As preached on the record’s introduction, “We don’t play music. We pray music.” If that doesn’t resonate immediately, just one listen will justify the hype.
Read moreLu Chin Chen Digs Deep Into the Many Dimensions of Addiction on ‘NA Meeting’ | Album Review
‘NA Meeting’ offers an unflinching look at addiction, with its creator showing arresting levels of depth as he plumbs the physical and psychological tolls associated with it.
Read moreMary J. Blige Traverses a Candid, Cathartic Path on Self-Assured ‘Good Morning Gorgeous’ | Album Review
With her fourteenth studio affair, Mary J. Blige has reemerged realer and stronger than ever, proving that she still holds the crown as the undisputed Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.
Read moreCate Le Bon Captures the Depths and Dualities of the Human Condition with Enthralling ‘Pompeii’ | Album Review
Across her sixth studio affair, Le Bon comes across as an old soul, not just by virtue of her ability to sit with opposing sentiments and urges, but sonically as well.
Read moreMinute Taker Advances His Cinematic Sound on Imaginative ‘Wolf Hours’ | Album Review
Everything found on ‘Wolf Hours’—written and produced by Minute Taker himself—comes from his own imagination, which he uses to carefully channel his influences through.
Read moreMitski Transforms Turmoil into Provocative Pop Confections on ‘Laurel Hell’ | Album Review
As Mitski’s sixth studio LP reinforces, you don’t just tune in for the lyrics, the indelible production, the quiet-loud emotional dynamics, or the music videos, but all of the above, and more.
Read moreAnaïs Mitchell’s Narrative Voice Inspires on Introspective, Evocative Self-Titled LP | Album Review
Relative to her previous fare, Mitchell’s new album unfolds as a humbler half-hour by a highly creative and blossomed mother who, more than anything, presents as worldly, gentle and wise.
Read moreAmber Mark Crystallizes Her Multi-Dimensional Artistry on Stunning Debut Album ‘Three Dimensions Deep’ | Album Review
As Prince once said, “Music is healing. It holds things together,” and Amber Mark, with her new album, has turned her deepest despair into healing art.
Read moreWith Songcraft & Star Power Firmly Intact, Olly Alexander Formally Flies Solo on Years & Years’ ‘Night Call’ | Album Review
While 2018’s ‘Palo Santo’ was a dance album for the headphones, ‘Night Call’ is a hi-fi album primed for neon flooring, and perhaps that’s where Olly Alexander was always meant to be.
Read moreEarl Sweatshirt Melds Intricate Lyricism with Intimate Narrative on Soul-Searching ‘SICK!’ | Album Review
On his fourth studio affair, the Odd Future alum applies the lessons he learned from his past troubles to create a road map for making it through the current hellscape.
Read moreThe Weeknd Digs Deeper into the Darker Corners of the Heart on Dynamic ‘Dawn FM’ | Album Review
The cover artwork that presents a noticeably aged Weeknd makes total sense and perfectly captures the emotional essence of his brilliant fifth studio affair.
Read moreNas & Hit-Boy’s Collaborative, Creative Symbiosis Casts a Stirring Spell on ‘Magic’ | Album Review
On his latest long player, the legendary emcee plays to his strengths as an artist, sounding as confident and self-assured as he’s ever been and every bit of the verbal assassin he was in the mid-1990s.
Read moreAlicia Keys’ Artistic Dynamism Permeates Throughout Brilliantly Constructed ‘KEYS’ | Album Review
Keys’ excellent eighth studio affair reminds us that it is, indeed, only by facing challenging truths, unresolved emotions and struggles that we can liberate our inner determination and resilience.
Read moreKenny Lattimore’s ‘Here To Stay’ Advances His Artistry While Preserving His Proven Creative Pedigree | Album Review
Though contemporary R&B can split fans into factions of old school vs. the new, Lattimore’s embrace of evolution in the genre makes for a thrilling symbiosis in the studio.
Read moreDamon Albarn Expands His Musical Imagination with ‘The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows’ | Album Review
With the follow-up to 2014’s ‘Everyday Robots,’ Albarn looks to have finally captured the desired elemental muse.
Read moreElbow Soar to Stirring, Sanguine Heights on Exultant ‘Flying Dream 1’ | Album Review
Elbow’s ninth studio album captures the quartet arguably in a less troubled, more grateful state of mind, taking stock of the brighter sides of life in 2021.
Read moreAdele Couples Her Signature Sound with Signs of Nuanced Creative Directions to Come on ‘30’ | Album Review
There’s no doubt you won’t be able to escape Adele’s fourth studio affair over the next year as it’s played, well, everywhere. But the truth is, you won’t mind it.
Read moreRosie Lowe & Duval Timothy’s Passion for Musical Adventurism Is Beautiful to Behold on Stunning ‘Son’ | Album Review
Lowe & Timothy’s highly recommended collaborative project ‘Son’ is in stores now courtesy of Carrying Colour.
Read moreDiana Ross’ ‘Thank You’ Is a Solid Yet Stunted Affair That Only Hints at What Could (and Should) Have Been | Album Review
Whilst diehard fans will appreciate her overly purposeful messages throughout the album, intended or not, it’s hard to ignore the very familiar sound of a bygone era on a number of the tracks.
Read moreWith Clarity and Compassion, Aimee Mann Explores the Multiple Dimensions of Trauma on ‘Queens of the Summer Hotel’ | Review
On her tenth LP, Mann’s explores not just the reality of human fragility, but also, and importantly, how we can summon the courage to carry on through our darkest times.
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