Darude - Before the Storm
60

Is it a bit repetitive? Of course. But its also got a particular sound that it sustains really well throughout the album, and an energy that makes it lovely for a boost and throwback to 2000s "cyber" aesthetic moment.

Hayley Williams - EGO
70

With a more confessional bend, I found this album to be really interesting. It feels important to also say that I enjoyed having to build the track list intentionally on Spotify through queueing up all the singles that were released yesterday. I would love to be able to download these into some more permanent files, though, since the project itself is so cool.

Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um
80

After listening to Bohren & Der Club of Gore, I can see where the more current dark jazz vibe comes from listening to Charles Mingus. Maybe one day I'll stop writing out these connections in these short reviews, but it's how I tend to think of things. The influences all over this album are great, and Pussy Cat Dues is my personal stand out.

Dave Brubeck - Time Out
80

Take Five brought me to this album, after hearing it all over the place and then finally in Constantine I wanted to hear the rest of the album. I wouldn't have called myself a jazz person before but honestly I think this album is an extremely approachable entrance into the genre.

Lord Huron - The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1
70

I'm not the biggest listener of Lord Huron, and figured I would jump in for this album since I really really loved Who Laughs Last when it came out as a single. I am predisposed to liking it, I find spoken word music especially interesting. However, the americana tones were less my thing, I was hoping for more out there stuff like Who Laughs Last. I also found Life is Strange to be a funny song title after the game series, which could super easily have Lord Huron on the soundtrack.

Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers - Swing the Mood
80

I picked this up as a cassingle at an antique shop in Detroit, and honestly I was really into the Swing the Mood mix. The whole thing caught me completely off guard in the best way. Though, mileage may vary, as the cassette does has a particular sound and plenty of warble from aging.

吉村弘 [Hiroshi Yoshimura] - Flora 1987
80

I really enjoy this ambient album, though its a little more traditional than some of Yoshimura's older work. I think it's a great introduction to his style for someone who may be put off by more experimental entries.

saturdays at your place - always cloudy
75

A refining of their earlier sound, with vocals that sound less harsh around the music. Also there feels to me a stronger resemblance between S@YP and PUP, especially in tarot cards. But this is a positive comparison.

saturdays at your place - something worth celebrating
75

A really solid, energetic midwest emo album. I found saturdays at your place through their song tarot cards and was reminded of them with the announcement of their new upcoming album. Going back to listen to this album has been a treat, since this album is a great intro to the midwest sound.

Kesha - .
60

This album feels chaotic as it seems to really want to be every subgenre of pop music at once. I mean, Joy Ride sounds like Lady Gaga, Yippee-Ki-Yay fits into the country pop niche, The One sounds like Katy Perry, Boy Crazy sounds like Charlie XCX, Glow like 100 gecs, Too Hard like the Weeknd's 2016 work. I don't necessarily mind the kitchen sink approach, but I would echo the comments of others when I say the themes feel at odds with each other between songs. Having the The One next ... read more

Claudio Constantini - An Imaginary Soundtrack
70

An all-accordion suggestion for a film soundtrack. Overall I thought it was pretty good, though the first track, Reminiscencias is probably my favorite for it's sampling of Edith Piaf. The rest evokes a very interesting mood though that I think makes it a unique idea for an album.

caroline - caroline 2
80

With a sound that is reminiscent of American Football in their lyrical repetition, caroline 2 paints a really interesting and harmonically dense soundscape. The fullness of each track is really impressive, and reminded me a lot of fif's slef titled album that came out earlier this year.

The Japanese House - Good At Falling
73

Very chill and touching, relatable lyricism. Dreampop feels like such a broad category, representing The Japanese House, but also Lana Del Rey and Grimes, though the dreamy quality of this album is really nice. Like if Fleet Foxes had more synth and less acoustic guitar.

Lorde - Virgin
65

I don't dislike the album, but I think enjoyment really depends on how much you enjoy listening to Lorde's voice and lyrics. The production on nearly every track feels very minimalist. In a strange way, reminding me a lot of Grimes, if Grimes cared more about lyrics and less about backing. Shapeshifter is probably my personal favorite from the album, the bit-crushed drum line in the background and the blown out strings really sound interesting compared to the rest of the album.

Carly Rae Jepsen - E•MO•TION
75

I think I had heard this album before, though now I don't clearly remember. Run Away with Me will forever be stuck in my head for its use as an audio clip in vines, though. Overall a great pop album, I wish that Your Type had gotten a bit more attention when it was released, however.

Portishead - Dummy
85

I had heard Glory Box over a decade ago while mowing my grandparents' lawn one summer, and honestly it was so cool. I got really into cut and paste music after that, since I had no idea how else to categorize the turntablism at the time. This summer, when Glory Box came on I figure it was time I finally get around to listening to the rest of the album and I wasn't disappointed!

Hans Zimmer - The Dune Sketchbook
90

I prefer this to the actual Dune 1 soundtrack. It feels like a more complete work, frankly. The leitmotif of House Atreides woven throughout is perfect for islands of relief in the ambient sea. Mind-killer is by far my favorite track, as it sounds the most wild and listening to it in stereo was a treat for the ears.

Hans Zimmer - Dune: Part Two
95

I'd never cared about Dune, or much science fiction, really, until I had to make a character for a Warhammer 40k TTRPG. To get a better knowledge of what was going on, I watched Dune 1 and 2 on back to back nights and the experience was one of the most enrapturing that I've had with a sci-fi movie ever. The visuals and, especially, the score made the film one of my all-time favorites that I still think about almost a year later. I've watched the movie 3 times, but this sound ... read more

American Pets - Doing the Best We Can
70

"Dying Alone" is the highlight of this album but I don't think that necessarily cheapens the rest. Its a really nice vibe when shoe gaze is what I'm looking for

JR JR - Back To The Land
68

I find this album pretty inoffensive, with a dated sound that reminds me strongly of 2017. I enjoy that indie throwback sound and the album really shows a strong Beatles influence on the back half of the album. I personally love this as an album to throw on when the vibe is right for lounging and chilling out.

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Recent Review Comments
On Tipper - Forward Escape
"@92n Oh wow! Thank you so much for all the recommendations! I've started listening to Kaya Project's Desert Phase, and will be going through the rest of these during this week. I really appreciate all the different directions you've given me to explore!"
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April Playlist