Though Bawskee 3.5 is an improvement over Bawskee 2, much like 2, it is very redundant and annoying much of the time. Also, there are these tracks on the second half of the album that, instead of being annoying, they are rather boring because of sleepy production and softish vocals. These tracks aren’t awful, but they are about as bad as the obnoxious tracks on this album. I came away enjoying this more than Bawskee 2 because of its better production and performances, but Comethazine is ... read more

The sophomore record from OutKast, ATLiens, is an ethereal group of spacelike hip hop tracks that are absolutely fantastic. The production is amazingly soft, yet potent and this really highlights the great flows and lyricism of André 3000 and Big Boi. ATLiens was a great showing from OutKast and the album presented that they would only release better projects later in their career.

Favorite Tracks: You May Die, Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac), ATLiens, Jazzy Belle, Elevators (Me & ... read more

Anger Management struggles with consistency, but it’s still a pretty fun and in-your-face trap album with a considerable amount of energy. The vocals are loud and potent, as well as the production being solid too. I am certainly excited to see what future projects Rico Nasty releases.

Favorite Tracks: Cold, Cheat Code, Big Titties, Sell Out

Least Favorite Track: Mood (the feature had no energy, he sounded like he didn’t have a pulse)

While I could go without the occasional instrumental cut, Titanic Rising is still one of the best pop albums of 2019 because of impactful vocal performances, phenomenal production, and amazing songwriting. A great showing from Weyes Blood that excites me for her next project.

Favorite Tracks: A Lot’s Gonna Change, Andromeda, Everyday, Something to Believe, Movies, Mirror Forever, Wild Time, Picture Me Better

Least Favorite Track: Nearer to Thee if I had to choose

J. Cole has great production and flows, but it’s disappointing that a majority of the hooks on 2014 Forest Hills Drive are underperformed or underwritten. If Cole improved on that front, this album would be amazing. This record just leaves a lot to be desired because of that, but it’s still a sometimes fantastic project.

Favorite Tracks: Wet Dreamz, 03’ Adolescence, Fire Squad, G.O.M.D., No Role Modelz

Least Favorite Track: Note to Self (a pointless outro, where J. Cole just ... read more

While I do some tracks were more fleshed out lyrically, Lil Nas X’s debut EP, 7, is a commendable start to his discography. Almost every track is appealing sonically as well.

Favorite Tracks: Old Town Road, Panini, Rodeo, C7osure (You Like)

Least Favorite Track: Bring U Down (the vocals are weak and the hook could be better written)

While there may be the occasional weak hook, Run the Jewels 3 is a fantastic rap album that adds to Run the Jewels’ already great discography. Not as consistent as RTJ 2, but better than RTJ 1.

Favorite Tracks: Down, Talk to Me, Legend Has It, Call Ticketron, Hey Kids (Bumaye), Stay Gold, Don’t Get Captured, 2100, Everybody Stay Calm, Thursday in the Danger Room, A Report to the Shareholders / Kill Your Masters

Least Favorite Track: Thieves! (Screamed the Ghost), (the pacing is ... read more

Run the Jewels 2 includes all of the great aspects that made RTJ 1 appealing, but all of them are even stronger. A noticeable improvement over RTJ 1 and the best Run the Jewels yet.

Favorite Tracks: All, except Love Again (Akinyele Back)

Least Favorite Track: Love Again (Akinyele Back), (vocals sound very lazy, as well as the hook being weak, but the production is hard-hitting)

Run the Jewels’ first album is a fast, loud, and in-your-face hip hip experience. This project is a great start to their discography and they would become even better with RTJ 2 and 3.

Favorite Tracks: Run the Jewels, Banana Clipper, Sea Legs, Job Well Done, No Come Down, Get It, A Christmas Fucking Miracle

Least Favorite Track: 36” Chain (the production becomes very tiresome)

Freddie is the epitome of why Freddie Gibbs is better working with other artists. Weird vocal inflections, weak songwriting, and unvaried production are reasons why Freddie doesn’t stack up to his work with collaborators.

Favorite Tracks: Automatic, Toe Tag, FBC

Least Favorite Track: FLFM (Interlude), (Freddie’s singing is horrendous)

This is similar to really generic trap, but some how much worse. The vocals, production, and songwriting are absolutely awful. I should probably address the Eminem “beef”, but this album really speaks for itself. Nick Cannon clearly lost with his diss tracks and this disgusting album.

Favorite Track(s): N/A

Least Favorite Tracks: All

Though there may be some awkward tracks on Aphex Twin’s Richard D. James Album, it’s an otherwise well-groomed IDM record. Not Aphex’s best, but certainly a noteworthy project in his discography.

Favorite Tracks: 4, Cornish Acid, Fingerbib, Carn Marth, Goon Gumpas, Girl/Boy Song

Least Favorite Track: Logan Rock Witch (sounds really silly to me)

clipping.’s best album, CLPPNG, is a set of noise and industrial hip hop tracks that are absolutely stunning. The production is impressively chaotic and the vocals and songwriting are aggressive. CLPPNG is easily one of the best experimental hip hop records of the 2010’s.

Favorite Tracks: Intro, Body & Blood, Work Work, Sunmertime, Taking Off, Get Up, Or Die, Inside Out, Story 2, Dominoes, Ends

Least Favorite Track: Tonight (the hook has some awful vocals)

Nas’ debut project, Illmatic, also happens to be his best album. The incredible boom bap production, potent vocals, and gritty lyricism make Illmatic one of the best hip hop records of the 1990’s (as well as one of the best albums in general of the 1990’s) and of all time.

Favorite Tracks: All

Least Favorite Track: The Genesis if I had to choose

I do wish that Baxter Dury did hooks independently on The Night Chancers, I still enjoy his Leonard Cohen-esque approach to indie rock and synth-pop. Overall, a commendable record that interests me on what Baxter will release next.

Favorite Tracks: I’m Not Your Dog, Samurai, Sleep People, The Night Chancers, Hello, I’m Sorry, Say Nothing

Least favorite Track: Saliva Hog (vocals are boring and the songwriting is repetitive)

J Balvin may often be monotonous on Colores, but his sometimes satisfactory delivery is made up for with punchy production and his occasionally fun personality. A solid Reggaeton album, despite its flaws.

Favorite Tracks: Azul, Morado, Gris, Arcoíris

Least Favorite Tracks: Verde (delivery is really monotonous)

While Lil Pump can be very repetitive and annoying on the Harverd Dropout, there is solid production and the occasional performance by him is solid. Very inconsistent, but not entirely awful. Just not an album I will come back to often.

Favorite Tracks: I Love It, Butterfly Doors, Multi Millionaire, Esskeetit

Least Favorite Track: Stripper Name (the humming is painful to sit through)

With many weak moments and tracks in mind, Save Me is a very underwhelming and forgettable EP. The only consistent aspect of the album is the production, which is juxtaposed with Future’s vocals (inconsistent). Overall, Save Me is a very adequate trap project.

Favorite Tracks: Shotgun, Expert

Least favorite Track: XanaX Damage (the vocals are awful because of the effect done to them)

Death Grips deliver Bottomless Pit, one of their most abrasive albums yet. The band goes for a more electronic and rock centered approach and it pays off exceptionally. Not Death Grips’ best album, but a close second behind The Money Store.

Favorite Tracks: All, except Ring A Bell

Least Favorite Track: Ring A Bell (the hook is incredible, but the verses leave me unsatisfied)

Under written and underperformed, Joji’s In Tongues has some solid production, but the songwriting and vocals are very poor. A weak start to Joji’s career, but thankfully Ballads 1 was a large improvement.

Favorite Track(s): Window

Least Favorite Track: Bitter Fuck (boring vocals and bad songwriting, the hook is especially dreadful)