MEME SHAPED POOL
(louisdewi)

United Kingdom

284

Ratings

Pinned Review

Black Country, New Road

For the first time

I have no doubt that to many this rating will seem inadequately small, but let me plead my case. I see a band here with a lot of potential, and a sound that is genuinely exciting, but there are also cracks to iron out. There are flaws on the album, I don't want to pretend there aren't. The changes to Sunglasses don't work and in many ways the hype outdid the actual thing because, at the end of the day, we only got like one new song and an instrumental. That's not a musical issue, but it still ... read more

Recent Reviews
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Black Coffee

Subconsciously

Unfortunately, as much as I love and hold affection for house music, I just find this new Black Coffee album too generic and bland. I love the repetition in modern dance and chill house but its paramount the repeating elements are good. Here, some things really work, but mostly it just gets dull. I can listen to it whilst I watch the football but all in all there just isn't enough substance to call it a good album. I'll still be on the lookout for future projects but this just didn't do enough ... read more

Fredo

Money Can’t Buy Happiness

Fredo is another of those British rappers who only seem to be coming to mainstream success now. I was unaware of what to expect coming into the project, but Dave’s extensive involvement naturally drew me in as well as the intriguing teasers. Thankfully I did because this album is really class. The opening track “biggest mistake” will go down as one of my favourites this year without doubt due to the incredible production. The rest of the album follows suit with dreamy and wavy ... read more

The Weather Station

Ignorance

I actually wasn’t familiar with The Weather Station prior to the weighty hype surrounding this release, and maybe that worked to my favour because I really enjoyed this album. The timbre and vocals on display are so infectious and delightful, and the song-writing is basically brilliant. Some songs in the middle lack the punch of the opening and ending few tracks, but overall it’s a fantastic listen.

slowthai

TYRON

It’s really refreshing to hear a U.K. rapper be so Frank with themselves. That’s exactly what TYRON is about. From the spacey hooks of the second disk to the scathing bars of the first, Slowthai is really coming to terms with himself and his newly acquired super-stardom. People won’t like it because it is much less explosive and, perhaps, memorable than his debut, but the album is no less a wonderful work and an ode to people.

Goat Girl

On All Fours

This is really exceptional work, especially considering the sad setbacks the band have suffered in the form of band member Ellie’s cancer journey. Thankfully she has been recovering and the band are back with a blend of synth-pop and indie rock that gets the balance just *chef’s kiss* so damn right. The choruses are rousing, the soundscape is often gorgeous and, best of all, there isn’t a bad track. Every song has such effort and intricacy. I expected to like it, but I loved ... read more

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Nico

Jan 9, 2021

Hello, I hope you're having a good day. I am reaching out in regards to my next AOTY Icon Interview. If you're unfamiliar with the series I crowdsource for questions. This time around for January 2021 edition, I will be interviewing PipePanic. The question is, what is a music-related question you can ask Pipe. Please refrain from asking questions as simple as "What is your favorite album?" Please also refrain from asking for thoughts about a specific album or asking joke questions. I ask that you ask something thought-provoking and ambiguous. I will be selecting the best questions to ask Pipe. If you can't think of any questions, you have a week to think about it. I also recommend checking my shoutbox before asking the question just to verify it hasn't been asked already. All participants will be credited for their questions. The interview will be posted by the end of the month. Thank you!