It's nice to see David and co experiment with some African influences but on the whole this record lacks many of the strengths that made those first 5 albums so incredible. Blind, Ruby Dear and (Nothing But) Flowers are some nice highlights though, although Byrne's later live rendition of Blind on the American Utopia tour makes the original here seem more lifeless.

Blush is sometimes mellow, sometimes in your face, sometimes open and vulnerable and sometimes just really fun. Kevin Abstract's latest is a mess in the best possible way, a mixtape of Texas Pop that's full of charm and personality and enough to get me through the summer. Alongside a stacked feature list including executive production from Quadeca, Kevin has made an album that's extremely easy to listen to and have a good time with, but not in a way that ever feels generic or ... read more

Coming off the trail of the disappointing “Solar Power”, Lorde returns to a super synthy, electronic sound - but one that’s often more raw and skeletal than her past explorations into electropop. This new approach offers some incredible highlights such as the insane production in the outro to closer “David”, or the future garage inspired softness in the instrumentals of “Shapeshifter” - but ultimately these are the only songs off Virgin I can say I was ... read more

It’s Kid A. One of the cases where an albums reputation precedes it and writing any review feels futile. The dark, distorted and dreamy soundscape this album sends you to is like nothing else. 1/3 of Radioheads holy trinity of albums and still holds up 25 years later.

It gets completely overshadowed by everywhere the band would go afterwards but lest we forget their debut album is also amazing. Generally a more aggressive sound than what they would go on to make but i love it. Track X is a highlight for me.

All seriousness but what’s the point of even reviewing this when it’s already cemented its reputation as one of the best albums of the 2020s. An album that has a flawless understanding of tension and growth amongst tracks, All encapsulated in a sound that’s mix of whimsy, hope and tragedy and sadness could only be achieved by BCNR.

“Look at what we did together, BCNR, friends forever!”

Not having Issac is a loss but I do think this new direction we've been seeing BCNR take is just as magical. “Turbines/Pigs” should be proof enough the band is here to stay.

Despite the departure of a key member, Black Country, New Road return with an album that might lack the massive emotional weight of Ants From Up There, but stands strongly on its own two feet as a gorgeous collection of folksy, rock and pop tracks. Especially in the second half with songs such as “Happy Birthday”, “For The Cold Country” and “Nancy Takes Back The Night” you really see evidence of how BCNR continue to be some of the greats. Sweet, jubilant, ... read more

Two of the most boundary pushing rappers join forces for one of the most unique, refreshing and boundary pushing rap albums in recent years. Front to back full of bangers, at this point SCARING THE HOES’ legacy already proceeds it, it’s amazing.

I’m a fan of the super chilled out, surfy vibes but I can’t say Lennox did enough with it here that’s got me longing to come back personally.

An incredibly solid, short, sweet and enjoyable pop album I can see a lot of people enjoying vibing to over the summer. I’ve seen a lot of people critiquing the state of pop music with the new Sabrina song and whilst I think some of those criticisms are weak, I can’t deny this felt quite refreshing. “New York” is such a highlight, and songs like “Diet Pepsi” and “Fame Is A Gun” stand out for being insanely catchy bops.

The basslines across this entire album are genuinely fucking incredible, especially on tracks such as “Flood” and “Enough”. I’m not sure why I’ve not listened to more Simz because I really enjoyed this, Full of personality and some really creative rapping, “Blood” was a highlight in this respect.

Linkin Parks best album and it’s not really that close for me. A Thousand Suns is conceptual, a culmination of fears and paranoia about nuclear warfare and where humanity is headed. Becoming more relevant than ever, these fears are portrayed in such a powerful way because the emotional core is stronger than most other Linkin Park albums. “Waiting For The End” is the best example of this. Such a great album, can’t say enough nice things about it really. They take risks ... read more

The instrumentals rip and do lots of the heavy lifting for me here, as well as just how catchy so many of the songs are. It’s a super energetic and exciting record, but fucking hell I can’t stand Alex Turners voice.

I don’t think I really get hating on this album. Yes, 1989 is full of generic radio friendly pop tracks but that’s because this record is really what defined what a radio friendly pop track looks like. There’s a reason these songs are so big, they are all super catchy, accessible and fun. Does this lack a level of authenticity and power that makes for a record I’m not calling a masterpiece anytime soon, yes, but I will vibe to this most days. Also, Style is literally ... read more

Pure joy and a beautiful party from start to finish, this is an album that will literally never grow old for me.

Such a nice way to reinterpret many of their most famous songs in the “most plugged MTV Unplugged”. There’s so many sweet and loveable moments such as the Josh Dun verse in Shy Away, or the two of them singing together in Stressed Out (which I’m so glad made it to the Clancy tour). And of course Car Radio/Heathens is a masterpiece that takes both of them songs to new heights.

Super loud yet quiet and beautiful, fun yet insane and off the rails, this debut album feels extremely expansive and with a lot to offer whilst also being focussed and cohesive. That moment when the first chorus drops in Immaterial is one of the most incredible moments I’ve ever had listening to an album.

Pure Heroine is more stripped back than the colourful odyssey Lorde would go on to create with Melodrama, and that means some of the tracks here don’t stand out how every song on that album does. However, especially in the first half of the tracklist, there’s some songs that are just too catchy and pretty to deny are amazing. “Buzzcut Season”, “Ribs”, “Tennis Court” and the wildly popular single “Royals” are all catchy and compelling ... read more

A scrappy project that can sometimes flail on a tightrope between maturity and silly YouTube rap, but that finds a balance on the whole thanks to its consistently incredible production and mostly compelling and moving lyricism. Songs like “Sisyphus” make it hard to hate on this project with how magical they are.