KayCyy - Get Used To It
Genre: Hip-Hop; R&B
Quick Review
This mixtape shows that even though KayCyy has potential, his ability to have great collaborators around him helps him reach his full potential. There are still quite a few entertaining tracks on here, but he’s missing the extra special something that his Gesaffelstein collaboration tracks from earlier this year had. Hopefully the album ends up blowing both of these projects out of the water.
Favorite Songs: “Look What I Found” feat. Lancey Foux, “Rain” feat. 070 Shake, “Borrow”
If You Like: Kanye, artsy and larger than life hip hop that brings in many different sounds
Perfume Genius - Ugly Season
Genre: Chamber pop; baroque pop; industrial
Quick Review
This album is unlike almost anything out there. The atmosphere is so dark and ethereal, but also gnarly and twisted. The instrumentation on here is unique and reminds me of Arca in a way, and even the vocals give off an Arca vibe as well. I’d be lying if I said I love his voice, but the sounds on this album are exquisite and something that needs to be heard! I can’t yet tell if I’ll end up loving it or not, but after multiple listens, this album is a wild surprise.
Favorite Songs: “Scherzo”, “Herem”, “Eye in the Wall”
If You Like: Arca; challenging music; beautiful, but twisted music that meanders
Drake - Honestly, Nevermind
Genre: Dance pop; House
Quick Review
I wanted Drake to try something new with his music instead of doing the same thing over and over again, and at least this album is different. But, he barely put in any effort and it might be his worst album yet. The dance beats are mostly repetitive and summer-y, while Drake’s vocals are extremely hit or miss. I still hope that he continues to do something different with his music, but this is a swing and a miss.
Favorite Songs: “Massive”, “Jimmy Cooks” feat. 21 Savage
If You Like: Summer background music
Logic - Vinyl Days
Genre: Hip hop
Quick Review
Vinyl Days is Logic’s first full album back after retiring in 2020, and it ends up being a relative success. This album, and Logic at his best, feels like a hip hop superfan tried to make the best album he could. There are so many hip hop references and styles incorporated into this album that won’t make sense to some people, but it doesn’t matter. He only does this for the love of the game, and if this is his last album, it’s far from a bad way to go out.
Favorite Songs: “BLACKWHITEBOY”, “LaDonda”, “Porta one” feat. RZA
If You Like: Boom-bap; old-school hip hop
Conway the Machine & Big Ghost Ltd. - What Has Been Blessed Cannot Be Cursed
Genre: Hip hop
Quick Review
Conway has yet to drop anything lackluster, and this Big Ghost album is yet another great project between the two! His production is just as evil-sounding as ever, while Conway sounds hungry and willing to prove his greatness. I’m not sure if this one lives up to their project from last year, but having a Method Man feature really helps. Definitely don’t miss this project if you’re a hip hop fan.
Favorite Songs: “It’s A Green Light”, “Sunday Sermon” feat. Jae Skeese, “Scared II Death” feat. Method Man
If You Like: 90s East Coast hip-hop, grimey hip-hop
Lupe Fiasco - Drill Music in Zion
Genre: Hip hop
Quick Review
Instead of the massive undertakings his previous couple albums have been, this project was entirely written and made in 72 hours. The writing on here is nothing short of fantastic! There are too many bars on here to quote any specific ones, but it has easily some of the best bars of this year so far! The songwriting is top tier, and having the minimal features made each of them hit hard when they did show up. Projects like these show why Lupe could be argued as one of the greatest writers in hip hop history.
Favorite Songs: “Ghoti”, “Precious Things”, “On Faux Nem”
If You Like: Poetry, stretching the English language as far as possible, potent writing
Moore Kismet - Universe
Genre: Electronic; electro-pop
Quick Review
This debut album from one of electronic’s most talented young voices is worth a listen, even at its length! Over an hour of music for a debut album is a bit too long, but there are plenty of fantastic moments, both from singles and new songs, that show that Moore is someone to pay attention to. For someone that made these songs while in high school, and maybe middle school, this is still very impressive. I hope Moore continues to release more music and pushes their sound even further.
Favorite Songs: “Rumor”, “Call of the Unicorn”, “See You Go”, “Parallel Heartbreak”
If You Like: Flume or any other slightly off-beat electronic music.
Ravyn Lenae - Hypnos
Genre: R&B
Quick Review
Ravyn Lenae’s debut album has been anticipated by me for years! Her 2018 Crush EP with Steve Lacy is five songs of perfection, and even though I think she waited a little too long to release this album, it’s still really entertaining. Almost everything on the album is full of beautiful and synth-heavy R&B music, and Ravyn’s voice is still as beautiful and transcendent as ever! I do have some flaws with it, like how it’s a bit too long and missing the immediate classics of Crush, but Hypnos is still a fantastic R&B album!
If You Like: Spacy R&B; beautiful vocals
The Smile - A Light For Attracting Attention
Genre: Progressive-rock; electronica
Quick Review
This supergroup is made up of two members of Radiohead, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, and the drummer from the jazz group Sons of Kemet, Tom Skinner. A Light For Attracting Attention might be the most enjoyable Radiohead side-project I’ve heard, but it still doesn’t touch the group’s best material. Still, the balance of electronic ballads and tight rock riffs make this album an extremely enjoyable listen, both in the background and while paying deep attention to the album.
Favorite Songs: “Thin Thing”, “The Smoke”, “We Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings”
If You Like: Radiohead; other rock/electronic projects
Boldy James & Real Bad Man - Killing Nothing
Genre: Hip hop
Quick Review
Boldy James has almost perfected this brand of grimey hip hop, and this may even be his best project in a while! Real Bad Man’s production is elevated from their previous collaboration tape, and Boldy’s lyricism is as potent as ever. His storytelling about his previous work in the drug game paints a detailed and emotional picture. All the features on their album knew they had to show up, and they did! If you’re a hip hop fan and love the older, grimier type of hip hop, don’t let this one slide past you.
Favorite Songs: “All The Way Out”, “Open Door” with Rome Streetz and Stove God Cooks, “Ain’t No Bon Jovi”
If You Like: Grimey hip hop, Detroit hip hop
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