This is a very fun and transgender debut LP from Femtanyl, but even at its best, it feels like it misses the raw kinetic energy and desperation that made both Chaser and Reactor so compelling. Additionally, I think that Noelle and Juno can struggle to give these tracks unique identities. They work together incredibly as a listening experience, but I found that I had to give each track a lot of time before I could differentiate them, other than the singles.

Ultimately, this album is still ... read more

Hysterical how this soundtrack album captures the spirit of Wuthering Heights so much better than the film that it accompanies. I don't really have plans to watch the film. The combination of its initial mixed reception and my grievances with Emerald Fennell as a filmmaker would 1000% keep me from being able to objectively and critically think about my thoughts on the film as an adaptation.

Wuthering Heights, the novel, means a lot to me. I read it in 12th grade English, when I was ... read more

If every song on this album was as good as "I Know Where Mark Chen Lives", it would be a 70 minimum. Unfortunately, I think the album gets a little lost conceptually. I really dislike the heavy country influence on a lot of these songs. That genre simply doesn't play to Joyce Manor's strengths. The album's brevity also takes away from its staying power. I have had a hard time remembering a lot of the riffs and hooks from the album from tracks other than "I Know ... read more

Never got around to this one last year. Man I Need has been an oasis on the pop charts for so long. Turns out Olivia Dean also is just a really charming, engaging, and talented vocalist as well! I wish that there was more variety in the tracklist and some of the songs didn't feel so milquetoast, but this woman makes earworms that are deeply enjoyable to listen to.

BEST TRACKS: Man I Need, Lady Lady, So Easy (To Fall in Love)
WORST TRACK: Baby Steps

I have always enjoyed Harry, but I have never quite understood why people go gaga for him.
Turns out all he had to do was James Murphy max a lot. The production on this is so good holy shit. So much more excited for the album than I ever could've imagined previously.

Ajami is my comfort song of the year. I already know it and I cannot get enough of it. The title track is a good enough piece of ambience, but Ajami sends me so much to the stratosphere that I check out by the time it's over.

I really like this guy's voice, and I think that he is a strong songwriter to boot. He captures such warmth and vibrance on this album, and I can see this album becoming strong comfort music for myself this year. I acknowledge that there are a lot of growing pains that Tyler Ballgame has to work through to become a truly great artist. Some of the songs here blend together, and I think that Ballgame tries way too hard to emulate his musical idols (Roy Orbison in particular) rather than ... read more

Bruno still knows how to deliver. The song may sound a little Target commercial core, but that doesn't devalue the excellent songwriting, warm instrumentation, or strong atmosphere created by this track. I am excited for Bruno's album!

Incredibly compelling hooks and honest songwriting. The back half of the album from The World So Madly onwards is one of the most transformative sides of music I've heard in a long time. The first half other than Open Up and Light Night Mountains All That is a little lacking musically in my opinion, but this is some of the best alt-country inspired indie rock I've heard in a long time. Heavily recommended to anyone who loves Wednesday, MJ Lenderman, or Death Cab.

BEST TRACKS: Burn ... read more