This is such a strong effort from an artist who sets out to improve his craft, and it shows. The track list is immaculate; absolutely chockablocked with very jazzy and sensational rapping. What get to me the most is how smart and intricate the flow is. The instrumentation is top notch and the lyricism is sorrowful. You can feel the sadness within the sheer beauty. McKingley came into this year like a tsunami and it's one to be remembered for a long time.

Favorite Tracks: Crooked Stick, ... read more

This album throws you straight into a brick wall with how it delivers such a rush of bombarding instrumentation. No safety net. No helmet. Nothing. There are some instant classic tracks on this that will stick to the back of your mind, for at least the rest of this year. And this does give a love callback to die-hard Deftones fan who were eagerly awaiting for that huge rush of of pure bliss from their music. I will sya however that this isn't among their most consistent projects, as some ... read more

A fun buzz to swarm your ears. There's a lot of iconic moments on this record that can have you coming back, here are there, for sure. I suppose what makes this record quite the compelling listen is that almost any track can easily be someone's favorite. To me, there's no clear "best track" or anything, there's always a little unique attribute to a particular favorite song you have on here.

Favourite Tracks: Headlock, Goodnight and Go, Have You Got It In You?, ... read more

I cannot get over how fresh this still sounds, it is of such pristine production that it sounds like it came out within this current decade. Nujabes left a legacy on Hip Hop like no other and he executed the usage of his skills as a producer, as well as his featured on this project, to their highest potential. It feels like you've transcended into a fantasy world.

Favorite Tracks: Blessing It, Lady Brown, Kumomi [❤️], Highs 2 Lows, Think Different, Latitude, F.I.L.O., Peaceland

froge

What's there to say that hasn't been said about Jim O'Rourke before? He is a prolific artist who has blessed our ears with fantastic Folk and Chamber Pop music for decades. This EP, while only containing four tracks, acts as a sort of travelling museum and displays some of his finest work. It's probably the ultimate first choice of listen if you want to start somewhere with Jim's discography.

Favorite Tracks: All of them, but if I had to pick a favorite child, ... read more

It's great to see Mogwai continuing on their legacy as a honest to good Post-Rock band that doesn't shy away from displaying their unique craft and spin onto the genre. The Bad Fire, believe it or not, isn't bad! It's fairly consistent overall with a few highlights that are worth revisiting over time. I wouldn't call this among their strongest output as it does spread a little thin on what potential this really could shine with. It does still leave the listener with ... read more

I always felt that Mogwai is the prime choice of recommendation for anyone looking to get into the Post-Rock genre. Their shorter track time compared to other artists in the genre make a more than welcoming digestible listen for first-time goers. And even more so when the tracks themselves are very dreamy and luscious with the use of instrumentation and background vocal work. Happy Songs for Happy People is as solid of a Post-Rock album as you're going to get, including some top tracks ... read more

This album is absolutely pleasant in so many different ways. It snares you into a state of tranquility in a golden whirl of Indie Rock, whilst showcasing some of the best highlights from Grandaddy's discography. On another note, the album cover is a perfect match for the music it proudly displays, it kind of feels like you're walking beside a gorgeous lakeside on a soothing day. You just take into consideration the surroundings around you while listening to this project.

Favorite ... read more

This album contains some of the band's all-time greatest tracks that will stick to you throughout your envision of what indie rock can achieve. It's consistent in the musical quality, however compared to The Crane Wife, I do feel the flow from one track to another isn't quite there. It's more so an album that is able to let each track breathe on its own merit rather than tell you a story from start to end. This isn't so much of a knock on its overall quality as it is a ... read more

It's an honest-to-good indie folk album with what I think is a band-defining masterpiece of a track that is The Island. It's still consistently good after all this time spent relistening when I want a nice digestible listen. But don't that fool you, because the lyricism is really top notch and plays a homage to the thematic and subject matters for a lot of the tracks here. It guides you through their bittersweet storytelling that is both easy to understand yet thought-provoking ... read more

The addition of glitch-pop to Dijon's latest ambitious project really adds an extra layer of fine craftsmanship. I feel this LP will be better upon each revisit. It defines its own interpretation of the word "beauty", because all-in-all, this is a beautiful album in an unhinged yet exhilarating sense. I am excited for what future potential Dijon holds if this can be his output.

Favorite Tracks: HIGHER!, Yamaha, FIRE! [❤️], Rewind, Automatic, Kindalove

There are fun elements scattered across this album, but it fizzles out as its riddled with inconsistent track qualities. The standouts live up to the engaging hooks , catchy grooves and the spirit of summer memories. However what is very evident is that Kesha tries, and as admirable as that is, she often tries too hard and a lot of these tracks feel very disjointed and honestly a little off-putting for a listen. It's trying too hard to be the newest sensation when it lacks a lot of ... read more

Quite the hidden gem. I discovered this band on a music forum when sifting through a thread of indie rock bands. The combination of jazz elements in their tracks always made them stick out in my mind. I just recently revisited this project and it's managed to be even better than I remembered. On top of their instrumental performance, there's a good array of variety that will have you hooked on at least one or two tracks depending on your personal taste. The vocal performance is kept ... read more

The songwriting cuts deep on this record with a mix of somber melodies standing alongside moments of bliss. It's a personal attribute to Waits' life experiences, which makes it a very easy listen when you want a nice sit down listen, drink in hand and feet up. The album is consistently solid with a couple of tracks that really stand out. If you're wanting to get familiar with Tom Waits' discography, this album is worth checking out for a more mellow standout in the ... read more

An electrifying album that elevates its soundscape with grooves, hooks and tempos that makes you want to move. The volume heightens and lowers to correspond with the flow of each track. It's very well put together and triumphantly stands as a cornerstone for French Electro and House music. Some tracks end up stick out over others, but for the majority of the time, they overall build up the very funky complexion this album achieves.

Favorite Tracks: Genesis, Let There Be Light, D.A.N.C.E, ... read more

This album melted my mind. It's all mush now. I've always reflected on Swans as a band who executes their use of experimentation to heights I couldn't even fathom. As such, I've always been impressed with their output to varying degrees. However, The Glowing Man might be their post perfectly executed project that really gives you an out-of-body experience. It's refined in the way it morphs its sound into something so unearthly. You are put under their spell of sonic ... read more

Plantasia sets out exactly what it achieves to accomplish. An album for plants, loved by plants, and people who love plants. It takes you on for a ride with its simple rendition of melancholic and soothing melodies. This is more an in-house album to help comfort any worries you may have. You could just have something as little as a sprout in its juvenile state and still feel satisfied while playing this album, because it gives you a sense of compassion and care for life around you. It starts ... read more

This album is loaded from front to back with the most well blended sightings of artistic endeavors, walking a lonely path and confronting your regretful past. Neatly packaged into one with a thank you note written in appreciation. It's a really conflicting album to wrap your head around at first, because it is relentless on how many motifs are pushed into its track list. Not a dull moment on here, each track flows well with one another and bursting with questions to ask yourself. The ... read more

This album will tear your heart open and leave a gaping scar that doesn't fade away. It opens you up to an ugly world that is shrouded in despair and bleakness. It doesn't guide you hand-in-hand, it pushes you into a spiraling pit as you find your own means to deal with the aftermath. And I couldn't appreciate this project enough for not holding back. God it's so beautifully dreadful, there's so much to digest. It personifies sadness in angles that feel obvious at first ... read more

Coldplay's first LP is their most grounded and rich project that has its simplicity deeply rooted in their instrumentals, production and lyricism. Mind you, that simplicity is not founded out of a lack of care, the opposite really. It's an album created by a group of friends expressing their founded struggles throughout life up until this album's recording. Parachutes is comforting, sorrowful, beautiful, and simple. Simple has never been a more positive word as it has for this ... read more