From a vocal perspective, this record was lacking in many regards at times. Instrumentally, it certainly conforms to a formula, but is interesting at the album's heights. What impressed me most about this record was the thematic decisions, conveying the dangers of cult thought and the manipulation of those possessing the "cult of personality" through upbeat songwriting and instrumentation supported the commentaries Brown wished to direct the listener's attention toward. Not ... read more
If this record could have been more consistent, it likely could have been atop my mountain of the year's best. The album begins with some threatening and monstrous guitar notes that merge with the soiled and decrepit ambiance of the album really marvelously. Suddenly, without much reason, it disappears until the second half of the record. It leaves the existing instrumentals on the first half of the album feeling empty in comparison, but fortunately the second half salvages the work with ... read more
This record has some standout tracks, but as an entire project it lacks a thematic vision. It frames itself as an album that will discuss the repercussions of show business invisible to the naked-eye, yet only dips its toes into that concept. It certainly separates her from Little Mix, and presents an opportunity to experience some hasty pop music, with a juxtaposition of some slow burners as well
Favourite Songs:
IT Girl
Midnight Cowboy
Lip Service
Instrumentally it was rather bland, lyrically (at least based on my gauging) it was weak, and honestly I found myself bored throughout. There are a couple enjoyable tracks, but as a project I did not find myself entertained
This is a record that struggles to remain focused on its thematic strides, which leads to an unbalanced listening experience. It does not aid the record that it adopts many instrumental habits common to the R&B genre, which leads to a reliance on vocal ability, which, with all due respect, Caesar does not exactly possess in excess. A couple tracks were enjoyable, but as an overall album it requires improvement, in my opinion
I was really blown away by how unique the sound of this record is. I was not expecting something so wholly unlike anything I've ever heard. It honestly reminds me a little of Nine Inch Nails (but more gay — I say as a compliment), a little of A Perfect Circle (but less heavy), and a little of Cigarettes After Sex (but with talent — no offense to CAS). It's a very quaint, introspective record that allows you to curl into a coil and breathe a collective sigh of relief mixed ... read more
All honesty, I am not the biggest Paramore person, but I did feel this record was quite alright, with some rather prominent concerns. I am unaware whether Williams is known to utilize effects on her voice so prominently, but it diminishes her work in some regards. It simply isn't my taste, is all. And the instrumentals began with a fresh ambience before growing repetitive and borderline mundane on the second half of the record. I am also ignorant to the extent that lyricism plays a role on ... read more
The impending and vicious guitar suspends itself above the listener's head. The drums compliment its horror with perfection. Moreno's vocals are as sharp and twisted as jagged shards of shattered glass. What an absolutely hardcore record to introduce myself to the band. More standout tracks could have contributed to a higher overall score, but overall I enjoyed the album!
Favourite Songs:
cut hands
departing the body
my mind is a mountain
Blew me away! A really wonderful, quaint record that is swelling with adoration and affection. Some of the lyricism on this record is just overflowing with romance! They are sexy! Sena really manages to capture the art of love and desire, and encapsulate it on this album. It isn't the most impressive vocal performance you'll ever witness, but there are glimpses that suggest she possesses true vocal capabilities should she opt to attempt an even more extravagant work, as displayed on ... read more
Where this record falls flat for me is its lyricism and repetition. The second half of the album particularly struggles with repetitive sounds, and dwindles the height of Jordan's potential. However, it was a record that entertained and intrigued me at it's highest peaks
von Hausswolf's vocals are great — why does Iggy Pop sound like he is moments from death?
Somehow Gaga has curated a multi-layered organism that evidently borrows inspiration from the greats in music history, yet still manages to be wholly her own artistic creation. I am unsure how that is even possible, but she managed to achieve it. I mean, the sounds of Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Phil Collins, Prince, and even MJ are basically melting off the record like cream frosting, and it tastes just as delicious on the taste buds. She takes this dull and grizzly sound and manipulates it ... read more
This record is not bad. I suppose it only leaves a tang on my tongue because of my adoration for Maneskin. Damiano's voice is woodworked for rock and roll. It fits the grinding of the guitar strings and impending doom of the heavy drums like an instrument itself. When he performs basic pop it just feels... basic. And make no mistake, there are some tracks on this album that are really bad. Namely "Solitude." And what is paradoxical about that fact is that "Solitude" is ... read more
Overall, Nxdia is a talented artist. Her vocals clearly possess a flare that presents her as unique, and the manner in which she effortlessly transitions from English to Arabic is certainly impressive, too. The intention to certify it as mainstream is there, and that is an admirable trait. The alternative instrumentals are rhythmic, though slightly simplistic. That doesn't bother me nearly as much as the length of these tracks — and the record as a whole — do. I can comprehend ... read more
I suppose my major gripe with this record is the storytelling. We do not get an accurate glimpse into who this "Goldie Montana" character is, and it results in some confusion. Is she an independent bossanova who toasts slim flutes of champagne and revels in the failure of those who attempt to usurp her? Or is she something else entirely as the lyrics to "Neon Nuptials" would suggest? Certain tracks from an instrumentation aspect I can appreciate, but the character that is ... read more
As a record this is quite good! The instrumentation is heavy and dark for the most part, enveloping the subject matter in shadows as is the intention. Thematically, it is entirely consistent and an honest reflection of the illusion of fame. It critiques its savage, cannibalistic nature and portrays it as a danger to navigate through twisted romance and youthful naivety. It even relies on religious allusions on occasion to convey the depravity society has become accustomed to, very similar to ... read more
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On IloveApples's review of Magdalena Bay - Imaginal Disk
"Franz Kafka referenceđź‘€ I am now considerably intrigued by this record. It sounds thematically rich. Great review!!"
On AngstyTeen's review of The Stooges - Raw Power
"@AngstyTeen For some reason it seems like some artists from that era just have that invincible quality to them. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are somehow still kicking. Hell, it was a miracle Ozzy made it to the age he did. Different times"
On AngstyTeen's review of The Stooges - Raw Power
"Yea I generally find Iggy Pop vocally distasteful too. I Wanna Be Your Dog is about all I can tolerate from them"
On Nagi111910's review of Laufey - Bewitched
"Congratulations on three-hundred followers!! And wonderful review!! My main takeaway is that Laufey really could have benefitted from visiting an Ikea"
On Shayden's review of Britney Spears - In the Zone
"@Shayden That's very interesting! I had no idea George Harrison used those elements so prevalently. It's very fascinating to understand how rooted in Indian music some of his work is. You seem to know quite a bit about it, I bet you could write an article/paper on it. It would be extremely intriguing
Also, I will have to look out for those influences once I delve into Madonna's discography"
On Shayden's review of Britney Spears - In the Zone
"@Shayden Are there other artists who utilized similar elements frequently, that you can think of?"
On Shayden's review of Britney Spears - In the Zone
"I hadn't noticed the Middle Eastern influences until I saw you mention them, and now they seem very obvious. She really manages to blend it with dance pop to the utmost perfection"
On The Plague Review's review of Paul McCartney - The Boys of Dungeon Lane
"I didn't care for it much either, but gave it some grace since at this point McCartney can do whatever he pleases in his career twilight"
On Lynn's review of TX2 - End of Us
"DeathbyRomy is easily the best part of this record and that is hilarious considering she is there for like 2 minutes"
On Shayden's review of Katy Perry - Witness
"Chained to the Rhythm has often been a diamond in the rough for me within Katy Perry's discography, though I'm uncertain whether it works as intended in the grand scheme of the record, I haven't (nor do I really intend) listened"
On Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time
"@Shayden Those are the two that always come to mind for me that received so much abuse at the end of the media's sword. What they experienced exceeded anything I can even think of. The media was deliberately cruel toward them, and actively perpetuated false narratives that continuously harmed them, fully cognizant of their culpability in the assault on both of them, arguably contributing to the death of Michael Jackson for one, and to the literal removal of Britney Spears' autonomy. She was eighteen on her second effort, and already writing lyrics regarding the pain that fame brought. It is absolutely terrible that so many normalized that treatment of her. She deserved so much better"
On Ninedescent's review of d4vd - WITHERED
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On Ninedescent's review of d4vd - WITHERED
"I tend to agree. Review bombing strikes me as attention-seeking. "Look at me!! I'm against this person!!" The same sentiment is conveyed if one just doesn't engage with the art whatsoever. If I despise the artist I am reviewing on an ethical plane, I simply attach a link to support those who have been victims in similar instances. I am more pleased with offering that assistance, however miniscule it may be, than trying to display my apparent ethical superiority for clicks"
On IloveApples's review of Michael Jackson - Dangerous
"This was a project that cemented himself as a force of pure versatility. He was the King of Pop, and as you mentioned, allowed his drive for perfection to steer him down a completely foreign road. And he excelled. He allowed his morals and ethics to tackle cultural issues such as racism, "human apathy" (as you so intelligently put it), and worldwide mistreatment of the planet. It expands across such a vast array of thematic grievances, and it is superior for it. It's truly perfection. I'm very glad that you enjoyed it for the marvelous masterpiece that it is, and I am pleased to read and reply to your reviews!! You analyze them without a measurable bias, and with a willingness to allow the art to speak for itself. Simply stunning review!!"
On IloveApples's review of Michael Jackson - Dangerous
"DANGEROUS AT 97!!! YES!!! My absolute favourite record of all time. I adored this review!!! It really was a symbolic evolution for the King. It was his first example of completely unbridled creative control, and it is safe to say he rose to the occasion. I was extremely intrigued by your mention of the palpable paranoia that encompasses this record! It is no secret that MJ was perhaps the most paranoid person on the planet throughout his career, and its really interesting to see that terror manifest itself in a romantic context on tracks like Who is It and Dangerous, while also in the context of himself as a celebrity on tracks like Jam and Why You Wanna Trip On Me"
On Lynn's review of Neoni - How To Kill A Fairytale
"I was quite disappointed, too. Death of Daisies was really intriguing, and I felt like their songwriting progressed too. This record has some moments, but overall was more of a regression from a songwriting perspective"
On Olivia Rodrigo - the cure
"@Ciroriberi Exactly. It takes immense talent to allow the momentum to naturally gather the way she does"
On IloveApples's review of Marina Sena - Coisas Naturais
"I'm glad you found it beautiful! It was definitely a really serene ambiance that Marina Sena managed to capture — the record has only continued to grow on me since listening. It was my introduction to Latin pop, too, and what an introduction it was. There are so many gorgeous tracks on Coisas Naturais"
On realjulianj's review of Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
"It's unfortunate that the Arctic Monkeys have been on the receiving end of such harsh scrutiny on their last two records, especially when it includes some of the most riveting songwriting in the band's discography, courtesy of the one and only Alex Turner, and, in all honesty, some of the best songwriting in music itself in the last decade"
On IloveApples's review of Michael Jackson - You Rock My World
"Very pleased to see Invincible growing on you:) You Rock My World is absolute r&b excellence"
On GVLSCH's review of The Warning - Ego
"@josech5 lmfao cook, I have never understood why people on this site genuinely seek to review things they know they won't like. It's one thing if you go in wanting to like it and find yourself disappointed, but so many people hate review things on this site because they know they won't like it"
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