🟡 Explorer
🟢 The other 12 tracks

A collection of fun-ish ideas executed weakly into an intriguing whole with a cinematic twist. If that sounded conflicted, it's because there's something conflicting about this album. It is a marked improvement in quality from their 2007 breakout album, but it falls into some of the same pitfalls their Cross album fell into (especially the excessive repetition of similar measures). Much of the sound design makes me feel like I'm listening ... read more

🔴 Babylon, Bad Decisions
🟡 High On You
🟢 The other 12 tracks

Mostly sticking to one style to its detriment, this album at least dips its toes into a few more interesting styles to keep it occasionally interesting. Overall, though, it's a pretty forgettable endeavor from this duo who has proven to be high-energy powerhouses when they've refused to play it safe. That comment, plus the rating you see above, might tell you how safe they played this one.

Favorite: Anywhere
Least ... read more

Jason Ross has been in great form in the past couple years, or maybe that's always been the case. This EP is a great example. Although "Divergence" is not always as affective as it could be, it hits the listener with original melodies that strike a balance between modern sounds and more nostalgic vibes. There are some talented features on here as well, but the production is where this EP shines. Overall, quite a refreshing EP that isn't afraid to experiment but doesn't ... read more

This EP had a little of everything in the reaction department. It had its stank-face moments and its cringe moments. It had its, "How did he design that impressive sound?" and its, "How could he overlook something so basic?" But the polarizing elements are the nitpickiest part of my reaction. My overarching sentiment is, "Eh, it's kinda alright." It's a little disappointing coming from an artist that has such interesting ideas and such a unique style. It ... read more

🔴 Let It Rain, Crawlspace, Bop Ba, Bass Player's Brother
🟢 The other 8 tracks

Special, occasionally intimate album that toes the line well between pensive and energetic. Valley builds on their storytelling talent through several songs, which scratches an itch that can be hard to scratch in this genre. The way this album flows is so natural as it mixes its electronic bits with its acoustic bits. It felt like every member of the band was well used and that even I was part of the ... read more

Fun compilation! One not-that-good track, a few meh tracks, a few pretty good tracks, and a few standouts. It has a nice variety of styles while still feeling Exobolt-ish throughout. A fun and energetic listen overall.

Favorite: modus - Crystal Clearer (feat. Evoke)
Least Favorite: CamaCon - K-DUB (feat. Tealx1)

🔴 Lucky
🟢 The other 9 tracks

Fantastic endeavor from Zedd that is well worth the 9-year wait! So much color, so much funk, so much impact. So well-written, so well-paced, so well-structured. This album had me gaping at some points and just viiibing at other points. The featured talent complement Zedd's infectious production. Telos is something special and is way up my alley!

Favorite: Shanti
Least Favorite: 1685

🔴 HOW 2 BUILD A BETTER BOY, NEVER BE LONELY
🟢 The other 4 tracks

An above average EP for this style, but for Moore Kismet, I expected more/better quite a bit throughout this listen. It had its cool moments, but it also had its weak moments in nearly equal measure. Not much for me to write home about here, but it was a fun enough 20 minutes.

Favorite: ENERGY
Least Favorite: SURFACE

One of the most consistent EP's I've listened to this year. So vibey and feelzy all the way through. There are also many strong production and composition decisions that make this a whole vibe of an EP. I also respect how he took a style that many have done and did it especially strong and especially MYRNE-like. If you like this kind of music like me, this album is some good eating. This just hits so different.

Favorite: Peter's Theme
Least Favorite: Mirror Harmonics

🔴 The Party
🟢 The other 11 tracks

With very high highs and very low lows, this album peeks into a net positive. Funky basslines and various moods make for a mostly enjoyable journey of an album. But some questionable vocals and obnoxious production decisions that surface occasionally pull me routinely out of the journey. I'm glad I listened to this monumental album, and I enjoyed it alright. But I will definitely glean much more enjoyment from the projects this inspired.

Favorite: ... read more

There's quite a bit to unpack here for an album that doesn't do much. The instrumentals do the job, sometimes quite well! But the lyrics are quite lackluster. They seem to attempt a simply workable mix of several good, albeit trite, ideas, but that's a surefire formula for falling flat. Whenever an album sounds like a collection of shower thoughts loosely strung together, I smell shortcuts. Although, at times, hints of effort peek through the oceans of Christian adage, and those ... read more

🔴 THRASH (PARTY STARTER), TROUBLE, PAIN, SIGNAL
🟢 The other 4 tracks

It's got bass, it's got groove, it's got punch, it's got energy. And, as I found surprising, there's quite a bit of variety here coming from the hybrid trap duo. This nails much of what makes a purely festival-bass-music album great.

Favorite: ENERGY
Least Favorite: SIGNAL

🟡 Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, Circles
🟢 The other 9 tracks

Joshua Bassett puts his songwriting and storytelling chops on full display here in a way that piques my interest as a first-time listener. The instrumentation is fun, but it mostly just does the job rather than delivers much emotional impact. The album is pretty back-heavy in quality, but even the first half of the album has its moments that push the album to greater heights. It's not one of the greats, but it's ... read more

🔴 Knock Yourself Out XD, Russian Roulette, Perfect Pinterest Garden, Year of the Cup, Mona Lisa
🟡 Cheerleader, Is There Really No Happiness?
🟢 The other 3 tracks
Great album through and through! Complex message, heartwarming treatment of it, and some uniquely ambitious lyricism that I think works well (although I could certainly do without the profanity). The instrumentation is so fun and interesting as per usual. I never expected him to top Nurture, so I was still greatly impressed ... read more

Yeahhh I do not understand this user score. This album is great and easily his best so far! I've consistently been impressed with Xorro's growth as he's built his sound the past few years. The songwriting and production is better than ever and a great indicator of his growth as a musician thus far. The space train theme is also a fun one that he plays around with in gorgeous ways throughout the 35-minute runtime. I'll definitely be returning to this one!

Favorite: Pure ... read more

🔴 Beautiful Nightmare
🟢 The other 3 tracks

Pretty fun EP that has a little more oomph than some of my other 65's and a lot more variety than I expected from Alan Walker. "Wake Up" is a surprisingly epic start to the EP and then the last track sort of peeters out. But solid work overall! Got me bopping my head a good bit.

Favorite: Wake Up
Least Favorite: Lifeline

🔴 Shakti
🟢 The other 6 tracks

My thoughts are quite complex with this EP. It's only the second case this year where I took the average of individual ratings for each song, because my thoughts vary drastically from song to song. Overall, the EP is very well done. Nice vibe, great variety, and some bits that even get emotional. "Black Water" hits just that bit different and "Shakti" makes some spiritual/truth claims I can't get behind. Because of the few ... read more

Strength: Storytelling
JSteph walks the listener through several key moments from his life in 2022, including his move to Tennessee. Artists mostly want their fans to always root for them, but JSteph writes himself as a flawed protagonist here. You hear several of his mistakes and their corresponding redemptions in such effective and emotional ways. And I love great stories told well.

Strength: Production
Sam Bowman goes so hard on the production of this album. His existing creativity and ... read more

Although he's a friend, he has also grown to be one of my favorite artists. That is in large part thanks to this album.

Strength: Theming
Sam managed to bring so many aspects of this theme of the mind together: the pursuit of truth, the affliction of lies, the effect of thoughts on actions etc. He uses both the music (e.g. via motifs) and lyrics (e.g. via cross-references) to communicate the message. It is very cool and well-executed.

Strength: Lyricism
Sam juggles lofty thoughts and ... read more

🔴 Redliner, Riddim DJ Agency
🟢 The other 2 tracks

I try to stay somewhat positive in these reviews, but wow, I do not like this. Whales' music has not historically been my thing (and I've enjoyed a Whales track or two), but I may like this less than anything I've ever heard from him. It has nothing to do with the use of AI, it has nothing to do with the genre of riddim, and I get the joke this EP is making. But I enjoyed this EP more when I listened to it with friends who ... read more