Minnesota-based singer-songwriter, FINICK, returns with their sophomore album, presenting an exploration of what the "indie rock" genre can be. Moving between punk inspired tracks and folk/americana styles with ease. There's definitely a lean towards the acoustic singer-songwriter sound, and a few examples of the sounds blending, like on 'How To Lose You' but generally each song has it's own sound and despite the willingness to jump through sounds from song to ... read more

What a beautifully raw record. Intimate vocal performances delivering emotionally dense lyrics. The songs are full of space for Gill's vocals to take and grow into. 'Space Love' is one of the best songs of the year to date and 'How Chimpanzees Reassure Each Other' has made me cry twice. At just 36 minutes this record finds a perfect niche, explores it and gets it done without ever overstaying its welcome. I do find myself wanting just a little more from 'Throw Your ... read more

yes. i do like music ^-^

this shit goes so stupid

She's done it again. Song for our Daughter was my favorite album of 2020 and this picks up right where she left off. The theme of motherhood obvious but not in a way that ever feels redundant. The first two songs are exceptionally beautiful and paint a picture of a new mother discovering a new purpose and a new beauty to life through a child. The album does take a mild dip after the first two songs, but it picks up with the interlude 'Time Passages'. The three minute instrumental ... read more

Tyler's back and he's packing heat. After hearing St. Chroma and Noid in the lead up to this album I was really excited to see the evolution of his sound following CMIYGL which, despite some popular discourse, I believed to be his second-best album just behind IGOR. I should preface this by saying I am not a big Tyler fan. I really like IGOR and CMIYGL, but those are really the only albums I listen to from his discography (Wolf is like a 5 and Flower Boy a 3). This album kicks off ... read more

This is the first release I've heard from electronic duo Cyber, but it has sufficiently wowed me. Sonically this album touches a lot of different corners and at times it does feel a little messy but in a controlled chaos kind of way. If the album cover is any indication this project is raunchy and dirty but in a way that feels real and compelling. While there are moments in which the lyrics are wanting and leave a bit to be desired, there remains a theme throughout that this album is a ... read more

Sonically, this is one of the most beautiful albums I've heard this year. The production is stunning and manages to stand out even in a time when it feels like there is more singer-songwriter folk than ever, and his voice is captivating. The album sounds like a warm hug, which is exactly what I need after hearing this. Despite the sonic beauty, the lyrics here tell stories of intense pain and suffering in an attempt to live a life in pursuit of God, as well as just live and exist as a ... read more

Indie rock trio return with quite a bland sound. The instrumentation on this just feels tired and played out, with a small exception in Teach Me To Be Bad, which does enough to be interesting and is certainly the highlight of this ep. The vocal performances are actually quite good but the lyricism leaves much to be desired, leaving me wondering what really the draw to these songs really is. It's inoffensive and has moments that I enjoy, but overall it just leaves me wishing for more.

Fav ... read more

This album sounds like how it feels to hang around on the beach with your friends. It quite simply is half an hour of carefree indie pop, fun times and tan lines if you will. This feels very inspired by the indietronica sound of the late 2000s, early 2010s (e.g. Foster The People, Grouplove...) but still feeling similar to many of their contemporary genremates. If you're familiar with Wallows, Dayglow or Del Water Gap, or any one else that has made indie pop in the last 5 years, this sound ... read more

An indie pop album with some dreamy guitars and keys. It's on the branch of dream/bedroom pop that (despite some lyrical content) doesn't actually feel sad. Very similar in vibe to Her's, especially their 2nd album. Definitely just screams 'college radio' to me. I love how the vocals sit in the mix, just forward enough to deliver catchy melodies, but not so much that they front the song. With this they're able to create incredible swirling atmospheres, very ... read more

New York band, Geese, travels to the wild west for a concept that feels like watching a western after taking 20 Benadryl in an attempt to see the Hat Man. This album is a 45 minute car crash (quite literally on Mysterious Love) in the best way possible. It's unapologetically loud and brash on tracks such as 2122, but also able to make solid alt country, rock tracks like Cowboy Nudes and Gravity Blues. The vocals are brilliantly controlled chaos and every track is a roller coaster and it ... read more

MJ you glorious bastard you've done it again. I knew I was going to love this with the release of 'She's Leaving You', easily one of the best singles of the year with it's effortlessly catchy chorus and brilliant guitar work. The rest of this album comes with the same energy, but plenty of variety in style. 40 minutes is the sweet spot here, does not feel a second too short nor too long. The way he is able to seamlessly weave country and slacker rock elements together ... read more

This is just some really solid house music. I had somewhat hoped the sound would follow more in the style of 'Places to Be' but I am pleasantly surprised it doesn't, in fact right after 'Places to Be' is a 7 and a half minute downtempo vibe that is entirely different but still just as good if not better. Things do take a little bit of a dip in quality after this, with i saw you being a bit bland and where will i be following suit. While I like the idea of Fred sampling ... read more

This is such a slick ep. All three tracks have just an undeniable groove to them, even if I think the lyricism is a touch on the nose and shallow, these tracks make up for it by being catchy and bouncy. Press On Me is the highlight here, a super strong chorus lends to this track being quite the earworm. This is a sign of good things to come

Normal Sounds is a beautiful portrayal of patience and vision. Kohl creates soundscapes with wonderful depth and complexity throughout the entirety of the LP's runtime. Not a moment feels wasted, despite the meandering aspects of many of these tracks, especially on 'Car Alarm, Turn Signal', As the sound of the alarm and the soft plucking of strings become more and more dissonant and grating against the cello, serving as a backbone for the most of the song, it makes for a uniquely ... read more

this album treats the line of 'Hard asf and Wtf am I listening to' as a jump rope. Leaving me banging my head to some songs and scratching it to the rest. Overall I think its an enjoyable experience as long as you don't take yourself or this album too seriously. The beats are hard and the lyrics are incredibly stupid. I think I had fun though.

Favs: Whiplash, Burning Rubber, Hot Sauce

Least Fav: Darling Raven

This has a sweet sound, its a nice bouncy synth pop vibe, but lacks any sort of bite. It's easy listening though, and I liked the Carly Rae Jepsen feature, the title track and 40 Waves, which proves to be one of the few standout moments on the 40 minute runtime

Hard. Loud. That's about it. Thumbs up

It's loud and brash at times, but is also able to slow it down and still kill it behind great vocal performances. A really solid post-punk album and a damn fun time.

Favs: Mucho Mistrust, Mas O Menos, Venetian Blinds, Sap

Least Fav: Psycho