This album is solid but also incredibly safe, which makes sense for a debut. The album basically just plays into classic modern country cliches that sometimes work and sometimes really don’t. I really do still love Chasin You and Whiskey Glasses a ton, they demonstrate truly great writing ability early on in Wallen’s career. There’s also quite a few misses on this record (I won’t even bring up whatever Up Down and Redneck Love Song are), but overall potential was shown ... read more

This album is easily Travis’ most underrated album. This album really only has two true misses, and excels in creating songs that have tremendous replay value. The Ends is one of my favorite Travis songs, the beat and flow on this track is absolutely incredible. Coordinate is also an incredible song, and if songs like Pick Up The Phone and Sweet Sweet hadn’t been overplayed early on they would be elite as well. An overall super underrated and under appreciated addition to Travis ... read more

Kanye’s 2013 project Yeezus is one of Kanye’s best project. From the very first track the song has a distinct flavor to it, and doesn’t necessarily sound anything like his other albums. The album is Kanye trying new things and most of them work. Hold My Liquor truly is one of the best songs of the decade as Kanye (and Chief Keef I guess?) pack an emotional punch and add real depth to the albums message. It’s not truly perfect, as some songs like New Slaves don’t ... read more

The impact of Travis Scott’s 2018 album Astroworld in modern mainstream rap just really can’t be overstated. Artists in the genre have been trying to replicate the success Scott found on this record with his psychedelic trap sound that works so well. Songs like Who What, Stop Trying To Be God, Butterfly Effect, Sicko Mode, No Bystanders, and honestly almost every other song on this record are fantastic ands replay value has not diminished. Scott truly found his sound on this record, ... read more

While over time I’ve come to like Self Titled slightly more, American Heartbreak is what began my love for Zach Bryan’s music. I connected with the album right away and it managed to be over 2 hours long and never lose my interest. I don’t really know how to select just a few favorite songs because so many are so good, but The Outskirts, Mine Again, and Cold Damn Vampires are especially incredible. This album also introduced us to the now mega-hit Something In The Orange. A ... read more

While a noticeable step down from Luke Combs’ prior project Fathers and Sons, The Way I Am still has some solid stuff to offer. Combs still excels with his storytelling on many of his tracks, as songs like Giving Her Away explores relatable themes of how challenging it can be to watch your kids grow up. Too often on this record does Combs fall into the “bro-country” trap of singing about hookups and alcohol and more hookups and more alcohol, but when Combs is on his A game ... read more

This album has easily become one of my favorite modern country albums. Luke Combs elevates his already evolving storytelling on a concept album focusing on the relationships between father’s and their sons, with Combs specifically focusing on both his relationship with his own father as well as his relationship with his young son. The album explores a lot of relatable themes, such as wanting to be the best role model you can as a father even though you can’t always live up to the ... read more

Man this record has potential. Harry Styles is one of my favorite pop artists in the world right now, and he has a way of crafting compelling songs that are mostly unique from each other. And while this record is mostly hits that I will revisit, I wasn’t fully getting that from this one. I loved As It Was (it’s one of my favorite tracks by Harry) and Cinema, but while I enjoyed most other songs very little truly stood out. A solid but safe record from Harry

Lorde’s hit debut Pure Heroine is one of the best pop artist debuts I’ve ever heard. At only 16 years old, Lorde is able to communicate a relatable message with captivating beats, and Team is still one of my favorite pop songs of all time. This album was so impressive, and I’m excited to check out more of Lorde’s discography

For such a long wait, ASAP Rocky’s new album Don’t Be Dumb was a massive disappointment. The album felt hit or miss from the start and every other song seemed to be a skip. I applaud Rocky for experimenting with different sounds on this album, but some of these experiments were just plain awful, especially STFU and Air Force. Hopefully we don’t have to wait another 8 years to actually get another good Rocky album

Ty has such a fantastic voice, which is why it’s apparent he could be a fantastic artist. When Ty channels his R&B side his music is pretty good, which he does a good bit on this project. If he refines his sound a little bit he really could be an R&B star. I especially liked miss u 2 and good to me

Harry Styles most unique album to date, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally may be my favorite Styles project yet. Every song feels like uncharted waters for Styles, as he tries to redefine the pop artist he is. I especially liked American Girls and Season 2 Weight Loss, and Paint By Numbers could’ve been Harry’s best song if it was longer and expanded upon. Overall an experiment for Harry that works brilliantly

Arguably the best concept album ever, Marvin Gaye had a message to tell on What’s Going On and told it perfectly. He follows the store of his brother on his return home from the Vietnam War, only to see the US divided and in disarray. The storytelling alone makes this album a 10, much less the incredible vocal performances. Marvin Gaye may be the greatest soul artist ever

I initially listened to this project and Gaye’s prior album What’s Going On back to back, and they’re both 10/10s for different reasons. While What’s Going On focuses on elite storytelling and messaging on the Vietnam through the music, Let’s Get It On is a completely different kind of project that is focused on creating a fun and romantic vibe rather than telling a story. Let’s Get It On’s beats and vocal performances are actually better than ... read more

I’m not gonna lie the first 5 songs on this album had me convinced this was going to be a great pop record, despite the fact that I don’t love Charlie Puth’s music. And then, the rest of the album happened. There is one song I enjoyed on the entire rest of the album (empty cups). I don’t understand how an artist can make such great songs (not good, great) to start an album and then fall off so heavily. A frustrating one for sure

Tame Impala’s hit record Currents provides a unique take on pop music that provides for an interesting listen. Parker creates a weird psychedelic vibe that really kept me engaged, and this element only gets more exaggerated as the record goes on. Parker truly is very talented and isn’t afraid to experiment with new things, which makes me respect the album even more. Overall a great album from Tame Impala. Highlights include Let It Happen, The Moment, and New Person Same Old Mistakes

Looking back on Taylor’s career thus far, Speak Now was when Taylor merged her country and pop sounds the best. Tracks like Sparks Fly, Enchanted, and Long Live are still some of Swift’s best songs to date, and truly jetted Taylor further into stardom. I personally enjoy Taylor’s sound when it’s a country/pop hybrid, and this record exemplifies that. Overall a perfect album without a miss, and Taylor’s best project to date.

With no sophomore slump in sight, Swift’s second album Fearless fits the title by boldly experimenting with pop elements not used in the first album. Tracks like Love Story and You Belong With Me have become staples of the music industry for the last decade plus, and seem to be here to stay. The album also stays true to its country roots, and is unashamedly a country/pop hybrid that just works. Fearless is the album that propelled Swift into stardom, and is still one of her best records ... read more

One of the most influential albums ever, 1989 perfects the pop genre. This album created instant classics and fully elevated Taylor Swift from a superstar to the most popular artist in the world. Songs like All You Had To Do Was Stay, Wildest Dreams, How You Get The Girl, Style, and Is It Over Now are still some of Taylor’s best, and honestly I could’ve gone on and on listing elite songs from this record. If Shake It Off hadn’t been overplayed to the point where it’s ... read more

A fantastic blend of country and pop, Red continues to grow on me with each listen. This album is her best work in terms of ballads, and there’s emotion in every track. From rage to heartbreak, every track feels real and like it derives itself from a personal experience in Swift’s life. This album has the biggest gap between the original and released versions for me, as All Too Well 10 Minute Version elevates the record to new heights. An overall fantastic and unique addition to ... read more