Zach Bryan - The Great American Bar Scene
Genre: Country; Americana
Review
It’s been less than a year since the last Zach Bryan album, and he’s already back with another album! At 19 songs and over an hour long, The Great American Bar Scene is yet another project of Zach’s that requires multiple listens to digest. After the first listen, it’s clear that this is another example of his timeless alt-country sound with a helping of americana sprinkled in. But as always when it comes to Zach Bryan’s music, the lyrics are what matters the most. Most of the songs reminisce on past loves and his current relationship, but as always, I tend to enjoy when he deviates from that topic a bit. One of my favorites so far on the album comes in the second verse of “Bass Boat” when he says, “'Cause I ain't ever been one for cheap excuses. And apologies have always been a little late or useless. But if you give me four minutes and a little bit of time. I'll make them old days an old friend of mine”. His lyrics are never the most lyrically complex, but some of them just hit. And of course, I can’t not talk about how he has John Mayer, and especially, Bruce Springsteen on the album! “Sandpaper” with The Boss sounds almost too much like “I’m on Fire”, but it’s still a wonderful collaboration! The Great American Bar Scene is yet another helping of fantastic americana-tinged country from arguably the best writer in the genre!
Favorite Tracks: “28”, “Bass Boat”, “Oak Island”
If You Like…: His previous albums
Clairo - Charm
Genre: Soft rock
Review
I’ve listened to every Clairo album so far, but until now, I haven’t understood the hype. It’s not like this is my favorite album of the year or anything, or even my favorite album in this genre, but I understand why everyone loves her now! To be honest though, my favorite part isn’t her vocals or the lyrics, it’s the instrumentals. Wow, these instrumentals are lush! There are so many different instruments in these tracks, but they all sit perfectly in the mix. Heck, sometimes the instrumentals overpower her vocals, like on the song “Terrapin”. I have no idea any of the words she says on the track, I just zone out to the incredible piano playing by Marco Benevento! I do enjoy the texture of her voice on these tracks though. It’s not like Clairo holds back these instrumentals, she’s very much a part of what makes the album great. I can imagine this album only growing on me with more listens, but even after the first few, Charm is clearly the singer’s opus so far!
Favorite Tracks: “Terrapin”, “Second Nature”, “Thank You”
If You Like…: Cozy nights by the campfire; own a record player
Megan Thee Stallion - Megan
Genre: Hip-hop
Review
I don’t know if I would call this my favorite project from Megan, but it’s the most sonically mature, structurally mature, and charismatic release of her career so far! Every other project from her has some version of awkward R&B or pop attempts, whether it’s the Dua Lipa assisted “Sweetest Pie” or Megan doing a full electro-pop song herself on “Don’t Rock Me To Sleep”. It’s not that she doesn’t do either genre here, but she tastefully adds quality features and features to help make these songs feel like actual attempts at the genre and not poor imitations. I also just need to add that Megan usually talks a lot about sex, but this album is unbelievably horny. Occasionally it’s unique, like the dynamic she talks about on “B.A.S.”, but most of it is just loving others and yourself in every way possible. I do also like her references to anime here, which is something she talks about a lot in real life, but not on her albums. Megan is a solid rap album and another step in the right direction for Megan!
Favorite Tracks: “Hiss”, “Where Them Girls At”, “Miami Blue” (Feat. Big K.R.I.T. & Buddah Bless)
If You Like…: Twerking; southern hip-hop
Lil Yachty & James Blake - Bad Cameo
Genre: Ambient-pop; R&B
Review
This was probably the most unexpected collab project I could’ve expected for this year. Even with Lil Yachty dropping his fantastic psych-rock album last year, it still didn’t sound even close to James Blake. So when they announced this, I was both very excited and slightly worried. Thankfully and disappointedly, the album lives up to both of those expectations. Sonically, this thing is serene! These soundscapes from Blake lull the listener into a meditative state. Blake’s voice has always hit the spot for me, and it’s no different here. He could be singing the terms and conditions, and it would still sound beautiful. Yachty’s singing is pretty good as well, but he does have a couple lines that take me out of their respective songs. The thing that takes me out of the album is that it’s arguably too chill. It’s too effective at making the listener feel calm, and it makes me want to go to sleep. Still though, I suppose some people need music to fall asleep to. Hopefully Blake and Yachty continue to work together, whether it’s another full album or just random collabs here and there.
Favorite Tracks: “Missing Man”, “Run Away From The Rabbit”, “Midnight”
If You Like…: Beautiful soundscapes; minimalist synths; sleep
Syzy - The Weight of the World
Genre: EDM; riddim; dubstep
Review
Ever since the album came out, people have been calling this something special! Now, I think I’m missing it a little bit because I’m not as familiar with dubstep and riddim music as most of them are, but this is still a fantastic release! Everything melodically that Syzy does on here is awesome! A song like “In Your Face!” reminds me of if SOPHIE and PC Music decided to make a dubstep song, but still uniquely Syzy. The second half of the album is also easily my favorite half of the album. The run from “In Your Face!” to the end is incredible! So even though I haven’t fully come around to the heavy dubstep drops, everything else Syzy does on the album feels like it could be revolutionary for this once stagnant electronic subgenre. And who knows, hopefully by the end of the year, the aggressive dubstep drops have grown on me.
Favorite Tracks: “In Your Face!”, “Take my Energy!”, “Dope1” (Feat. Olswel)
If You Like…: Dubstep; crazy electronic music
SAULT - Acts of Faith 0.0
Genre: Soul; funk; R&B
Review
It took them over a year and a half for their newest album to finally be released. For most people, that’s a quick turnaround, but not for SAULT. They have never gone that long without releasing a new album, until now. Acts of Faith 0.0 was new to most of us, but not to everyone. The full album was originally played live at their only ever live show, which looked like so much of an experience I could’ve written an entire article on just seeing videos of the show. But even though it was played live, it was never officially released until now. Also, in true weird and pretentious SAULT fashion, the album was only released via a direct download to one 32-minute long track. Sonically, it’s nothing new for the group. In fact, I’d argue it takes it back to the basics of the first couple SAULT albums. Gone are all the sonic experiments, and it’s just an album full of Cleo Sol sung funk jams that ends with arguably one of the group's most beautiful tracks! I wonder if this is going to be an ongoing trend for the group, and it was titled with the “0.0” at the end, but only time will tell. For now, I’m just grateful to finally have new music from the group.
Favorite Tracks: Only one track, so the whole thing
If You Like…: Meditating
Cassandra Jenkins - My Light, My Destroyer
Genre: Chamber pop
Review
After her stunning album from 2021, Cassandra Jenkins is back with another sonically beautiful project! I’m not even sure what genre to call it because she switches quite often, but no matter what sound she’s trying, it’ll feel like walking on a cloud. Everything is so lush and mixed to perfection, and the softness of her voice feels like the guide to the cloud adventure. As for the lyrics, many of them seem to revolve around her being alone and dealing with that anyway possible. Heck, the album starts off with the line, “I think you’ve mistaken my desperation for devotion.” Of course, lines are up to the listener for interpretation, but I love the self-aware darkness that this line seems to exude, especially when you realize the album is about being alone. There is also the song “Petco”, where she muses about walking about a pet store and debates on whether she should actually get a companion, or if she just wants anything to keep her company and how that’s not fair to the animal. So while the sound of My Light, My Destroyer is gorgeous, the lyrical tone brings the listener back to reality and the problems of human connection everybody faces.
Favorite Tracks: “Devotion”, “Clams Casino”, “Only One”
If You Like…: Nature walks; stunningly beautiful music
Eminem - The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
Genre: Hip-hop
Review
One of hip-hop’s biggest and most important names is back again with his newest album, and I think it’s actually his best work in a decade! Granted, that’s not saying much considering his last few releases, but I think the concept of the album is what helps sell it. The album revolves around Eminem killing off his Slim Shady persona. So for the first two-thirds of the album, he’s giving into the persona until “Guilty Conscious 2”, where Marshall and Slim battle it out and eventually ends with Slim dying. It’s a concept that I think works, but it doesn’t always make for the most enjoyable listening experience. When he’s rapping from the Slim Shady persona, the controversial things he’s saying feels so forced. For example, he mentions Caitlyn Jenner on so many songs that I lost track. Like, does anyone even care about Caitlyn Jenner anymore? I don’t know why he keeps mentioning it. All of the transgender, LGBTQ+, and little people jokes feel like wannabe edgy middle schoolers joking with each other, but Eminem is 51. And before people get angry, I understand that’s the point. The point is that Slim Shady is saying these things to get attention and be controversial. But even with that, I don’t actively want to hear surface level, bad offensive jokes from a 50 year old, no matter the context. All that said, he sounds good on most of these songs. The playful “Brand New Dance” was originally going to come out two decades ago, and it’s clear from the flow that this was at least started by a younger Eminem than he is now. He brings on JID for the song “Fuel”, which was a nice surprise and will hopefully help continue JID’s rise in popularity! There are also a couple personal tracks towards the end of the album, after the shift in perspective, that play out fairly well. So all and all, I’m not sure I’ll end up returning to this album, but I do admire Eminem for making somewhat of a successful concept album, even if there are very clear flaws.
Favorite Tracks: “Fuel” (Feat. JID), “Brand New Dance”, “Tobey” (Feat. BabyTron & Big Sean)
If You Like…: Eminem
BabyTron & Certified Trapper - Mario & Luigi
Genre: Detroit hip-hop; Milwaukee hip-hop
Review
In order to capitalize off of his feature on the new Eminem album, BabyTron released this project two days before Eminim’s. Instead of going solo, he brought on Certified Trapper to make a full collab project. The two have been touring together for years and are both some of the biggest in this specific subgenre. It’s also cool to see Certified Trapper, who is from Milwaukee, get more notable cosigns. Now, do I actually like the album, eh. It just sounds like a normal BabyTron project with a Milwaukee style beat here or there. Certified Trapper adds to the project slightly with a new flow here or there. I especially like his chorus on “So Tf What”. Other than that, most of my favorite moments on here consist of them trading off bar for bar. This isn’t for anyone that’s not already a fan of one of these artists.
Favorite Tracks: “So Tf What”, “Young Fly MFs”, “Blue $trip Bandits”
If You Like…: Scam rap; know what a “Milwaukee type beat” is
Denzel Curry - King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2
Genre: Hip-hop
Review
For the first time in his career, I wasn’t heavily anticipating this Denzel Curry album. The singles made it seem like Denzel might be phoning it in on this album and just let the features do all the heavy lifting. Thankfully, I should’ve trusted Denzel because this is far from a miss! Sure, I don’t love everything here. The nonstop triplet flow on “Ultra Shxt” just doesn’t connect with me, and the song with Ty Dolla $ign is just ok, but besides that, the album goes hard! Every feature adds to their respective track, and quite a few outshine Denzel. People like ThatMexicanOT, Kenny Mason, and Maxo Kream are just three of them that outrap Denzel on his own songs. The production here is also more straightforward southern hip-hop than he’s ever done before. It’s definitely not my favorite sound that Denzel’s done, but it still works really well for him. I’m glad that King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 was a success and at this point, I don’t know anything Denzel can’t do!
Favorite Tracks: “Set It” (Feat. Maxo Kream), “Hoodlumz” (Feat. A$AP Rocky & PlayThatBoiZay), “G’z Up” (Feat. 2 Chainz & Mike Dimes)
If You Like…: Southern hip-hop; gym music
Childish Gambino - Bando Stone and The New World
Genre: Alternative R&B; hip-hop; pop
Review
This seems like it will actually be the last album under the Childish Gambino name. He’s said that a few times, but he seems to be committing to it this time. Bando Stone & The New World is actually the soundtrack for his upcoming movie of the same name! There are plenty of interludes with audio from the movie that will probably tie into the album. It’s hard to tell because the movie isn’t out, but it’s clear that there is some relation between the two. Still, the album itself is pretty good, but it is sonically all over the place. I haven’t heard an album try this many sounds in a long time. And as usual, I think Gambino is at least decent at all the sounds, but he excels the best when he sings! “No Excuses” is seven minutes of pure bliss! It maneuvers between his gorgeous lead vocals, a saxophone solo, a choir, and so much more. It is then followed up by “Cruisin” with Yeat which feels like wandering through the jungle in the year 3000. It’s songs like these where it feels like Gambino is executing his vision at the highest level! These songs are up there for some of the best of the year! But then there are also moments like the opening song that are sonically experimental, but his rapping is just not up to the standard of his singing and melodies. Still though, Bando Stone & The New World is a wild ride through one of the most creative minds in entertainment!
Favorite Tracks: “No Excuses” (Feat. Ludwig Göransson), “Cruisin” (Feat. Yeat), “We Are God”
If You Like…: Jungles; music of every genre
Jack White - No Name
Genre: Garage rock
Review
This might not actually be the name of the album. In fact, we don’t actually know the names of the songs yet. All that we know about this album is the music itself. On July 19th, at any of the three Third Man Record stores, any purchase that was made automatically came with this random record in a white sleeve. There was no information on anything about the record until you actually played it, and then it was clear that this is Jack White’s newest solo album! Also, the record label encouraged people to share it online, so this isn’t a leak, just a unique release strategy. The album is by far the more straightforward garage rock release of Jack’s solo career! The rock experimentation he was doing over the past half of the decade is gone and now we just have a fairly normal sounding garage rock album. It throws back to the time of his career in The White Stripes, except of course, no Meg on the drums. As for the music on this album, there’s not much else to say right now besides this thing rocks! I’m sure the album will get a wide release in the next couple weeks, so be on the look for that because this album rips! [Editor’s Note: The album officially came out today!]
Favorite Tracks: “Old Scratch Blues”, “Archbishop Harold Homes”, “What's The Rumpus?”
If You Like…: The White Stripes; minimalist garage rock
Ice Spice - Y2K!
Genre: Hip-hop; pop rap; drill
Review
I mean, it’s not garbage, but there’s literally nothing to say about it. I wish Ice Spice the best in life, but I think her music career might be done. At least, for me caring about her music, I'm done.
Favorite Tracks: “Oh Sh…” (Feat. Travis Scott)
If You Like…: Ice Spice; poop bars over drill beats
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