vlog
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Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes third full-length album feels even rougher than last year’s Here. However, the band is going in a slightly more retro direction, embracing the sonic palate of 60s psychedelic pop. WATCH THE REVIEW
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While Autopsy is sounding much heavier on The Headless Ritual, these death metal veterans just didn’t seem to put in the songwriting effort that they did on their last full-length, Macabre Eternal. WATCH THE REVIEW
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Even though I’m not completely in love with the new James Holden album, I am impressed by the simultaneously primeval and futuristic vibe he’s been able to evoke on most of the tracks here. WATCH THE REVIEW
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Jay-Z returns to putting out rap albums with Maga Carta… Holy Grail, and raps about as well as you’d expect at this point in his career over some pretty fresh production. WATCH THE REVIEW
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D.C. rapper Billy Woods comes through with a Blockhead-produced project that might be more autobiographical than he lets on. WATCH THE REVIEW
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New York rapper Joey Bada$$ follows up his infamous 1999 mixtape with a collection of tracks that feel more like a sequel from Pro Era’s recently released PEEP: The aPROcalypse mixtape. Still a solid effort, though. WATCH THE REVIEW
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Chicago experimental rock group Locrian creates some evocative sounds on a rough recording. I just wish their melodies and songwriting were as gripping as their moody, apocalyptic aesthetic. WATCH THE REVIEW
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Smith Westerns’ Soft Will shows the Chicago band upping their recording quality, and really showcasing the big melodies and choruses that were hidden under some of the muck on their last record, Dye It Blonde. WATCH THE REVIEW
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Despite the dramatic cover art and album title, J. Cole’s sophomore effort doesn’t seem any more emotional or focused than his debut. WATCH THE REVIEW
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Mac Miller’s followup to Blue Slide Park is an improvement on all fronts. While it’s not gonna be one of my favs for the year, Mac is seriously reaching for the potential that I’ve felt he’s had for a while with creative production choices, better flows,
