5/10
-
Slime Language is an unadventurous outing for Thugger and an unimpressive showcase of YSL’s roster.
-
Life’s a Trip has some surprisingly beautiful highlights, but Trippie Redd’s lyrics, song structures, and vocal consistency are still lacking overall.
-
Nicki Minaj still has her energy, technical ability, and sharp lyricism going for her, but too often on Queen these are drowned out by generic production and horrid features.
-
YG tries to Stay Dangerous by going the generic trap route.
-
Head in the Clouds blends into the current wave of trap-flavored pop rap a little too well.
-
Busdriver’s latest may appear ambitious in scope, but Electricity is on our Side only offers a less prepared version of the enigmatic rapper.
-
Rife with post-rock cliches, Deafheaven’s fourth album contains the band’s least inspired genre-blending to date.
-
Everything Is Love relies too heavily on its star power to feel anywhere near as consequential as Lemonade or 4:44.
-
Juice WRLD’s brand of emo-infused trap can be great in small doses, but has amounted to a spotty full-length debut.
-
With Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino, Arctic Monkeys aim for an admirably weird space-age lounge sound, but often the execution leaves something to be desired.
