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
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
D.C. rapper Billy Woods comes through with a Blockhead-produced project that might be more autobiographical than he lets on. WATCH THE REVIEW
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
Japanese singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu comes through with a second collection of tracks that are some of the most colorful and eccentric mainstream pop songs from her country. WATCH THE REVIEW
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
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
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,
UK-based electronic music producer Zomby drums up some really evocative, moody atmospheres on With Love, but the lack of variety in his production makes these thirty three tracks wear thin in a quick fashion. WATCH THE REVIEW
Melt Yourself Down’s self-titled debut is a high-energy mix of jazz, funk, and punk rock with some International spices. WATCH THE REVIEW
