Average Rating: 3.13 Rating Variance: 0.62 Objectivity Score: 90% (Well Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicJoy Division Unknown PleasuresKano Hoodies All SummerKendrick Lamar To Pimp a ButterflyIf gkmc is Kendricks rise to fame, to pimp a butterfly is the aftermath. The title represents Kendrick being exploited for his talent and celebrity to benefit those above him and in power in America. It leaves him in a place of despair and self hatred, realising he?s just part of the system and witnessing how they treat him and other black people. He reaches a point where he realises he has to go home with ?momma? where he goes to escape this depression but realises the exploitation and poor conditions of his home and those who live there. It?s here where he realises to promote himself and the black struggle, reaching a place of self belief but still realising the work that needs doing to take on the system that goes against black America. Kendricks pen game is on point here and he structured this album so well, full of powerful and potent moments. The mix of funk and soulful production (in particular the influence of Thundercat) is great here and matches the themes of the album well. The features are all pretty great and add to the album. Kendrick has matured and created a masterpiece, which when you sit down with, you realise how powerful and important this album is as a piece of art and commentary on the exploitation of black people in the US. A truly phenomenal record that is one for the history books. Score: 9.5/10Kojey Radical Reason to SmileNas IllmaticFor me, this is my favourite album of all time. The flow from track to track, the production, quotable lines, I could be here all day talking about how much I love this album. Nas? storytelling makes you think you?re right there in 1990s New York as he details the grim reality of life there and the gritty reality he and others experience day to day. His vocal delivery is just stunning and sounds great on every track. The guests are well picked out, adding and elevating each track. Man so many iconic tracks, sounds and bars throughout. Will this ever be topped in Hip-Hop, I doubt it! Score: 10/10 Fave Tracks: NY State of Mind, Life?s a Bitch, Halftime, Represent, The World Is Yours, It Ain?t Hard To Tell. Least Faves: NoneSpiritualized Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space4.5 superbArlo Parks Collapsed in SunbeamsBrockhampton SATURATIONBrockhampton SATURATION IIDave PsychodramaDave We're all alone in this togetherDeath Grips The Money StoreDeftones OhmsDr. Dre The ChronicEminem The Slim Shady LPGoldfrapp SupernatureGorillaz Demon DaysIDLES A Beautiful Thing: Idles Live At Le BataclanJessie Ware That! Feels Good!JID The Forever StoryMan I have always known JID?s talent, but he absolutely killed it on this record. Mad crazy flows (of which he has many), fantastic lyricism and great beat picking make for a great album. The features are also great with everyone bringing their a game with the standout being that killer verse from Yasiin Bey. Truly brilliant stuff from JID, bringing a very personal tale and expressing himself in the best way possible. One of this years best! Score: 9/10 Faves: Sistanem, Crack Sandwich and Stars. Weakest Track (still good though): Can?t Make U ChangeKanye West The College DropoutKanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted FantasyKendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d cityIf Section 80 looked at the lives experienced by those around Kendrick, then good kid maad city is the personal experience of that life. A story by Kendrick Lamar is a perfect synopsis for this project which explores his life, the struggles of getting out the gangbanging life with his friends, family life, alcohol troubles, death and finally making it as a rapper. The production on this album is flawless, as is Kendricks pen game which produced some of the 2010s best hip hop songs including backseat freestyle, swimming pools, the art of peer pressure, sing about me and maad city. Real is the only dud on this album, while poetic justice is a song I enjoy but does not quite scratch the itch as much as the other tracks here. I love this album and it remains one of the greatest hip hop albums period. Score: 8.5/10Kids See Ghosts Kids See GhostsLittle Simz Grey AreaLittle Simz Sometimes I Might Be IntrovertLoyle Carner HugoMadvillain MadvillainyMF DOOM Operation: DoomsdayMobb Deep The InfamousNas King's Disease IIINew Order Education Entertainment RecreationOasis Definitely MaybePJ Harvey Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea DemosPrince Sign o' the TimesQueen Greatest HitsSelf Esteem Prioritise Pleasureslowthai UGLYThe Streets Original Pirate MaterialWu-Tang Clan Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)4.0 excellentArctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm NotAurora (NOR) Infections of a Different Kind - Step 1This is such a fantastic little EP that shows off Aurora?s beautiful vocals, which match so well with the brilliant and atmospheric production. She is such a great songwriter too and she makes her music her own. This is some of the best pop crossover music of the 2010s you will here and it?s truly a stunning taster of the talent of this artist. 8.5/10Beyonce HomecomingBlack Country, New Road Ants From Up ThereBob Dylan Blood on the TracksBrian Eno Apollo: Atmospheres & SoundtracksBring Me the Horizon Post Human: Survival HorrorBrockhampton WILDFIRE, TRUMAN, DIANABrockhampton Roadrunner: New Light, New MachineBrockhampton The FamilyCarly Rae Jepsen EmotionCharli XCX Pop 2After the decent Number 1 Angel, Charli really found her feet on Pop 2 in the hyperpop world. The tracks are catchy, the hooks are great, production is top notch, it just works really well. The guests here are mostly great and add to the enjoyment of this project and the use of auto tune is also very good. For me one of the best pop projects of the 2010s and an example of how a bit of experimentation, can shake up the pop world and make some darn good music. Score: 8.5/10Charli XCX CharliThe 3rd studio album from Charli is yet another pop classic, combining the hyperpop sound with electro pop bangers that not only appeal to the mainstream, but just slap in general. A fantastic array of guests from Christine and the Queens to cupcakke, with most shining and really adding to the record. On top of this we have the sensational production and the memorable hooks, that make this truly standout. Some tracks don?t quite slap as much as the others, but there?s no denying this is a pop masterpiece and along with ?Pop 2,? the best record from miss xcx. Score: 8.5/10Chase and Status More Than AlotThe debut album from Chase and Status is sensational stuff. Bangers galore and great to skank to, this is how to make a top notch rave experience. Pieces and Against All Odds are great examples of how to collab with a top MC (Kano and Plan B) and deliver a great track. Streetlife, Running, Eastern Jam and many others remain classics to this day. Chase and Status are no ordinary DnB duo, as shown by the experimental use of samples and production on tracks like Saxon, Eastern Jam and even making Pieces which showed a bit of what was to come on the next project. They shook the scene with this album that mixed Drum and Bass with a bit of Dubstep, creating the benchmark for how an electronic album in that genre should be made. Score: 8.5/10Chase and Status No More IdolsThis was a trip down memory lane. Sure it?s a lot more mainstream then the last album, but for me I think they used the guests very well here. They match the energy of Tempa T and Plan B with the energetic drum n bass of Hypest Hype and Fool Yourself, the more quieter moments like Midnight Caller and End Credits also work well. Dizzee and Tinie do their thing on Heavy and Hitz with the Grime and Hip-Hop inspired beats. Not every track slaps, the Cee Lo Green cut feels kinda dated for example. But including the previously mentioned stuff, the duo know how to create a variety of great sounds in the vein of dnb, dubstep, hip-hop etc. They showed here why they got a lot of attention, bringing a variety of bangers and sounds and it all flows well. Tracks like Flashing Lights, Hocus Pocus and No Problem also are absolute gems. A different album from More Than A Lot, but just as good quality wise. Score: 8.5/10Chase and Status Return II JungleChris Stapleton Starting OverChristine and the Queens La vita nuovaColdplay ParachutesDavid Gray White LadderDenzel Curry TA13OODizzee Rascal E3 AFEarl Sweatshirt Some Rap SongsWhat Earl does here with such short songs is pretty amazing. The production is fantastic and while there is clear influence from stuff like Madvillainy, it works so well against Earl?s voice. And Earl says so much on these tracks, providing small anecdotes into his life in immaculate fashion. The few guests on here also get to shine and overall a short, but very satisfying experience. 8.5/10Easy Life Junk FoodEminem The Marshall Mathers LPFKA Twigs EP2This was a big improvement on EP 1 and unlike that project felt like a collection of tracks, rather than musical experiments. The melancholic production with hints of hyperpop influence was really great and fit the mood of these cuts reflecting on the negative effects of relationships and there breakdowns. A really cool EP and still sounds new and different today. 8.5/10Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The LSO PromisesFred Again.. USBFreddie Gibbs and The Alchemist AlfredoGoldfrapp Seventh TreeGorillaz Song Machine, Season One: Strange TimezIDLES Joy as an Act of ResistanceIDLES Ultra MonoJay-Z Reasonable DoubtJessie Ware What's Your Pleasure?John Grant Boy from MichiganJohn Lennon John Lennon/Plastic Ono BandJoy Division CloserJPEGMAFIA EP!Kano Home Sweet HomeKano Made in the ManorKanye West YeezusKanye West The Life of PabloKelly Lee Owens Inner SongA vibrant record that blends techno, pop, IDM, and other genres nicely. Owens is a gorgeous singer and fabulous producer. A record that flows so well. P.s. the vinyl bonus track is great.Kendrick Lamar Mr. Morale and the Big SteppersKing Geedorah Take Me to Your LeaderLaura Marling Song For Our DaughterLinkin Park Hybrid TheoryLittle Simz No Thank YouLowkey Soundtrack to the StruggleMadison Beer Life SupportMagnetic Man Magnetic ManMassive Attack MezzanineMr. Bungle The Raging Wrath Of The Easter BunnyMy Bloody Valentine LovelessNick Cave and Warren Ellis CarnageNothing But Thieves Moral PanicOasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory?Plan B Ill ManorsScHoolboy Q OxymoronSkepta KonnichiwaSleaford Mods All That Glueslowthai Nothing Great About Britainslowthai TYRONSophie Oil of Every Pearl's Un-InsidesSt. Vincent Daddy's HomeSZA CtrlTaylor Swift FolkloreTears for Fears Songs from the Big ChairThe Beatles Abbey RoadThe Beatles 1The Chemical Brothers No GeographyThe Cure Seventeen SecondsThe Stone Roses The Stone RosesThe Streets A Grand Don't Come For FreeThe Weeknd House of BalloonsTyler, the Creator IGORTyler, the Creator Call Me If You Get Lost3.5 great21 Savage Savage Mode IIAC/DC Back In BlackAmber Mark Three Dimensions DeepA very good debut from one of the most exciting talents in R?n?B at the moment. Mark?s fantastic vocals and very good choice in production shine as she starts in a place of insecurity and doubt, before finally finding peace with herself and finding someone who makes her whole. Julian Bunetta and Mark work very well together and truly shine when it?s just those two on a track. Some of the more collaborative efforts work, but sometimes there can be too many cooks in the kitchen, in the quest for pop appeal. Still a very good debut that allows Amber Mark to be herself and make some damn good music and while there is room for some improvement, Mark is definitely one of the most talented artists in the genre. Faves: One, Foreign Things, Out Of This World. Least Faves: Bubbles and Bliss. Score: 7.5/10Arab Strap As Days Get DarkArctic Monkeys Live at the Royal Albert HallAriana Grande Thank U, NextASAP Rocky LONG.LIVE.A$APAurora (NOR) The Gods We Can TouchBillie Eilish Happier Than EverBlack Country, New Road For the first timeThis is a pretty great debut that is all over the place, but in a great way. Lead singer Isaac Wood has such a unique falsetto and makes him stand out as one of the great new voices. Their production is a great mix of Post-Punk, Jazz and everything in between. This is an album that has no limits and shows the varied talent of this unique collective. Score: 8/10Black Midi SchlagenheimBo Burnham Inside (The Songs)Brockhampton GingerBugzy Malone The ResurrectionCalvin Harris 18 MonthsCentral Cee Wild WestCharli XCX How I'm Feeling NowConsidering this was made in a short space of time during lockdown, Charli has made an impressive album. It?s not as consistent or as good as Pop 2 or Charli, but it?s still full of bangers like anthems and c 2.0, which explain well the desire for parties to return at that time. enemy and part 4 u were great quieter moments which delve deep into Charli?s relationship and claws and I finally understand were also great singles. Pretty catchy and intriguing pop lyrics which show why she is one of the most interesting characters in pop and great production from the wild hyperpop sound to the more chilled electro pop. Another great album from one of the leaders of the hyperpop sound. Score: 8/10David Bowie Young AmericansDavid Bowie ChangesNowBowieDisclosure SettleDMX The Best of DMXDoves (UK) Lost SoulsDrake If You're Reading This It's Too LateDry Cleaning New Long LegDuran Duran Duran DuranEarl Sweatshirt Sick!While not as groundbreaking as his previous album, SICK! is still vintage Earl and back to his best after that disappointing FEET OF CLAY EP. His anecdotes of growing up in the struggle and his relationships with those around him are written so well, considering the short length of the tracks and the production by the likes of the Alchemist is sublime. Featured guests all do there thing too, in particular Armand Hammer on Tabula Rasa. A really cool album and a rapper at the top of his game. 8/10 Faves: Old Friend, 2010 and Tabula Rosa Least Faves:Titanic and Fire in the HoleEminem The Eminem ShowEminem Curtain Call: The HitsEverything Everything RE-ANIMATORFaithless All BlessedFKA Twigs M3LL155XAfter the debut album didn?t blow me away, this grabbed my attention. A short, but sweet EP, Twigs again made something that sounds like nothing else out there. The theme of longing and trying to please a partner was evident once again, but also the theme of image and using it as a means to impress. The sounds were influenced by IDM and other experimental electronic production, making it hard to categorise this under a genre. The first track didn?t do much for me and not all the tracks gripped me throughout, but this is a great EP that shows off the impressiveness of Twigs? minimalist approach to song craft and her incredible producers. 8/10Fleetwood Mac RumoursFrank Carter and the Rattlesnakes BlossomGeorge Harrison All Things Must PassGodspeed You! Black Emperor G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END!Japan Quiet LifeJME Grime MCJon Batiste We AreJorja Smith Be Right BackKanye West Late RegistrationKendrick Lamar Section.80I for one haven?t given this album it?s credit in the past, usually ignoring it for gkmc or tpab. A very good debut, Kendrick was already showing here his incredible pen game and his ability to craft coherent stories which match the albums themes. He documents what it was like to grow up in the hood expertly and tells many different stories to show what it was like for women, himself, young men, older men and everyone in between to live in this environment. Production is pretty great whether it be soulful hip hop or more experimental electronic compositions. Every guest nails their verse and fit with the themes of the songs well. A great debut that shows the beginning of what was to come for the 2010s most talented MC. Score : 8/10Kenny Beats LouieKid Cudi Man on the Moon III: The ChosenLianne La Havas Lianne La HavasLow Hey WhatMariah Carey The RaritiesMetallica MetallicaMichael Kiwanuka KiwanukaMogwai As the Love ContinuesMura Masa demon timeMy Bloody Valentine m b vNas It Was WrittenFollowing up Illmatic was always going to be a tough ask, but It Was Written is a very good follow-up. The album does suffer slightly from appealing to a more mainstream sounds especially on tracks like Street Dreams. However, it does come off well on most occasions like the iconic ?If I Ruled The World (Imagine That).? Nas is still a fantastic wordsmith and even delves into topics not previously explored like on ?Black Girl Lost.? I?ve previously mentioned some of the highlights of this album, and for me it?s very consistent and a great project. Comparing it to Illmatic in a way is not really the point, as this isn?t as iconic, but still of top quality. A very good rap album and an example of the consistency and rhyming ability Nas had an offer. Score: 8/10Nas I Am...Was kind of surprised to see the fairly average score for this project. It?s a slight step down on It Was Written, but I feel like for those who thought the prior album was too commercial this goes back to the roots. Sure there are some duds like Hate Me Now and Ghetto Prisoners and the choruses on tracks like Favor for a Favor kinda suck, but this is still a very enjoyable listen. Nas Is Like is a top tier Nas song and tracks like We Sill Survive and I Want to Talk to You see Nas approach newer topics in a creative way like the death of rappers and the state of the world. Nas is also sounding good and the production for the most part is pretty great stuff. Maybe not as consistently great as what came before, but a very good release. Score: 7.5/10 Highlights: Nas Is Like, I Want to Talk to You, Life Is What You Make It, N.Y. State of Mind, Pt. II, Small World. Least Faves: Hate Me Now, Ghetto Prisoners, Money Is My Bitch.Nas King’s DiseaseAfter the middling results of Nasir, this was a return to form. The production from Hit-Boy was top notch and allowed Nas to get into his bag. Whether talking about blackness, the mistreatment of women, or the exploitation of society by the government, Nas still has something interesting to say. The features are pretty good for the most part, if at times an attempt to appeal to a younger audience. The variety here is also pretty great with deeper cuts like Ultra Black or Till The War Is Won or the more mainstream cuts like Spicy and Replace Me. This would start a great partnership and show one of the GOATs stilll had plenty to offer. Score: 7.5/10Nas King's Disease IIA slight improvement on KD1, KD2 is another great Nas album. Unlike the first one, this is more old-school Nas and while it doesn?t change course in its delivery, it offers some great content. The Pressure is a fantastic intro and kicks things off in style. Other highlights include the banger Rare, Moments with it?s reflective nature and fantastic brass production, and My Bible with its advice like theme. The storytelling here is great, but Hit-Boy?s production is also shining and varied. Another top notch project from this duo. Also the features are pretty good too from A Boogie sounding good to the iconic Lauryn Hill killing her verse. Score: 8/10 Faves: The Pressure, Rare, YKTV, Count Me In, My Bible, Moments. Least Faves: 40 Side.New Order Power, Corruption and LiesNia Archives Forbidden FeelingzNubya Garcia SOURCEPaolo Nutini Sunny Side UpPaul McCartney Flaming PiePip Millett When Everything Is Better, I'll Let You KnowPlan B The Defamation Of Strickland BanksPrince Welcome 2 AmericaQueen Greatest Hits IIRina Sawayama Hold The GirlThe second album from Rina for me is her best. While not as alternative and wild as the first, the album flows better as it tells the story of Rina coming to terms with turning 30 and dealing with past traumas. She shows off her vocals on the powerful ?Catch Me In The Air? and ?Frankenstein,? highlighting its power. She still has Pop bangers like ?This Hell.? which are addictive as hell. ?Send My Love To John? is a great ballad with the message of acceptance. The album also flows so well and feels like a concurrent story. You feel the pain Rina is in and see her overcome it as the LP goes along. Some tracks like ?Hurricanes? feel like they?re treading similar ground to others and there are points where the sound pallet isn?t too amazing, but this album is a great ride and IMO Rina?s best. Score: 8/10 Faves: Catch Me In The Air, This Hell, Frankenstein, Your Age, Send My Love To John Least Faves: Forgiveness and Hurricanes.Rosalia MotomamiRun the Jewels RTJ4Saint Etienne I've Been Trying To Tell YouSilk Sonic An Evening with Silk SonicSkepta InsomniaStormzy This Is What I MeanThe Avalanches We Will Always Love YouThe Black Crowes Shake Your Money MakerThe Notorious B.I.G. Ready to DieThe Streets None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life AliveThe Weeknd Echoes of SilenceA very good conclusion to the trilogy. Feels more ballady and focused on heartbreak, than the sex and the drugs of the previous two. A enjoyable and more mature end to this chapter in the Weeknd?s career. 8/10The Weeknd After HoursA return to form for Abel, with the 80s sound really matching his delivery and content. The talk of his love for a girl and the trials and tribulations of this relationship and trying to get over it by fucking around, feels a lot more cohesive than previous albums which felt less connected. The mixture of genres ranging from liquid dnb to the U.K. drill influence of the last track was really cool and helped make this album sound fresh and new. Bar a few meh tracks, this is a great listen and the best LP from the Weeknd since House of Ballloons. 8/10The Weeknd Dawn FMAfter the amazing After Hours, the Weeknd delivers once again and this time goes even more 80s, with the influence of synth-wave and disco. Not only do we have Abel over an even more dancier sound, but in a more vulnerable state and projecting himself more openly than we?ve ever seen. He appears to be seeing his flaws and faults and trying to have that perfect relationship, but knowing deep down that he?ll mess it up. The Jim Carrey skits also are great and add well to the themes of the record and the features are pretty solid from Tyler and Wayne, even if some of Wayne?s bars are a bit meh. There are a few tracks that don?t quite stick the landing and the production isn?t as adventurous as I?d like and have seen before from The Weeknd. Still a great new chapter in the Abel Tesfaye story and can?t wait to see where we go next. 7.5/10rFaves: Here We Go? Again, Best Friends & Don?t Break My HeartrLows: Is There Someone Else?, Starry EyesThe White Stripes The White Stripes Greatest HitsThe Who The Who Sell OutTina Turner Foreign AffairTyler, the Creator Flower BoyU2 All That You Can't Leave BehindWet Leg Wet LegWolf Alice Blue WeekendYard Act The Overload3.0 goodalt-J The DreamAluna RenaissanceAmy Winehouse At The BBCAmyl and the Sniffers Comfort To MeAurora (NOR) A Different Kind of Human - Step 2This was an enjoyable pop record and AURORA?s themes and production are a breath of fresh air in this genre. However, compared to the first part of this project, I feel like this album is less ambiguous from a songwriting and production point of view. The first half while having some highlights like ?The River? and ?Soulless Creatures?, it can feel a little generic at times. Thankfully the latter half takes a few more risks, although the change in sound is a little jarring. Still a solid record and AURORA is definitely one of the most unique sounding artists in Pop. 7/10Autechre SIGNBad Boy Chiller Crew DisrespectfulBecky Hill Only Honest On The WeekendBicep IslesBig Sean Detroit 2Billie Eilish When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?Blxst Before You GoBobby Gillespie and Jehnny Beth Utopian AshesBrockhampton SATURATION IIIBrockhampton IridescenceBrockhampton TMBTS BEBurial ANTIDAWN EPBusta Rhymes Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of GodCarly Rae Jepsen Emotion: Side BCeleste (UK) Not Your MuseCharli XCX Vroom VroomCharli XCX Number 1 AngelA pretty solid mixtape. The use of hyperpop and bubblegum base suits Charli really well and there is some catchy pop here. I just don?t think she quite mastered the sound and lyrically it?s better than what came before, but doesn?t blow me out the water. Still a fun and enjoyable mixtape with some solid features. Score: 6.5/10David Bowie Let's DanceDavid Bowie Ouvrez le chien: Live Dallas 95Dee Gees Hail SatinDigga D Made in the pyrexDisclosure EnergyDoja Cat Planet HerDoves (UK) The Last BroadcastDrake Take CareDua Lipa Club Future Nostalgia: The Remix AlbumEels Earth to DoraEminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2Eminem KamikazeFKA Twigs LP1Twigs? debut is a solid album consisting of alternate RnB and art pop with electronic and hyperpop influences. This sounds unlike most records, especially for the time and her vulnerable and subtle vocal delivery match well with the production and her tales of doomed relationships. The tracks are good for the most part, but some don?t stick the landing and the lack of a thematic theme does make this feel like the tracks could have been in any order. Do like what is here though and Two Weeks still remains fantastic. 7/10FKA Twigs MagdaleneThis felt a bit more cohesive than LP 1, but lacked some of the magic and experimental nature of the EPs. The move to a more palatable sound did help Twigs get across herself a bit better, as there was less minimalist tracks, but at the same time removed some of the uniqueness from her music. This record does have some great stuff especially closer ?cellophane? which is arguably her best track, but others felt like they missed a lil something to make them good tracks. This was a much more powerful record and while looking at heartbreak once again, also looked at the pressures of fame and womanhood. Still a solid record, that pushes her sound forward. 7.5/10FKA Twigs CaprisongsThis mixtape is pretty solid and does bring back some of the more experimental side of twigs, while also incorporating some newer sounds for her like ragga and drill. Guests are all pretty good and work well. Not many tracks blow me away and some tread similar ground, but I love the themes of loving yourself and relationship drama. The closer ?thank you song? is a powerful moment and ends things on a high, on potentially my fave full length twigs project. 7.5/10rFaves: tears in the club, darjeeling, thank you songrLeast faves: caprisongs interlude, which way, carelessFleet Foxes ShoreFred Again.. Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022)Ghetts Rebel With A CauseGhetts Ghetto Gospel: The New TestamentGorillaz GorillazGorillaz Plastic BeachGorillaz Cracker IslandGreentea Peng MAN MADEIDLES BrutalismIDLES CrawlerJ. Cole The Off-SeasonJade Bird Different Kinds of LightJames Dean Bradfield Even in ExileJay-Z and Kanye West Watch the ThroneJean-Michel Jarre AmazôniaJoey Badass 2000Jorja Smith Project 11Jorja Smith Lost & FoundJungle Loving in StereoKanye West GraduationKanye West yeKanye West Jesus Is KingKanye West DondaKendrick Lamar DAMN.Back in the day I loved this album, but as time has gone on my views have changed a bit. This album is still good and for the most part the theme of learning acceptance in love, the rap industry and amongst friends is done well and the run of FEAR, GOD and DUCKWORTH ends things on a high. Overall, I just feel like this does tread a bit on old ground, with less complex lyricism and an aim for mainstream appeal. This is especially the case on tracks like LOYALTY and LOVE, which while enjoyable feel not as in line with the rest of the album. Also the album feels a bit discombobulated and not as well constructed as previous K Dot projects. The production is pretty good, but nowhere near as great as previous albums and the guests are decent but don?t quite add to the album as much as GKMC or TPAB. For most rappers this would be one of their best, but for K Dot it?s still good, but nowhere near his best. Score: 7.5/10Knucks Alpha PlaceKylie Minogue DiscoLady Gaga ChromaticaLady Gaga Dawn of Chromatica: The Remix AlbumLana Del Rey Chemtrails Over The Country ClubLil Nas X MonteroLinkin Park MeteoraLittle Simz A Curious Tale Of Trials + PersonsLogic No PressureLondon Grammar Californian SoilManeskin Teatro d'ira - Vol. IMaximo Park Nature Always WinMF Grimm & MF DOOM MF EPMoby RepriseMotorhead Ace of SpadesMr Jukes & Barney Artist The LocketNas MagicAfter the great KD II, Nas gives us yet another good ass project. Nas sounds pretty good on here discussing his relevancy in the game and how he?s matured, as shown by his desire to help the community. The production from Hit-Boy is also pretty solid stuff and shows why these two fit so well together. I would have liked a little more variety here in terms of both lyrical content and production, but as he says himself this is an interlude between KD II and III. If this is a stopgap, I can?t wait to see what?s your come. 7/10 rFaves: Speechless, 40-16 Building, Wave Gods, Dedicated.rLows: Ugly, The TruthOcean Wisdom Stay SaneOlafur Arnalds Some Kind of PeaceOlivia Rodrigo SourPale Waves Who Am I?Paloma Faith Infinite ThingsPaul McCartney McCartney IIIPaul McCartney McCartney III ImaginedPinkPantheress To Hell With ItPVRIS Use MeRAYE My 21st Century BluesRina Sawayama SawayamaA very solid debut album. Rina?s mix of Pop and Rock influences shines through and brings her own personality to the record. This is very much a Pop record, but the catchyness and variety here keeps your interested throughout. This is definitely a creative album and while not every idea works, most work well. The lyricism isn?t that intriguing, but it?s good enough to keep you going. Overall, solid stuff and some real standout tracks, just needed a bit more consistency and depth to elevate my enjoyment. Score: 7/10Rudimental Ground ControlSam Fender Seventeen Going UnderSam Smith Love GoesShame (UK) Drunk Tank PinkShygirl NymphSkepta Ignorance Is BlissSkepta All InSpiritualized Lazer Guided MelodiesSteven Wilson The Future BitesSufjan Stevens The AscensionTaylor Swift EvermoreTears for Fears The Seeds of LoveThe Anchoress The Art Of LosingThe Chicks GaslighterThe Cure BloodflowersThe Flaming Lips American HeadThe Killers Pressure MachineThe Kooks Inside In/Inside OutThe Selecter Too Much PressureThe Slow Readers Club The Joy of the ReturnThe Snuts W.L. (Deluxe)The Streets Everything is BorrowedThe Streets Cyberspace and RedsThe Weeknd ThursdayThe Weeknd My Dear Melancholy,A solid collection of tracks that return Abel to that RnB sound with a bit of influence from electronic music, especially on the collabs with Gesafflestein. Call Out My Name and Privilege are the standouts for showing off his vocal range and the emotion he shows. This isn?t a bold or new chapter for the Weeknd, just some solid throwbacks. 7/10The Weeknd The HighlightsTinie Tempah DemonstrationTy Dolla Sign Featuring Ty Dolla SignTyler, the Creator GoblinTyler, the Creator Cherry BombUltravox ViennaViagra Boys Welfare Jazz2.5 averageABBA ABBA GoldABBA VoyageAC/DC Power UpAJ Tracey Flu GameAlanis Morissette Such Pretty Forks in the RoadAnne-Marie TherapyArchitects For Those That Wish to ExistArctic Monkeys The CarAriana Grande positionsBaby Keem The Melodic BlueBad Bunny Un Verano Sin TiBen Howard Collections from the WhiteoutBiffy Clyro A Celebration of EndingsBig Red Machine How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last?Billie Eilish dont smile at meBirdy Young HeartBlack Midi CavalcadeBLACKPINK The AlbumBrockhampton All-American TrashBurna Boy Twice as TallCarly Rae Jepsen KissCarly Rae Jepsen The Loneliest TimeChase and Status Brand New MachineThis album felt very experimental as they were trying out a lot of different sounds, however it feels very disjointed and leads to mixed results. The trap-dubstep of Machine Gun works and Pusha T sounds hard over the pounding beat and Gansta Boogie is a solid Hip-Hop track. However the Major Lazer collab Pressure didn?t do much for me and the Nile Rodger?s song What Is Right felt very one note and predictable. Some tracks like Blk and Blu I felt mixed on due to the catchy melody, but it being drawn out as a song. Lost & Not Found and Alive felt like classic Chase and Status and they worked as anthems. I also love International for its booming and loud production and the great sample of Cutty Ranks. The rest of the stuff here was ok or kinda meh and overall I felt mixed on this album. Some good stuff, but not many I?ll come back too. Score: 6/10CHVRCHES Screen ViolenceCrowded House Dreamers Are WaitingDiplo DiploDoves (UK) The Universal WantDrake Thank Me LaterDrake Nothing Was the SameDrake ViewsEminem EncoreEminem RelapseEminem Relapse: RefillEminem RecoveryEminem Music to Be Murdered ByEminem Music to Be Murdered By: Side BEminem Curtain Call 2Fergus Mcreadie Forest FloorFKA Twigs EPThis is a very interesting and experimental project. Twig?s vocals and the production give off a very spacey and alone feeling, which I feel match the lo-fi production and asmr qualities of the vocals. I did the enjoy the first two tracks and while I didn?t get the last two, they had interesting qualities to them. Very cool ideas, which showed what was to come. 6/10Foo Fighters Medicine at MidnightFuture and Lil Uzi Vert Pluto x Baby PlutoGarbage No Gods No MastersGary Numan IntruderGeorge Ezra Gold Rush KidGoat Girl On All FoursGorillaz HumanzHalsey If I Can’t Have Love, I Want PowerHarry Styles Harry's HouseHeadie One EdnaInhaler (IRL) It Won’t Always Be Like ThisJake Bugg Saturday Night, Sunday MorningJay Electronica A Written TestimonyJethro Tull AJoji NectarJulien Baker Little OblivionsJustin Bieber JusticeKacey Musgraves Star-CrossedKaleo Surface SoundsKanye West 808s and HeartbreakKSI All Over the PlaceLaura Mvula Pink NoiseLil Baby and Lil Durk The Voice of the HeroesLittle Mix ConfettiLittle Simz Stillness In WonderlandLizzo SpecialMegan Thee Stallion Good NewsMichael Kiwanuka Love and HateMuse Origin of SymmetryMy Bloody Valentine Isn't AnythingNova Twins SupernovaPlayboi Carti Whole Lotta RedPolo G Hall of FamePop Smoke FaithRina Sawayama RINARod Wave SoulFlyRoisin Murphy Roisin MachineRoyal Blood TyphoonsSleaford Mods Spare RibsTaylor Swift LoverThe 1975 Being Funny In A Foreign LanguageThe Cribs Night NetworkThe Magic Gang Death of the PartyThe Streets The Hardest Way To Make An Easy LivingThe Streets Computers And BluesThe Weeknd Kiss LandThis is the most middle of the road record I have ever heard. Like it?s not bad by a long stretch and the synth-wave production is pretty good and keeps me going through a record which can be a slog. Bar a few highlights like Wanderlust, it feels like Abel is on autopilot here and just doesn?t come across as that interested or different from what came before or after this album. Go listen to the Trilogy mixtapes or the stuff that came after as it?s far more interesting, but for the diehards, there is some decent stuff here. 5/10The Weeknd Beauty Behind the MadnessYou can tell here Abel was finding his foot in the pop world as some cuts come off half baked, in particular the Ed Sheeran and Lana collabs. This album does have it?s highlights, especially the brilliant The Hills, Can?t Feel My Face and Tell Your Friends. There was a toning down of the explicit content in places, which is fine, but the songwriting in places feels less unique. Overall a decent first attempt at a pop record. 6/10The Weeknd StarboyThis album was very frustrating! The first half of the album was really good with catchy hooks and great dark dance-pop production and the Weeknd felt like he had finally found his place in the Pop world. However, the latter half of this project is bloated as hell and the uninspired lyricism and copy and paste formula of the production, makes this a bit of a drag. The features are also kind of disappointing again and feel half-baked. If some of this lesser material had been cut this would have been a great dance pop record, with elements of Rock and RnB influence. Still songs like I Feel It Coming and False Alarm shine and while Abel has lost a bit of what made him unique, he does have those vocal chops to make him stand out in the Pop industry. 6/10Tricky Fall to PiecesTwenty One Pilots Scaled and IcyTyler, the Creator WolfUnknown T Rise Above HateWizkid Made In LagosZara Larsson Poster Girl2.0 poorAlice Cooper Detroit StoriesAva Max Heaven and Hellbeabadoobee Fake It FlowersBlack Honey Written & DirectedCharli XCX True RomanceThis album did feel like Charli finding her feet a bit, there was some enjoyable tracks here and others had enjoyable moment, but elements of the material feel of their time and not in a good way. Charli sounds decent here, but her lyricism isn?t quite there and doesn?t match the obnoxious and blaring electronics here. 4.5/10Declan McKenna ZerosDrake ScorpionDrake Certified Lover BoyEarl Sweatshirt Feet of ClaySomething doesn?t quite click here and leaves me feeling indifferent to this EP. Earl sounds decent here but nothing spectacular, while the production is cool, but nothing truly magical. The guest spots actually are kinda the highlights here for me, yeah just a bit underwhelmed by this one. 4.5/10Ellie Goulding Brightest BlueEvanescence The Bitter TruthFontaines D.C. A Hero's DeathGlass Animals DreamlandGriff One Foot In Front Of The OtherGuns N' Roses Greatest HitsJane Weaver FlockKaty Perry SmileKings of Leon When You See YourselfLil Durk The VoiceLil Tjay Destined 2 WinMaisie Peters You Signed Up For ThisManic Street Preachers The Ultra Vivid LamentMarilyn Manson We Are ChaosMatt Berninger Serpentine PrisonMigos Culture IIINF CloudsOliver Tree Ugly Is BeautifulRick Wakeman The Red PlanetSelena Gomez RevelaciónShawn Mendes WonderSupergrass In It for the MoneyTaylor Swift Fearless (Taylor’s Version)The Killers Imploding the MirageThe Pretenders Hate For SaleThe Pretty Reckless Death By Rock and RollThe Smashing Pumpkins CyrThe Staves Good WomanThe Struts Strange DaysThe Vaccines Back in Love CityTom Grennan Evering RoadTrippie Redd Trip At KnightTroye Sivan In A DreamVistas What Were You Hoping to Find?Weezer Van WeezerWorking Men’s Club Working Men’s ClubYou Me At Six SuckapunchYUNGBLUD Weird!1.5 very poorAlicia Keys AliciaCharli XCX SuckerWhile the last album was kinda dull, this try?s something a bit different although unfortunately for Charli this move to rpop-punk and abrasive electro pop doenst sound great. Some tracks are decent but most are kinda forgettable or just rplain obnoxious. This album was a bit of a slog and while not completely awful, it?s not something I will be going back to rany time soon. Score: 3.5/10Corey Taylor CMFTDJ Khaled Khaled KhaledEminem RevivalErasure The NeonFLETCHER The S(ex) TapesGirl In Red if i could make it go quietImagine Dragons Mercury - Act 1Internet Money B4 The StormMaroon 5 JordiPublic Enemy What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes DownThe Fratellis Half Drunk Under a Full Moon1.0 awfulCorey Feldman Angelic 2 The CoreMachine Gun Kelly Mainstream SelloutThe Offspring Let the Bad Times Roll
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