The Brisbane up and comer shares on the making of her dazzling new project, sonic influences, taking a singles-focused approach to releasing music and more.
FELIVAND on Her Smooth, Immersive EP ‘Nerve’
Tag: R&B
Wyatt Waddell on Social Activism and His Summer Protest Anthem “FIGHT!”
The Chicago singer-songwriter talks about recording his fiery new track and the responsibility he feels to speak out and encourage others in the fight against injustice.
New Music Roundup: April
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 Lucinda Williams, Quelle Chris, Rina Sawayama and more.
Lyric of the Week: Post Malone – Candy Paint
A look back at one of the lead track's from Post Malone's blockbuster 2018 record "beerbongs & bentleys."
New Music Roundup: January
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 Bad Ambassadors, Gabrielle Aplin, Mick Jenkins and more.
Lyric of the Week: Frank Ocean – Wither
Frank Ocean's "Endless" was a moment fans dreaded might never happen.
Mac Miller – Circles
In honor of Mac Miller's new album, Circles, Riffs & Rhymes is hosting a special track-by-track review of the record, including words from various members of Album Book Club.
Lyric of the Week: Mac Miller – 2009
Mac Miller's music and personality impacted countless lives, and his absence still lingers in the hearts of many. "Circles," the posthumous companion project to 2018's "Swimming," was released last Friday.
New Music Roundup: November
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 Doja Cat, Gang Starr, Michael Kiwanuka and more.
FKA twigs – MAGDALENE
FKA twigs operates at a prodigious level of self-knowledge and artistic clarity. But even the most controlled artist can find herself in a mess of emotion. MAGDALENE reveals how the vulnerability of a decaying relationship can expose the hazy boundary between empowerment and helplessness.
Classic Artist of the Week: Al Green
Often touted as one of the last of the great soul singers, this week’s Riffs & Rhymes classic artist is “The Reverend,” Al Green. During his upbringing, Green set a new standard for an entire genre that went far beyond his ability to top charts. His incomparable voice could be described as the perfect mix … Continue reading Classic Artist of the Week: Al Green
New Music Roundup: July
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 Big K.R.I.T., Blood Orange, Thom Yorke and more. Ada Lea - what we say in private Are there really still naysayers out there who claim the creative state … Continue reading New Music Roundup: July
The Best Albums of 2019 (so far)
Every introduction to any "best of" type post must make some sort of attempt at quantifying the greatness (or lack thereof) of any given 12 months, but being that this particular year marks the end of the 2010s, it is understandable that these kind of write ups may carry a little more significance this time … Continue reading The Best Albums of 2019 (so far)
New Music Roundup: May
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 Carly Rae Jepsen, Mac DeMarco, Vampire Weekend and more. Carly Rae Jepsen - Dedicated What does a new Carly Rae Jepsen album mean? Lovesick synth-pop anthems by the … Continue reading New Music Roundup: May
Tyler, The Creator – IGOR
Few, if any, rappers this decade have endured as significant a personal and artistic evolution as Tyler, The Creator. His last record, 2017's Flower Boy, was a true coming-of-age album. After a half-decade of anti-establishment antics and abrasive hate-raps, Tyler's complicated persona unearthed a previously unknown side of vulnerability and openness that widely changed his public perception … Continue reading Tyler, The Creator – IGOR
Anderson .Paak – Ventura
Largely in thanks to his undeniable talent and increasingly likable persona, Anderson .Paak's Oxnard, the third studio album from the West Coast rapper-singer-producer extraordinaire, ranked among the most highly anticipated records of 2018. Less than half a year later, Paak has returned with yet another beach-titled LP, the soul-infused Ventura. After relinquishing creative control to Dr. Dre's … Continue reading Anderson .Paak – Ventura
New Music Roundup: March
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 Hand Habits, Kyle Dion, Stella Donnelly and more. Choosey & Exile - Black Beans LP The long awaited full length collaboration from the CA duo is as jazzy … Continue reading New Music Roundup: March
Ariana Grande – thank u, next
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
New Music Roundup: January
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
Best of 2018: Tyler’s Top 10 Albums
To put it plainly, 2018 was a lot. Parts of my self and sanity were tested because life came around so fast and I didn’t know how to cope in healthy ways. I finished my last semester of undergrad and graduated, got into the best relationship of my life, moved to a new city, and … Continue reading Best of 2018: Tyler’s Top 10 Albums
New Music Roundup: November
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
Lido – IOU 1 / IOU 2
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
Smino – NØIR
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
New Music Roundup: October
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
New Music Roundup: September
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
Masego – Lady Lady
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
6LACK – East Atlanta Love Letter
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
Blood Orange – Negro Swan
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
Ariana Grande – Sweetener
Everyone has their own pace in finding who they are. It’s especially true when someone is finding that out in their art. Some hit the ground running with how they want to sound and go with their art. Others require time to figure out who they want to sound like, while simultaneously sounding like themselves. … Continue reading Ariana Grande – Sweetener
Nicki Minaj – Queen
What happens when the crown is threatened? There are many options but Nicki Minaj took one of the worst possible approaches to the problem. She panicked. After putting out her best album, The Pinkprint, she has come back with her worst record thus far. Nicki has always been painted as this artist to be hated … Continue reading Nicki Minaj – Queen
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