🔴 BAMF
🟢 The other 5 tracks

I so wish I could rate this higher because it has some real bangers on it, but it's brought down by a couple things. First, "Talk About It" had some good ideas but was a bit spoiled from Pegboard Nerds' messiest production up to that point. The vocal performance was solid, but the ad libs were off-putting to me. Second, "BAMF" had a good buildup idea, but the drop can only be funni for so long. And you can imagine how I feel about ... read more

🔴 Pink Cloud
🟢 The other 4 tracks

This was very different territory for the Nerds at the time, but they did a great job! The song structures are tight, the melodic motifs are intentional, and the whole vibe is just fun! It's a great showcase of what the duo is capable of outside of just energetic EDM with heavy sound design. An unprecedented yet very fitting application of their sound.

Favorite: Emoji
Least Favorite: Just Like That

If these tracks are supposed to be the ones that just missed out on the Nerds' debut EP or were close to getting scrapped altogether, then they demonstrate the most monumental, historical snub I have ever heard. I find every track to be a banger that holds up to this day. "20K" has never failed to get me headbanging more than most other tracks, "Close Encounters" is a underrated gem, and "FrainBreeze" is a groovy classic. Although the EP is quite front-heavy, ... read more

🔴 High Roller
🟢 The other 3 tracks

There was so much potential for this EP to be a triumph for everyone involved. It was the Nerds' debut EP. It was a joint release between Monstercat and Disciple. It released in a season overflowing with tracks that would go down in Monstercat history as timeless classics. And...this is what the Nerds came up with. Now, this EP is mostly alright; there's just a couple things that hold it back. First, "High Roller". Yuck. I ... read more

Like its predecessor, Obscure Sorrows, the progression of my second main EP can be interpreted many ways. It could be a linear story following someone who moves to a new place, meets a new friend, begins a romantic relationship with them, has to break up with them, and then remembers where they put their hope as they miss home again. It could be simply a collection of sentiments related to relationships—like with home, acquaintances, sweethearts, family, and God. It could be, even more ... read more

A short EP of some chill lil' instrumentals I put out for free download on SoundCloud.

My debut EP: a tour through several thought processes in the depths of my mind that seem so idiosyncratic, surely no one else feels them. Except they do! Whether it involves direction, identity, social anxiety, musical dissatisfaction, emotional distance, or nostalgia, there's an obscure sorrow someone out there feels, and they need hope for it.

Distorted kicks and dirty supersaws that punch you in the gut. What kind of EP are you thinking of right now? Yeah, this EP is not that. Thanks to several other elements--such as smooth guitar work, soothing vocals, sweet lyrics, and immersive pads--this EP is a punch in the gut in a different way. Not only does it carry boatloads of impact, it is also quite the emotional listen. The progression is exceptionally coherent, pushing forward and pulling back as needed. Each track is simultaneously ... read more

Not the follow-up to Healthy Snacks that I would’ve hoped for if I was aware of him at this time. I can’t deny the songs are pretty alright and have some pretty unique lyrical concepts, but the EP wanders a good bit without finding much of a place to land. It’s especially evident after an entire song about wanting to be asocial is followed up by an entire song about everybody being invited to his party. It reads more like a list of ideas PEABOD frequently has rather than a ... read more

Although Pt. 1 had a stronger dedication to its theming/storytelling, this EP has a stronger tracklist. It’s not that deep, but every song is so fun. The EP also lets the music speak for itself more than in Healthy Snacks, for instance, where he was more on the nose with that aspect of the lyrics. It was so satisfactory in both following up Pt. 1 and tiding us over until the debut album.

Favorite: My Favorite Part
Least Favorite: Spring Theory

When PEABOD makes a weaker project than normal, it can be harder to notice than with some artists, due to his consistency. As such, this is a weaker project of his, especially in the production, but the ideas and musicality are still there in satisfying measure. Some real earworms on this EP, which made for a triumphant return for PEABOD but left quite a bit to be desired.

Favorite: Wonderful and Scary
Least Favorite: Love Everybody

PEABOD stays consistent in quality with his debut album even as he takes the occasional vacation from the happy rap he’s known for. There are definitely some clear stronger and weaker tracks on this album, but ultimately it’s a sweet experience as he gets more introspective than normal. Expect a good bit of what you’d expect from him, but get ready for a little something different throughout.

Favorite: Magic Hour
Least Favorite: Start a Band

🟡 Hat Hair
🟢 The other 11 tracks

Sure, it’s not perfect. And it’s not going to be for everybody. But, just as it’s meant to feel, this mixtape is the listener meeting him for the first time, even spending the day with him. He’s going to be unapologetically himself around you, whether partying or chilling, and as he tells you what he thinks about what’s important to him, you’re either going to hit it off with him or not so much. I hit it off with this ... read more

Although the music rarely reaches the impact I’d like for it to have, some creative and unique composition decisions (a la the borrowed chords in “ok ok?”) sneak this album up to a 75. Since I don’t remember much about this album after listening to it yesterday, it’s more like a 70 with just that little bit of extra spice. But as with all half•alive albums, I’m sure it’d grow on me with further listens. I doubt it would beat their third album, but ... read more

🟡 What’s Wrong
🟢 The other 17 tracks

A sprinkling of mid tracks and creative ideas in a tracklist that’s mainly just good. With no clear theme to ground it, that makes for a slightly polarizing album, but its little moments prove that this is still the same band from the other two albums. Definitely their weakest project, but you get several great songs out of it if you have the patience to sift through a longer runtime.

Favorite: Nobody
Least Favorite: Conditions of a ... read more

Fantastic analog sound with this one that mixes the bop with the banger in a satisfying way. Disciple has signed more fantastic projects this year than I might've expected, and this release is the icing on the cake. Marcix even throws back to a more vintage Virtual Riot type sound at times, but he manages to make this EP a style all its own. Great outing from Marcix!

Favorite: Midnight Justice
Least Favorite: Articulate

🟡 idontcare (for ur attention)
🟢 The other 3 tracks

This EP ventures into lots of styles you wouldn't expect from KERO, for better and worse. The third track has some of my least favorite stuff from DNAKM, but KERO shines in several areas throughout this project. Doesn't quite "pushthesound" in a mind-blowing direction, but it's alright for what it is.

Favorite: stay4ever
Least Favorite: idontcare (for ur attention)

A sweet little EP that by no means plays to the lowest common denominator of lo-fi, but definitely falls a bit short of the beauty of which Sleepy Fish is capable. Still, several picturesque vignettes here, complemented by vibey production and smooth basslines. The ideas are great, and they make for a pretty listening experience.

Favorite: man it's late
Least Favorite: railway pulse

This album takes what the previous album did *swimmingly* and takes it down a notch. Still, it's a solid entry in the trilogy, even getting close to the emotional highs of album 2 in "Butterfly". It still feels like a step forward in the sound of the trilogy and in Sleepy Fish's sound in general, even though it's a bit of a weaker album than its predecessor. A satisfying way to end this great album trilogy.
 
Favorite: Lunar Cycles
Least Favorite: Way Away

🔴 Hot One
🟢 The other 7 tracks

I'm wayyy in the minority on this one, but unfortunately, this didn't connect with me as strongly as it did a lot of others. I respect what Tape B was doing here, and I do enjoy quite a few of the tracks. I do also like much of the sound design used here. The tracks I enjoyed, however, were balanced out by the ones I either actively disliked or was bored by. Overall, it's a net positive for the EP, but to me it wasn't the triumphant ... read more