Reviewing music from Kanye West is never straightforward. It is not just about the music itself, but also the larger question of how to engage with an artist who has been consistently controversial. From moments like interrupting Taylor Swift at an awards show to his more recent and serious actions and statements, Kanye has built a reputation that goes far beyond music. For me, the only way to approach an album like this is to separate the artist from the art. I do not support him as a person, ... read more

U by underscores is a strong showing from an artist who continues to carve out a unique lane in the electropop space. From the very beginning, the album makes a clear impression with its fast paced energy and heavy use of genre staples. There are wavy synths, glitchy textures, and industrial leaning effects that immediately set the tone. It sounds modern without feeling generic, which is not always easy to pull off in this style.

The opening stretch of the album is one of its biggest ... read more

Nothing's About to Happen to Me by Mitski is a singer songwriter and chamber pop album that leans heavily into quiet emotion and careful songwriting. Mitski has always been known for her ability to create music that feels intimate and reflective, and this project continues that tradition. The album is built around soft instrumentation, expressive vocals, and lyrics that focus on internal thoughts rather than dramatic storytelling. It is not an album that tries to overwhelm the listener ... read more

To Whom This May Concern by Jill Scott is an emotional neo soul and contemporary R&B album that feels deeply rooted in warmth, reflection, and personal expression. From the beginning, it is clear that Scott approaches this project with a sense of purpose. Much of the album is built around spoken word elements and thoughtful messages, which gives the music a strong sense of personality. Instead of focusing only on catchy hooks or radio ready moments, the album leans into storytelling and ... read more

Nettspend is a difficult artist to fully pin down. There are individual songs in his catalog that I genuinely enjoy, and every now and then he shows flashes of an interesting sound or idea. The problem is that those moments rarely translate into full projects that feel consistent or fully thought out. His music can be exciting in small bursts, but when it is stretched across an entire release, the weaknesses start to show more clearly.

That was definitely my experience with his previous ... read more

Gorillaz is an art pop collective that has been part of my music life for a long time. My connection to the group goes all the way back to the 2005 release Demon Days. Even though I was born the same year that album came out, their music still became part of my childhood. I remember hearing Gorillaz a lot growing up because my parents would play them around the house. That early exposure stuck with me and helped shape my music taste in a big way.

As I got older, the album that really ... read more

Baby Keem is an artist I have genuinely liked since he first started dropping music. There has always been something different about him. Whether it is the explosive energy, the unpredictable vocal inflections, or the multiple voices and characters he brings into his songs, Keem has never felt one dimensional. Even when his projects ran long, he usually found a way to develop standout tracks that stuck with me. That said, he has not been flawless. There have been songs and even full projects in ... read more

Ratboys are an Illinois indie rock band that have been making music for over a decade, yet I somehow never fully dove into their catalog. That changed with Singin’ to an Empty Chair, an album that feels like a confident example of indie rock done right. It does not try to reinvent the genre, but it understands its strengths and leans into them with consistency and care.

At 50 minutes across 11 tracks, this is not a short listen. On paper, that runtime might seem like it risks dragging, ... read more

After the massive cultural run that Charli had last year with BRAT, expectations for her next move were understandably high. That album pulled a lot of people, myself included, into a world of chaotic club beats, sharp hooks, and some of the most confident dance pop of her career. It felt immediate and loud in the best way possible. So when Wuthering Heights was announced as the project that would close that chapter and begin a new era, there was a lot of curiosity about what direction she ... read more

I usually like to start my reviews with a full breakdown of an artist’s evolution, but with this release, I honestly do not feel the need. Joji is a former YouTuber turned musician who has now been in the industry long enough to prove himself. Across three LPs, he has delivered genuinely strong material. Ballads 1 and Nectar both showed that he could balance moody alternative R&B with memorable hooks and emotional weight. Even when he missed, there were always a few singles that ... read more

Mandy, Indiana is a French electro industrial and noise rock group that has been building their name over the past few years. With their newest album, URGH, they continue to lean into that abrasive, high intensity sound that defines their identity. There is clear talent here, and moments of real brilliance, but the album also leaves me uncertain about where the group is heading creatively.

The production is easily the strongest aspect of URGH. The heavy influence of noise rock and industrial ... read more

“The Flowers I See In You” by Ninush is a chamber pop EP that feels carefully crafted and full of potential. It is short, concise, and focused, but within that brief runtime it manages to explore a surprising amount of depth. From the first listen, what stands out most is the attention to arrangement. The grand string sections feel purposeful and rich without becoming overwhelming, while the delicate piano lines add a sense of intimacy that keeps everything grounded.

Chamber pop ... read more

Ever since modern hip hop branched into countless subgenres and lanes, the conversation around who truly stands at the top has only gotten louder. Over the past two years especially, the “big three” debate has dominated rap discussions. For most people, that trio is Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and J. Cole. Personally, I have never fully agreed with that lineup. While J. Cole has undeniable highs, including 2014 Forest Hills Drive and major records like “No Role Modelz,” his ... read more

I had not heard much from IDK before this project, but the album cover immediately caught my attention. Pair that with the promise of East Coast boom bap production and I was interested enough to give the mixtape a real listen. I am glad I did, because this ended up being one of the stronger hip hop releases I have heard this year.

From the start, IDK makes it clear that he understands the fundamentals of the genre. His rapping ability is the backbone of the entire tape. He balances sharp ... read more

The Boy Who Cried Terrified by fakemink serves as a prelude to his upcoming 2026 album Terrified, and from the first listen, it feels like a confident snapshot of where he currently stands as an artist. This EP leans heavily into jerk and cloud rap, two styles that fakemink has clearly grown comfortable operating within. The sound palette here is familiar if you have followed his work, but it is executed with enough personality to keep it engaging rather than repetitive. His iconic high pitched ... read more

By Storm is a collective that may feel new on paper, but in reality, they come from a well established place. The group is formed by Nathaniel and Parker, formerly of Injury Reserve, a name that became synonymous with experimental hip hop over the last decade. Injury Reserve built a reputation on pushing sound design, structure, and emotional weight in ways that felt risky but rewarding. After announcing they would no longer release music under that name, By Storm emerged as their next chapter, ... read more

xaviersobased is an underground rapper from New York who has slowly built a reputation around weird flows, odd bars, and experimental production choices that immediately turn a lot of people off. Honestly, I was one of those people at first. When I initially heard his music, I did not understand the appeal at all. The delivery felt awkward, the beats felt off-kilter, and nothing clicked for me right away. It sounded like music that was intentionally trying to be unapproachable, which made it ... read more

XG is a pop dance and rap group that has quietly been building momentum over the last few years. I first got into their music in 2024 with the EP AWE, which felt like a strong introduction to who they were as a group. That project highlighted their chemistry, confidence, and ability to make catchy songs without sounding forced. It showed a group that understood their strengths early on and knew how to present themselves in a crowded pop-rap space. Because of that, expectations were fairly high ... read more

Poppy is an artist whose career has been defined by transformation. Originally known as “Iampoppy,” she first gained attention through her uncanny and intentionally uncomfortable YouTube videos, which felt more like performance art than traditional content. That persona was never meant to last forever, and over time it became clear it was a stepping stone toward a music career. Over the past nine years, Poppy has fully reshaped herself as a musician, debuting in 2017 and ... read more

Westside Cowboy are a four piece indie rock group out of Manchester who feel like they are arriving at the right time. After first making noise with their debut EP earlier in 2025, their newest release, So Much Country ’Til We Get There, makes a strong case for why this band deserves real attention moving forward. Even at this early stage, it is clear that Westside Cowboy are not just experimenting aimlessly. There is raw talent here, paired with a growing sense of identity, and that ... read more