While this album certainly is a nostalgia fest, taking off those rose tinted glasses allows to better see it’s flaws. This album is just so inconsistent. Sometimes, you’re hearing a great electronic jam, and other times, you can’t even remember what you were listening to after you finished. Additionally, I don’t know how they managed to get Andre 3000 on a song and it turn out mediocre. Also, this album is just frontloaded. It gets considerably worse as it goes on. While ... read more
There are some great, electronic, fun cuts to take away from Solarize. It’s just that those cuts are placed between a sizable amount of filler. The summery electronic sound certainly serves a nice atmosphere, it just gets stale many times throughout the album. I just think that maybe some trimming or the addition of different tracks would have served this album better. Also, as a side note, I hate it when artists add two of the same song but one has a feature, just pick one or put the ... read more
I heard this again while I was out and it reminded me how much disdain I actually hold for it. It is so soulless and bland in every aspect. Nothing is impressive and it just sounds so phoned in. Not to mention the nasally voice and royalty free sound really add on to the grating nature of this track. The only redeeming quality about this track is that it’s short.
While The Patience is short, it is exactly the length it needed to be. It delivers it’s premise bluntly with no meandering, and I think that it spends just the right amount of time doing that. The aforementioned premise being the feeling of just being stuck, and just hoping that things will get better. Feeling like you are doing everything right, but nothing is going the way you envisioned, and eventually, coming to terms with the fact that you just can’t force it, and you got to ... read more
While often inconsistent, A$AP Rocky still manages to create a interesting and unique soundscape. Although, that doesn’t save this album from criticism. This time, I’m going to start out with my criticisms. This album is just so inconsistent, some songs are absolutely mind blowing with their arrangements and deliveries, and then others are just kind of there. I just wish everything on this album was on par with tracks like Changes or Hun43rd, because those tracks are truly amazing. ... read more
I was expecting to like Negro Swan but holy hell my expectations were blown away. Negro Swan is a beautiful example of artistry in its purest form. It is a journey of intense emotion, and it makes you feel every single line. There are just so many touching and beautiful points, and it's all with the groove and heavy hitting production of Dev's previous work. The soundscape, lyricism, and vocal performances are all near perfection. I genuinely could not have asked much more of this ... read more
Genesis has refined himself so fast and so well. STRUGGLER is such a memorable and punchy album in so many aspects. As you could probably guess, STRUGGLER is about, well, going through struggles. Sometimes, it takes going through something to arrive at a better place in life, which is a concept this album deals with very well, though, admittedly not as well as it had the potential to. Although, Genesis is just so consistently great in everything he does that this becomes a small issue in ... read more
SICK! is short, sweet, and incredibly underrated. The combination of jazz and trap works so well in every corner of this album’s soundscape. Not to mention Earl, as always, kills it with his vocal delivery. This album beautifully showcases Earl reflecting on his past and coming out of his shell, while still staying true to himself. I honestly just wish this record was longer and took more time to flesh itself out. I’m not upset with the end result by any means, but I just wish there ... read more
A beachy and summery EP that starts of pretty good and devolves into just "meh" over time. There really isn't a lot else to say. Although, I will say that at least it is focused and consistent in sound, even if many of the tracks are "meh".
Best Tracks: Sober, Pop Thieves (Make It Feel Good), Retro (Rough)
Weakest Track: V.3005 Beach Picnic Version (or Late Night In Kauai)
I feel like this is one of those albums that many love and many just do not like at all. By my rating, you can probably guess which side I'm on. I don't really know what happened between Camp and this, because this album is just pure quality throughout. Sure, it has it's weak parts and inconsistences, but this was just an improvement on every single front. I'm a sucker for albums that have the artist develop a persona for storytelling while still being rooted in their ... read more
Just pure ecstasy, from start to finish. While one or two tracks may not be as mind blowing as the others, they don't really detract from the absolute experience that this album is much. The sheer soul and funk packed in this record is insane. It really could not have been executed much better than it was. Donald's delivery on Me and Your Mama alone enthralled me. I honestly would have been happy if it stopped there, but it kept going, and almost every time, Donald blew me away with his insane ... read more
3.15.20 is a brilliant album locked behind sounding grossly unfinished and choppy. There is potential for something AMAZING is here, but this potential was never really capitalized on. I enjoyed my listen for the most part, but this album is just lacking in so many places. In summary, it's alright, but it could have been SO much better.
Best Tracks: Algorhythm, 42.26, 53.49
Weakest Track: 35.31
For such a short album, it has so many layers and subtle messages. Some Rap Songs is crafted in such a brilliant and unique way, it blows me away just listening to it again right now. The jazzy, experimental, and almost upbeat sound of the album almost distracts you from the dark and dreary lyrics that paint a tragic picture of substance abuse and self hatred. However, even though it seems like Earl is crying for help, it also seems like he isn’t asking for it, just asking that you lend ... read more
Omar Apollo's debut album Ivory is delightful collection of heartfelt bedroom pop songs, and while it has it's fair share of inconsistencies, it is generally pretty consistent in quality. Omar's voice is just so fantastic, and while not every track's a winner, there are some absolutely outstanding cuts. Ivory isn't the most innovative or intriguing project out there, but it's such a fun listen, and I think it truly does come from the heart.
Best Tracks: ... read more
Good Kid, m.A.A.D city really cemented Kendrick Lamar as a incredible storyteller. Not only is GKMC amazing musically, but it is also a brilliant story. Almost every single lyric ingrains itself in your head, to the point of photorealism. Not to mention that sonically, this album is literally perfect. However, I would say it's more than just that. Everything on this album is so perfectly full of soul and life. Some tracks are so beautifully vulnerable, like The Art of Peer Pressure, and ... read more
Wish the instrumentals were more ambitious, but Frank's voice is beautiful as always.
Maybe not the most intricate or complex, but gah damn is this song great. It's so catchy, and Frank's vocals are heavenly as ever.
Create an account to rate and review albums.
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 π©πππππππΆππ'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 AugΓ© - 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."
Advertisement