Pretty standard CloudNone & Direct, but that's a W in my book. This EP is a bop! It has its pick-up moments and its slow-down moments, but both these artists are well-versed in creating vibey atmospheres in between the groovy beats. Not by any means their best work, but it's a dang good project.
Favorite: bayb33
Least Favorite: i saw the sine
![Eliminate - 404: Get Off The Internet [Redux]](https://cdn2.albumoftheyear.org/100x0/album/1098600-get-off-the-internet-deluxe_191057.jpg)
🔴 THOUGHT EXPERIMENT (thinkaboutit), I'M ALREADY A WASTE (Poison Oak), MY LEVEL (EGOTRIP), TWISTED (MOREPWR), ON MY MIND (Waste My Time)
🟢 The other 3 tracks
Has the same problems as the original but less opportunity to mess itself up. It takes some tracks to the next level and takes some tracks a step back. Ultimately, some fun drops/great moments and overall a relatively good experience, but definitely not anything I'd return to.
Favorite: THOUGHT EXPERIMENT (thinkaboutit) ... read more
![Flux Pavilion - Fluxiverse [Vol. 2]](https://cdn2.albumoftheyear.org/100x0/album/1113958-fluxiverse-2_101511.jpg)
🔴 Tick Tock
🟢 The other 5 tracks
With occasionally dirty sound design and clean production throughout, this project holds its own in several respects. But sometimes it's just a lot of noise, which makes for a listen for which I'm only occasionally in the mood. Really just a preference, as I'm generally not the biggest fan of Flux Pavilion's use of sustained brostep leads. Alright project that I enjoyed enough, but it probably won't have me coming back to ... read more
Just like in LIFE 😱, this album has its *mountains* 🌋 and its *valleys* 🏜️.
Despite taking a while to pick up and not closing very strongly, Josiah has quite a few interesting things to say here. He backs it up with some pretty generic instrumental work, but it’s undeniable that this guy is growing on his potential. May win a DOVE award or two, and I’m all for it. But unfortunately it shall not be winning a Nomadder award this time around.
Favorite: The Prodigal
Least ... read more
🟡 Britney
🟢 The other 6 tracks
I am an unashamed geezer in saying this, but what happened to 2018-2019 Matroda. The dude was making some seriously creative and impactful stuff, but I'm not hearing any of that here. This EP has its good tracks and its not-so-good tracks, but most of it seems like a pretty phoned-in effort. Props to him for staying far away from my least favorite EP of the year, unlike last year, but I don't see myself returning to any of these tracks.
Favorite: ... read more
Dang, they cooked. I had no idea what to expect, having heard one song from them prior, so I was pleasantly surprised by several things. First, didn't realize these guys were believers! Super cool whenever I find that out about an artist/band organically from just vibing. Second, there was quite a bit of variety on this one, and the go-to sound was a pop-rock vibe, which was markedly different from the vibe of "nobody". The songwriting is picturesque and the vocal delivery ... read more
🔴 Last Breath
🟡 Klonopin, Warm Body
🟢 The other 5 tracks
This one sneaks up to a 70, as it's not unlike anything I've heard before, but it does have occasional moments of extra-emotional composition. A few ideas here are quite unique for the scene, especially "Get There When I Get There" and "Left on McKinney", while a couple of the others lean hard into tropes. Overall though, a nice sounding project with some promising songwriting.
Favorite: Get There ... read more
Very consistent album that really *feels* like it was made in Abbey Road. It’s especially impressive that Rob was able to write such great songs in his condition. Andrew also provides what the album needs to be complete. Dynamic but cohesive, this album is a hit!
Favorite: Dorian
Least Favorite: Across the Road
It's so ironic how every year this band can push out an album in 12 hours that sounds more cohesive and less phoned in than so many of its contemporaries that took months or years to make. Also, they have every reason to play it safe for one album, as it would be the easiest way to pump it out in a day. Instead, they push their sound forward with every album, in this case going into several new territories such as classic hip-hop and Novo-Amor-style atmospheric indie alongside the ... read more
🔴 thinkaboutit, EGOTRIP, SMSOU, f_ck you, Poison Oak
🟡 Get Off The Internet
🟢 The other 6 tracks
One of the most polarizing albums of the year for me. Some really high points and some really low points to balance the album out. The strong theming and cohesion among the vast variety of tracks, We've got some bangers and some real annoying ones. Almost gives me a First of October vibe, but it's trap and has much stronger themes. Alright effort for a debut album, but he can ... read more
🔴 i don't even think about you, betting on us, every version
🟡 bite the bullet, break up with me
🟢 The other 7 tracks
This is a notable improvement from her previous EP. Definitely still Jessica Baio, but it's got a little more sauce this time around, along with a similar amount of cheese. I did feel a good bit more heart in this album, not only your typical heartbreak pop stuff. Props to Jessica Baio on this one!
Favorite: break up with me
Least Favorite: betting on us
I once heard Amazon Basics explained to me as the very best of the most medium-quality versions of products. Self Help is an Amazon Basics OBLVYN album. It's pretty good, but it is so basic for OBLVYN. By track average, this song could climb its way up to a 70, but OBLVYN can do much better than this album (and did on Dream Theory). Enjoyable listen, but definitely turns down the spectacle, which works to its detriment at times.
Favorite: Colours
Least Favorite: Save Me
An enjoyable EP with a good bit of energy and heart. Not unlike anything I’ve ever heard before in the heartbreak pop space, but Jessica has some interesting ideas that the producers help execute well. The occasional song sounds stale, but the project as a whole is solid.
Favorite: he loves me, he loves me not
Least Favorite: bad tattoo
Fun exploration of wonky sound design and funky rhythm. I’d expect no less! The variety in this album, along with it knowing when to go a little longer than other tracks might, works to its benefit. Now, there are some sketchy composition decisions here and there, and the album is front-heavy. There is also one track I dislike, which loses this album points. But all this just goes to show that when you experiment as an artist, you’ll win some and you’ll lose some. With this ... read more
🔴 Eggshells, Noise, Ohio Laundry Room
🟢 The other 4 tracks
Often trading catchiness for experimentation, Abby brings a much more energetic flavor to her style that is very much welcome. This second album doesn't have as strong a narrative through-line as her first and third albums, leaving more to be desired in that department. But that is my only major criticism here. The lyricism is great (albeit a little trite in "Predictable Life", which may have been intentional) and ... read more
🟡 Dreams, Nothing From Me
🟢 The other 5 tracks
Abby's songwriting and musical storytelling was strong even in her humble origins, although she's certainly refined her sound since. This album, parabolic in personal preference, has some very pretty moments throughout its short runtime. Abby explores the theme of relational distance to a satisfying extent--providing a clear beginning, middle, and end for an easy-to-follow story. Solid album here, but with even better things to ... read more
A fantastic showing of Kishi Bashi's ability to translate his influences into his unique style. Some tracks took me back in time to 70's and 80's vibes, while some took me to other places in the world. There's something about his presentation here that justifies anything potentially cheesy about this album; it's almost as if he leans into it without being too extravagant with the bit. This is just a blast and a half!
Favorite: Icarus IV
Least Favorite: Make Believe
🔴 360, Sympathy is a knife, Talk talk, Von dutch, Mean girls, 365
🟢 The other 9 tracks
I gotta be reeeeally in the minority for this take. I will say: I get the hype. Some of these sound designs and production decisions are real unique for the mainstream pop scene. It's a significant step forward as was the efforts of such artists as David Guetta, Avicii, Marshmello, etc. toward making EDM a household genre. And I interpreted a sort of push and pull between Charli wanting to succeed ... read more
This album is difficult for me to review. Arrangement: exemplary. Dynamics: a bit uneven. Takes me on a journey: absolutely. Do I know where this journey is taking me at any point in the album: not a clue. Were the movements/motifs strong: without question. Did they feel at all recycled in later movements: they sure did. Did the pacing get sluggish sometimes: sure. Did the climaxes redeem those less exciting movements: for the most part. Overall, this is some great classical music, but as an ... read more
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On Open_Doors_'s review of TYNAN - TYNAN TIME
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On Rok3's review of Matthew Parker - Dragonfly (Deluxe)
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On altair - EXEC: BYPASS
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On tobyMac - The Elements
"Oh yeah, tobyMac slumped for sure, and this album was a bit of a return to form, just not as weighty a record as LAD imo. Also Scars is such a feeler."
On tobyMac - Welcome to Diverse City
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On Bowtied Media's review of Sullivan King - CHAOS WILL BRING PEACE
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On no_clue's review of Sam Bowman - Children of the Burning Heart
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