This album is definitely not for everyone. It's a lot more electronic than her past two, but M.I.A. is able to pull off this genre switch quite well. MAYA is very intense and abrasive, but it was so ahead of its time and could've been released this year and still feel fresh. It's influence on the electronic, hyperpop, and alternative pop scenes cannot be denied either. There's a couple of duds on here, but otherwise a very good album.

Faves: XXXO, LOVALOT, MEDS AND ... read more

This is truly a one-of-a-kind album. It covers so many different topics, sounds, and influences, while managing to stay cohesive. The album and its vibe are so cool in an indie sleaze and alternative dance way, and I think that it (and its predecessor)'s influence on "indie" as a form of expression is not mentioned enough. It is a tad bit inconsistent for my liking, but I can appreciate that she took a lot of risks and didn't play it safe (even if some of them didn't ... read more

The start of one of the weirdest careers of all time. You can really see how much potential she had with this album. This album is so unique, and I love how many different musical styles from across the world it blends. Its both very fun but also very political and serious, a line that is hard to follow. I don't really revisit a lot of these tracks so that's the reason for the somewhat lower score, but its still solid, especially for a debut. I miss when she protested cool stuff in ... read more

This album's biggest issue is that it doesn't feel like Janet. A lot of these songs sound very half-baked, maybe because this album was released on a much shorter turn-around compared to her usual. Its not awfull, and I think 61 is a really harsh score, but I just wouldn't necessarily listen to anything off of this when I know she has better stuff. The first half is pretty enjoyable though! This album can be summed up in the fact that its best song is a feature with Khia.

Faves: ... read more

This album is such an easy and chill listen. There are definitely a few tracks I could do without, but other than those, the quality of this album is very high. Her voice is so effortlessly smooth and sexy, and the production on this album is probably her best. No two songs sound similar, yet they are all very cohesive.

Faves: All Nite (Don't Stop), Island Life, SloLove

Least faves: Thinkin Bout My Ex, Moist, Warmth

Janet albums and being too long are basically synonymous at this point. All For You at least has enough variety in the second half that its not too painful to get through. A lot of songs on here are really good! This album is definitely still sexy but in a more mature and low-key way which feels nice. However, there are a decent amount of skips that drag it down for me.

Faves: Doesn't Really Matter, All For You, Come On Get Up

Least faves: Love Scene (Ooh Baby), Son of a Gun, When We Oooo

This album feels like Kesha is stuck in 2012 - in the worst way possible. If this album had come out a decade earlier, I might have been a lot more lenient. 2020 is FARRRRR too late to be releasing something that sounds like this. The lyrics, production, and singing all remind me of early 2010s stomp-clap folk hipster music. The lyrics in particular are bad, Kesha needs to hire some better songwriters. I definitely don't listen to Kesha for her lyrics, but when the music and singing are so ... read more

I have to admit that I always found horsegiirl to be to gimmicky for me. But on this album, she proves herself to be a force to reckoned with in the electronic scene. This was great, especially for a debut! Interestingly, I much preferred the second half over the first half, which is pretty rare. I really enjoyed that half's harder beats and more techno/trance influences, and wish that those sounds were present throughout the entire project. Only the best has been on replay all year for ... read more

A really impressive album from Janet. I really like that she covers a wide range of sounds on this album while still managing to make it feel very cohesive (the breakbeats on Empty were particularly cool). Additionally, the topics she covers in the lyrics range from very personal to more broad societal issues. I can also appreciate that while this album may be a tad on the long side, it doesn't lose as much steam at the end and is a much more pleasant listen than her previous albums. ... read more

This album starts out great but gets progressively worse and worse as it goes on, and by the end I'm begging for it to be over. An hour and 14 minutes is LONG, and when the majority of the songs at the end are slow jamz, it makes for a difficult listening experience. This has been my issue with every Janet album, but it becomes too much on this. I wish that it ended with Again. I appreciate how sensual everything is, but it can feel a little uncohesive at times. However, the first half is ... read more

A fairly unremarkable girl group album. Not trying to be shady but I see why they didn’t become very popular. There just really isn’t anything that would make me want to listen to this over, say, the Pussycat Dolls. Very forgettable.

Faves: Damaged, Sucka for Love

Least faves: Key To My Heart, Is Anyone Listening

I have a lot of thoughts on this album. On one hand, as a Charli fan for YEARS, it was really special to see her finally get the flowers and recognition that she deserves. On the other hand it was weird to see people that made fun of me for listening to her in high school post to Apple and 360. Brat, and the cultural phenomenon accompanying it, was a once in a generation type of event, which, while fun to experience, made me personally feel a bit bummed as Charli had now lost her niche and ... read more

Who willingly listens to this? I'm not a prude by any means but the lyrics on this are so bad. There's a way to be overly sexual while still making it enjoyable (Cupcakke is a good example with her humour in her lyrics), but this EP is full of the same lyrics repeated over and over. The production is half decent, but I really hate that Dr. Luke was responsible for this. This is one of the few times I'm glad that the songs are barely two minutes since that means they're over ... read more

I've heard the name Ayumi Hamasaki for a few years, but never actually listened to any of her music. This is the first J-Pop album I've ever listened to so I'm not familiar with the genre but it was such a pleasant surprise! I really enjoyed how the album is simultaneously very futuristic and very Y2K/late 90s. It's a really interesting mix of electronic, pop, and rock. Selfishly, I wish this album was in English so that I could enjoy the lyrics lol. It's on the longer ... read more

This album has aged so well. Lyrically it (unfortunately) still rings very true, and its fresh sonically too. There's so many classic Janet songs on here that I love. My one note is that the album feels kind of long, especially since a lot of the songs are very similar, and the three slow jams at the end kind of puts a damper on the overall listening experience. Nonetheless, a great album!

Faves: Rhythm Nation, Miss You Much, Black Cat

Least faves: Someday Is Tonight, Come Back To Me, ... read more

I’m so glad that Twigs finally plays with techno. This is a sound that works so so well for her. As the name suggests, this album is very sexual, but also can be quite emotional, which I appreciate. This album is very futuristic, and despite just having came out last year, feels ahead of its time. There really isn’t anything that compares to this. I’d say I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this, but it’s Twigs and I’d be more surprised if I didn’t enjoy ... read more

On her “debut” album, Janet goes full new-jack-swing. This sound is one that immediately makes me think of her, proving that she executed it well. This album is too inconsistent for my liking, with the singles all being AMAZING, but the album tracks being forgettable. I’m just glad it’s on the shorter side so that it doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Faves: The Pleasure Principle, Nasty

Least faves: He Doesn’t Know I’m Alive, Funny How Time Flies (When ... read more

The genre-bending on this album is certainly something to behold. The mix of flamenco, trap, artpop, and more is done so seamlessly. There’s clearly so much thought and detail put into this, and it’s very impressive for only a second album.

Faves: Malamente, Que No Salga La Luna

Least faves: Pienso En Tu Mira, Nana

This feels like it could’ve been an EP. I do like the flamenco a lot, but it feels extremely one-note and gets very old fast, especially since a lot of the songs are very similar. I wish that she had taken a direction more similar to flamenco songs on her later albums, featuring more dynamic styles.

Faves: Te Venero, Catalina

Least faves: Por Castigarme Tan Fuerte, La Hija De Juan Simón

Overall an unremarkable Donna album. None of the tracks really stuck with me, but none were awful. I like the different sounds incorporated, but it unfortunately veers into being inconsistent.

Faves: Protection, State of Independence

Least faves: Lush Life, The Woman In Me