Ghost just isn't for me, especially this one release. I tried it, and it's just not really all that. It's not bad, and I can see the appeal, but I feel like this definitely Ghost's worst album because it just sounds corny as all hell (corner than that pun). The Satanistic energy isn't really working, I'm not a fan of the low voices he does, and the lyrics feel barely inspired. The production is nice, but it can't really save a kinda lackluster album.

Okay, despite the score, I'm going to go to bat for these guys. This album is really undermixed, and can sound a bit boring at times, but there are some good ideas in here. It covers some pretty dark and serious topics in a mature way, especially mental illness. It really feels like they haven't found their footing yet, where some things, mainly misery (makes you dance), ex post facto, and there's nothing here yet, sound like they could develop in the right direction, and are ... read more

I think this is definitely the best Ghost album by far. People say it's confusing or taking itself too seriously, but I think it's a good thing. For so long, the "Ghost supports Satan" in their lyrics was just kinda overused and honestly boring. Making a concept album about something different - the rise and fall of empires - really worked well in its favor. It does sound like concert rock, but Tobias Forge's voice fits a lot better with that kind of music. I really ... read more

Come on, it's fucking IGOR.
Okay, I guess I'll give an actual review. So, little known fact about me, I'm aroace, so I don't really feel a lot of strong emotions with songs about love. A song has to hit really hard for me to feel something. *IGOR is one of those exceptions*. The way that Tyler was able to make such a unique breakup album where they never actually break up is so cool, and that's just supported by the track progression going from falling in love, being ... read more

Duck Or Ape > I Can't Handle Change AND Christmas Kids, sorry not sorry.
Revisited this expecting it to be mid, but no this is actually pretty good. Is it the perfect thing TikTok treats it as? Nah, but there is an undeniable amount of uniqueness here. I think it's pretty cool. Even if this kind of music is nice, I really like the dude's voice, and I love when the instrumentals get loud and unbridled, especially the ending of Duck or Ape. I think it could use some touching-up, ... read more

Yeah so this is definitely a Lemon Demon Christmas EP. Honestly, I think it's pretty good! Lemon Demon makes a unique EP here that is definitely Christmas-y, but you could still mix this in with the rest of his catalog with no problems. I really find that cool. They are clearly holiday-themed, but with his usual uniquely-dark twist thrown into the mix. Aurora Borealis is about a nuclear apocalypse, SAD is about seasonal depression, and Cryptosanta is body horror X Santa. I think this is a ... read more

Like I said, I LOVE genre fusions. I think hip-hop can honestly go with any genre, and even metal works wonderfully here. I love the combination of fast, lyric-dense verses, and simple but STRONG choruses, because it seems like they just go together really naturally. But also, there's a clear artistic vision from start to end, with deep, angsty lyrics. Also, it's legally required to give Chester Bennington his flowers; his voice was easily one of the best of the past 25 years. Really ... read more

I DONT CARE I DONT CARE I DO NOT CARE
I don't care how much time passes, I will always love this album to literal death. This record did so much for me, I'm not even kidding. The entire album is constructed in such a perfect way that it feels old, new, and right here at the exact time. It's very creative; every song is told in a different genre/uses different primary instruments than the last. And the whole time, it tells such a cryptic story. Is it about a man who finds love and ... read more

I really can't get into Rob Zombie, no matter what I try. His voice isn't great, the lyrics are trying too hard to be edgy, and even though there are nice instrumentals, they can't save a kind of mid-ness to the rest of the album. It's listenable, it isn't terrible, but I am just not a fan of it. The vibe is there, though. I do like the creepy Halloween vibe it tries to tackle, though.

Oh lord, I... really do not know how to approach this one. Tally Hall had me in a chokehold from like October 2022-April 2023, and while I do still think they're good, I have really fallen off of them. This album is a bit of a tonal shift in comparison to the silliness of Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum, going towards more serious things. I will say, this is both a good and bad thing. Some of their best songs come from here, including Fate of the Stars, &, and The Trap. But ... read more

Genuinely fucking terrible. Before you go off on me for being a woke liberal or whatever 2024 buzzwords exist now, listen. I have tried to listen to this thing on three separate occasions, and every time I regret it more than the last. This album, bar maybe like 3 or 4 tracks, are genuinely horrendous, and those exceptions aren't any 10/10's either. The production value is so bad, it sounds like he's on a shitty mic, and the beats sound like they're coming from the back of a ... read more

Hemlocke Springs is genuinely one of the most promising figures in music right now and I really hope she takes over the 2020's. Wonderful synthpop with great, unique production here. The lyrics are unique and well-written to flow with the song even when it seems like it should be off beat, and her voice is just a genuine treat. So many unique highs and lows in her unpredictable, strong voice. The only thing I have to critique about it is that her two best songs (sever the blight and ... read more

I quite literally do not care that I'm being biased. This album is fucking phenomenal the entire time. Amazing 80s pop, great, layered production, and a strong voice to boot. It's really great overall, and I'dd go as far to say this album solos like 95% of 80s music: Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, all of it pales to this album, seriously. This is a must-listen.

Okay, I don't want to say it's a 100, but it is still really damn good. This is the pinnacle of growth for the career of someone like Tyler. After Goblin, Wolf, and Cherry Bomb, this is so refreshing. It's unique, fresh, and still sounds like him at the same time. His lyricism is at its peak in songs like Foreword and November, the mood can switch from chill to goddamn Who Dat Boy, and the features list is insane. Frank Ocean, Kali Uchis, Wayne, AND Steve Lacy??? This is insane. ... read more

Oh boy this is a fun one. this was my SHIT back in 2020-1, and even though that's not as much of the case as now, I still think it holds up pretty well. I like the way that it's half-chiptune and half traditional, like the guitar in Staying Afloat, or the ambient background noise in Dreamscaping. This might not be my kid of thing anymore, but it'll always hold a spot in my heart.

Better than 2021 on average, like consistently better, but not a lot of Huge standouts. Was decent but not much stronger thoughts.

I mean like it was alright, some great, some shit, a lot of just in between, not a lot of strong thoughts

This one is a whole goddamn vibe the entire time through, I swear. This is such a *strong* opener album for a band like Jamiroquai. Seriously, it starts strong and carries that momentum the entire time through. From the violin at the very beginning to the didgeridoo at the tail end of Didgin' Out, it's just such a fun time. Jay Kay's voice is really strong, and can go fast, high, and low, from the chorus of Too Young to Die to the verses of Whatever It Is. And he doesn't ... read more

I am so glad this album is as good as I hoped it'd be. Let me just get the stuff I wasn't big on out of the way first: Sometimes it could get a bit boring or uninteresting in a couple of songs, and it's not exactly perfect sounding overall. But fuck that, this album is fun as hell. Marina's voice is so powerful and emotional, to where she can be fun and poppy in Bubblegum Bitch, hit high notes in Lies, or invoke sadness in Teen Idle. And the whole time, there's such an ... read more

How the hell is "I Was Made For Lovin' You" on the same album as the rest of these damn songs? I really hate when an album starts with the clear best track, because then the rest of it only goes downhill. But at least sometimes there can be songs that compete/are on-par with that glorious first track, and I just *can't* say that for this. It's boring, repetitive, I'm not a fan of their voices, and the lyrics are just needlessly corny. I just- it isn't the ... read more