Haraway’s debut LP reinforces that there’s something refreshing about an album that challenges the listener, without bumming them out.
Read moreNas’ ‘The Lost Tapes II’ Proves That Even His Middle-Tier Material Eclipses the Competition | Album Review
Originally intended for a 2010 release, ‘The Lost Tapes II’ contains a wide swath of cutting-room-floor material recorded between 2006 and 2018.
Read moreBig K.R.I.T. Embraces His Comfort Zone with Solid ‘K.R.I.T. Iz Here’ | Album Review
K.R.I.T. is definitely here, but hopefully, his next project will feature more of his musical presence, not just his lyrical prowess.
Read moreBANKS Examines the Complexities of Love in Captivating Fashion with Stunning ‘III’ | Album Review
BANKS’ musical and lyrical evolution is clearly visible throughout her third album, which finds the singer-songwriter further embracing her vulnerabilities to devastating effect.
Read moreThe National Tackle Life’s Biggest Questions with Colossally Beautiful ‘I Am Easy To Find’ | Album Review
The band’s eighth studio LP and accompanying film flow from a similarly heaping bank of emotion, both continuously informed by the relationships in our lives that shape our identities.
Read moreRyan Porter Sketches the Shape of Modern Jazz to Come with Inventive, Progressive ‘Force For Good’ | Album Review
Teetering on the verge of unbreakable, we hear Porter, cooking up-to-date compositions, employing different methods, and creating space for others to sit at the Jazz table.
Read moreFreddie Gibbs & Madlib Elevate Their Synergistic Game with ‘Bandana’ | Album Review
Gibbs and Madlib migrate from the honeymoon to the stability phase of their musical relationship with ‘Bandana,’ naturally bringing out the best in each other.
Read moreThe Raconteurs Fail to Recapture Their Magic with Listless, Uneven ‘Help Us Stranger’ | Album Review
The album’s singles are great, but the remaining tracks sound a lot like afterthoughts thrown together, making for an ultimately disappointing listen overall.
Read moreWill Young Seizes Upon His Strengths for Expertly Executed ‘Lexicon’ | Album Review
As it pertains to Young as an unconsciously soulful presence as a singer, he pairs his vocal instrument to these song scripts flawlessly.
Read morePrince’s ‘Originals’ Encapsulates the Expanse of His Musical Genius | Album Review
‘Originals’ reinforces the Purple One’s reputation as not just the most prolific, but also as the greatest all-around artist of his generation, hands down. Not that we needed to be reminded.
Read moreJordan Rakei Stretches His Sound to Thrilling Heights on Immersive, Inspired ‘Origin’ | Album Review
Rakei’s third long player is a record that deserves your time and space to flourish on the best sounding system and format you have.
Read moreMadonna’s Battle for Her Musical Identity Pervades ‘Madame X’ | Album Review
For Madonna in 2019, ‘Madame X’ is an intimidation tactic for the detractors and new kids on the block, a boastful display of modern pop might at the expense of anything else.
Read more‘Western Stars’ Is Bruce Springsteen’s Eloquent, Empathetic Elegy For An Alienated America | Album Review
When Springsteen’s nineteenth studio album succeeds, it uses themes of cowboys and the West to come to an understanding of humanity, rather than simply replicating its tropes.
Read moreSteve Lacy Stretches, Soars & Slays on Dynamic, DIY Debut Album ‘Apollo XXI’ | Album Review
A resolute do-it-yourself atmosphere permeates throughout Lacy’s debut long player and there is a refreshing lack of star-studded buddies crowding the track list.
Read moreAdrian Marcel Captures the Sound & Spirit of Modern Soul on Stellar ‘98TH’ | Album Review
On his latest album, the Oakland-bred Marcel fully embraces the moody, nocturnal sound of today’s R&B.
Read moreMavis Staples Gets By With A Little Help From Her Friend Ben Harper on Wondrous 'We Get By' | Album Review
The eleven tracks assembled here have the feel of a live show, not in terms of rawness, because Staples is always fully cooked, but more in the presentation of the songs.
Read moreLeven Kali Delivers Dynamite Soul in Droves on His Debut Album ‘Low Tide’ | Album Review
Like his contemporary peers, Kali pulls from multiple genres. But soulfulness is the common thread that pulls together the different sounds on his debut project.
Read moreFlying Lotus Embraces the Esoteric & Ephemeral on “Flamagra” | Album Review
When the songs are given space to breathe and grow though, there is great beauty to be found on Flying Lotus’ sixth studio album.
Read moreMorrissey’s ‘California Son’ Is the Confounding Yet Captivating Work of a Charmless Man | Album Review
The Morrissey we loved is gone, and this album, perhaps, is our last token of what once was, a reminder of what we have lost as fans.
Read moreWith Inspired ‘In Plain Sight,’ Honeyblood’s Renewed Sense of Purpose Is Crystal Clear | Album Review
Thanks to her sensibility and ambition, and with an even more cohesive LP destined for her future, Stina Tweeddale has the potential to influence new-coming musicians and fill arenas on her own.
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