Louis13

Engaging flows and the occasional memorable one-liner can't make up for generally lacklustre lyrics, mediocre singing and generic production. There's plenty of potential here though and her chemistry with GloRilla is fun on lead-single 'Bestfrenn'. Hopefully that and the closer can act as a blueprint for her future output.

Favourite Tracks: Bestfrenn, Point To Prove*

While I'm not familiar with any of John Cale's previous work outside of The Velvet Underground, I'm astounded that he's 80 and still pushing boundaries in art pop and working with newer artists. I particularly love the sprawling nature and haunting tone of this record. That being said, some of these tracks don't justify their length despite having some cool ideas (see 'Marilyn Monroe's Legs (Beauty Elsewhere)' and 'The Legal Status Of Ice').

Favourite Tracks: Mercy, Noise Of You, Story Of ... read more

Since I can't listen to Boldy's recent physical-only EP with Real Bad Man, this is a welcome surprise drop from him despite his recent car crash. It's cool that he's once again sharing his spotlight with lesser-known producers and rappers but this one felt like it could've done with more quality control and a tighter track list.

Favourite Tracks: Saints And Sinners, Wrong Side Of Town, Electric Blue, Frozen, 8 Days*, Tell It All

44 years since his acclaimed debut 'Thousand Knives Of', Sakamoto is still making quality music this time in the form of sparse, ambient piano pieces recorded over the space of about a year. Given the context of the album though, with Sakamoto's experience of "living alongside cancer" after his second diagnosis, I wish I felt a connection to more than just a few of these tracks, considering how much emotion was obviously put into them.

Favourite Tracks: 20220207, 20220302 - ... read more