A pretty unspectacular compilation. The first JACKBOYS is not as annoying and predictable as the first, but none of these songs have really held up to be genuine hits. Travis and co do take on some trendier beats here, as it's a very safe record that would please the diehards of the cactus jack label. But for genuine music fans, this is far from the best work from Travis Scott - feels like nothing more than leftovers.

Government Plates is probably Death Grips' most divisive and confusing record. It's weirdly enough, one of their most diverse, as the trio blends their industrial influences with more dance and electronic inspired styles. These influences blend into this unpredictable track list, both in terms of style and execution. Some of these synths, beats and other experimental touches can be rewarding and feel distinctly Death Grips, while some beats in the second half of the record are more ... read more

Another hard-hitting record by Converge. It makes sense for the metalcore band to release more of the same as Love Is Not Enough, as this record has very similar formulas. The overall execution is pretty solid, although maybe a little tiresome and forced, especially compared to the record released months prior, but there also isn't any major wrong-footing. Just perhaps didn't go the extra mile that Love Is Not Enough did.

A well thought out and explicitly conscious record by Vince Staples. Vince is a great example of a rapper willing to challenge his fans' beliefs and worldviews whilst not sacrificing his artistry. I don't think this style of post-punk is Vince's absolute strong suit, but there are still some decent song progressions and production choices here. And while many of these song topics could have been dived in deeper, Vince still does a great job of highlighting the key points in these ... read more

In many ways, The Forever Story feels like a complete hip hop record. It has everything I'd want in a hip hop record, with incredible verses, features, choruses, and production. These songs flow incredibly well into one another - and JID brings a stunning balance of energetic, intriguing flows and beats with melodic, warm passages which work off each other incredibly well. Will be interesting to see how this record ages with years to come, as while the intense style of rapping hasn't ... read more

It's not as loud and stunning as loveless, but I'm sure m b v was a welcome return for this legendary Irish shoegaze band. There are some plentiful, warm melodies on this record that did require some patience. Perhaps its due to the instrumentals being lowered down in tone, but the vocals feel more naked, which is a unique factor of this record. But my bloody valentine's willingness to stretch songs out helped the songs feel very hazy and dream-like. Despite much of this material ... read more

The extreme, saturated and overwhelming soundscapes of 2slimey's music has found itself to be distinctive in the realm of rage. This reissue of High Anxiety delivers tons more hits, bass and energy than the original, and I find this style a guilty addiction to say the least. These huge, thick beats take rage music to the extreme alongside all the repetitive lyrics, auto-tuned vocals and chaotic refrains. So addictive that the energy wears off after a bit, but it's worthwhile for ... read more

Kim Petras takes on several big dance-pop trends and executes them fairly well. Her 3rd album Detour isn't super distinctive but not bland either, containing the right mix of huge beats and party-centric lyrics. Some moments actually bring a great balance of catchy hooks and unique but poppy production, which are refreshing for the current popshere. Other moments remind me of other pop records this year like Slayyyter's LP, but I'm sure Detour won't be left out in dance-pop ... read more

Hadn't reviewed an EP so far this year, but this fakemink record is a solid starting point. Although it's not as catchy, unpredictable and conceptual as the LP the British rapper recently dropped, it still serves as a decent trailer for the music to come on that record. For what it is, most of the 7 tracks offer something somewhat sticky and ethereal, but not incredibly memorable, as I can imagine fakemink saved the better songs for terrified.

As was to be expected, Boards of Canada releases a haunting, rhythmic and atmospheric record that will surely please their diehards. It feels somewhat conceptual yet minimal in its thematic approach, as it's definitely a record that lets the music speak for itself. It's not as attention-grabbing and memorable as some of their best songs, as some of the ambient passages are stretched out a bit too much, and some of the IDM influences have been executed better. But it still has ... read more

Death Grips would have caught anyone off guard with this record, as this is unbelievably left field even for them. The California trio still keep their aggressive ethos and shattering production, on top of doing whatever they want on each song. But what is consistent is the dystopian soundscapes, screeching through every song with something new and interesting on offer. While incredibly abstract, and one of their least appealing records, it hits hard with familiarity.

An exceptionally dark record, although that's not a huge surprise considering the number of dark records in The Weeknd's discography. But several elements mold together well on Echoes of Silence, as the Weeknd adapts well to the heavy, trippy production which is fairly distinct from his two earlier mixtapes. It may require a bit of patience at first, but the emotions, dark soundscapes, and themes grow with each listen. Truly underrated R&B record.

Nothing Was the Same is a spacey, introspective record which Drake raps and sings upon with themes of love, longing and fame. I was somewhat interested to hear this considering this is from Drake's early, more quality-dense era - but there are a few low effort songs on here that bring the momentum of the record down a notch. It's a shame because there are better performed, more melodic tracks, but it would have been a contender for his best if it was just more consistent.

The debut studio album by fakemink is super intoxicating, atmospheric and actually contains some lyrical depth which helps the UK rapper stand out. The conceptual interludes may drain out the energy of Terrified but themes of fame, relationships and anxiety are incredibly relevant for an up-and-coming rapper such as fakemink. These themes are backed by these gritty, intense instrumentals that are pretty ethereal but not too overblown. The repetitiveness does weigh the album down a little, and ... read more

SOPHIE's influence cannot be denied, and PRODUCT cements itself as not hugely recognisable but still influential to the realm of underground pop. The compilation showcases SOPHIE's uniqueness, as both a producer and writer, as this is catchy yet unafraid to stand out. It stands out among the saturated pop of its time and would serve as a blueprint for many experimental pop releases to come.

JPEGMAFIA's experimental approach would eventually divide listeners, and this may be the record to do so. This might be Peggy at his most unhinged, repetitive, and perhaps careless. Because many of these songs show Peggy's witty but effective flow, but he widens his horizons in the fields of dubstep, which may sound dated to some, but I reckon Peggy pulls it off well. He keeps the energy consistent and left field with countless layers and multi-phased song progressions; it can be ... read more

Portishead's dark tones are so immediate but are used well to build up many of these songs here. The dystopian beats and desperate vocals from Beth Gibbons are a chilling formula, as Third's more rock-eccentric direction shows no major faults for the band in this direction. While many of these songs are quite cold and repetitive, it allows for some brilliant world-building, just like on Dummy. There are also some worthwhile influences from krautrock and industrial music, making for a ... read more

This is the most energetic record I've heard so far from Mac Miller, and it definitely pays off. The lush, trap-influenced beats are pretty consistent throughout GO:OD AM, although other elements on this record are executed well. This includes the pop influences, varying song progressions and quirky bars. Some song styles leave for a bit more to be desired, but there's still something to grab from every song here.

My first impression of Genesis Owusu is a positive one. Owusu combines warm melodies, punk sentiments and conscious flows in this incredibly diverse record. There are heaps of stellar wordplay and vibrant song progressions that keep these tracks fresh and interesting. Sometimes the diversity of this record does bring the record down, although REDSTAR WY & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE still benefits from its chaotic and non-conventional album flow. Despite some serious political topics that ... read more

Last of the three new Drake records leaves a predictable impression. The R&B flavoured HABIBTI is absolutely nothing new in the realm of Drake's music, as this record pretty much consists of C to D-tier R&B tunes from the Canadian. Although not as annoying and ridiculous as MAID OF HONOUR, it still leaves an incredibly underwhelmed and unsatisfied impression from me, and many others I can imagine.