There's a magical experience that comes with certain songs - this reflexive, undeniable moment in which the music is so impactful to you that you have to close your eyes just to indulge in the moment fully. This moment came early in Samia's third album, Bloodless, as the cutting instrumental of Bovine Excision plays out under Samia's echoed vocals. It's a moment that makes your hair raise, your skin crawl, and your blood rush.

This isn't necessarily an album that is ... read more

As a long-time Vigra Boys fan, their fourth album viagr aboys is a pure treat across the board. Easily one of their best full projects, viagr aboys feels much less concerned with being odd just for the sake of oddities and is more odd for the sake of versatility. Sebastian Murphy as a vocalist is likely an acquired taste for some, with grizzled charm but absurd lyricism and strange vocal inflections. This is him at his most consumable and artful without remotely sacrificing the personality that ... read more

My firs foray into the music of Sam Fender was more than a welcome one. People Watching, his third album, is a beautiful love letter to the heartland rock of yesteryear that is absolutely loaded with memorable, soaring tracks. Since its release I have regularly found myself returning to songs like the powerful opening title track, the more folksy Arm's Length, or the bouncy Wild Long Lie, but whenever the full album is put on I find myself still getting chills at least once.

Although the ... read more

Similar to their sophomore album O Monolith, Squid remains consistently innovative and odd but don't quite hit the mark of their debut album from my personal standing. Cowards is, in my opinion, more memorable and replayable than that sophomore album, giving me the sense that they still have plenty in the tank with endless potential to capture a similar magic, but that isn't to take away from the success in front of us here already.

Cowards is chalk-full of unique songs that Squid, ... read more

I couldn't tell you what exactly it is about Spiritbox, but they've slowly across their building discography become one of my favorite acts ever within the metal genre. There's just something about the blended vocals of LePlante, regularly shifting from her soaring singing to grizzled roars, that perfectly suits the industrial/djent style.

What Spiritbox accomplish that many other metal acts lose sight of is the development of memorable hooks, singable choruses, and generally ... read more

Oh wow, guess who!!! I do not have the capacity for the lengthiness I've utilized in the past, but I will make an earnest effort to get back on the saddle after years of relative inactivity. Don't hold your breath, but at least good music still be chunking along.

Forever Howlong is a natural progression that feels less jarring when examined next to Ants From Up There. The album was going to feel like an adjustment period given the absence of previous frontman Isaac Wood, which is ... read more

I didn't know Jared Leto joined Imagine Dragons. Neat!

Listen, I'm not saying the thing was a masterpiece, but A Beautiful Lie at least has some guilty pleasure nostalgia attachment. The only guilt related to It's the End of the World, But It's a Beautiful Day is that I listened to the first two songs and didn't just instinctively say "I won't like the next 33 minutes if I don't stop this."

Favorite track: The pretend bonus track I decided plays at the very end, which is just the ... read more

Jessie Ware's follow up to the critically acclaimed What's Your Pleasure? from three years ago is somehow even more sleek, glittery, and catchy, despite how refined that album already was. The 38-year-old is the embodiment of a diva across this full project, crafting something undeniably danceable without sacrificing the kind of artistry that calls back to the kinds of artists that made this genre unforgettable in its heyday. Despite clearly taking inspiration from the past through disco and ... read more

This man is out of his god damn mind for making this, and I am out of my god damn mind for starting it, see you in a month I guess

An update: It has been four days and I am officially four hours deep. Almost halfway there. Pray for me.

As someone who has been a huge fan of shame since their debut and continuing through with their sophomore effort, Food for Worms is the first the group didn't do much to impress me. The singles drummed a bit of interest up initially, but ultimately it is their weakest effort and one that hasn't called me back nearly as much as their previous two efforts. Some variety was welcome, but ultimately the album just doesn't live up to their name and doesn't create much reason to anticipate greater ... read more

Full of dance-heavy club tracks and ethereal vocals, Raven is a transcendental sophomore album that deserves more than just plays on a dance floor and justifies focused and effortful listening. The continued evolution of modern pop and R&B music is in good hands with the likes of Kelela.

Favorite track: Contact

As frontwoman Hayley Williams continues to show increased growth and maturity in her musicianship now in her mid-30's, naturally her music has grown and by proxy improved with her. This was already evident on her most recent solo outing, but Paramore's most recent group effort in This Is Why is an even better indication of the trajectory of the group. After Laughter had many of the post-punk dance elements seen on this recent outing, but This Is Why only heightens them and refines them, ... read more

The worlds most laidback artist you could imagine has an outing that screams lack of effort. Five Easy Hot Dogs more than anything else exists, serving little to build on a previously interesting career and sadly bringing little to what he has done in the past. Just about any other instrumental music would be worth your time more than this, as DeMarco's background noise just isn't as interesting without his stoner-vibe lyricism and vocalization.

Favorite track: Gualala

Although the group ditch the level of the bleakness from their debut When I Have Fears, Gigi's Recovery still maintains the enjoyable dimness of the best of post punk while keeping a groove to their songs that brings you back for more. There are some genuine standout tracks on the album like The Stars Will Leave Their Stage and Only Good Things that have plenty of replay value, but the album as a whole still stands firm. The title track encapsulates the best of the group, though - emotional, ... read more

I think I speak for everyone when I say... Damn Peggy.

Fully recognizing how hyperbolic this is, SCARING THE HOES may be one of the best things to ever happen to experimental/abstract hip hop. Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA are already modern legends of the last decade from their individual work so there was no mystery that the two would have more than enough talent to put together a fun collaborative project. That's not even scratching the surface - Brown and JPEG aren't just complimentary ... read more

I can't express to you how excited I am that De La Soul's music is finally out from under the thumb of the industry and back into the spotlight for a generation of young hip hop fans to experience. I'm fairly confident I've relistened to 3 Feet High and Rising about four times since the streaming rights allowed for their music to be heard outside of YouTube compilations of tracks, rare physical copies, and I don't know maybe an oldhead humming the tunes. I haven't lost interest yet and promise ... read more

Everything Kali Uchis has done on this album is at bare minimum marginally more gorgeous than everything any of us have ever done. Sleek doesn't even begin to describe Red Moon in Venus - the gloss on this thing could blind a family of four. Uchis puts the soul in neo-soul; these aren't fabricated like fool's gold, if take a bite of any of these tracks and they'll crack your teeth in half with the amount of sincerity in the emotions communicated. Wow! Cool!

Favorite track - I Wish you Roses

King Krule hasn't released an album since 2020 so I have to like something.

Sorry, I don't know how to do this anymore. I like the change up here. The last album had some fun elements to it but, quite frankly, I didn't come back to them much. UGLY definitely feels like something I can come back to later as a full project. Neat! Wow!

Favorite Track - UGLY

Dance Daughters.

God I should do more than that, listen I'm rusty, it's good shut up.

Favorite track - Donkey Show

Aesop Rock may not be experiencing a career renaissance in the public eye, his most recognizable songs still being relegated to his 2000's material on Def Jux, but the underground legend is certainly performing like he's in the midst of one.

After El-P's label closed its doors Aesop Rock went on a five year hiatus before releasing Skelethon, then took another four year hiatus (outside of singles) before The Impossible Kid. Over the last three years, though, Aesop has been busier than ever, ... read more