It is actually stunning how little this EP does, it's just boring uninspired music, I'd call the instrumental worthwhile but even that is giving it too much credit. Bland song, bad vocals just genuinely not good. This is the unseasoned chicken of music. Why was this even made honestly it confuses me.

Personal favorite: Against the World (instrumental)

Meme Mixtape is.. it's just some ass really, thats my review. No problem.

Love Letters is Vylet's 4th studio album, and we have finally fully switched to a new style of music, and it works really well for her. Some of the songs on this are actually kinda nice; quality is still a bit unbalanced, but the vocals and lyricism are starting to show clear improvement. The instrumentals are also pretty decent. I wouldn't go out of my way to say this is a great album, but it is passable.

Personal favorite: Love Letters

Vylet really starts to experiment with her style in this EP, and since it sounds better than all that came before it, I'm here for it. Vylet switched to a more LoFi-styled EP, and while very bland, it's not bad, just dull. I wouldn't find myself listening to this as it is outshined by much better options, but I wouldn't mind it either; I am very neutral about this EP.

Personal favorite: Reading at Night

Vylet's 3rd studio album marks some improvement; almost every aspect of these songs was improved upon in this iteration. The album is still really, really long, but it's starting to drag less and less. Because of the amount of songs, quality discrepancies appear throughout this album's runtime. Overall, it is a quality increase from bland music to bland music with some better production, a small but hopeful step in the right direction.

Personal favorite: Lily's Shop!

This EP is just really weird; the music has downgraded from her last album by a bit, and there are some songs on here that are just straight-up odd. The vocals lack the quality seen earlier, the sampling choices feel off, and the drops have also regressed. I'm not sure why this exists; it doesn't do anything.

Personal favorite: Interlude

Vylet Pony's 2nd studio album is a more enjoyable listen compared to her debut, the vocals are decent, the drops aren't as unbearable and the tracks themselves are actually developing some personality and sense of self, despite this the album still isn't great. It is still a slog to go through and most songs are still below average at best, but there is an upwards trend in the quality of these albums, which has great implications for the future.

Personal favorite: Crimson Shade

This compilation marks a significant improvement over previous works, moving away from the insufferable drops in favor of subpar yet more tolerable instrumentals. The samples still feel odd, but they aren’t as jarring as before. That said, the compilation suffers from being dull and overly long, with its 19 track runtime making it really drag. If you're looking for something more like what you heard before, I guess this compilation is for you.

Personal favorite: Rise Against

This EP is somewhat tolerable until the drops, which remain atrocious. The sound is still harsh and bland, leaving little to praise. At just 10 minutes, its brevity might be its strongest asset, making the experience less of a slog. While there are faint signs of potential improvement, it still feels a long way off from realizing that promise.

Personal favorite: Pinkie's Adventure Donut

This project shows some improvement over the last two, but it loses much of the fun factor in the process. The sound remains bland and feels like a jumble of influences, none of which are executed particularly well. That said, its shorter runtime makes it a less grueling listen by comparison, even if it still struggles to leave a positive impression.

Personal favorite: Twilight

This album feels like a worse version of the debut, amplifying all the issues I had with Winter’s End. The sampling is poorly executed, the beats feel uninspired, and overall, it has no redeeming qualities. It’s a disappointing effort to say the least. No thanks.

Personal favorite: No Matter What

This album might have been passable at one time, but it hasn’t aged well. It feels disorganized, with half-hearted drops and awkward sampling choices that make it difficult to find redeeming qualities. That said, its absurdity occasionally makes for some unintentional humor, which earns it some bonus points (though not all that much). Overall, I found it hard to enjoy, however, it’s not the worst thing I’ve ever heard.

Personal favorite: Winter's End (Foreshadow)

As an epilogue to The Microphones’ story, this is a perfect conclusion. Phil Elverum is one of the few artists who can craft a 44-minute song that remains captivating from start to finish. The lyrical depth here is astounding, arguably among his best work, and the intimacy of this piece makes it all the more profound. It’s a deeply personal and beautiful farewell to The Microphones moniker.

Personal favorite: Microphones in 2020 (Didn't see that coming)

This feels like Tests, Part 2. If you enjoyed Tests, you’ll likely appreciate this as well; however, since I wasn’t particularly fond of that release, this one didn’t resonate with me either. While it’s interesting to hear what Phil was working on before achieving indie acclaim, that intrigue only goes so far. Apart from one or two partially worthwhile tracks, the rest feels underwhelming and uninspired.

Personal favorite: Wires and Chords

Live in Japan is an enjoyable live album featuring tracks from The Glow Pt. 2 and Mount Eerie, along with a few unheard of songs. The first half shines with highlights like Great Ghosts and Universe Conclusion, though the quality dips slightly in the second half. While it may not be musically groundbreaking, it’s a really fun album for dedicated Microphones fans, offering a unique glimpse into Elverum’s raw live performances.

Personal favorite: Universe Conclusion

Mount Eerie serves as a stunning finale to The Microphones’ studio albums, showcasing Phil Elverum at his most experimental and it works brilliantly. The existential themes of death and nature blend seamlessly with the album’s haunting and evocative instrumentals. Phil’s storytelling reaches new heights here, creating a natural and compelling narrative progression. The lyrical depth he achieves is profound, standing as a testament to his unmatched artistry.

Personal favorite: ... read more

Little Bird Flies Into a Big Black Cloud is a minimalistic collection of poetic tracks. While the lyrics are beautifully crafted, the sparse or absent instrumentation can feel underwhelming. It offers a fascinating glimpse into Phil Elverum’s artistry but is largely overshadowed by the brilliance of The Glow Pt. 2. This LP (should be EP) is best suited for dedicated fans and may not resonate as strongly with new listeners.

Personal favorite: The Glow Pt. 2 Sequel

Song Islands is a compilation of B-sides and tracks that didn’t make it onto The Microphones’ studio albums. It’s an enjoyable listen for fans seeking more of Phil Elverum’s work, featuring several amazing songs alongside a few that feel simple or unremarkable. However, as a compilation, it naturally lacks the cohesion and narrative depth that make the studio albums so impactful.

Personal favorite: I Can't Believe You Actually Died

It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water is The Microphones' second full-length album and marks a point where Phil Elverum began to deeply focus on thematic cohesion and lyricism, with great results. His experimental lo-fi style remains a standout feature and builds off of the groundwork of his debut. However, it’s not without flaws, there’s a noticeable difference in quality between standout tracks like 'The Pull' and 'The Glow' compared to the rest of the album. ... read more

Window feels like another set of experiments as Phil Elverum continued to refine his sound. Compared to the debut album, Don’t Wake Me Up, most tracks on this EP come across as less developed, leaving it overshadowed by past (and future) works. While it has its moments, there’s little here that stands out enough to revisit over other entries in The Microphones’ catalog.

Personal favorite: Heart Lake Rd.