New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Gary Clark Jr., Julia Jacklin, Panda Bear and more. Blu & Oh No - A Long Red Hot Los Angeles Summer Night When it comes to west coast … Continue reading New Music Roundup: February
Though greatly indebted to vocal powerhouses of ‘90s soul and R&B, like Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera, Ariana Grande is undoubtedly an artist of the moment. A pop star invested in and in tune with "the now." She currently boasts the most worldwide monthly listeners on Spotify, over 60 million Twitter followers, and is a … Continue reading Ariana Grande – thank u, next
I'm of the opinion that collaboration doesn't get celebrated enough in mainstream music. Sure, there are plenty of landmark records that are a direct result of two or more amazing artistic talents linking up (DOOM and Madlib's Madvillainy, The Postal Service's Get Up, etc.) but generally speaking, I think collab records are one the more exciting … Continue reading Better Oblivion Community Center – Better Oblivion Community Center
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Boogie, Bring Me The Horizon, James Blake and more. Boogie - Everything's For Sale Honesty. It’s the quality that Shady Record’s newest star, Boogie, is showcasing on his … Continue reading New Music Roundup: January
Atlanta rapper Future needs little introduction. The trap-rap powerhouse has been one of the leading faces of the current rap generation for much of this decade and a highly influential figure on both the commercial and artistic fronts of mainstream hip-hop for many years now. Known for his signature auto-tune croon style of rapping, Future's … Continue reading Future – Future Hndrxx Presents: The Wizrd
In this decade, there aren't many artists who come as praised and respected by critics, fans and musicians alike as Sharon Van Etten. Prior to her latest release, each of her four studio albums had been well received for their harrowing portrayals of the human condition and consistently stellar vocal performances. She is a champion … Continue reading Sharon Van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from 21 Savage, Bad Bunny, Jeff Tweedy and more. 21 Savage - i am > i was 21 Savage returns with his sophomore album that truly shows he was … Continue reading New Music Roundup: December
I’ll never forget the first time I heard a song by Tash Sultana. I was scrolling through Instagram and one of my friends posted a video he’d made using Sultana’s song “Notion” in the background. Although I had never heard of this artist, it all sounded somewhat familiar to me. I don’t know what you … Continue reading Tash Sultana – Flow State
When looking back over the past several years, so many pop punk artists have gone from being upcoming artists to one of the bigger names in the game, and Boston Manor is no exception. In 2016, the boys from Blackpool, United Kingdom decided to draw their line in the sand with their debut LP Stop … Continue reading Boston Manor – Welcome to the Neighbourhood
Since the 1990s, the list of underground hip-hop stalwarts to gain cult-like followings runs deep and potent. Punchline specialists like Big L and slick spitters like Mos Def and Talib Kweli of Black Star emerged as prominent figures on the East Coast prior to the turn of the century. Come the early 2000s, Atmosphere and … Continue reading Earl Sweatshirt – Some Rap Songs
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Action Bronson, Mike WiLL Made-It, Rosalía and more. Action Bronson - White Bronco Amidst filming his ongoing television show (highly recommend for foodies and weed-heads) and other out-of-booth … Continue reading New Music Roundup: November
I remember the first time hearing singer, songwriter and producer Lido: I was 18 years old, watching a YouTube video of an “electronic artist” performing next to a professional orchestra. My curiosity was intrigued by the unimaginably paired vocoder complementing the viola string section; such oddly distant instruments had somehow found sweet spots in the … Continue reading Lido – IOU 1 / IOU 2
Every era has its group of entertainers that eventually achieve household name status. From Michael Jackson and Prince to Justin Timberlake and Beyonce, each generation of music is keen to producing a select number of individuals fit for center stage. Anderson .Paak is perhaps one of this decade's notable show stopping performers. A multifaceted talent … Continue reading Album Review: Anderson .Paak – Oxnard
Movies are narrative visuals that provide a message or story to not only entertain audiences but convey feelings that can’t just be word vomited. A biopic is a film that conveys this underlying message, but also gives the audience this full bodied figure in a moment of their life. On NØIR, Smino paints his self-portrait … Continue reading Smino – NØIR
Nearly two years in the making, the Curren$y and Freddie Gibbs collaborative album which fans have been waiting on could not have come at a better time. Curren$y, never one to slack on musical output - an ironic contrast to the stoner persona evoked in his music - has a discography now pushing well over … Continue reading Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist – Fetti
Colter Wall's music embodies the mythos of a travel-worn troubadour on a seemingly never-ending journey. His rich baritone voice cuts through the dry sound of his guitar fearlessly and forcefully, yet maintains the calmness of still water in the summertime. His sound is rooted in foundational elements of country and folk music: lonesome tales of … Continue reading Colter Wall – Songs of the Plains
Do you remember those nights? C’mon now….you know what I’m talking about, right? Those nights. Alright, let me get you right. You already pregamed with the homies and y’all riding round town, heading to the function. Everybody on one and once you get to the spot, the place already kinda crowded. You get your cup … Continue reading Vince Staples – FM!
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Adrianne Lenker, Kurt Vile, Twenty One Pilots and more. Adrianne Lenker - abysskiss Big Thief's Capacity was one of the most endearing records of 2017. That same intimatacy is … Continue reading New Music Roundup: October
In its most bare form, folk music is powerful enough to bring people together and shape culture through compelling storytelling and imagery. Even today, there is still a place and an audience for the singer-songwriter who leans on little more than their voice and guitar to craft their songs. Marissa Nadler finds herself in this … Continue reading Marissa Nadler – For My Crimes
Catharsis (noun): purification or purgation of the emotions, primarily through art. Amid releasing two records in the span of a year with psych rock outfit The Shorelines, Santa Barbara based singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Maxton Schulte found himself with an abundance of written material, much of which largely stemmed from significant personal experiences and feelings towards … Continue reading Maxton Schulte – Retrograde Emotion
“Let’s get back to this boom-bap shit.” One of the opening lines by frequent album narrator and voice actor, Steven Blum, gives us exactly what we're supposed to expect from Logic’s fourth studio album, YSIV. The Baltimore rapper takes a break from creating sci-fi story he’s been expanding the past few albums to get back to … Continue reading Logic – YSIV
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from BROCKHAMPTON, JMSN, Lupe Fiasco and more. Armand Hammer - Paraffin For operating within such a niche style of hip-hop, Billy Woods and Elucid (together Armand Hammer) each bring … Continue reading New Music Roundup: September
*Lighter flick* Welcome to Tha Carter V, ladies and gents. Lil Wayne was a pivotal figure in my childhood and that was without me even being his biggest fan. In 2008, Tha Carter III was released to critical acclaim and massive commercial success. At the time, I was 12 years old and just now really … Continue reading Lil Wayne – Tha Carter V
Smooth. That is the first word that comes to mind when I put on Masego’s debut album, Lady Lady. What else would you expect when the Virginia native describes his sound as “TrapHouseJazz”? It's equal parts relaxing, groovy, and catchy. A pairing that I’m surprised no one came up with sooner, because this project proves … Continue reading Masego – Lady Lady
Love letters have always been used to give their recipient a confirmation or affirmation of love after the sender has been absent or faraway. They are sometimes used to save fading relationships. Salvaging what they can through their words before it’s gone forever. Finding what they had lost. 6LACK (pronounced Black) is trying his best … Continue reading 6LACK – East Atlanta Love Letter
Kadhja Bonet's soul music is in a unique class. It's composed into dense layers of classical instrumentation and rich vocal arrangements, pulled together harmoniously to produce a spacious psychedelic sheen. Her latest album, Childqueen, employs these characteristics to depict a deeply personal journey in which she seeks to detach herself from the unavoidable influences of man's … Continue reading Kadhja Bonet – Childqueen
There’s a question of unwanted visibility and with said visibility, how you choose to use it for yourself and how others might use it against you. Dev Hynes, aka Blood Orange, explores these questions in relation to everything under the sun on his fourth studio album, Negro Swan. And I must say, he does so … Continue reading Blood Orange – Negro Swan
New music roundups are a monthly recap dedicated to covering the latest music in a series of short, descriptive reviews. This month’s edition includes new releases from Aminé, Tony Molina, YG and more. Aminé - ONEPOINTFIVE Talk about one of the more enjoyable surprises of the month. Amine delivers with his sophomore project, almost serving … Continue reading New Music Roundup: August
So Eminem is back...but what’s new? Seriously, what is new? Now before I get angry and go on a rant about this album, let me get this one thing out. This new record is better than Revival, but Em’s tenth studio album (if you count Infinite), Kamikaze, is the all the pent up rage and … Continue reading Eminem – Kamikaze
In a world of diminishing indie rock icons, Mitski is blossoming into one of the independent scene's most beloved singer-songwriters. The 27-year old Japanese-American musician, widely known for her nomadic lifestyle and endless touring, is much more than a measly indie rocker. She has a subtle knack for giving pop songs an artsy flair, frequently … Continue reading Mitski – Be the Cowboy
Riffs & Rhymes 