Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2020 The Microphones in 2020 The Microphones ★★★½ 79 Rock Singer-Songwriter Indie Folk I know that Phil Elverum has a following of die hard fans who feel connected to all of his projects, from The Microphones to Mount Eerie, but I’m not as in love with The Glow Pt.Continue reading “The Microphones in 2020 – The Microphones ★★★½”
Category Archives: Throwback Albums
thank u, next – Ariana Grande
Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2019 thank u, next Ariana Grande ★★★½ 74 Pop R&B After a five-year run with numerous Billboard Hot 100 hits and three solid albums, Ariana Grande’s 2019 record thank u, next is probably her best and easiest to listen through from start to finish. “imagine” and “needy” are goodContinue reading “thank u, next – Ariana Grande”
Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso
Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2014 Sylvan Esso Sylvan Esso ★★★★ 82 Pop Indie Pop Indietronica The self-titled debut record electronic indie duo Sylvan Esso is a cute, feel good indie pop album that’s a product of its time in the best way possible. There’s a cool, laid back, sophisticated aura about the recordContinue reading “Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso”
Room 25 – Noname ★★★★
Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2018 Room 25 Noname ★★★★ 80 Hip-Hop Alternative Hip-Hop Jazz Rap Noname has definitely developed her own sound and style; that much is clear after two records. 2018’s Room 25 hits a lot of the same vibes and notes as 2016’sTelefone. It’s jazzy, smooth, close, a bit dreamy andContinue reading “Room 25 – Noname ★★★★”
Telefone – Noname ★★★★
Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2016 Telefone Noname ★★★★ 80 Hip-Hop Alternative Hip-Hop Jazz Rap While people were out celebrating Chance the Rapper’s mixtape Coloring Book in the summer of 2016 because of his warm personality, laid back and authentic demeanor, and pleasant — sometimes grand — gospel-forward production, another Chicago rapper released herContinue reading “Telefone – Noname ★★★★”
GREY Area – Little Simz
Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2019 GREY Area Little Simz ★★★★ 82 Hip-Hop UK Hip-Hop Every track on Little Simz’ GREY Area shows how effortlessly talented the British rapper is. Her 2019 release is her third album overall, but was the first to really gain traction with U.S. hip-hop heads. She comes off asContinue reading “GREY Area – Little Simz”
Reflektor – Arcade Fire ★★★½
Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2013 Reflektor Arcade Fire ★★★½ 73 Rock Art Rock Alternative Dance Compared to the band’s first three records, Reflektor was the first time you could say Arcade Fire missed the mark. Reflektor was a clear shift in direction for the band. Produced by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, instead ofContinue reading “Reflektor – Arcade Fire ★★★½”
Dogrel – FONTAINES D.C. ★★★★
Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2019 Dogrel FONTAINES D.C. ★★★★ 80 Rock Alternative Rock Post Punk Dogrel is authentically punk, with driving drums and guitar, fun, ra-ra energy and post-punk monotone vocals that deliver smart lyrics with repetitive, singalong refrains. But for a punk album, it’s surprisingly even tempered. Compared to their Irish 2019Continue reading “Dogrel – FONTAINES D.C. ★★★★”
Slowdive – Slowdive ★★★★
Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2017 Slowdive Slowdive ★★★★ 88 Rock Shoegaze Dream Pop You’ve gotta love it when a band makes their first album in 22 years and it ends up being their best. Like any good shoegaze album, Slowdive creates dense walls of sound on their 2018 release, where the choruses towerContinue reading “Slowdive – Slowdive ★★★★”
Innerspeaker – Tame Impala ★★★½
Year Album Arist Stars Score Genre 2010 Innerspeaker Tame Impala ★★★½ 77 Rock Psychedelic Rock Indie Rock Tame Impala burst onto the scene as a rock band from a bygone era, and quickly became a go-to for music fans looking for a good trip. Calling back to the psychedelic ambience of the Beatles, early PinkContinue reading “Innerspeaker – Tame Impala ★★★½”
Fresh Out The Deli 