Coupled with the expansive vinyl reissue campaign Carey has recently embarked on with her back catalog, ‘The Rarities’ feels like an additional discographic treat.
Read moreBlack Thought Enthralls and Enlightens on Lyrical Masterclass ‘Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane and Able’ | Album Review
It’s no longer surprising how Black Thought continues to astound as an artist, but ‘Cane and Able’ is still an impressive next step in his progression.
Read moreKatie Melua Indulges Her Restless Creative Spirit on Intelligent, Imaginative ‘Album No. 8’ | Album Review & Interview
Melua’s eighth studio affair resumes the forward-thinking thrust that made both ‘The House’ (2010) and ‘In Winter’ (2016) so enthralling, but there is a newfound urgency and intention present.
Read moreNatalie Schlabs’ Divine ‘Don’t Look Too Close’ Offers Plenty of Reasons to Listen Closely | Album Review
Even the most cursory of listens to the inspired ‘Don’t Look Too Close’ validates that the Nashville based singer-songwriter deserves all of the plaudits sure to come her way.
Read moreGabriel Garzón-Montano Stretches His Sound on Genre-Blurring ‘Agüita’ | Album Review
Though the sequencing of ‘Agüita’ is aurally jarring, this sound expansion is a smart move so early in Garzón-Montano’s career.
Read moreTom Aspaul’s Debut Album ‘Black Country Disco’ Signifies the Arrival of a Vibrant New Voice in Modern Pop | Album Review
Tendered through his own indie-imprint 1609 Records, the album is a striking and fully realized recording unified across its tonal, sonic, and narrative quarters.
Read moreMelanie C Returns Invigorated and Liberated with Excellent, Eponymous Eighth Album 'Melanie C' | Review
In many respects, ‘Melanie C’ is an extension of the digital and pop-soul texturing emblematic of its precursor ‘Version of Me’ (2016), but with warmer aesthetics in place of the chillier ones.
Read morePrince’s ‘Sign O’ The Times’ (Super Deluxe Edition)—12 Highlights That Further Illuminate His Musical Genius | Review
Funk oozes throughout the vault tracks—nasty, grimy funk too but, Prince being Prince, there is also a smorgasbord of other delights across this expansive edition.
Read morePublic Enemy’s Words & Sounds Remain as Powerful as Ever on ‘What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?’ | Album Review
Bolstered by collaborations with an impressive crew of their hip-hop peers, PE’s new album proves that the messages in Chuck D, Flavor Flav and DJ Lord’s music still pack a potent punch.
Read moreRóisín Murphy’s Musical Magnetism Is Irrefutable on Career Watershed ‘Róisín Machine’ | Album Review
For all of the album’s affection for the past, collaborator Richard Barratt aids Murphy with his exacting production to ensure that the LP remains a modern-day affair.
Read moreBob Mould Rages Against the Faltering American Machine on ‘Blue Hearts’ | Album Review
Photo: Blake Little Photography
Mould’s fourteenth studio affair is deliberately lo-fi, with the drums, bass, and vocals mixed a bit behind his caustic guitar, which is what helps make the album sound like a live show caught on tape.
Read moreSAULT’s ‘Untitled (Rise)’ Is a Sublime, Soul-Affirming Masterpiece of Transcendent Musical Power | Album Review
From the first minute, it is clear that ‘Untitled (Rise)’ is further, unequivocal evidence of the collective’s brilliance.
Read moreDoves Explore the Fragility & Fortitude of the Human Spirit on Brilliant ‘The Universal Want’ | Album Review
The trio’s long awaited fifth studio affair finds the Brothers Williams (Andy and Jez) and frontman Jimi Goodwin in full, unfettered possession of their powers to inspire through song.
Read moreBright Light Bright Light Orchestrates a Radiant, Revelatory Ride Through ‘Fun City’ | Album Review & Interview
“I wanted ‘Fun City’ to reflect everything that I feel about the LGBTQ+ experience—which is celebration, heartache, tragedy, jovial (moments), whimsical, comedy,” Thomas explains.
Read moreNas Solidifies His Elite Status within the Realm of Hip-Hop Royalty on ‘King’s Disease’ | Album Review
For Nas’ longtime fans, his thirteenth studio affair further legitimizes the commonly espoused argument that he remains the greatest rapper of all time.
Read moreJacob Collier Embarks Upon His Most Ambitious & Arresting Adventure to Date with ‘Djesse Vol. 3’
Despite being ironically slumber-obsessed, Jacob Collier’s euphonic fever dream is energetic and wide awake.
Read moreGloria Estefan Reimagines Her Revered Repertoire with Kinetic ‘Brazil305’ | Album Review
The common thread that brings everything together on this outing is Estefan’s passion for Brazilian, Bahian and South American sonic styles.
Read moreArlo McKinley Strikes a Beautiful Balance on Dynamic Solo Debut ‘Die Midwestern’ | Album Review
McKinley understands that great songs land more easily when they're cushioned by musical accoutrements, which is what makes his solo debut album so enjoyable.
Read moreAlanis Morissette Traverses Life’s Vicissitudes with Candor and Compassion on ‘Such Pretty Forks In The Road’ | Album Review
A heady mixture of stories and sonics to tangle with, Morissette’s first album since 2012’s ‘Havoc And Bright Lights’ is her most inward-looking and outwardly forthright effort in years.
Read moreBrandy Embraces Substance Over Artifice, Delivers Watershed Moment with ‘B7’ | Album Review
With her seventh LP, Brandy proves that she has transcended the limitations of chart commerce to enter that rare breed of creatives that appeals to multiple generations of R&B devotees.
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