As I revisit Muse's controversial and explosive "The 2nd Law", I can't help but smile at the sheer balls of it all. The album has many pitfalls, namely it's wavering 2nd half and troublesome adventures in far off genres, but it remains speckled with sheer brilliance throughout. This is undeniably the greatest showcase of Matt Bellamy's vocal powers hitherto and will likely remain so. From the soaring falsettos of "Survival" and the introspective lullabies ... read more

McCartney's genius may be more fleeting in his older age, but whenever it comes to visit the face it wears is familiar and tells a grand story. Much of this album looks back, but it does not do so under the guise of grief or cheap nostalgia. The instrumentation remains tasteful throughout, with the odd psychedelic sprinkle and grandiose musical tinged flourish. His sheer master of melody displays itself with a revived clarity on this record.

We intend to erase this album's place in history.

No notes.

Muse avoids the typical political vagueposting they have become obsessed with in the past few years and release a simple, though sweet track. Difficulty in the transitions between the sections, though the distinctiveness of them lends the song a unique quality.

Wall to wall classics. Nina was a master of both subtlety and emotional erosion.

amazing.

"The Ballad of Darren" is a stunningly produced and emotionally rich project, that sees Blur return back to the frontlines of popular music. The album may be easy listening but that does not mean it is lacking depth of any sort, after many relistens you begin to appreciate each element of it more and more, the sign of a great record. The only complaints I have is I would've liked to see more of the energy of "St. Charles Square" (which may be present on the deluxe vinyl ... read more

C418 soundtracked an entire generation - and continues to do so, even as his involvement in Minecraft has decreased over time. Not many records are timeless but this one certainly is. Some of these tracks may be the most listened to and recognisable in music history (for certain cohorts), accounting for how many people have played the game for countless hours. I am often hit by an intense wave of nostalgia upon hearing anything from this soundtrack. It invokes feelings that very few pieces of ... read more

Paramore has put out the strongest record of their career, a feat which is not often achieved by bands so late into it. Hayley's voice is a powerhouse and melds perfectly with the tight, racing instrumentation. It is certainly an anxious feeling record, with tracks like "The News" tackling the issues of modern media consumption head on. This album covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time and it covers it incredibly well, with depth and clarity in the songwriting. BEST TRACK: ... read more

boygenius' debut album is sleek, inventive and incredibly refreshing. All members seem to pull their weight equally as the band shapeshifts through a multitude of moods and vivid lyrical introspections. BEST TRACK: "Not Strong Enough"

The Foo Fighters put out their strongest work yet. An incredibly produced and entertaining album, full of emotional depth and soaring melodies only the master Grohl could conjure up.

A classic gets an improved mix. Standouts are "For No One" & "Tomorrow Never Knows". No reason for dispute when it comes to "Revolver", it is a landmark and marked a turning point in popular music.

The 1975 have finally dusted off the over indulgence that plagued both "Notes On A Conditional Form" and "I like it when you sleep..." in favour of a more stripped down and direct approach to songwriting, production and aesthetic. This does not mean the album is devoid of any of Matty's witty lyrical passes nor the flurries of instrumental brilliance found on "A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships". It manages to balance both these worlds perfectly and by doing ... read more

black midi cement themselves as one of the greatest bands (if not the greatest) Britain has produced in the past 20 years. this album is a maze of complex time signatures, insane riffage and poetic splurge. it's a sight to behold and people may take some time to digest it. black midi remains an incredibly consistent band, not having a single "bad" song in my eyes. BEST TRACK: "The Race Is About To Begin"

Kendrick Lamar continues to innovate, recording feats that every artist (Kanye included) is secretly jealous of. This is an album shrouded in mystery, coming seemingly out of nowhere after a decent hiatus from the rapper. Was it worth the wait? For many, absolutely. "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers" is his most personal and confusingly brilliant album yet.

Will Radiohead ever return? If not, this will surely hold fans over a bit. Thom Yorke shows why he's regarded as one of the most consistent and talented songwriters in history, he dives into the archives with "Open The Flood Gates" and puts a new yet nostalgic spin on things with the bends reminiscent "You Will Never Work in Television Again"

black midi sound the tightest they've ever been, while they sneakily dive into new territory. this song is haunting and incredibly well produced, Greep's vocals have come leaps and bounds from their debut in 2019.

MUSE hit back with their strongest promotional single in over 10 years. An excellent attempt at experimentation that MUSE have been missing the mark on for quite a while. Harks back to their older sound while ushering in an even heavier new tinge. Rammstein creeps even in! Sadly the best part of the song (the metal breakdown at the end) seems to be cut short which makes it lose some marks - but live I assume this song will work very well.

Adele finally openly experiments with her sound while sustaining her roots far below. It's a record full of heart-break with a lot of down time, which is fine - but sometimes the songs can melt into one drawl. Adele as usual has phenomenal vocal lines, especially the emotive end of "To Be Loved". Production wise the album is smooth and has a 50s feel to it, with the subtle vinyl ripples and Ronette inspired backing vocals which is a good choice for the vibe of the record. Overall, ... read more