album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
Dave East - 'Karma 2' Review
Dave East is showing no signs of slowing down. His discography now spans 13 mixtapes with a debut album still in the works. In 2017, he dropped Paranoia: A True Story, and Karma—the latter being a project with DJ Holiday. Still hungry as ever, he’s back with more.
By Rap Disciple7 years ago in Beat
G Herbo - 'Swervo' Review
From Lil Herb to G Herbo—16 year old rapper to Chi-raq phenom—G Herbo’s music is standing the test of time as his art evolves. With every new chapter in his career, he’s given fans a new alias to call him by. G Herbo was merely a nickname back when he was Lil Herb; but his adoption of it symbolizes his ascension into adulthood.
By Rap Disciple7 years ago in Beat
Review of The Blue Dahlia's 'La Tradition Américaine'
I had lunch a few days ago with my niece Dahlia—better known to you, the world, as The Blue Dahlia. In addition to her smiles, her laughter like summer rain, and her sparkle, she left me with a copy of her new album, La Tradition Américaine. I'm going to review it here. (Right, she's my niece. If you think that might bias my review, c'est dommage.)
By Paul Levinson7 years ago in Beat
The Internet - 'Hive Mind' (2018) Review
Los Angeles based psychedelic R&B/soul band The Internetis back with another full-length release. The Internet consists of Syd on lead vocals, Matt Martians on keyboards and vocals, Steve Lacey on guitar and vocals, Patrick Paige II on bass, and Christopher Smith on drums. Hive Mind is their fourth studio album release, following their 2015 record Ego Death, which is their most critically acclaimed album yet, even winning them a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album in 2016. With Ego Death, they cemented their spot in the R&B and psychedelic music scene, letting open ears know that they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. And they’ve definitely kept that promise with this album. Hive Mind is full of chill vibes that fulfill performances from the active but “cool cat” style drumming to the beautiful vocal harmonies Syd delivers, from the trippy but sweet guitar chords to the groovy, funky bass lines. On first play, the listener might experience colors swirling around them with this feeling of warmth inside their body. Not literally though. This album is a throwback to the 60s feels of grooviness, colors, and peace. You might get the feeling to walk outside, pluck a nice flower from your garden, inhaling its lovely scent, and appreciating its beauty.
By Luke Lange7 years ago in Beat
The Internet - 'Hive Mind' Review
Neo-soul sensations, The Internet, have been on hiatus since 2015’s Ego Death—an album that took the band’s sound to new heights. Sure, each member embarked on solo ventures afterwards, but you’d be a fool to think that they wouldn’t recoup.
By Rap Disciple7 years ago in Beat
Stoner Rock Reviews Presents: Fuzz Heady - The Birth of the Electronic Stoner Rock Genre
A blinding blur of colors in a field of aquamarine; there’s a flash, was that sound that you tasted? Straight down into the astral basement, you feel a voice ring out. "Technicolor Roses," it echoes. A genuine acid trip for your ears, Fuzz Heady takes you on a journey of mind, body, and soul through his captivating music project. Warm modern synths, deep 808s, live drums, and fuzzy guitars, Fuzz Heady seamlessly blends the top genres in 2018, keeping his music as interesting as possible, while still staying true to classic rock, stoner rock, and the festival vibes.
By Aaceeo Picosoneo7 years ago in Beat
Our Empty Sky Was Filled With Laughter
In December 1968, Elton John and Producer Steve Brown went to Dick James Studios in London to record Elton’s first album Empty Sky. Sessions for the album lasted until April of 1969. The album was released in the United Kingdom in June 1969 where it performed modestly but was not a huge success. It was not released in the United States until 1975, thus explaining why many American record-buyers have no memory of it.
By Sean Callaghan8 years ago in Beat
Asians in the Western Music World, and No, Not K-Pop
With the success of K-pop boyband BTS at the Billboard Music Awards, winning Top Social Artist two-years in a row in 2017 and 2018, it is undeniable that Asian music and culture is finally starting to enter the Western hemisphere. Progress like this is a welcome sight but is still a small step to getting more Asian representation in the entertainment world.
By Markus McWinston8 years ago in Beat
Gorillaz - 'The Now Now' Review
The Now Now is the sixth studio album from English alt-rock group Gorillaz. Coming off the less than stellar reception for their previous album, Humanz, The Now Now has a very uplifting, light feeling throughout, even as some of the lyrics turn darker, the mood makes one feel as if there is something better on the horizon.
By Spencer Barrett8 years ago in Beat
Why is the World Sleeping on Goody Grace?
The young Canadian Crooner out of Selkirk, Manitoba, Goody Grace, released his first EP entitledInfinite (Atlantic/ Bananabeat) this Spring. His career began on Soundcloud with self-release of covers from The Weeknd to Elvis Presley, and working with Gnash. His career officially began with the release of Memories, which he remade with The Neighbourhood's Jesse Rutherford and A$AP Ant.
By Virtuosity's NewVMusic 8 years ago in Beat
Florence Takes Flight: 'High As Hope' Review
Lungs. Ceremonials. How Big How Blue How Beautiful. After releasing three intensely dramatic and cathartic records, it is no surprise that Florence Welch "thought [she] ran on a chaos engine." However, the delicate High As Hope is altogether a different beast. Soulful, surprising, and serene, Florence + The Machine's fourth offering sees lead singer Welch renounce alcohol and reflect, becoming more angelic than ever.
By James Williams8 years ago in Beat
