Alex Warren is someone I’ve followed for years, from his early days on TikTok to founding the Hype House and mimicking David Dobrik’s vlog style. Now he’s taken on the title of musician. His story is one that’s often used to build hype: going from being homeless to becoming a mainstream pop act. But his debut album You'll Be Alright, Kid is unfortunately proof that money and exposure don't always lead to meaningful music.

Like many social media stars who pivot ... read more

Alex G is an critically acclaimed artist who has been the cornerstone of Indie Folk genre for almost 2 decades. But with over 15 years in the game and a reputation as a beloved figure in indie music, I came into Headlights expecting something refined, something that showcased his years of experience and unique artistic voice. Unfortunately, what I found instead was a surprisingly underwhelming and uneven record.

Headlights falls firmly into the indie folk lane, but rather than feeling warm or ... read more

Tyler, The Creator is easily one of my favourite figures in modern pop culture, an artist I’ve watched evolve dramatically over the last decade. His creative arc since 2017’s Flower Boy has been one of constant reinvention. That album laid the emotional groundwork, but it was 2019’s IGOR that cemented his genius for me. It was colourful, chaotic, and vulnerable. Easily one of the best records of the decade, let alone the year. Then came CHROMAKOPIA in 2024, a raw and deeply ... read more

TWICE has always been one of the more accessible and recognizable groups in the K-pop scene, especially for casual listeners like myself. With nine members, their appeal often lies in their bright, dance-driven pop sound and catchy, high-energy performances. Their 2024 full-length DIVE was a decent introduction, it wasn’t groundbreaking, but it had solid production, memorable choruses, and a good balance of pop sensibility. Not every track landed, but it felt like a strong starting point ... read more

Travis Scott is an artist whose critical reputation and cultural hype have never quite aligned. While earlier works like Rodeo and Utopia showcased some degree of artistic ambition, much of his mainstream success is rooted in Astroworld, a well-produced but ultimately overrated record that doesn’t warrant the mythos built around it. Despite personal controversies and uneven projects, Scott's brand continues to carry immense weight. However, JACKBOYS 2, his latest collaborative ... read more

Death Grips is easily one of the most chaotic, genre-defying acts in music and The Money Store is not only their best project but, in my opinion, the greatest experimental hip-hop record of all time. This album is in my top five for a few key reasons, but let’s start with the production. It’s abrasive, raw, layered, and completely unapologetic. Every sound feels like it's been run through static and violence, but somehow it works, perfectly. It’s chaos with ... read more

The reason To Pimp a Butterfly is my #1 album of all time comes down to its unapologetic truth, emotional complexity, and cultural impact. It’s not just a rap album, it’s a statement. A manifesto. Kendrick Lamar crafts a layered, jazz-infused odyssey through Black identity, institutional oppression, personal guilt, and artistic redemption, using Compton as both backdrop and metaphor for the broader experience of Black America.

At the time of this record’s release in 2015, ... read more

Justin Bieber has been in the public eye for nearly half his life; an artist who grew up in front of the camera, endured the pitfalls of early fame, and morphed from pop heartthrob to cautionary tale, and now, somehow, back again. His career has been a rollercoaster, not just musically but personally. He's been arrested, criticized, misunderstood, and mythologized, both a global icon and a walking contradiction. While fans have often debated the depth of his music, there’s no denying ... read more

After a 16 year hiatus, Clipse, the legendary duo of Pusha T and Malice, returns with a statement record that slices through the cluttered landscape of modern hip-hop. With Let God Sort Em Out, they don’t just reappear, they reassert themselves as rap's conscience, taking aim at an industry they see as losing its way.

Lyrically, this album is razor-sharp. Pusha T, never one to bite his tongue, delivers venomous lines full of disdain for the state of the genre. Fresh off a string of ... read more

JID’s Preluxe serves as a teaser for his upcoming, highly anticipated full-length project God Does Like Ugly. While it offers a glimpse into his evolving creative direction, the result here is a mixed bag. The Preluxe leans into a more experimental and trap-influenced soundscape, but that ambition occasionally works against it.

One of the main issues lies in the overly processed production. Tracks like “Knew Better” and “Lisa” suffer from muddled mixes and layered ... read more

More legendary music for my ears to experience and what better place to dive than another classic? Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix is a psychedelic rock landmark, a debut that doesn’t just introduce a great artist, but establishes a new musical era. Even decades later, this record holds up shockingly well, full of wild experimentation, surreal soundscapes, and an unfiltered rawness that’s increasingly rare today.

As a debut, this album is almost unreal in how bold and complete ... read more

Blending multiple genres on a single album is a balancing act, one that can either lead to a chaotic mess or result in something bold and refreshing. Kevin Abstract has always had a knack for pushing genre boundaries, and on his latest release Blush, he steps into that hybrid space with confidence. Fusing elements of pop, rap, indie, and soul, Blush is an ambitious project that mostly lands, offering a dynamic and emotionally rich experience.

What makes Blush shine is its sonic versatility. ... read more

I first discovered Kota the Friend through his 2024 release Once In A Blue Moon; a sleeper hit in my books. It was a smooth, lowkey gem filled with thoughtful lyricism and lush, understated production. While it didn’t get the widespread love it deserved, it made me keep an eye on Kota as one of the most promising underdogs going into 2025.

Now, Kota returns with NO RAP ON SUNDAY, a focused, East Coast hip-hop record rooted in lofi textures, introspective bars, and a strong thematic ... read more

Skegss returns with a new EP that continues their familiar blend of indie and garage rock; sunny, laid-back, and tailored for backyard hangs or carefree drives. I was introduced to this Australian group by friends who played their music while smoking or chilling out, and from the start, I found their appeal pretty surface-level. Their style leans into a kind of pleasant safeness: non-threatening, catchy enough, and easy to digest.

On this new project, not much has changed. The band sticks to ... read more

Lorde is an artist whose career has always carried a certain level of mystique and expectation. With only four albums across a 12-year span, each release feels like an event. You’d hope that with this kind of pacing, every album would deliver a refined creative vision and in many ways, Lorde has consistently offered that. Her debut, Pure Heroine, remains her strongest to date: a minimal, dark-pop marvel that introduced us to a young but deeply perceptive lyricist with a unique grasp of ... read more

ARCHANGEL by midwxst is a record caught between potential and predictability. Rooted in the Emo Rap and Digicore soundscapes, genres often dismissed due to an overwhelming wave of derivative artists, midwxst manages to find pockets of originality and emotive resonance, though not consistently enough to elevate the project as a whole.

There’s no denying that midwxst can craft a catchy hook or build a melancholic, clouded mood that appeals to the average listener. Tracks like “gotta ... read more

Rock and singer-songwriter records often toe the line between brilliance and forgettability, and Scratch It by U.S. Girls falls somewhere in the middle. Led by Meg Remy, the project offers a contemplative and sonically understated experience that hints at something greater beneath its surface.

Vocally, Remy brings a soft, sometimes ethereal delivery that fluctuates between intimate whispers and fragile upper-octave strains. There are moments where the higher vocal flourishes land slightly off, ... read more

With an overwhelming volume of music released every year, choosing what to listen to often feels like a daunting task. Unfortunately, HAIM’s latest release, I Quit, is a reminder that not every album merits the time and attention it demands. Despite the band’s reputation and the unique dynamic of three siblings working together creatively, this record struggles to leave any lasting impact.

Sonically, I Quit occupies the indie rock lane with subtle variations across its hour-long ... read more

With the rise of social media and “social media musicians,” we’ve seen some genuinely cool artists and also some absolute garbage. Benson Boone definitely falls into the latter. His rise to fame is honestly confusing. Like, what is he doing that isn’t already being done 50 times over by every other commercially bankable pop singer? You know the formula: a breakup, some overly dramatic lyric about a girl, a “radio-ready” chorus that’s just catchy enough ... read more

OutKast’s Aquemini stands as a towering pillar in hip-hop history, an album that is as lush in production as it is rich in lyrical content. When people talk about “must-hear” albums across genres, they often mention experimental landmarks like The Money Store or socially conscious masterpieces like Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. In that very same conversation, Aquemini earns its spot as a definitive and essential listen, especially within the realm of Southern ... read more