Just a perfect song. Wasn't expecting DCfC to go this hard but here we are. Contrasting beautiful imagery to an utterly toxic relationship could be seen as a common move but these guys just do it so well.

Not quite my favorite recent Metric effort, but it's a great look back a what's defined them for around 20 years. Seamlessly blends styles from their previous albums and creates their 10th LP centered around celebrating their past. A couple moments don't exactly work for me but it's Metric. You're never gonna go wrong with them.

Favorite Songs: "Time Is A Bomb", "Tremolo", "Loyal", "Victim of Luck", "Antigravity", ... read more

"The Former Site Of" could easily be considered one of The New Pornographer's worst albums.

That being said...

The supergroup(?)'s tenth studio record comes off the heels of a mediocre period for the group and an awful turn of events at the revelation of crimes committed by one of the band's (now former) members. Rather than striking back, scrapping what would be known as this record, and delivering what one would come to expect, the band doubles down with something ... read more

Guys, The Golden Casket is a fun record and I'm tired of pretending it's not.

No, it's not perfect and sure, I have some bias as the singles off this record got me through my last semester of Catholic School, but it's not the dumpster fire that people often make it out to be. It's quite charming to see Brock and co. dive into brighter electronics and melodies, even if they don't work 100% of the time.

The songs that work here REALLY work for me. The massive ... read more

For a "The Golden Casket" apologist like myself, I think we're back

With "Look How Far...", I was pleasantly surprised with how strong it was but was disheartened by how short it was. However, with the new single "Picking Dragons' Pockets" (a great title by the way), I am more than excited for the new record. A little messy (in all the best ways), this feels like a good summation of where MM wants to go while still looking back.

This may be recency bias, but this song already means so much to me and sounds so good.

Death Cab are back.

The title is the worst part of this album by a landslide.

Look, this isn't as bad as some people are making it out to be. This is Harry's most consistent album to date, with very few tracks that feel undercooked. I will admit, "Fine Line" or "Harry's House" may have a couple better songs (i.e. "Golden", "Daylight", "She"), but KATT,DO is just an overall better project.

Goddamn, this album is just beautiful in every sense of the word. The vocals, lyrics, instrumentation, and overall mood just meld together to further cement Beam's legacy in the indie folk genre. I don't think it reaches the highs of his last two records, but it just sounds great.

Favorite songs: "Wait Up", "Grace Notes", "Half Measures", "In Your Ocean", "Paper and Stone"

Easily my favorite single of the 3 (4?) released ahead of "The Former Site Of". Great atmospheric sound, while still building over the course of its runtime. I kind of wish there was a more energetic single, but I've come to terms that this album is going to be a little more lowkey.

It's a whole lot better than 2025's underwhelming "Rushmere", but Mumford & Sons still have a long way to go before reaching the highs of their 2010's output. I do like the glimpses of Marcus's solo-project peeking through and the guest features are at least something.

Favorite Songs: "Conversations With My Son (Gangsters & Angels)", "Alleycat", "Clover", "Run Together", "Here", "Badlands"

Look, it's not their best.

After the frankly embarrassing "Today's Song" (which thankfully doesn't seem to appear on FF12) and subpar "Asking For a Friend", I was nervous for whenever Foo would announce this new record. Now that it has been announced for April, I might be more nervous despite this being my favorite single by default.

At least Dave and co. sound like they're having a little fun with "Your Favorite Toy". The sassy (?) almost ... read more

Just starting out this profile and entering the music sphere this past month, I've been reviewing albums that I hold in high regard. I realize that there's nothing wrong with that and I would not go back on those reviews any time soon. However, I really have been too positive. Let's get into the trash.

Arcade Fire is a guilty pleasure for me. I adore the group's first four records as being indie-rock staples and I certainly like 2022's "WE" more than most ... read more

Happy late Valentine's Day! My girlfriend was kind enough to indulge me by taking me to our local record store where I could pick up several CD's and this happened to be one of them. Truly mind-blowing CD cover where you can read the "static" on the cover through a "spectral decode" provided in the side pocket but I digress.

After 2005's "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" and "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn", Bright Eyes seems to ... read more

So...I'm mixed.

On one hand, there's really not a whole lot going on in track that hasn't been done before. This, to me, does not scream "single material." I probably won't go back to rate it, but I have the same problem here that I have with the previous sneak peak, "Votive". Honestly, a little worried for the future of TNP's 10th studio album.

However, I still like it. Yeah, it's not doing anything all that new but it's a pleasant ... read more

Huh, I don't know if I like "American Caveman" or not. Didn't inspire this name or anything.

In all honesty, 2024's Paul Bunyan's Slingshot is a breath of fresh air in a frankly overstuffed pop-punk genre. Whereas so many artists (old and new) are trying to do the same old schtick, Liquid Mike does so much with so little.

Despite S/T (2023) setting the stage and Hell Is An Airport (2025) taking things to an even higher place, Liquid Mike truly make an impact on ... read more

Hi! This is my first review on AOTY and I wanted to start off with a recent listen that blew me away. TNP may have one better album than 2007's Challengers, but this is my absolute favorite.

Those first three songs really set the ground for a colorful, yet melancholic, overall listen. "My Rights Versus Yours", in particular deserves a shout out as being one of the group's best. The way the song builds over those four minutes continues to astound the hell out of me. And ... read more