Fabiana Palladino - Fabiana Palladino
Genre: Electro-pop; retro-pop
Review
If you like 80s pop music, you will absolutely love this! This is the first album from the Paul Institute that is headed by reclusive genius, Jai Paul. Jai has production credits on every track on here and even shows up for his first vocal feature in four years on the single “I Care”. Don’t let that take away from what Fabiana does on here, which is create these irresistible melodies that you end up fiending for by the third listen. For example, the song “I Can’t Dream Anymore” is awesome, but after listening to it a couple times, I was waiting the whole first minute just wanting that chorus because it’s just that good! It is genuinely mind-boggling to me that a song like “Shoulda” came out in 2024 and not in 1984. The album does start out a bit slower with the opener “Closer”. It’s not that it’s bad, but it feels more restrained compared to the pop explosions that the album ends up having. This album is so much fun, and I think anyone can get something out of here.
Favorite Tracks: “I Care” (Feat. Jai Paul), “I Can’t Dream Anymore”, “Shoulda”
If You Like…: 80s pop; Janet Jackson
Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Genre: Indie-pop
Review
It’s been half a decade since the last Vampire Weekend album, and even longer since they put out an album that was created by the entire group, as their 2019 album was made as a solo album by Ezra and only billed under the Vampire Weekend name. On Only God Was Above Us, it sounds like the longer break reinvigorated them to make maybe their best album yet! The songs on here balance chaos with effervescent melodies. For example, just look at the single “Classical”. It’s obvious that the chorus is catchy, but there are so many layers of noise and weird sounding instrumentals that makes it sound like a cacophony of sound. Even when we get into maybe the most accessible song on the album, “Capricorn”, the chorus still contains hits of static noise underneath Ezra’s vocals. The whole album is full of these seemingly contradive moments that they somehow make work. Another example of that is that the album sounds happy, but the lyrics themselves tend to be fairly depressing. That dichotomy helps make it work both as background music, but also for deep listening, and I can’t wait to do both with this album over the next few months.
If You Like…: Vampire Weekend; went to an Ivy league school; own more than three sweaters
J. Cole - Might Delete Later
Genre: Hip-hop
Review
J. Cole dropped a surprise project right before his Dreamville festival at the beginning of this month and in all honesty, I’m not sure why we needed this. Sure, there are quite a few bangers on here that show Cole is still a great rapper. The first three songs all feature fantastic performances from Cole, and the closer “Trae The Truth in Ibiza” has an incredible second verse that is one of Cole’s best in a long time, but there’s also a couple songs where he’s just doing his best Drake impression. He also lived up to the project’s title by deleting the Kendrick diss track from the end of the album, which is probably the best decision. “Pi” started off with an incredible back and forth between Ab-Soul and Daylyt, but Cole’s transphobic bar in the middle of his verse takes all the steam out of the song. The “ABC” bar from Cole on “H.Y.B.” is also the worst bar I’ve heard in a long time. The overall feeling of this project just feels weird though. It’s supposed to be a project of loosies to get people hype for The Fall Off, but he also did the exact same thing three years ago with The Off Season. And then in the three years before that, he was still teasing The Fall Off. It’s like, I appreciate Cole taking his time with The Fall Off, but please stop talking about it when it’s already been six years and you’ve dropped multiple projects trying to hype it up. It feels like he’s backing himself into a corner where if it’s not an instant classic, it’ll be a disappointment, and I feel like Might Delete Later is contributing to that.
Favorite Tracks: “Ready ‘24” (Feat. Cam’ron), “Trae The Truth in Ibiza”, “Crocodile Tearz”
If You Like…: J. Cole
Pharrell Williams - Virginia: Black Yacht Rock Vol 1, City of Unlimited Access
Genre: Pop rock
Review
On his 51st birthday, Pharrell surprise released an entire new album that is only available at blackyachtrock.com. There is also no telling what the actual album title is, so I could be titling this project wrong. The only thing on the website is this cover art and a player to either play or download these songs. In fact, it might not even be under the Pharrell name, maybe part of the title is supposed to be an artist name. Even today, he hasn’t even mentioned that this project exists, it’s just traveled around via word of mouth and publications. Sonically, this does sound like music to play while on a yacht. Granted, I’ve obviously never been on one, but everything here is steeped in summery synths and repetitive hooks. The songs all sound super upbeat, but every once in a while there’ll be a line like, “Showing God that I'm ugly face crying.” It brings the listener momentarily out of the trance the sound puts you in, but the overall songs themselves aren’t about dark themes. I could be wrong, but I don’t think there is a dark underlying theme to this album. The way I interpret these darker lines is that even in the happiest moments, there are always those pervasive thoughts that pop in. It’s like that scene in Barbie where everyone is dancing and the main character randomly asks if anyone else thinks about dying. This new project from Pharrell is the album equivalent to that moment, and since this is labeled as volume one, I do hope we hear more someday.
Favorite Tracks: “Just For Fun”, “Going Back To VA”, “Ball”
If You Like…: Steely Dan; being on a yacht in the summer; own a boat
Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department
Genre: Pop
Review
I’ve seen so many people call this the worst Taylor Swift album. Now, that could just be because of my algorithm that I’m seeing that sentiment, but I think a more fitting way to describe The Tortured Poets Department is that it’s the most boring thing Taylor has ever released. Nothing on here is even a little bit sonically different from the last few albums she’s put out, and she didn’t progress at all lyrically either. Taylor either needs to stop putting Jack Antonoff on her albums, or stop having him make the same minimalistic electro pop song over and over. The subject matters of these songs are still retreading the same love cliches that she’s always done. Even the songs that I ended up liking, I don’t remember what they sound like after the song ends. I can only remember the few things that stand out, which are usually the bad things, such as how the backing vocals on “Down Bad” sound so much like Lana I was shocked she wasn’t on the song. It’s so close that it doesn’t feel like inspiration, it feels like imitation. And don’t get me started on the title track, that second verse might be the worst verse I’ve ever heard her write. It’s so steeped in Taylor Swift lore that it doesn’t make sense unless you know her personal life. Overall, I don’t think this is her worst album (that still belongs to Reputation), but this is the most boring and lifeless I’ve heard her.
Favorite Tracks: “Fortnight” (Feat. Post Malone), “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys”, “Guilty As Sin?”
If You Like…: Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology
Genre: Pop; indie
Review
Two hours after the original album came out, she released another 15 songs added onto the album and dubbed it The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. Now, this half of the double album is more enjoyable than the first one, even though there are still so many flaws. Songs like “So High School” and especially “thanK you aIMee” have such annoying and childish premises that even Olivia Rodrigo is too old to make them work. Speaking of Olivia Rodrigo, it’s hard to not compare “Imgonnagetyouback” on here to Olivia’s anthem from last year “Get Him Back” when they both have the same specific viewpoint, only Olivia does it better. The last few songs on here are actually pretty decent. They do exactly what Taylor has always been the best at, which is third person narratives over minimal, acoustic production. I just don’t care enough to listen to 25 songs to get to the songs that I actually enjoy. Even though the songs are good, they aren’t better than the Evermore or Folklore songs. And honestly, I’m just tired of seeing everybody and every website talking about Taylor, so maybe I’ll come back to these last 5-ish songs in a couple months and I’ll think they’re fantastic. But for now, considering how much I’m forced to hear about her, I’m fine writing the whole album off.
If You Like…: Taylor Swift
Maggie Rogers - Don’t Forget Me
Genre: Indie-rock; indie-pop
Review
I was really hoping this was going to knock my socks off. Maggie is someone I’ve been rooting for ever since her debut album came out at the beginning of 2019. Her authentic personality was shown through her music nicely, especially with the subtle electronic influences into her style of indie-pop. The follow up album was devoid of that personality, and even though it comes back a little bit here, it still feels like she can do so much better. I put this album with the new Kacey Musgraves and Waxahatchee albums as enjoyable wallpaper music that occasionally has a great song sprinkled in. Don’t get me wrong, out of those three albums, Maggie’s is my favorite. The title track on here ends things perfectly, and songs like “The Kill” and “It Was Coming All Along” are jams. The songwriting is overall improved from the last album, and the ten track album length is a great amount. There’s just too many moments on here that leave me bored for the entire album to have much replay value for me. So while I do recommend this album to people that are fans of her, Don’t Forget Me isn’t the album that I know she can, and hopefully will, make someday. Also, the spoken word bridge on “So Sick of Dreaming” ruins the song, sorry.
Favorite Tracks: “The Kill”, “Don’t Forget Me”, “It Was Coming All Along”
If You Like…: Maggie’s previous work; alternative radio stations
Nia Archives - Silence Is Loud
Genre: Jungle; DnB; pop
Review
For years, Nia Archives has been throwing down incredible jungle remixes of hit songs from the UK, including for Fred Again and Jorja Smith. It finally came time for her debut album, and she changed it up slightly for this one! Not necessarily with the production, the sound of the album is still full of blistering jungle beats and rattling basslines, but Nia ends up singing over the entire album! Maybe it’s because I mainly knew her from her remixes, but I didn’t know that she was singing in her own music. Her voice sounds like Kali Uchis’s back in the Por Vida days, or even an Amy Winehouse inspired voice but without the power to do what Amy could. But, even though her voice isn’t traditionally great, she’s able to create such captivating melodies while sneaking in some personal themes. The song “Crowded Roomz” is about how she lonely she feels, whereas the song “F.A.M.I.L.Y” is about familial issues she’s going through. Even though some of the songs are darker, there’s no denying the amount of fun it is listening to this album! Nia Archives came through with not only one of the best debut albums of 2024, but one of the most fun!
Favorite Tracks: “Crowded Roomz”, “F.A.M.I.L.Y”, “Tell Me What It’s Like?”
If You Like…: Know what jungle music is; frantic drums
Shabaka - Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
Genre: New age; jazz-fusion
Review
Shabaka has become one of the most notable names in current jazz music due to his work with Sons of Kemet and The Comet is Coming. After almost a decade of heading those bands, this is his debut solo album, and it comes at an important time in his career! He is most known for playing the saxophone, but has recently taken a hiatus to focus on other instruments. Here, he is mainly playing a variety of flutes from around the world, including ones from Japan and Russia. He also brings on a heap of collaborators; including André 3000, Moses Sumney, Lianne La Havas, Floating Points, Esperanza Spalding, and so many more. The whole thing comes together really well! There are a couple moments that feel either a bit too background or underdeveloped, but this is a great album to introduce people to the new age genre with! It’s nowhere near as massive as the André 3000 or Miguel Atwood-Ferguson records from last year, but it uses those same ideas and makes it more palatable for the masses. It may not be the most accessible album in music, but I think it’ll help more people get into this genre.
Favorite Tracks: “Insecurities” (Feat. Moses Sumney), “I’ll Do Whatever You Want” (Feat. Floating Points & Laraaji), “The Wounded Need To Be Replenished”
If You Like…: Andre 3000’s flute album; meditating
Mei Semones - Kabutomushi
Genre: Indie pop
Review
In today’s day and age, there are an abundance of up and coming indie artists that make catchy, lighthearted tunes. Due to there being so many, it’s hard to tell who is actually worth listening to and who should just be put to the side. Mei Semones is someone that is worth your time! This five song EP is full of jazz-influenced indie pop that switches between Japanese and English. Because of that partial language barrier, I still don’t know what most of these songs are actually about, but they sound fantastic! She adds in violas and violins to these songs that help them feel like frolicking through a forest. Her voice is super soft, almost too soft at some points. It blends into the music a bit more than I would like, but that’s ok. I do think that Mei can and will do better than this in the future, but this is an enjoyable little EP to get people’s attention.
Favorite Tracks: “Inaka”, “Kabutomushi”, “Wakare No Kotoba”
If You Like…: Alvvays; Spotify’s pollen playlist
RiTchie - Triple Digits [112]
Genre: Experimental hip-hop
Review
This is the debut solo album from the Injury Reserve and By Storm lead vocalist, RiTchie. It seems like Injury Reserve is officially done after their other vocalist, Groggs, passed away, and RiTchie decided to put out a solo album before the first By Storm album. Parker, his partner in crime in By Storm, also has some production on here though, so it’s not like he wanted a complete break from his coworker. I do like this album, but it does pale in comparison to any of Injury Reserve’s albums. I’m not 100% sure why I feel that way though. RiTchie still does mainly rapping on here with a little bit of auto tuned singing that still works surprisingly well. I think the problem here is the production. Parker’s production is usually much more hard hitting and abrasive than what is on here. These beats are experimental, but most of them are in one ear and out the other. They don’t demand attention, and that in turn dulls RiTchie’s voice. Even the ones that Parker produces don’t pack a punch like the way the old Injury Reserve classics did. Still though, if you like Injury Reserve, you should definitely check out this album!
If You Like…: Injury Reserve; weird hip-hop
Gesaffelstein - Gamma
Genre: Electronic; house; darkwave
Review
It’s been half a decade since the last Gesaffelstein record, and he decided to take it back to basics with this release. After working with The Weeknd, Pharrell, and Haim on his 2019 project, Gamma was only created by Gesaffelstein himself and a vocalist named Yan Wagner who shows up on half of these songs. Thankfully, the return to basics helped him create a more consistent and intriguing project. Sure, not everything on here works and it’s not necessarily the type of electronic that I usually listen to, but it’s hard to argue the quality of bangers like, “Mania” and “Psycho”, or a more pop-oriented track like the single, “Hard Dreams”. Yan’s vocals don’t always work on these songs, but he doesn’t make most of the songs worse by being on them. I wish that these electronic producers would stop putting random artists on their songs. Overall, Gamma isn’t the incredible project that I was hoping for, but rather a solid step in the right direction that shows he still has good ideas in the tank.
If You Like…: Darker electronic music
See You Next Year - Pigeons and Planes Presents: See You Next Year, Vol. 2
Genre: Alternative; hip-hop
Review
This is the second album by music blog, Pigeons and Planes. They provided the setting for artists to come work unencumbered by any musical restrictions for a week. The result is artists trying things they usually don’t, like how AG Club and ICECOLDBISHOP come together to make a pop song on the second track. Speaking of the artists, they ended up getting quite a few bigger names in the underground music sphere, such as Paris Texas, Kenny Mason, Deb Never, Binki, Monte Booker, and more. The biggest highlight for me here was, of course, “Cannot Forget” with Kenny Mason and Deb Never. In case you haven’t been reading these, I am a huge fan of both Kenny and Deb, but I never would’ve imagined them working on the same song. It’s a grunge rocker with Kenny taking the lead vocals and Deb mainly on the backing vocals. The rest of the album is a bit hit or miss, but there are some highlights. Chase Pluto’s, “My Lilli” is a beautiful penultimate track to this project, whereas Junior Varsity’s “Gap Tooth” is an all around fantastic alt-rock song. The album is far from perfect, but there are enough highlights that anyone who’s a fan of these artists should check it out!
Favorite Tracks: “My Lilli” (Feat. Chase Pluto), “Cannot Forget” (Feat. Kenny Mason & Deb Never), “Big Bank” (Feat. Kenny Mason & Paris Texas)
If You Like…: Any of the artists associated with this project
Pauline Herr & Jon Casey - Collision
Genre: EDM; trap
Review
Most of this EP was out in 2023. The first three songs were all singles that they released months ago, but are now just putting in on a project. Even with all of that, I had to talk about this project because the songs are just that good! “Shift” with Reo Cragun would’ve 100% been in my 50 favorite songs of 2023 list if I had heard it back then. The percussion on the drop has so much groove and texture, and Reo’s sung chorus is just as catchy. “Fallen” is a pretty nice trap banger, whereas “Toxic” is a really well made ballad by the duo. All of these songs were singles, but the two final tracks on the EP are still pretty good. What I especially like about them is that they build nicely. Personally, I didn’t necessarily love where each of the songs started, but they both ended up with little changes and evolutions that turned them into bangers. I mainly just wanted to put this out there so hopefully more people listen to Pauline Herr and Jon Casey, because they both are fantastic newer EDM artists that have the potential to make something crazy in the future!
Favorite Tracks: “Shift” (Feat. Reo Cragun), “Fallen”, “All The Way”
If You Like…: EDM; RL Grime
Comments