album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
An Honest Dance in the Mirror
Donyae Asante’s new album Flaws and All is a deeply creative, thoughtful Millennial anthem. While I’m hesitant to characterize the specificity of his work of an entire generation, it moves from wistful clips of winning a speech tournament in high school only to have to delve deep into social media influenced trauma to adapting to the highs and lows of love, sex and everything in between. Asante shows that he’s ready to bare it all without polish or filter.
By Destiny Strothers7 years ago in Beat
In The (Former) Present: 'Live from Lyon' Reviewed
On October 25, Yes announced and released a box set containing previously unreleased studio material under the title From a Page, along with a re-release of In the Present - Live from Lyon. This has brought the attention of Yes fans back to the days of the following lineup: Benoît David (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), Oliver Wakeman (keys), and Alan White (drums).
By Steven Shinder7 years ago in Beat
Eurythmics: '1984 (For the Love of Big Brother)'
In the summer of 1984, Eurythmics’ David Stewart and Annie Lennox were commissioned by Richard Branson and Virgin Records to compose a musical soundtrack for Michael Radford’s film version of George Orwell’s dystopian novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four. Eurythmics’ songtrack album was subsequently released one month following the film’s premiere and contained nine songs derived from the instrumental interludes Stewart and Lennox composed for the movie.
By Eric Allen7 years ago in Beat
New Spotify Albums Out!
Hey everyone! So as you know my hobby is music making—and I have been trying to strike out in a more professional direction in that avenue so I have been uploading a lot of my music to Spotify—I have made hundreds over the years so I am slowly remastering them and uploading them!
By Shawn Dall7 years ago in Beat
Releasing Music Is Fun?!
I just finished a seven song project called Network. The genre for this project is not singular. It encompasses a broad range of hip-hop, soul, and trap. I meant for these to be truly expressive soundtracks of different times in my life. Honesty was a big part of achieving that. I had to say things I hear no one else saying. This is something was very difficult and strenuous as you can imagine. The mission was to give similar messages in a completely unique way. At the same time, it had to remain relatable. I believe people listen to more relatable tracks. It’s feels nice to hear a song that describes something you have gone or are going through.
By Kasper Park7 years ago in Beat
'Leather Jackets'
Released in 1986, Leather Jackets is considered by Elton John himself to be his worst album — "about as close to an unmitigated disaster as anything I've ever released" according to his autobiography . Producer Gus Dudgeon said it was a mad hassle to produce, Elton was in the thick of his cocaine addiction at the time and it was the first Elton John album since Tumbleweed Connection not to yield a top 40 hit, charted the worst and is probably an album everyone involved in making it would rather forget.
By Sean Callaghan7 years ago in Beat
Michael Kiwanuka - 'Kiwanuka'
Michael Kiwanuka started his career as a session musician providing the rhythm for acts such as; Chipmunk and Bashy. After this he pursued a solo career spawning four EPs: Tell Me A Tale EP (2011), iTunes Festival: London 2011 (2011), I'm Getting Ready EP (2011) and You've Got Nothing To Lose (2014) as well as three studio albums: Home Again (2012), Love & Hate (2016) and Kiwanuka (2019).
By Tom Sturtridge7 years ago in Beat
'Oneiric'
Oneiric. One word, a word that I don't know how to pronounce, yet am still intrigued by. The story, transition and the way it grabs you, like a hand that latches on your shirt, grabbing you under the bedsheets, plunging you into cold water. It's as if the bed was never set in a solid room but on the water, so it stays afloat.
By Miranieva Buen7 years ago in Beat
WayV—‘Take Over The Moon’ Review
Of all the artists that seem to ooze quality nowadays, few feel quite as polished as WayV. The septet—part of the wider NCT project—burst onto the scene in January with The Vision, before following it up nearly four months later with Take Off, an EP that helped establish the group as stars. Its lead-single, the titular “Take Off,” was a high-intensity blend of trendy trap sounds and distortion (most notably the gritty-sounding guitar), and is one of the year’s best; providing a welcome reminder of the talents these seven possess.
By Nathan Sartain7 years ago in Beat
'Rhythm + Flow' Winner D Smoke
T.I, Cardi B, and Chance The Rapper have finally chosen a winner on Netflix's Rhythm + Flow. D Smoke from Inglewood, CA, displayed his artistry and experience on the line to ultimately create a lane of his own. This 10-part series pushes these artists to the test. From rap battles, collaborating with other artists, sampling another artist's music, creating a music video, and becoming a creative directive of your own award performance challenges a rapper's range and ability to adjust to different challenges. Being a Californian, I knew from D Smoke's first performance that he would be an artist to watch. My first reaction is that he would be the next Kendrick Lamar. The way he speaks, the messages in his music, and the visuals of his videos all reflect the Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar. I fell into the crowd of wanting to compare D Smoke to another rapper. But what sets D Smoke apart from Kendrick Lamar is by playing the piano, guitar, and speaking fluently in Spanish.
By teisha leshea7 years ago in Beat
