It's decent, nothing that really grabs my attention mostly. When you pay attention it does enough to keep you around but nothing all that engaging.
I don't like the pattern that I am seeing from Windows. They put up an absolute banger of an album, the follow up is solid but doesn't hold up to the previous album. Then the next album is decent with a few standouts but it's nothing must listen. I don't want to mention the next step of the pattern cause I don't want to see any artist fall into ... read more
While it's not the almost perfection that was Enchanted Instrumentals and whispers, and doesn't go to the lengths to makes as big of an impression, there is still a lot of good stuff to enjoy with Glass Prism. It's a very pleasant chill wave album that does its job well and keeps things pretty engaging enough throughout the listening experience. Very solid stuff.
Recs:
- En Route
- Inicio
- Fondamentalement
- Unakite
- See You
Also on the similar music that plays automatically after listening ... read more
https://aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Dreamcore
The fact that Windows 96 put out this surrealist, melancholic, dreamlike mixture of Synthwave and the upcoming dreamcore/ weird-core/liminal space music that would blow up into the Internet mainstream during COVID lockdowns before it came to fruition deserves a lot of props for being amongst the early innovators of this evolution of Synthwave that breathed a whole new life into the genre that I haven't grown tired of to this day.
It's the album ... read more
It's more of the forgettable and disposable synthwave that won't be remembered as anything remarkable for the synthwave genre that absolutely blew up on the Internet during the late 2010s and still has a sizable audience Today going into 2024. ( It still feels weird to think that we are already in 2023, time since the pandemic has been going way too fast. Soon enough I'll be a grouchy 40 year old yelling at the omegas that they have no taste in music and they need to listen to REAL music. No ... read more
And there we have it. I had a feeling this was going to happen but I am still disappointed. Things were trending this way but it's just sad to see it come to fruition. I KNOW Windows 96 is better than this but they went through this generic and boring path anyways. What resulted is a completely forgettable album that I found absolutely nothing of interest in my listen through. It sad but I'm not surprised.
An interesting direction this albums ventures into a semi ambient tone yet still has the standard vaporwave soundscape that you come to expect from Windows 96. Ambient albums to this day are still hit or miss for me, and this is (mostly) one of those misses. It lacks any interesting substance like too many ambient albums and leans way too heavily into the pure vibes that are nice in the moment but nothing is going to stick with you beyond the listening experience.
There's a couple tracks that ... read more
It's fine. It kinda leans into the generic vaporwave that I am pretty tired of hearing so much a little too often for me to praise this album. At least to me this is pretty weak for Windows 96's standards I know they can do better than this. I still liked a few tracks so they haven't COMPLETELY lost me yet.
Recs:
- Kruising
- Wasted Winds
- No Future
- Landscaping
While it's a bit of a downgrade overall compared to their last album, there's still a good amount of vibes to enjoy within this album. There's some advances into the depths the soundscape ventured into the world of vibes, and there's a bit of venturing into something related but it's not wearing the same coat that you would be comfortable with Windows 96 wearing.
I am talking about the track "Synthetic Memories." There's a lack of synths in this particular track and a lot more ... read more
Back in like February/March I attempted to do through Window 96's discography and I made it through like 3-4 albums but never picked it back up again. Today on my YouTube music this album was on my "Forgotten Favorites" and I took it as the universe telling me to give it a second go.
I remembered this being my favorite album of the few that I have listened to, and with this relisten I can tell why. There's surprisingly a decent amount of variety of synths and vibes utilized ... read more
Aw man they don't make Christmas songs like they used to.
That iconic Baritone voice, I could listen to it all day. Those strings, the bird whistles, the backing vocals. It's so rich and warm like a hug from a loved one and a cup of hot chocolate by the roasting fire. Every time I hear this song I'm whisked away into the Christmas magic it provides. I may have never had a white Christmas and I don't know if I ever will. There's still that final line of "And may all your Christmases be ... read more
Merry Christmas too everyone who celebrates.
You ever seen the classic claymation Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and thought that the Snowman narrator guy got a very charming and nice singing voice. Well I have great news for you! There's a whole Christmas album full of that warm Christmas charm. It starts off with the very familiar ""Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" that you at least heard a few times out in the wild. It never gets old no matter how many times I hear it. ... read more
Trippy as all hell. Hypnotic as all hell. Sexy as all hell.
Yeah this is the good shit.
Recs:
- That's Just Fine (Vocal Version)
- Come Down Easy
- Feel so Good
- 2.35 (feedback version)
- Hey Man
- 2.35 ( Version 2)
- Things'll never be the same
- Transparent Radiation
Not bad. Not bad at all from the holy Bibio.
Apparently this guy has over a million monthly listeners on Spotify. Over here on AOTY this 2013 album of his only has like 3 reviews and the most recent one being from six years ago. The other two are from over a decade ago. Shout out to @HazeyJane and @JustinSlick y'all are the OGs and I respect you guys for participating in this site back when I was in middle school. Shout out to @CheapandLethal as well for being that third review. You are just ... read more
Thank you @depechemode4lif for recommending me this latest album of yours.
I applaud your efforts in making this album happen with some outdated tools and the year long effort of getting it through the finish line. The album sounds great and you should be proud of your efforts.
Now for the album itself. Its not really the kind of music I listen to and it mostly didn't bring much to the table that catches the listeners attention. But there's a few that did catch mine.
Now the songs I ... read more
You can't moonwalk you moon hop! I saw it on those fake moon landing videos!
I'm a bit nervous about this album. Like it is literally the most successful record ever with iconic hits all over and production that is showstopping. Not as show stopping as the King himself. Like I have said before on the previous album. This man needs ZERO introduction but deserves only the best cause of what he has provided to this world ESPECIALLY in this particular album.
Obviously I know the big hits by ... read more
Well that was certainly something.
It's definitely a unique experience with some interesting things happening but most of the time I am just left behind and confused gawking questioningly at Kate's artistic expressions. She lost me on this, I don't get it. She had me in the balls in the last LP but this one she has left me in the dust with no clue as to what the fuck is even happening most of the time. I'm happy that a lot of people here really enjoy this project and am happy for Bjork and ... read more
![山下達郎 [Tatsuro Yamashita] - For You](https://cdn2.albumoftheyear.org/100x0/album/78837-for-you-3.jpg)
40 minutes of pure joy and pleasure: The Album.
That honestly says it all. The appeal for this album is straight forward and it strength in that appeal is honestly so impressive as it is great. I had a fantastic time with this feel good album that had my mood all ready for the proper holidays these next couple of weeks. I am ready to finish off the year strong and 2024 better than ever! If you are ever in a sour mood and need a boost I recommend you pop this baby out and crank that good music ... read more
If someone were to ask why I am not very fond of how America is run I'll just tell them to listen to this album. It may be slightly dramatic but not so much so that it's laughable. I absolutely hate that the things they complain about over fourty years ago are just as relevant in 2023 going into 202 fucking 4. You would think we as a society would have learned a lesson or two in that time but nope it's honestly even worse these days.
Anyways these guys are honestly my favorite classic punk ... read more
Hate to be that one guy that agrees with the critics but this was a pretty dull boring experience that brought nothing that caught my interest at all. Don't get me wrong the dark dreary atmosphere is executed well the lyrics doubly so, but I don't care for dark and dreary, it just ain't my thing.
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Recent Review Comments
On ねごと [NEGOTO] - アシンメトリ [Asymmetry]
"@themarsvolta not everything, bit a good amount. To answer your question is genuinely I didn't connect with the experience. That's it."
On Black Sabbath - Paranoid
"@frogofprog of course, all the songs listed in the review are great including the all time classic in War Pigs. I just think as an album experience as a whole it could be a bit better."
On The_troll's review of The Caretaker - Everywhere at the End of Time: Stage 1
"You are in for one hell of a ride if you're going to listen to it all the way through at once! Well worth the six hours of investment."
On Frank Zappa - Hot Rats
"@ScottShelby As for what's next for Zappa since I have listened to most of his Acclaimed stuff besides a couple of TMOI releases In likely to finish off that bands offerings before down the road see what Zappa has to offer in his more contentious releases."
On Frank Zappa - Hot Rats
"@ScottShelby That was intentional, got to save some big hitters for the future you to appreciate."
On Bridget St. John - Ask Me No Questions
"@AidenBowe45 she reminds me strongly of Nico so if you are a nico fan, you'll like this."
On Bedhead - Transaction de Novo
"@musicfanboy You looked into that more than I ever cared to so I guess? I don't know. I do generally find slowcore rather boring to slog through, so your probably right."
On Terry Reid - Terry Reid
"@AidenBowe45 He reminds of Paul McCartney at points with how passionately he sings and the instrumental goes crazy. It's a fun album for sure!"
On Muddy Waters - After the Rain
"@AidenBowe45 I honestly am just too familiar with this kind of style of straightforward Blues, sure it's classic but I find it stale and uninteresting especially compared to other styles that bring more to the table of the genre that makes for more engaging listening."
On Herbie Hancock - Fat Albert Rotunda
"@AidenBowe45 Groovy, funky and takes you on a ride. I don't remember if it goes wildly off the track but I wouldn't be surprised if it did with an artist like Hancock at the wheel."
On Harry Partch - The World of Harry Partch
"@AidenBowe45 yeah basically. I'm not here to hear your lips flapping."
On Amon Düül II - Phallus Dei
"@AidenBowe45 I'm excited for whenever you do decide to listen to it, they put you on a wild ride that's the best of both worlds and reminds me why I regard Krautrock as one of my all time favorite genres to lose my mind to!"
On Eyeliner - Buy Now
"@AidenBowe45 I mean it's not the definitive vaporwave experience, but if you're a fan of the genre then there's definitely some solid stuff here."
On girl in red - if i could make it go quiet
"@AidenBowe45 I am likely not the intended audience since I am a grown ass 26 year old listening to these lyrics. I may not be fully aware of what the kiddos are into these days, but when I was an edgy teenager in middle school, shit like this banged for the girlies."
On Swans - Soundtracks for the Blind
"@OldTask This album is definitely geared towards the artsy fartsy folks that appreciate just how deep into the rabbit hole this experience takes them. Definitely takes an experienced or a very open ear to truly "get it." Not everyone does, but the ones that do praise this shit up and down like I do."
On Swans - Soundtracks for the Blind
"@Moosky This album is fit for a very particular meditative mindset you have to be in for the Inherent strangeness to pack as hard of a punch as it does. Like many albums I love this is like a sonic drug trip that is more to be experienced than enjoyed as regular music. This album has a legendary status because it goes deep into this surreal experimental soundscape unapologetically and not everyone is going to get it, but those who do are immensely rewarded. I recommend you to maybe expand your horizons and listen to ambient/Psychedelic/ experimental releases similar to this so your pallet is more used to what this amazing album has to offer. Cont."
On David Bowie - Station to Station
"@Jakeisthedoctor You mentioned that across the board I have wild takes, are there more recent examples that raises your eyebrows?"
On David Bowie - Station to Station
"@Jakeisthedoctor Man I really should delete and reevaluate these albums I reviewed in my early days when my taste wasn't nearly as refined yet expansive as it is now. Back in 2023 I was throwing my inexperienced taste into classics head first with no idea what I was talking about. It's part of the reason why I am exploring the 60s and 70s again along with bolstering my limited playlists. To great success too with my 60s playlist going from 90 tracks to over 750 and growing as I am now appreciative of the greatness that I am consuming. I promise when I get to these albums again down the road, I will likely have a more reasonable take. For now, just enjoy how unhinged I was in 2023."
On Vapora - Oceanside Mall
"@frogofprog oh yeah, Vapora. I definitely had mixed feelings with this artist. They had some genuinely great vaporwave along with...well ones that missed the mark. Yeah I was a bit more loose with my reviews back in 2023 just experimenting with how I liked to present my reviews. It results in some reviews I am still proud of to some I just go crazy on. It is also an era where I was still forming my tastes on like twenty+ genres at once so don't take my early reviews that seriously."
On Drake - Scorpion
"@Triplo Thanks! I don't often have something to say about an album these days past a standard passing observation, but popular releases from the 2010s are a good way to get be talking at least a little bit."
On Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel
"@RSmithFan What I meant was that this was the first album that felt like it was made in the eighties. Don't know why I phrased it that way either."
On Not Marshall - FRIDAY NIGHT A DRESS2IMPRESS MODEL HAS TO SHOW OFF HER NEW AFRO HAIRSTYLE
"@engar where? what? I don't see anything eyebrow raising."
On Fabrizio De André - Vol. 1°
"@I_love_chickenw 👍 Whatever you say bud. I'll keep on doing what I do regardless of your berating."
On Fabrizio De André - Vol. 1°
"@I_love_chickenw Good for them and the people that praise their writing. That's not the reason I fell in love with music so I don't focus on it. And that is just as fine as those who do the opposite and completely mute the music and gush over the writing. Different strokes, we all appreciate art in our own individual ways."
On Fabrizio De André - Vol. 1°
"@I_love_chickenw Maybe I'll appreciate that part of the experience when I decide to give a shit about the lyrics. Until then, those pink floyd classics offer an amazing sonic experience regardless of whatever they are yapping about."
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