2024
Seven years late to the party. Really fun listen full of eccentric bangers with like... these cold, industrial, electro club textures be it glitchy synths, distorted bass, metallic percussion etc all clanging everywhere. The "weirdness" is much more accessible now than it was in 2017, proving this remains one of the most singular and forward thinking albums in hip-hop.

Doing this backwards. This is already a modern rap classic praised for its ambitious storytelling, intricate flows and the way it blends technical brilliance with deeply personal narratives.The first half is pure chaos in the best way: zany, unpredictable flows, experimental beats, JID rapping his ass off. The second half slows down and is more straightforward and weighty. As a whole, the album weaves together family, survival and grief told with both zany flair and heartfelt narrative.

Best ... read more

I’ll begin with the inevitable comparison to The Forever Story. The highs here aren’t quite as high as on TFS, but the first six tracks are a solid run. JID comes out swinging with explosive energy, moving seamlessly from jittery beat switches to gospel-soaked storytelling and hard-hitting flows. It’s a stretch that shifts from gritty bangers to soulful boom-bap, then smooths out into breezy, buttery vibes. However after that, the momentum grinds to a halt “What We ... read more

A cross between Frank Ocean and Bon Iver?

The stripped-down, live jam-style acoustic production paired with Dijon’s raspy, intimate vocals makes Absolutely feel raw unplolished and it captures a kind of spontaneity like you’re watching songs form in real time rather than being performed. The live version of the album on YouTube captures this best and it's one of the most captivating musical performances I’ve ever seen.

And over time it seems, Absolutely has grown to ... read more

Holy fuck! This is incredible.

It sounds like the unhinged, fervent devotion of a doomsday cult. Desperate, devout and unhinged as if salvation is just out of reach or damnation is inevitable, but she keeps grasping anyway delivered with the kind of conviction that’s both terrifying and beautiful.

I know nothing about Jungle, but this was a genuinely fun and accessible entry point into the sound.

It kicks off strong, with a run of upbeat yet emotionally pensive bangers. Most of the highlights are definitely front-loaded, though it does lose a bit of momentum in the middle before picking up again toward the end.

It's all wacky chaotic fun, pure silly brain rot in the best way and a playful little throwback to the ringtone rap era.

But the novelty wears off fast.

Review from April, 2024.

Slow descent into mediocrity.

From the heights of Forest Hills Drive with its everyman relatability and heartfelt storytelling and 4 Your Eyez Only's emotional weight and narrative ambition. To the mistep that was KOD a wierd tangent that veered into surface-level commentary. Then came Off-Season that was frustatingly average. And now Might Delete Later, a sad bore.

I've only listened to this once and I can't remember the songs well enough to say ... read more

Honestly Nevermind apologist here.

Blissed-out, vibey dance production just works for Drake. Its also not some hard pivot its made out to be think "Passion Fruit" "Take care" "One dance" only this time the songs here are bitter, passive aggresive and resentful over club percussion and deep house grooves. I'll concede that the "Drake-isms" here are a lot worse.

Still, most songs here especially the first two-thirds are slick earworms. The final ... read more

Skillfully sidesteps coming off as mere country cosplay

The album takes on more than just country music embarking on a sonic odyssey from the grandeur of the psychedelic rock/soul of "American Requiem," the epic cinematic ballad “16 Carriages”, the Funk rock implosion of "Ya Ya," and the 3 in 1 genre mishmash of "Sweet Honey Bucklin," to the introspection in "Protector" , "Just for Fun," and contemplation in the Beatles cover ... read more

This album initially flew over my head. Despite its critical acclaim, a few failed attempts back in 2021 had the album permanently shelved in the recesses of my album backlog.

The album's cover art though was seared into my brain and its ultimately what made me give the album another go. And boy, am I glad I did.

The cover art perfectly mirrors the dense and suffocating atmosphere of the album soaking in existential dread and painted in a palette of distortion, murk, and noise.

From the ... read more

Doing this backwards, I haven't listened to the first one yet, but who cares?

This was a chore to get through 25 songs?! 90 minute runtime?! with the highlights being few and far between “We Still Don't Trust You”, "Jealous", “Beat it” and “Always Be My Fault”. Disk 2 sounds marginally better, but that's only because of how tedious Disk 1 was.

Revisit

First time round, I admit was a more cursory passive listen and back then Disk1 stood out to me as I found it to have brighter highlights from the bare production and relentless rap on the intro "United in Grief" , baby keem-esque trap banger "N95", to the messy melodrama of "We Cry Together" and the soulful introspection of "Father Time". From Disk two, I remember only liking "Auntie Diaries" appreciated less for its message (which, ... read more

Afro Indie Melodies

A short and sweet EP that effortlessly blends traditional African sensibilities with indie/folk aesthetics, creating catchy tunes you'll want to listen to over and over again.

Back on track and way better than "Crash Talk"! Effortlessly weaving through quirky eccentric hard bangers and introspective jazz raps. Even so, 18 tracks is a tad bit too long. The best stuff is mostly in the first half and the second half kinda feels like a slog.

Highlights :Pig Feet, Pop, Thank God 4 me, Yearn 101, Foux, First, Love Birds, Ohio,Blueslides and Movie

How is this their debut album?? Love how their sound is full of operatic flair and theatrical energy.

All singles leading up to the album were so good to the point I was worried we had gotten the best portions of the album and the rest would just be padding/filler.

Feels like a soundtrack to an operatic stage play with 80s Pop undertones

Highlights (in order): My Lady of Mercy, Nothing Matters, Sinner, Gjuha, On your Side, Caesar on a TV Screen, Burn Alive, Beautiful Boy, The Feminine ... read more

Freudenfreude!!!

Pleasantly surprised.

Came about to know them for their abrasive hard edge sound and counter culture rhetoric and I was obsessed. Only this time round to find an album brimming with sentiment over somber production..mostly. And Once again I am obsessed!!!

Highlights (in order) : Roy, Dancer, Pop Pop Pop, Gift Horse, Graces, Idea 01, Monolith

Better than expected was initially skeptical, having had mixed feelings about the teasers and singles.

I'm seeing people take issue with the production which, fine but I kinda like it's unexpectedly appealing particularly dark, ominous euphoric harsh messy soundscapes.

It's very much a Kanye album but Ty Dolla Sign carries the entire album with really vocal performances across the album. Definitely the best his ever sounded. All features as well are amazing shit even Chris Brown.

Biggest ... read more

I'm sorry what are people on about this EP?

If anything this a testament to her versatility we've seen her go from from jazzy production to grand orchestral arrangements, from afrobeats to classic boom bap and now on clubbier electronic production and she kills it STILL.

Only thing I can't defend is the cover art

Highlights : ALL