Stars
With their latest compilation, Habibi Funk deliver an impeccable collection of modern sounds from the Arab world, full of hidden gems not to be missed.
Stars
1st Base Runner delivers some really good brooding electronica on his latest two singles, as precursors to much more to come.
Stars
Pretty Girls Like Trap Music was a welcome return to that hard trap music that made me a fan of 2 Chainz in the first place. There's some real heat on this one and his sharp wit and clever wordplay were on full display. There were some dope nods to the early 2000's trap classics and while this album doesn't quite reach that mark, it is really high quality.
Stars
In their attempt to corner the wellness music scene 3D The Boss deliver yet another slice of sleek and fun soul/R&B pop with "Heaven and Paradise."
'DUMMY BOY' is a convoluted collection of singles solely aimed for the charts, and while there are few moments that may stick with you, they're about as shallow as the caricature of 6IX9INE himself.
Stars
9m88 ("Jom-Baba") delivers a quality take on modern R&B that blends her Eastern and Western sensibilities.
Stars
A Perfect Circle's "Get the Lead Out" is unique experimentation done right by a band no one's heard from in over a decade. Loved it.
Stars
Still Striving is a mindless, hard-hitting, turn-up mixtape that doesn't do anything to elevate A$AP Ferg's career but it will wash out the bad taste of his last album for a lot of his fans. The production is the real MVP here.
Stars
This time around on Cozy Tapes the 'friends' really take away from what could've been some interesting songs. They should've let Rocky carry the tape like the first time, instead we ended up with a couple throwaway hype tracks and not a whole lot more.
Stars
A$AP Twelvyy's debut won't make him a household name or the Mob's next breakout artist but it's a very solid project that really captures that NY feel and at the least make him a respected act in the industry. A solid start to a long delayed career.
Stars
Maine composer Aaron Wyanski, takes an imaginative, challenging look at Schöenberg's concept of atonality, with 'SCHOENBERG: Drei Klavierstücke, Op. 11.'
Stars
With 'Hauntology,' Abiura delivers a true Halloween soundtrack that invokes some true ghosts of Modernity in the 21st Century.
Stars
'The Music Sounds Better With Whom?' dives into the intersection of music and AI, exploring technology's impact on music makers, listeners, and society.
7.3
out of 10
Daniel Son; Necklace Don is the best 2 Chainz project in years. This is him at his best, with some hard hitting production and slick, witty lyrics that he's become known for. Don't write off 2 Chainz just yet.
2 Chainz has been on a roll and that continues with 'Rap Or Go To The League' which is easily his most content heavy and impactful project yet. He shows once again why he is arguably hip-hop's most versatile and underrated artists out there.
Stars
On 'Push It,' 3D The Boss brings that '70s/'80s funk/R&B sound to modern times, and vice versa.
Despite some cliche and well worn elements, 6LACK still delivers an enjoyable listen that shows he's capable of carving out his own lane in the crowded space of alternative R&B.
Stars
A Boogie wit da Hoodie has created quite the buzz and many have crowned him the future of NY hip-hop. But if this generic mess of a debut is the best he has to offer then that future isn't looking so bright.
We Got It From Here is about as close to musical perfection that you can get. Tribe manages to do the nearly impossible of being both nostalgic and modern at the same time. It's an absolute tour de force in all areas: production, lyrics, and guest features. Just wow!
Cozy Tapes is everything that's made A$AP so popular in the first place. As a whole, it's their best sounding tape to date as they seem more confident and comfortable than ever. It's really Rocky and friends, with Ferg, Ant, and Nast only getting spots here and there, but it makes for a better flowing album.
Stars
"Testing" is probably A$AP Rocky's most experimental album yet (also his first without direction from Yams), with it's sprawling soundscape that undulates from concept to another, all while not losing his signature charisma and style. However, it doesn't do much to change many people's image of him, as style over substance.
A.CHAL showed great growth on this project as he expanded his musical reach and really tapped into the latin aspect of his music - leading to some legit dance hits. He's poised to be next up.
Do What Thou Wilt. is a step in the right direction for Ab-Soul. It features some of his best production and sharpest lyrics in some time. Even though there are still some baffling contradictions that I guess I'm just not "woke" enough to get.
Stars
On 'Aftertouch,' Absolutely Free successfully combine experimentation with straightforward melody.
