Articles tagged: album review

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Lil Yachty’s Let’s Start Here. courageously ventures into uncharted waters

Let’s Start Here. is a groundbreaking and delightfully experimental soundscape that draws upon pop and psychedelic rock.

By February 13, 2023

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Måneskin’s latest album gives the glam-rockers a Rush! to the top

With their first studio album since their Eurovision victory, Måneskin is making a bid for global recognition.

By February 12, 2023

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SZA’s SOS pushes R&B boundaries in her vulnerable exploration of self-worth

SZA’s musical and lyrical brilliance work together to create an album that was well worth the five-year wait.

By January 21, 2023

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Meghan Trainor’s Takin’ It Back is a little bit of a trainwreck

As could be inferred by its not-so-subtle title, Takin’ it Back tries to take us back to Trainor’s glory days.

By December 13, 2022

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If Joji’s SMITHEREENS accomplishes anything, it’s making his audience cry

The majority of SMITHEREENS feels reminiscent of (and even indistinguishable from) Joji songs we’ve already heard. 

By and December 12, 2022

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Growing up, not growing old: Phoenix shimmers on Alpha Zulu

Ultimately, the band maintains their expressive, ambiguous lyricism but showcases it against a glitzier background.

By November 17, 2022

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Cavetown’s worm food is for deteriorating and decomposing—in a (mostly) good way

In general, Cavetown’s music has an almost otherworldly quality, like a reality slightly suspended from this one, and his latest album worm food is no different.

By November 17, 2022

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Noah Kahan’s Stick Season dives headfirst into who we are and where we come from

Despite his rising popularity, Kahan’s latest album is undeniably authentic in its depiction of coming of age in small-town New England.

By November 9, 2022

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The 1975 revisits their roots in Being Funny in a Foreign Language

The band has figured out how to cut to the point without getting lost in the details.

By October 28, 2022

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On Midnights, all of Taylor Swift’s late-night thoughts come alive

But on the darkly mysterious Midnights, Swift uses the vulnerability of the late night to reflect on these raw emotions.

By October 28, 2022

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Marcus Mumford’s (self-titled) is a meditative and powerful solo debut

On (self-titled) (2022), Mumford doesn’t need to reinvent; he explores, reflects, and reveals his individual artistry. 

By October 19, 2022

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Post-therapy revelations: Hold the Girl (2022) is Rina Sawayama’s love letter to healing

Coupled with electropop instrumentals, Hold the Girl humanizes Sawayama; on her 14-track album, Sawayama holds a light to her past pain and current healing. 

By October 16, 2022

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HDTV brings Tai Verdes’ genre-bending music into high definition

Though both of his albums are musically and thematically lighthearted, Verdes elevates HDTV through experimentation with new sounds.

By October 7, 2022

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Beyoncé, rebirthed: What Renaissance means for her legacy and more

But it’s on Renaissance where Beyoncé proves there’s no need to top herself—she instead transforms the musical geography altogether.

By August 27, 2022

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State Champs’ Kings of the New Age artfully improves on what makes pop punk captivating

State Champs’ Kings of the New Age (2022) is an anthemic punk album ready-made for summer—all while being a life-affirming, thoughtful dive into issues of love, loss, paranoia, and moving... Read more

By May 31, 2022

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Rx (2022) shows ROLE MODEL revived in a whirl of passion, devotion, and vibrant sensation

Rx surges forth in a journey from struggle and vulnerability toward a place just as open and honest, but cushioned by love.

By April 30, 2022

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We gave Lizzy McAlpine a minute and five seconds flat is the remarkable result

five seconds flat firmly side-steps the sophomore slump with mature production, stellar lyricism, and fearless creativity.

By April 25, 2022

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Rex Orange County’s Who Cares? puts an optimistic spin on feeling aimless

While the title may seem fatalistic, Rex (Alex O’Connor) puts a cheerful twist on the question with his fourth album.

By April 16, 2022

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Fame, femininity, and flamenco: On MOTOMAMI, Rosalía is not the pop star you think she is

On MOTOMAMI, Rosalía is both more playful and vulnerable than ever before, offering meditations on love, fame, and womanhood. 

By March 31, 2022

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Halsey’s If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power (Extended Version) demystifies pregnancy and fame

When Halsey first announced that their fourth studio album would be about pregnancy, she faced intense fan resistance. In an Internet age where teenagers and young adults are a cornerstone... Read more

By February 19, 2022