X
78

Kylie Minogue's "X" is a phenomenal electropop record; marking her comeback after a grueling battle with cancer in the mid-2000s. Minogue was fearless and crafted one of her most unique and disjointed bodies of work - containing dance, R&B, glam rock and disco-tinged tracks. Lyrically, Kylie sings about love and desire, namechecks Michaelangelo & asks her listeners to open up their mind's eye.

Favorite Tracks: Speakerphone, The One, In My Arms, Stars & Like a Drug.

Joni Mitchell - Turbulent Indigo
79

One of Joni Mitchell's most topical records, "Turbulent Indigo" has Mitchell singing about AIDS, pharmaceutical companies, poverty, domestic abuse, ozone depletion, love, and the Catholic church. Vincent van Gogh becomes a muse of sorts for Mitchell during this 1994 record. "Turbulent Indigo" contains some powerful tracks including "Sex Kills", "Not to Blame" and "The Magdalene Laundries" and results in one of the musician's strongest, more ... read more

Perfume Genius - No Shape
89

There are no bad tracks on "No Shape", just different levels of good. A stunning body of work with beautiful production, lyrics & vocals.

Favorite Tracks: Die 4 You, Run Me Through, Otherside, Just Like Love & Wreath.

Lady Gaga - Chromatica
41

Lady Gaga's "Chromatica" was quite underwhelming, the record struggled to produce a handful of good tracks. Lyrically, Gaga remains pretty much on brand singing about love, heartbreak, freedom and perseverance.

Favorite Tracks: Babylon & Alice.

Mariah Carey - Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse
72

Mariah Carey's fourteenth studio album "Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse" is a great blend of musical styles ranging from R&B to pop to gospel, and others. The record contains multiple collaborations, which include Nas, Wale, Miguel & Fabolous. Lyrically, Carey sings mainly about different facets of love, fame, and resilience. There is roughly a handful of mediocre tracks on "Me. I Am Mariah..." but Carey is to be commended for the lack of bad tracks on this ... read more

Kate Bush - Never for Ever
79

"Never For Ever" is eclectic, vocally stunning, heartfelt, and at times idiosyncratic. The record starts off strong with the powerhouse track "Babooshka", which rightfully so would become a huge hit for Bush. However, the record does have a few flaws and weak tracks such as "Egypt". The second half of the record picks up; containing the moving anti-war statement "Army Dreamers" and the uplifting "Breathing". Overall, a strong and effective ... read more

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