Shires’ seventh solo studio affair is a radiant revelation of an album that places a premium on art over artifice and substance over semblance.
Read moreBeyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Is a Resplendent, Reverential Experience for the Mind, Body and Soul | Album Review
Throughout the expanse of ‘Renaissance,’ Beyoncé’s artistic use of dance music as a medium investigates hidden corners of the genre with complex arrangements and atypical melodies.
Read moreMaggie Rogers Brushes Up Against Desire and the Divine on ‘Surrender’ | Album Review
Rogers’ roar matches every stomping beat, bold synth and fiery riff on ‘Surrender,’ which is much more rock ‘n’ roll than its precursor, 2019’s ‘Heard It In A Past Life.’
Read moreNerina Pallot Elevates Art Over Artifice to Stunning Effect on Inspired ‘I Don’t Know What I’m Doing’ | Album Review
The title of Pallot’s seventh studio album is a wry, humorous wink at artistic expectation and perception.
Read moreEthel Cain Raises Heaven and Hell on Sweeping, Southern Gothic Debut ‘Preacher’s Daughter’ | Album Review
Hayden Anhedönia’s wounds appear to be not only personal, but sociopolitical in the sense that her debut album addresses the long-festering intergenerational wound that is the American South.
Read moreSoccer Mommy’s ‘Sometimes, Forever’ is a Revelatory Journey in Sound | Album Review
Sophie Allison’s third full-length LP is an unapologetic rock record with massive hooks, dynamic instrumentation, spectacular mixing, and a definable arc.
Read morePete Yorn Examines the Circuitous Pursuit of Connection with Candor and Grace on ‘Hawaii’ | Album Review
With eloquence and empathy, Yorn’s tenth album explores the ways in which we seek to reconcile and carry on through the emotional and psychological vicissitudes of our lives.
Read more‘Prince and The Revolution: Live’ Testifies to the Band’s Power and Their Leader’s Stunning, Unrivaled Musicianship | Review
The March 30, 1985 concert in Syracuse, New York crystallized one of the most momentous nights for the band, a testament to their unmatched talent and impeccably exceptional craft.
Read moreYasiin Bey & Talib Kweli Reconnect Their Lyrical Powers as Black Star on ‘No Fear of Time’ | Album Review
Fortunately, Yasiin Bey & Talib Kweli do not try to “change the game” with ‘No Fear of Time.’ It’s a solid effort, but not particularly ambitious, and that’s fine.
Read moreTom Aspaul Flips His Script & Sound on ‘Life In Plastic’ | Album Review
For his second studio affair, Aspaul relinquishes the concept album approach of 2020’s ‘Black Country Disco’ and embraces more general themes of living and loving in our strange, modern age.
Read moreCraig Finn Crafts Vivid, Veracious Tales of Human Fragility on ‘A Legacy of Rentals’ | Album Review
The Hold Steady frontman’s fifth solo affair revels in contradictions and places the listener in more provocative situations, further solidifying his proven penchant for masterful storytelling.
Read moreObongjayar’s Vocal Versatility and Musical Adventurism Thrive Throughout ‘Some Nights I Dream Of Doors’ | Album Review
On his debut album, Obongjayar’s voice is a constantly shifting tool that he utilizes in different ways across and within songs.
Read moreKendrick Lamar Excavates the Contours and Complexities of His Psyche on Revelatory ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ | Review
An artist fairly unconcerned about temporally stepping steps into the fray to bless and curse us with a body of work that feels like his most time-sensitive yet.
Read moreFlorence + The Machine’s Dynamic ‘Dance Fever’ Revels and Radiates in Its Humanity | Album Review
Florence Welch and crew’s fifth studio affair hosts the band’s most instinctual pop-leanings in quite some time.
Read moreMiranda Lambert Orchestrates an Aural Road Trip of America on Less Personal Yet Acutely Palpable ‘Palomino’ | Album Review
In a genre frequently belied for being one-dimensional, Lambert’s characters appear in 3D, fully formed at even the simplest of couplets.
Read moreMandy Moore Crafts Her Most Thrilling Collection of Songs Yet with ‘In Real Life’ | Album Review
Across ‘In Real Life,’ Moore leans further into her own experiences now as a wife, mother and woman.
Read moreSharon Van Etten Captures the Pandemic’s Tumult of Emotions on ‘We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong’ | Album Review
“The ten tracks on the album are designed to be listened to in order, all at once, so that a much larger story of hope, loss, longing and resilience can be told,” Van Etten explains in an official statement.
Read moreDubstar Deliver a Masterful Stroke of Modern Pop with ‘Two’ | Album Review
While the soundscapes and scripts of ‘Two’ are dually impressive, it is Sarah Blackwood’s vocals that crystallize the brilliance of the duo’s fifth studio affair.
Read moreLydia Persaud Endears and Enchants on Mellifluous ‘Moody31’ | Album Review
‘Moody31’ brings Persaud’s talents sharply into view and makes her one to look and listen out for intently.
Read moreJewel Crafts Soul-Affirming Songs of Self-Realization on ‘Freewheelin’ Woman’ | Album Review
The versatility of Jewel’s voice is showcased throughout ‘Freewheelin’ Woman,’ spanning everything from raw sensuality to melodic polish.
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