album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
Album Review: Ari Lennox, 'Shea Butter Baby'
Let’s get one thing straight, Tinder has messed up what we see as dating. We have grown to be a generation of people who would do absolutely anything to seek out attention, for that dating has no compromise. Everything that involves our intimate feelings has to be done on our terms. While the whole dating scene is now twisted, and love seems like nothing more than false hope, R&B/Soul music thrives under those of wounded hearts.
By Mikyah Henderson5 years ago in Beat
May 27, 1963: 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan' Was Released
One of the most important albums ever recorded, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan was released on May 27, 1963—only three days after the bard's 22nd birthday. It is an important album, because of its amazing songwriting, and its incredible composition—oh, yes, and it is the album that made Bob Dylan famous.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Beat
Igor Album Review (Part 1)
Opening Remarks When I initially read the preface of the album, Tyler the Creator stated that he didn’t want any of the listeners coming in with preconceived notions before the album's release. But before I even pressed play, I had some thoughts coming in. With the name Igor, I came in thinking that the album would have a sort of old, haunted Transylvania or Notre Dame feeling. Something that wasn’t completely ode to the time period, but allowed you to see connections between the overall aesthetic of the two. I also came in perceiving the choice of beats to be grungier and more raw than that of Flower Boy. Seeing that the character Igor is quote, unquote ugly on surface level. But I also was expecting the lyrics and chorus to be comparatively lighter, seeing that Igor has an ugly exterior, but a heart of gold. As beats are generally the aspect of music, that is perceived as the surface, and choruses or lyrics are the deeper and more cognitive elements of all songs.
By Release Rewind5 years ago in Beat
NCT 127 - ‘We Are Superhuman’ EP Review
In case you’ve been living under a rock, NCT 127 are quietly taking over the world. Through futuristic soundscapes and a refreshing idiosyncrasy that is rare in today’s music, the ten member group—Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, Jungwoo, Mark, Haechan—are starting to break through into the mainstream of all corners of the world, with no signs to suggest any slowing down.
By Nathan Sartain5 years ago in Beat
'Igor' - The Greatest Creation Tyler Has Ever Made
Disclaimer; I am not a critic. I am just a guy who loves music and wants to talk about it. My opinions are my own. I don't normally believe in quantifying art, but I want to open a discussion and it makes it easier to do so if I put a couple numbers in this. If you disagree with me, please pull up. I want the smoke.
By An Awkward Transit.5 years ago in Beat
The 004 - 'Personal' EP
Thank you, Mike, for asking me to review one of your EPs again, especially for your lovely comments about my writing. It was an honour to listen to your music again. The 004 has been a band that I covered before with their first EP, the result of what happens when fans are left waiting too long for their favourite band to release a record. In this case, it’s the original Sugababes aka MKS, but still Sugababes in our hearts. Fun fact: I was almost banned from the MKS group for making fun of the leak requests. It’s through MKS that I found out about 004.
By Chloe Gilholy5 years ago in Beat
'The Fox'
Elton John's The Fox was released on May 20, 1981. It was produced by Elton John and Clive Franks, as well as Chris Thomas who had previously supervised the mixing of Pink Floyd's Legendary The Dark Side of the Moon and would produce much of Elton's recorded work through the 1980s and 1990s.
By Sean Callaghan5 years ago in Beat
WINNER - ‘WE’ - EP Review
From time to time, an artist can become a force to be reckoned with, yet still remain under-appreciated. These artists, although immensely talented, seemingly never get the recognition or acclaim they deserve from widespread, global audiences, but have with them an impressively loyal and passionate fanbase that still allows for them to achieve high chart positions, and expand into new markets without difficulty.
By Nathan Sartain5 years ago in Beat