happy belated birthday charlise

"Trench" is the latest album from Twenty One Pilots, the duo that brought the slightly-underground (by that, I mean Tumblr) fanbase albums such as their self-titled (which I find really unpolished) and "Regional at Best" (which is mediocre, at the very least). The only other album I haven't listened to is their label debut "Vessel", which is regarded by fans as one of their best records.

Before this album came the release of "Blurryface", an album which ... read more

I judged the singles too harshly without the context of this album, because context matters. BTW, I haven't heard it yet.

This might as well be The 1975 at their most snarkiest, human and undoubtedly their most polarizing. This huge genre shift from their first and second album will be nothing short of encapsulating, if utterly flawed.

ANCO SERIES: 2/11

Following the idiosyncratic experience known as "Spirit They've Gone, Spirit They've Vanished", "Danse Manatee" is an alienating listen as it is far from accessible. Adding the lovable Geologist to the list of collaborators, Avey Tare and Panda Bear still have the perfect percussion and mixed-way-too-low vocals, but turned up to the masses.

I judged this album but also captivated me at the same time. It has glaring flaws and it makes me impatient, but as ... read more

If there's a black sheep in Son Lux's discography, if any at all, it might as well be "Stranger Forms". Consisting of six reworked tracks from the band's fifth studio album, "Bones", which also introduced drummer Ian Chang and guitarist Rafiq Bhatia into the then-solo project and transformed Lott's moniker into a three-piece.

In short, this is one of the band's most experimental releases. It is also their most minimal and ominous release (save for "You Don't Own ... read more

Spiritualized is a space rock band fronted by Jason Pierce (J. Spaceman), formerly of Spaceman 3 (of which former member Peter Kember, also known as Sonic Boom, broke from. He would later produce records for MGMT and Beach House). This is the first Spiritualized album I have heard, and already, there is nothing like this album.

Hearing that this may be the band's last album, it seems to be fitting as a closer for some sort of chapter if anything at all. Most of the songs are interesting and a ... read more

The title is accurate. The only problem is that, since Eminem is a pure American, this title is using cultural appropriation.

Gross. Still, better than "Revival" but it's still the same Eminem. Can't wait for Em's response to MGK, though.

NOTHING TO LIKE HERE.

EVERYTHING IS PAINFULLY BORING.

NOTE: Skits won't be rated because they don't add anything meaningful and they might as well be a zero.

SONGS:
"The Ringer": At least the beat is cool. ONE.
"Greatest": ... read more

Holy fuck, what an album.

WHAT I LIKE: The sound of this album is oozing with neon psychedelia and it shifts from woozy alternative to goth psychedelia. The synth choice on "Hologram" is AMAZING. The art direction is amazing, provocative and insane.

WHAT I DON'T: Badwan lacks a TON of vocal personality here. Strip away the sound, and this album is just a pop album that is incredibly shallow. The lyrics are catchy but, in a way, forgettable and pretentious. Very uninspiring poetry. ... read more

ANCO SERIES: 1/11.

This album, made by Avey Tare and Panda Bear, would eventually spark the experimental band Animal Collective, of whom they would make 8 more albums after "Campfire Songs". This is one of the most notable and famous albums of the 2000, but what makes it an experience is how indescribable it is.

The duo's mix of chamber music, folk, jazz and electronic music would make it one of the most experimental listens I've ever listened to. Its overarching theme of childhood ... read more

bipp issa seven

The cinematic and morally-questioning "Brighter Wounds" is a cinematic effort from the experimental trio consisting of frontman and composer Ryan Lott (who originally started Son Lux as a recording project of his own), guitarist Rafiq Bhatia and drummer Ian Chang.

This phase of the band started with the 2017 extended play (EP), "Remedy". The 16 minute demonstration of protest in an era of the Trump administration (which Lott has explicitly expressed disdain for) laid the ... read more

Probably my least favorite single off of "Trench" so far, but it is still a decent single. Just not as good as I'd want it to be.

Tyler's singing is at the same level I'd expect from singles such as "Jumpsuit" and at the same monotone emotion on "Levitate". Hell, it doesn't even match the emotion he displayed in "Blurryface", which was terrible to begin with. My favortie lyric shows how willing Tyler is to sacrifice himself; "I'll jump right in and ... read more

The latest single release from "Brighter Wounds" shows one of my favorite songs from the album being revisited by the experimental trio. Unfortunately, if you like the original as it was, then chances are you'll find the revisitation/new version unnecessary.

Nevertheless, if you are the type of listener who will remain open-minded and see a track for what it is rather than what it was, then chances are you'll find the new version pretty decent.

SONGS:
"The Fool You Need (Enough ... read more

The first release from Son Lux that I ever heard was the song "Dangerous". It captivates me in a way nothing else does and introduced me to the postmodernist and experimental band, formerly the recording project of composer and musician Ryan Lott.

With that being said, "Remedy" is a step towards Son Lux's fifth studio album, "Brighter Wounds". Unfortunately, you will have to listen to this rather short 19 minute extended play (EP) to get the gist of where Ryan ... read more

This is bad.

I don't like the production on this track. The lyrics are shit, formulaic and cliche. It's really forgettable and almost nothing should be said about this.

This song plays to Joji's strengths extremely well. In fact, this production should have been on "In Tongues", which justifies one of my reasons to hate it. The beat, while still recognizably hip-hop inspired, does enough on its own to create a sad mood that I got sad to.

I liked this song originally for the music, but I also like it for its straightforwardness to its theme of love and (maybe) loneliness. Lyrics are not too complex and a little simple, and the implementation of ... read more

NOTHING IS LIKABLE HERE.

EVERYTHING IS HORRIBLE.

SONGS:
"Fiji Water": 1.5. Why does this exist?
"The 5th of July": 2. This sounds so flat. Adam sounds so tired. This doesn't even sound emotional, it sounds so damn manipulative.
"All My Friends": POINT FIVE. Adam, this is not how reality works. Even the Dad knew this.
"House Wren": 2. I am on the fence with this one. It just doesn't work.
"Not All Heroes Wear Capes": 1.75.
"Montana": ... read more

Woo.... This was underwhelming.

WHAT I LIKE: "Falling Into Me" and "Whitewater" encompasses what this record should have been. It should have explored new terrain and intensity, and they are the perfect role models for the ideal record. The synthscapes are dreamy, to say the least. Mixing is fine, for the most part.

WHAT I DON'T: There's lots of things to feel disappointed toward. GOD THE SINGING IS AWFUL: The singing is off-pitch, therefore making it off-key. The drumming ... read more

Filthy Frank was surreal. Pink Guy was the epitome of meme culture in rap and hip-hop. This is what helped George Miller evolve into a force to not be reckoned with, or so I thought.

Going under the stage name Joji, his music is supposed to be the second coming of Jesus Christ, but fails to overcome the standard trope of alternative R&B (blatant connection to hip-hop or trap, whichever you prefer). He fails to write detailed or expressive songs and, as such, they hit one note. He fails to ... read more

"Levitate" is the best single out of the three singles released for "Trench". Tyler's delivery of his rap is better than anything on Blurryface and carries a little more punch than his usual whimpers. The trap-inspired beat is well produced and fresh enough to distance Twenty One Pilots away from the usual group or rapper.

That being said, I don't like how Joseph still sounds like he is more passive than aggressive. Some of the lyrics don't quite make the song better. Yet, ... read more