the apple tree under the sea is a very solid debut album from hemlocke springs, and I think it was well worth the three year wait following her first EP. I love how bold the production and vocals are, but the results of hemlocke's experimentation are a bit uneven. There's definitely a good amount of synthpop bangers on here, but there's also a few cuts that are either forgettable or at worst incredibly grating (track 3). Still, while I have some reservations about this project, ... read more
I don't know why I suddenly got the urge to give Jeff Buckley's Grace a listen, but I'm sure glad that I had the idea to do so because it is INCREDIBLE. While there's many things I love about this moody project, I think I love it's ambition the most. It's what gives this album it's identity. Jeff Buckley went balls to the wall with grand instrumentals and equally earth-shattering vocals that top off some brilliantly passionate and melancholic lyricism. Almost ... read more
Charli XCX's self-titled album is one of the most consistently great releases in her entire discography. Is this album flawless? No, there's a couple weaker tracks here and there, mostly due to poor contributions from some of the featured artists. However, none of that takes away from my overall view of this project. It's catchy as hell, yet it has a pretty healthy amount of depth. I love that even when Charli was venturing closer to to mainstream sounds on this project she and ... read more
While myself and many others consider CRASH to be one of the weakest albums in Charli XCX's discography, it's still got some absolute bangers on it's brief and energetic track list. Whatever it may lack in depth, this project makes up for in pure catchiness. There's so many tracks on here that just DRILL their choruses into your head. While I don't think any single song on here is mind-blowing, to say this album is anything but consistently fun would be a lie. ... read more
At this point in time, Sonder Son is probably my favorite outing of Brent Faiyaz's. It's his most cohesive and consistent body of work, as smooth rnb bangers are scattered all throughout the 12-song track list. The production choices are intimate and pretty, the lyricism is both toxic and heartfelt, and best of all, Brent's soothing vocals are just incredible on here. I do think there are a couple cuts on here that, well, could have been reworked to be a little more memorable and ... read more
I know I'm a bit late, but Cabin In The Sky has quite a hefty runtime and I wanted to give it my full attention. Luckily, this album was well worth the time it took to give it a listen, as everyone involved in it's creation gave it their all. Even after all this time, De La Soul had so much left to say, and the way they address Trugoy's passing is just beautiful. This album tackles themes of life, death, and artistry in an extremely tasteful yet colorful way. The production on ... read more
There's really lots to love about Piss In The Wind. I absolutely adore this project's dark and dreary atmosphere. Joji sounds right at home in it on both a lyrical and vocal level. His wonderfully writing is moody and lovesick on here, and his voice is somehow even more gorgeous than it was on his last release. When Joji hits a high note on here, you feel it in your SOUL. Also, this review would not be complete if I didn't mention this album's outstanding production. I ... read more
Admittedly, I've been skipping over Kenny's latest string of drops. However, when I heard Moonlight, I just KNEW I had to give this whole EP a listen, and boy am I glad I did because all three of these songs of VERY solid. I love that each track is pretty different stylistically, though the common denominator is that Kenny Mason raps his ass off on all of them. Some are stronger than others, but I do think that each song on here is album-worthy, and that's why this EP is as great ... read more
While I think it's the weakest out of his three currently released projects, Walk of Fire is still a solid EP by Kurtis Wells. Despite sounding a bit generic at points, I still think this project is well worth the listen. The groovy production occasionally morphs into something beautiful, and Kurtis Wells himself delivers some very catchy vocals performances to boot. While I don't think Walk of Fire is Kurtis' most consistent outing, tracks like Dark Imagination are just so ... read more
Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too is just a fantastic album. It's dorky, cheesy, and just so damn loveable. Gregg Alexander's nasally but charming voice sounds phenomenal when paired with this album's airy and sunny production. This project is filled to the brim with absolutely infectious feel-good vibes, and the atmosphere they create is intoxicating. This album feels like young love and dumb decisions and I love it for that. Sure, this release has it's weak and ... read more
LOADING... is a VERY solid EP from BNYX®, and if it's any indication of the quality of his upcoming album, I think we're in for a pretty great project. This release's production might not be as energetic as you'd expect considering BNYX® is the name behind this project, but this EP's beats are still pretty awesome. I really like how spacey and synthy they can be. Also, the features he chose to represent this small collection of beats knocked it out of the park, ... read more
I just realized I never gave this track a rating, but I like to think that late is better than never. Anyways, if Double Trio was on By Storm's debut album, it probably would have been one of the best songs on it.
The duo of Nathaniel Ritchie and Parker Cory which form By Storm (both stemming from the band Injury Reserve), have finally released a debut project three whole years after their debut single, and I think it was worth the wait. Now, while I don't think this album is all that much of a masterpiece, it's still great! The duo's last effort under the moniker of Injury Reserve was already abstract and experimental, but the sound of My Ghosts Go Ghost is arguably even more abrasive and ... read more
You would think that an album called "OCTANE" would have some energy packed into it, but this new Don Toliver release is anything but energetic. It's actually pretty slow and moody for most of it's runtime. Now, I don't think that alone is a bad thing, and for what it's worth, this is a pretty enjoyable project. I love Don's voice, the production can be fun, and overall the whole album goes down smoothly. However, with all that said, there's really ... read more
This is unbelievably catchy. Though, it does help that synthwave is and always will be my weakness.
Thundercat knows how to make a groovy track, that's for sure.
Injury Reserve's self-titled album is a pretty cool project. I really like the oftentimes dark, industrial tone that the glitchy production sets, and the rapping is fantastic more often than not. I really appreciate how creative and experimental this release can get at points, and while I don't think every production choice, verse, or stylistic choice landed, this brief and chaotic outing still packs a punch. This album is at it's best when the trio of minds behind it went balls ... read more
While I don't dislike With Heaven On Top, I think it's Zach Bryan's weakest effort in a while. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of songs on here that I enjoy, but in the same breath, there's plenty that should have been left for a deluxe or the cutting room floor. Unfortunately, this project is just really bloated, and while I don't think any single section of it is "bad," there really aren't that many standout cuts on it. I appreciate Zach ... read more
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Recent Review Comments
On The Weeknd - After Hours
"@Iam_AKne thanks :3"
On Viol3ttt_'s review of youngdabo - BLEED (JANE REMOVER DISS)
"It's kind of insane that he claims to be a fan of people like Frank Ocean then proceeds to be homophobic & transphobic in a crappy diss."
On Slayyyter - WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA
"@williambe thanks!"
On 𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓉's review of A$AP Rocky - Don't Be Dumb
"@natonedge I don't entirely disagree, but I AM MUSIC was not polished or mixed well."
On Jane Remover - Magic I Want U
"@Morse I guess I was wrong... Well I'm not complaining at all!"
On The_Bear's review of Miguel - CAOS
"To be fair, Miguel was actually working on a different album until he scrapped it last year, so there's a very real chance he'd only been working on this for about a year."
On Magdalena Bay - Human Happens / Paint Me a Picture
"@HollowG Yeah I have no idea why they were so hostile about it lol"
On Magdalena Bay - Human Happens / Paint Me a Picture
"@normnasblvd What bands do you think deserve that title?"
On Joji - PIXELATED KISSES
"@Ringer1334 Sure, but SMITHEERNS was only 24 minutes long and with a lead single this short I'm worried this upcoming album will be even shorter."
On Gaspard Augé - Escapades
"@VojtaHabart That’s true, but I feel like it’s very difficult to find a picture of Gaspard without them."
On The Weeknd - Hurry Up Tomorrow
"@Nemothefishman thank you!!!"
On Crose47's review of JID - God Does Like Ugly
"You were a lot kinder to this album than I was, but I feel VERY similar. Of Blue was incredible, and WRK is very catchy, but the rest of the album was a really bumpy ride. I’m more than a little disappointed. The beats especially stuck out as really flat and one-note to me, and JID usually has great beat selection."
On n0ided's review of JID - God Does Like Ugly
"Summed up my thoughts exactly. I feel like people are just so excited for a JID album that they're completely ignoring the inconsistent mixing, bland as unseasoned chicken beats, and the lackluster pacing. I feel like I'm losing my mind because of all the praise this album's getting, while I'm here thinking that not a song on here is better than a single track off The Forever Story."
On ikmmm's review of Alex G - Headlights
"Thank you! I felt like I was feeling like I was hearing a completely different album than everyone else."
On The Last Dinner Party - This Is The Killer Speaking
"@MaskedDog You're all good :3"
On The Last Dinner Party - This Is The Killer Speaking
"@MaskedDog Uh I was just reviewing the lead single."
On J. Cole - The Off-Season
"@Crose47 I could see myself changing my mind at some point though, but for now that’s how I feel."
On J. Cole - The Off-Season
"@Crose47 I think the lyricism is cool and one of the higher points on the album, but I just find the beat to be incredibly grating."
On JID - DiCaprio 2
"@isakkk thank you :)"
On star boy - CEO
"@bnnnck he’s not signed but he produces for people like Ken Carson and he’s heavily associated with the label."
On Crose47's review of LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
"I’ve gotta get around to this album soon"
On chaz's review of The Cars - The Cars
"What do you think about Moving In Stereo? That was my personal fav on here. The theremin usage is awesome."
On Little Simz - Young
"@Rhino I didn't like Free a whole lot either, and that's the most "conscious" single yet. As for Young, I just find everything from the vocals to the instrumentals to be grating. The subject matter is fun, but I didn't connect with it because of how the track sounds."
On Sampha - Process
"@Crose47 Yeah, I'd have to wait and see how it ages for me. There were several parts that I enjoyed more than Lahai, but overall, I'd still give Lahai the edge."
On VallLikesMusic's review of Kanye West - DONDA 2 [Reissue]
"Thank you! I thought I was going crazy. Everyone just keeps complaining about Kanye and his releases but they're also the first one's to listen to his new music. I don't get why people write reviews pretending like they're martyrs for listening to an album of Kanye's or another "bad" artist's when they CHOSE to do so, most likely knowing beforehand that they wouldn't like it. I don't like VUTURES at all, so why am I going to waste my time listening to more of Kanye's new releases when I already know they likely won't be any better? The virtue signaling has been going crazy with Kanye as of late."
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