To put it simply, the music of Oczy Mlody sticks to its psychedelic guns as much as possible, while mixing it with other genres in a way that allows songs to range from experimental and singularly diverse to almost cinematic. http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-the-flaming-lips-oczy-mlody/

Joanne is about as far from left field as one could expect from Gaga, though considering the hints she’s been dropping, it’s no surprise that she wandered towards folk and rock territory instead. Her fame-ridden lyrics have taken a back seat for her own homebound life; family, friends and life in general are what she focuses on instead, and while it’s not the most exciting she’s ever put out, it’s a bold new direction that works amazingly well for her.

Given the immense popularity of Bruno Mars’ collaboration with Mark Ronson, Uptown Funk, it’s no surprise that Mars found himself drawing inspiration from it for his own work. http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-bruno-mars-24k-magic/

With a career spanning about 67 years, and more success finding its way to him even as he reaches 90, there’s no denying that Tony Bennett is a true image of success. http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-tony-bennett-celebrates-90-various-artists/

Queen Bey is back! So ladies please get in formation! It’s been a whirlwind few days in terms of Beyoncé hype, we got a music video, an epic Super Bowl performance and a tour announcement. And Formation as a single does not disappoint. http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/single-review-beyonce-formation/#prettyPhoto

Mac Miller has always occupied an odd place in hip-hop. He’s a solid, dextrous rapper with a chameleonic sense of style, but until The Divine Feminine, everything he’s released has felt somewhat like an apology. http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-mac-miller-the-divine-feminine/

Considering M.I.A.—real name Maya Arulpragasam—has claimed that AIM will be her last album, its status as something that both explores her past and encompasses something new for her makes a lot of sense. http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-m-i-a-aim/

Margaret Glaspy was involved with music from an early age, and finally cut her teeth around Boston – where she briefly attended the Berklee College of Music – and New York as a touring musician and by playing in other peoples’ bands. Glaspy has drawn upon this well of experience to deliver her self-produced record, Emotions and Math, stating that “[i]t feels like it took 26 years to make this album.” ... read more

Since their 1996 formation, Drive-By Truckers have maintained a nudging career detailing the southern rock realism and story-like tellings most related to the real America. Their latest album and 11th studio record American Band delves deeper into the band’s music formula – an enriching hard southern rock flare with a gritty and noble story telling fashion. http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-drive-by-truckers-american-band/

Ryan Adams and Taylor Swift are more alike than one may initially think. Both are intelligent, nuanced songwriters, capable of crafting strong pop hooks without ever trading in the more alternative elements of their respective sounds. http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-ryan-adams-1989/

When you think country music you tend to think of acoustic guitars and cowboy hats and whilst country superstar Jason Aldean features both of these in his latest album Old Boots, New Dirt the multi award winning singer also brings along a new pop-rock like style which is sure to generate mixed reviews. http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-jason-aldean-old-boots-new-dirt/

Jason Aldean has an impressive music track record with 24 singles released (15 of which have reach #1 on the relevant country charts) and They Don’t Know being his seventh studio album. http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-jason-aldean-they-dont-know/

Rihanna has found herself in the sights of Kanye West and Paul McCartney’s new collaborative project. Rather than debut with another massive pop song that’s almost guaranteed to top iTunes charts internationally, she’s taking it down a notch. – http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/single-review-rihanna-fourfiveseconds-feat-kanye-west-and-paul-mccartney/

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Don’t Look Down was a strong album from Skylar Grey. Whether you remember it for the sarcastic sexuality of its first single C’mon Let Me Ride with Eminem or the varied hip-hop influenced pop tracks that littered the album, there was barely a dead moment to mention on it, and even less negative things to say about it. – http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-skylar-grey-natural-causes/

AlunaGeorge is the electronic music duo from London, featuring the talents of Aluna Francis, vocals and lyrics, and George Reid, instrumentation and production. – http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-alunageorge-i-remember/

Oxford based four-piece Glass Animals have released their debut album ZABA. – http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-glass-animals-zaba/

When someone calls an album “minor”, it’s almost always taken as derogatory, which is understandable. – http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-wilco-schmilco/

If there was ever an example that the genre label of “hip-hop” is past due a re-think, Young Thug is it. – http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-young-thug-jeffery/

Lady Gaga had a rough go at it with ARTPOP. Suffering from management issues, constant single changes and music videos never materialising, she left many fans jaded and unsure of what to expect and how to feel about her career. – http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/single-review-lady-gaga-perfect-illusion/