Magdalena Bay "Killing Time" (2024)

Imaginal Disk serves as my introduction to this talented multi-instrumentalist duo Magdalena Bay. Clocking in with a mightily entertaining fifty-three minutes, this album plays like a dreamy journey through the soothing serine, as conceptual narratives punctuate its seamless flow. Pronounced by gorgeous instrumentation, layered yet consistently apt, warmth emanates throughout as the pair explore upbeat vibes, meaningful and dialed in, compared to traditional popular "happy music". Moments of soft tuneful melancholy do arise, finding resolution as breezy winds whist any sorrowful introspective reflection back to the arms of this curious serenity.

 

Housed by the expansive nature of Progressive music, they aesthetically sit at the crossroads of Synthpop and Rock, with a Shoe-gaze Dream Pop nature, often leaning into melodic influences from Dance, Disco and Funk. Songwriting is king as these identities yield to the dreamy directions their music meanders in. Many aesthetic tangents arise as regular structures give way to swells and subtle crescendos. This ebb and flow keeps the record interesting, swinging through creative strides, offering a playful exploration of expressive ideas packaged in vibrant instrumentation.

 

My initial hurdle with Killing Time was Mica Tenenbaum's singing! Lacking oomph and power, her breathy, shy voice felt tame, limping by on subdued expressions. This impression was emphasized by her wordy interludes, the spoken temperament highlighting a narrow range. With the music calling for grandiosity, I anticipated a powerful, soaring voice that never came. Despite that, repetition has grown on me. She may not have big and bold presence but actually leans into her casual range, finding a soft charming chemistry with lively music which could easily overpower. Her grace and softness becomes a strength playing into the dreamy mood.

 

Stacked with its bangers early on, the record does mellow out as the initial Dance and 90s Alternative Pop energies subside, allowing songs to ruminate on ideas not quite as flashy but equally gratifying. Its an exciting, lively record, rich in musicality neatly packaged, making a bold impression on this listener who will have to dive deeper!

 

Rating: 8/10

Paths Of The Eternal "Esoteric Rites" (2024)

 

Esoteric Rites caught my ear with its fragrant attempt to establish fresh fantastical territory within a tired genre. For that, I commend the effort, however it falls short of clicking into place. Seeking out unusual aesthetics, estranged synth tones clash through both melody and tone. These wild compositions rest upon musical theory, as instruments dance is a peculiar limbo, absent of chemistry. Drums bang away, stiff and jolted. A sense of tribal influence permeates some of its percussive lines. The basic samples and swift attack delivery lacks a nuance to sell us on its purpose beyond keeping pace. Around them, a cast of lead melodies from fantasy, to eerie, esoteric and mysterious, plunder away through its curious make up.

Across its twelve track a few bright sparks bluster but its mostly blunder as atmosphere rarely settles into distinction. One can hear the allure of certain visions accustom to Dungeon Synth and Fantasy music but core themes are dragged through a dimensional paradox of crossed wires and inverted tensions. I'm most fond of the opening title track, a fever dream collapsing into itself. Here the unusual temperament yields a riveting peculiarity but beyond this first impression, the music is lacking a deeper substance. It entertains, a handful of melodies charm but as a whole Esoteric Rites fails to land its flight with gratification.

Rating: 4/10

My Top 10 Music Discoverys In 2024

 
This years picks were no struggle. I've pivoted away from picking up every record a band I follow releases. You accumulate a lot over the years and being fussy means avoiding acts that are spinning their wheels. This attitude freed up my time for more discovery and thanks to spotify shuffle its easier than ever to unearth new names and projects that peak your interest.

(10) Clown Core

A perfect example of bizarre internet age musicianship reveling in the obscure, toying with the deranged and masking rhythmic appeal with confronting aesthetics. Moments of magic arise from the memish presentation that often feels like an in joke.

(9) Dimmu Bongir

Another project with a comedic premise plays its stoner parody as an excuse to exercise love letters to early 90s Black Metal. Including the Symphonic scene in tone, these two records superbly resurrected the feel-tone of my most enamoured sound.

(8) Labyrinthus Stellarum

Operating within familiar terrain, Labyrinthus Stellarum's breed of cosmic, atmospheric Black Metal plays a delightful fright. Their embrace of exotic synths gives the rapturous music a curious edge whilst pummeling darkly riffs through the night skies.

(7) Sabrina Carpenter

Pop music is in a shockingly good place right now. So many acts cherry pick the best ideas of decades gone by, repackaging them with a level of aesthetic indulgence that almost surreal. As one of the biggest acts, she has the voice to meet this high bar conjuring echo's of greats like Madonna, bringing authentic country roots along too.

(6) Fogweaver

A fine discovery for the Dungeon Synth archives, a tired genre where unearthing quality feels rarer these days. Although I've only covered one record, Fogweaver has plenty more quality records with a particular flavor to indulge with.

(7) Fred Again..

My issue with House music is that I never quite find what fits me, despite loving the rhythm, aesthetics and overall concept. Fred Again.. has captured my interest with his lovecraft of personal moments bottled into beautiful songs. They explore intimacy through samples of snippets from conversations with friends, repeating the motif through ebb and flows that find gratifying swells over and over again.

(4) Willow

Children of success often carry an illusionary burden, the "bar set high" of their senior. However high Will soared with his eclipsed music career, Willow has simply smashed that idea apart. She stands apart, her own entity willing to dabble in all sorts of musical directions and finding a voice that blossoms in many directions, feeling natural and deeply expressive at every exciting turn.

(3) Rina Sawayama

At the peak of my Pop interest, Rina too plays this current game of resurrecting the past whilst casting a broader net of influences. Resulting in delightful rides across the musical landscape, rooted in Pop appeal, Rina's emotive voice and passionate lyrics reach into places I didn't expect, birthing absolute gems like To Be Alive. Its some of the most moving music I've heard in a while.

(2) Graywave

From the moment I heard this artist, it all fit together, a struggling, depressive Shoegaze venture into the dark reaches of moody Metal. Reflexively toying with indulgence and relief from personal woes, the music plays with hints of Deftones and Cocteau Twins. It's Jess's endearing voice and distraught lyrics that tie it all together, making the dense walls of engulfing of sound feel deeply personal.

(1) Spiritbox

I recall listening to Eternal Blue upon release, dismissing it in the process. How foolish! It was knowledge of seeing them live later in the year that prompted me to try again. Its baffling how the magic was locked away. After many spins it started to click. Since then I've become completely engrossed by their unique dynamic, routinely binging their best numbers, eagerly anticipating more! These are now like Metal anthems to me and I absolutely loved their live show. Can't wait to see them again in the new year!

My Top 10 Albums Of 2024

 
This years list practically picked itself with a clear distinction of eleven records above the rest, so special mention for Erang's The Kingdom Is Ours. A truly novel record, uniting a scene of isolated, anonymous musicians together for a love letter to the strange and wonderful worlds they have individually created.

(10) Billie Eilish "Hit Me Hard And Soft" (2024) link

Still on top of her game, Billie and brother Finneas continue to explore their musical passions. Not as experimental or impactful as prior adventures, the merits of her soft voice carry these great instrumentals to soothing places on a breezy record that's all too easy to enjoy and hard to forget.

(9) Boston Manor "Sundiver" (2024) link

Despite reveling in the echo's of 90s Alternative Metal, these songs transcend their inspirations, making anthemic strides fit for the big stage. Grabbing and infectious, big riffs and soaring vocals ascend. Its been hard to ignore this fresh crop of tuneful ear worms, often wriggling out my subconscious.

(8) Chaosbay "Are You Afraid?" (2024) link

Having firmly grasped my attention and consistently delivered memorable Metal for a few years now, Chaosbay return with one of their best efforts to date, continuing to wrap Pop sensibilities into punchy aggressions that sway from the extremes of rhythmic brutality to tuneful melodies, all within a distinct dystopian capsule.


(7) Sabrina Carpenter "Short N' Sweet" (2024) link

At thirty six minutes, Short N' Sweet is an apt title. Without a touch of filler, Sabrina navigates the current context of revivalist Pop music, weaving in soothing flavours of Country between flashes of Synthpop arcitetchure. She has the voice the match the mission, elevating these instrumentals to another level.

(6) Marilyn Manson "One Assassination Under God - Chapter 1" (2024) link

Although fresh in memory, Marilyn's latest offering has shudders of greatness. Its lyrical anger and relevancy to his recent legal proceedings channels something real through the filter of his cunning juxtapositions. Always one for clever lyrics provoking thought and reflection, his routine has felt somewhat played out over the years. Turning to personal woes with The Pale Emporer resurrected his career and although this chapter hasn't resonated on a broader scale, it feels like another signficant growth.

(5) Tyler The Creator "Chromakopia" (2024) link

Tyler's longevity is already impressive. Chomakopia just marks another chapter where he channels inspirations into grabbing music. The personal themes and intimate nature gives one a lot to chew on as he walks us through some of life's deeper challenges. Of course, its all backed by banging instrumentals to get stuck in your head alongside the topics he brings to light.

(4) Willow "Empathogen" (2024) link

What a voice! So expressive and dexterous, I love how Willow ventures around the flow of the music, complimenting and swaying with its candor. Given its her Sixth album, the maturity of a growing musician who's been at it since her teen years really shines bright on Empathogen.

(3) Knocked Loose "You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To" (2024) link

Metal album of the year, no doubts. The non-linear nature of its sporadic outbursts of frothing frustration had me questioning how long this magic would last. The verdict is in, these songs stick. Knocked Loose continue to refine and elevate their focus and bring us a horrifying indulgence in frenzied aggression, the soundtrack to all your woes.

(2) Kyros "Mannequin" (2024) link

Forging somewhat of a modern Prog masterpiece, Kyros put together a dazzling record. Indulging in musical dexterities, bombarding us with animated melody a rhythmic chops. The band dance through a love of Metal, Rock and Synths, all dressed up in big playful theatrics. Its bold, ambitions and delivers on its promise set by the mighty Showtime.

(1) Aurora "What Happened To The Heart?" (2024) link

Despite a stunning voice, this was somewhat unexpected. As a musician who does music for her fans, more so than herself, it was quite the shock to get such an emotionally resonating album. With Folk-like roots and world music inflections, Auroa's latest record reflects Pop music trends. Taking the care and craft of modern production, the lean towards these more ancient musical vibes resonates deeply with the journey her voice ventures on, routinely finding fantastic upheavals of emotion as the music flows into swells of intensity from soothing settings. Its a magic that's unforgettable.

Poppy "Negative Spaces" (2024)

 

 

Plagued by the inconsistencies of searching for an identity, exploring genres, never settling on a sound, it seems that Poppy has finally found a firm footing following a fruitful collaboration with album of the year contenders Knocked Loose. Now honing her screams into frightful territory, ranging from soft, harmonious and sweet to roars of unrelenting rage feels an apt for this endeavor. Foraying into the current trendy Pop Metal dynamics, contrasting stomps of Djent brutality exchange with sways of warm catchy melody. Its a dominant theme among other ideas, conjuring echo's of Spiritbox.

The record flows smoothly despite some turns. Crystalized makes a sudden deviation to explore driving dance-floor grooves and Synthpop melodies masked in nightly Synthwave vibes. Vital dials in subtle Emo and Pop Punk influences through its guitars before Push Go jumps back to the dance-floor. Poppy's approach conjures echos of Madonna in here prime and 90s Brit Pop in its soft siren chorus.

The next two tracks get us back on track, going hard as ever on its mammoth guitars. Big grooves stride in anger as raw throaty screams erupt with vitriol. Its a wild ride juxtaposed by the dreamy interlude Hey There, a crash to the ground as the final stretch retreads these ideas already explored. New Way Out notably deploys the Argent Metal formula with that signature Mick Gordan guitar and synth aesthetic.

All in all, Negative Spaces is a really good listen from start to end but perhaps lacks in offering something truly new to take away. Its as if these songs might fade from memory given the overt influence that fail to ascend expectations. On the other hand, its the most consistent record from an artist still seeking out a sound to call their own. It lays a promising foundation for the future after the sorely disappointing Zig.

 

Rating: 7/10

Blood Incantation "Absolute Elsewhere" (2024)

 

 

A record to turn heads, or ears, Absolute Elsewhere dazzles with esoteric evocations whilst conjuring unexpected tangents aeons apart from its Technical Death Metal foundation. Fortunes favor this enduring tangential nature, its forays into 70s Electonics and classic Progressive Rock yield a lasting spiritual satisfaction.

Often stiffly parted from its Extreme Metal counterpart, the sways of intensity sound like shuffling tracks between two entirely different bands. From pounding drives of aggression, grisly outlandish riffs, incessant blast beats and elongated howling guttural growls, we drop into lengthy persuasions of melodic musical indulgence.

Familiarity runs strong. It hits me on first listen as the lead guitar leaps into a slick crooning solo... Pink Floyd. This architecture is all to obvious but superbly executed. The following track follows in similar footing, the whirl of psychedelic pulsating synths reminiscent of Tangerine Dream... who actually collaborated for the song.

Later on echos of King Crimson play into its lighter side through acoustic guitars and soft organ drones. With Metal, the spurious chaos of Morbid Angel lay in its extremes. Flickers of Egyptian cultural tones pioneered by Nile and oddly Saor as its final track toys with heathen melody and an epic Black Metal touch to its percussive drive.

 

Absolute Elsewhere is a riveting listening, striding for new ground and showing its inspirations front and center. For me, its metallic side was mostly a familiar snore, only brightened by a few maddening riffs. I'm firmly captivated by its Prog Rock tangents, still enjoying them. Greatness was insight but the musical meld plays a stiff mix.

Rating: 7/10

Snoop Dogg "Missionary" (2024)

 

 

Thirty one years on from the iconic Doggystyle, a beloved West Coast duo return for an inspired set of songs reveling in the twilight years of their careers. I'd summarize Missionary as two veterans bringing the very best out of one another. Dr. Dre's production forges fine beats focused on aesthetic class. Lacking potent melodies, these tracks assemble gorgeous sounding instruments in rhythmic arrangements, striking with clarity to indulge on. Complex with subtle details and intricacies yet easily digested on the firm foundations of Hip Hop groove. Moods sway fun and plentiful, from bouncing LA vibes to introspective atmospheres, Dre covers a fair span of instruments to expand cultural horizons and keep this record flowing fresh.

Snoop has the unenviable position of spinning his tried and true rhyme themes over again. Despite an exhaustive output over the decades, he seems as vibrant as ever, giving every song a firm concept. With steady flow, his mannerisms entertain, refreshing yet familiar, finding a handful of cunning rhymes between his casual delivery. The burden is lightened with a guest on practically every track. Only on a couple of collaborations did I get a sense of elevation through presence. Last Dance with Tom Petty and Jelly Roll, Another Part Of Me with String, two fantastic songs bridging genres, complementing well for unique numbers to remember.

On first listen, the handful of classic Hip Hop interpolations and nostalgic call backs perked my ears. You could call it a false impression. These references swiftly faded behind the bright lights of all new this duo has to offer. Only Gangsta Pose had a whiff of Doggystyle chemistry. Listen carefully, its subdued baseline plays like a G-Funk throwback. I had initially expected the pair to do more of this. The past is the past, I'm thankful they didn't resurrect old ideals as clearly there was freshness here to explore.

Rating: 7/10

No Cure "I Hope I Die Here" (2024)

 

 Ears perked by Spotify's shuffle of heavy freshness, No Cure's brief 8 track, twenty minute EP I Hope I Die Here has been a curious listen among a sloth of modern aggressive music. Much of it lacking sparks of originality. Hang Me From The Bible Belt, the track that drew me in, fires up this romp of sludgy brutality with a bold mix of Metallica Hardcore and Melodic Death Metal. This feels like a misnomer as the annals of a tired Deathcore swiftly reveal their ugly head on following tracks. Gruff deepened guttural shouts, gritty low-end axe grinding riffs and filthy pig squeals light up the aesthetics among obnoxious angular harmonic pinches and other genre tropes.

It plays out among a reasonably excitable mix of influences, from Hardcore gang-shouts to Metalcore grooves and Slam Death Metal breaks, the record picks up some character in brief moments. No Cure bridge minor stylistic gaps that seem obvious in hindsight. The collaborative nature of this EP may explain its inconsistency in tone as songs sway between engaging constructs and the "race to the bottom" filth of Deathcore. Each track includes another band, presumably of the local music scene.

Sadly, only its opening track won me over. The rest of its heaviness played mostly as a curious throwback to Deathcore records now approaching twenty years old. In contrast, there are signs of promise, moments of light, however it doesn't come to fruition in a flavor I'm looking for right now. To much grime, not enough substance!

Rating: 4/10

Opeth "The Last Will And Testament" (2024)

 

This fine record has brought several weeks of routine enjoyment, however the latest offering from these veterans suffers its own familiar identity. Having toyed with distancing themselves from metallic roots, the journey back to aggressive aesthetics, befitting of their early days, brings little freshness to their distinction. The Last Will And Testament attempts to layer in a richer symphonic tone, which often gets swept under its gallivant lead guitar melodies and grandiose riffs. So to does a clear concept about class and inheritance get thrown around in spoken work sections between salient singing and meaty death growls. Neither of these elements seem to break the familiar spell Opeth cast, with their usual touch of majestic spirit. Thus the record spins its wheels through grand constructs of Progressive Metal that often feel recast from the depths of their extensive back-catalog. Strident and assured, the record plays exquisitely, its lead melodies often catching the ear as expressive motifs to set the tone for its big vision. Continuously we weave through intensities but sadly, all in the shadow of comprehension. For all the magic this band have bestowed, it lacks anything new to say. Enjoyable but none of these tracks leap from the page.

Rating: 6/10

Kendrick Lamar "GNX" (2024)

Hot off the heels of a remarkable rap beef, Kendrick's momentum flattens out into a comfortable record. Feeling out fresher styles between classic tones, GNX coasts by lacking the conceptual heights of To Pimp A Butterfly or impactful attitude of DAMN. The past sets a high bar, presenting an unenviable challenge of surprising the audience. That freshness alluded to resides in Kendrick's embrace of a hard lipped persona. Spitting in deepened spoken tone, he lines up the meanest rhymes, aimed like a sniper. Threatening and self assured, Its not quite to my liking and slips away on tracks like Peekaboo where his "hey hey hey hey" hook falls flat as a pancake.

Despite this faltered direction, classic Kendrick crops up in the tracks between. Man At The Garden revels in a sombre slow paced atmosphere, writing up blessings through the lens of deserving. His emotional delivery and contrast with the instrumental illuminates a questioning turmoil within over his many accolades and achievements. Reincarnated casually drops in one of the slickest piano licks, conjuring vibes reminiscent of a handful of West Coast classics. Its another story telling, introspective track where Kendrick routinely shines. Reclaiming the title from Drake, Heart Part 6 mellows with reflective lyrics themed around the humility of his rise to fame.

I can tell that lyrically, a lot of events and dramas are addressed on his meaner tracks. I'm out of the loop and haven't dug into any analysis. I'm not sure that I care to either. On the surface, these slick gangster anthems like Squabble Up feel mild in contrast to the songs mentioned above. They require no knowledge, instead, Kendrick wraps you up in his meaningful thoughts and deep reflections, the side I have always been drawn too most. I'm grateful for that handful of tracks but they will likely be my only reason to return to GNX on occasion.

Rating: 7/10

Body Count "Merciless" (2024)

 

Now years deep into their triumphant resurgence, the legendary cop killing Body Count return with a fair helping of 90s styled Metal stints to rock, shock and entertain. Serving as a mouth piece for Ice-T's likable angered rants, these loud instrumentals play a fair game. Serving up competent ravishing's of that era's tone, fans like myself can lap it up but lets not be shy, there is little here we have not heard before.

Beyond selecting some preferred cuts from the offering of mid tempo songs driven by aggressive riffs, attention turns to Ice-T's presence. His plain language, dripped in profanities and frustrations, flow relatable and clear to understand. Behind the often grislily lyrics, an undercurrent for peace and prosperity may pass some by.

The packaging is where my critique lands. Fun and enjoyable but the albums best hooks and concepts feel borrowed. From Demo-crips and Re-bloodicans, to the movie concept of The Purge, a helping of thematic concepts have obvious origins. That and an interesting cover of Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb with David Gilmour revealing his typical unabashed directness. Oddly intriguing but most of the time endearing. 

Pulling in legends like Corpsegrinder and Max Cavalera is a welcome delight on this fiery horror show album. They bring great performances. Its nice to see more collaberation like this which has been sorely missing in the past. Merciless wont reinvent their live show but brings hours of entertainment through some fresh songs with their classic Body Count motif.

Rating: 6/10

Jukio Kallio "Minecraft: The Garden Awakens" (2024)

 

Our latest Minecraft update places emphasis on the quiet unsettled atmosphere of its eerie Pale Garden biome. Upon entering, the games music will cease to play, immersing us in the subtle sounds emanating from the biomes pale blocks. So imagine my bewilderment at learning of an accompanying soundtrack from the drop, given that no new music has been added in game, as a record disc or otherwise. The low key nature of its unannounced release seems even more fitting upon hearing this one new track. Its left me wondering what direction our new composer was given about the new content, as the vibes are completely miss the mark.

Things get off to a great start. Tense strings and disconnected tumbles of tom drums and crash cymbals lead into a dirty bass synth brooding beneath, stiring a ghoulish atmosphere. Its strongly reminiscent of the title screen music from Doom. A few keyboard notes of intriguing melody linger and just before the minute mark, the song erupts with rhythm, a hard thudding kick drum, drives the music into Synthwave territory. Melodic wave synths dance with speedy, cheery nightlife vibes before a brief allusion to the errie opening premise is dispelled again as the dancable percussion returns with more animated melodies far from the expectant Minecraft vibes.

 Its a fine song but ill fit along side the games back-catalog and even more baffling considering the tone of this update. The Trumpet version simply swaps out its VSTs for quirkier instrument tones. The sped up version sounding like nothing more than fluff. The slowed and reverbed original amps up the creepy vibes but its far from a saving grace. It seems now rather obvious why this was such a low key release. A cool song but also a total mismatch for Minecraft standards.

Rating 2/10

Marilyn Manson "One Assassination Under God - Chapter 1" (2024)

 Moving on from the catchy Post-Punk period vibes We Are Chaos reveled in, the band trade in those flickers of color for dreary tones steeped in indulgent misery. Bleak, downtrodden and typically anthemic, Assassination hails back to the spirit of Antichrist Superstar with the metallic inclinations of Holy Wood. Manson's lyrics flow potent and cutting. Renewed with a biting anger, his disenfranchised cries come wrapped in religious overtones and social commentaries. Spinning disillusionment into reverence once again, the nostalgic familiarity hailing back to their creative peak sounds fresh. A few tracks further in, words turn inwards, reflecting on addiction and escapism, a new avenue heard since fragilities expressed on The Pale Emperor.

Throughout Assassination, in some of his words linger a sense of martyrdom, spinning controversies of recent years to paint himself the victim. The tensions amass with Raise The Red Flag. Antagonistic lines make a climatic declaration to "wash the bullseye off my back". Through the lens of artistic expression, its a marvelous twist of the arm, however when reality and legal proceedings are a long muddy affair of accusations and defamation, its hardly a black and white case you can rally behind.

Lastly, the instrumentals are well crafted, a consistent aesthetic that serves this album experience well. Shifts in tones can ramp up intensities for aggression and subside into rebellious melodies. It all flows cohesively with their iconic front-mans licks. At fifty five, he can still deliver his knack for devious and catchy hooks. Now lacking the shock and awe he once commanded like a prophet, Assassination's potent expression themed on recent accusations land well but perhaps with an air of doubt.

 

Rating: 8/10

Tyler The Creator "Chromakopia" (2024)

 
Yesterday's record, Man Down, concluded with an aging rapper losing focus and purpose. Although of a younger generation, Tyler, now fifteen years into his career, continues to mature and challenge himself. Far from reaching his fifties but the contrast emphasizes how vividly empowered by self expression he remains.

Chromakopia is a slice of life record, where Tyler articulates his thoughts on fame, professional stature, reminisces on Odd Future's history, expresses pains of his closeted sexuality and reflects on personal values as an emergence of new family members stands in comparison to his lifestyle and celebrity image.

 His verses pull one in effortlessly, animating his world through the craft of lyricism dressing up plain language. Its the reason he connects so directly. If not already attentive, ears perk as a string of songs delve into an unexpected pregnancy. Tyler tells the tale from both sides of the relationship (referring to himself as T), delving into the hard realities of such a heavy situation. Its honest, sincere, humble and unique.

Getting past a lyrical highlight, the album loosens its peculiar mix of Soul, R&B and Jazz, throwing in dark bangers with big noisy baselines and drum groves pulling on worldly percussion beyond the traditional kick snare drum kit. His production calls back to the quirky magics of Igor, assembling tunes, textures and motifs from seemingly abstract moments, all drenched in the tone of aforementioned influences.

With an ear for voices, instrumentals flow woven between lyrics, vocal ad-libs and soulful singing, often leaning into the strange. Its as to be expected yet charming every time. I'm deeply impressed by how unique his voice and music remains. Familiar, yet fun and impactful through a new set of excellent songs.

Rating: 8/10

Ice Cube "Man Down" (2024)

 

Some critics remark on aging rappers losing vitality and relevancy. I'm more open minded. With age comes maturity and the opportunity to grow. With many 90s icons now entering their fifties, Ice Cube, one of the most important and influential to do it, enters the club. His last outing, Everythang's Corrupt, had bite, a political venom and fiery anger that held well. I still venture back to a handful of those tracks alongside Cube's best songs. That moment has passed, his motivations to return seem routine.

 Despite bringing a studded cast of his 90s contemporaries, Man Down is a stinker. Beats sound tight yet frequently spin short loops that end up droning on. Upfront, Cube raps with his firm flow, fine tuned aggression and smooth, easy to follow, cadence. Its his lyrical content that falters, dropping auto pilot verses lacking creativity to impact. So many lines drop with predictable rhymes, lingering on them for four or more sentences. Many lines seem to fill space just to serve the rhyme. With next to no stories told, this approach is quite disappointing in the shadow of his greatness.

 Early on the moods emulate his classic Today Was A Good Day laid back G Funk vibes. Its a smooth and breezy ride, easy listening. Heading into the midsection, things pivot with 5150. The mood sours with its misogynist leaning rhymes. Then beats go harder, darker but miss the mark. After a few cuts, the variety flows, jumping between sounds emulating his styles but mostly suffer the fate of droning on.

Especially You perks the ears, an Electro-Funk throwback to early 80s Hip Hop. Cube goes for a flow fit of the era but the rhymes are just hollow. Later comes Scary Movie, trying to house a bunch of references to his cinematic career. It houses some of the worst lyrical flops. The album ends on a better note with the reasonable Ego Maniacs but cant save the project. Sadly, this record just lacked purpose.

Rating: 2/10

Cordae "The Crossroads" (2024)

  

Round three, Cordae returns with another fresh bout of life's stories, past and present. The title alone conjure thoughts of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's classic, which the intro tastefully interpolates. Cycling between Trap percussive pallets and nuanced drums grooves, instrumentals play soulful and moody, drifting into R&B territory as guest singers illuminate a handful of tracks with Gospel singing. Samples focus on texture and tone over melody, casting an introspective atmosphere not far from melancholic.

Without a peak or valley, The Crossroads runs through the motions, offering a couple darker bangers early on, then leaning hard into its soulful inflections as the record matures. With Cordae's sturdy cadence holding true, he articulates personal tales, keeping one in the firm grasp of his effortless rhymes. Themes recycle, struggles of balancing success and family shift to the later, as he speaks on becoming a father.

His tales echo familiar feelings of the last two outings, leaving me with little fresh to say. Its instrumental shift to nostalgic soulful samples and plenty of human voices plays good company but lacking melodies and hooks, its staying power has been absent. The Crossroads is a mild, easy going record, doing little wrong yet failing to land a striking blow to grab your attention. Disappointing but only from high standards.

Rating: 5/10

Novelists "Okapi" (2024)

 

Spotify is doing a mighty fine job figuring me out with its algorithms. Lurching in the shadows of Deftones, Lacuna Coil, with flashes of Prog guitar reminiscent of Plini, French outfit Novelists bring the stunning voice of Camille Contreras to this current Pop Metal trend. Contrasting heavy Djent tones with shimmering melodies, their songs sway from soft and serine to punchy and powerful with great conviction.

Contreras is the main charm, her compassionate lyrics and dynamic voice guides the instrumental gracefully. Bellow her, a similar yet toned down creativity akin to yesterdays Chaosbay. Part of the "Progressive Metalcore" crowd, its a seamless fit, leaning more on the traditional guitar virtuoso side. Prisoner's a keen example pivoting from a typical aggressive Metalcore track with a wild burst of dance-floor rhythm.

It ends up exploring an expressive, flamboyant side, with lavish fretwork - something each of these four tracks finds its way to. They are all individual, creative tracks, moving from typical constructs to vibrant compositions with an effortless ease. Not as fiery as others in the scene do it, however its better suits Contreras' temperament.

Rating: 4/10

Chaosbay "Are You Afraid?" (2024)

  

On a somewhat predictable trajectory, yet no less exciting, Are You Afraid lands high octane metallic exuberance. Bolstered by punchy production, Chaosbay fuse catchy pop sensibilities with the edge of Djent guitar brutality. Encapsulated by subtle enriching synths and infrequent glitchy antics, this arsenal of short to-the-point three minute bangers blazes through their very best creative efforts.

These eleven cuts routinely erupt into grabbing "break downs", slamming serious momentum. Far from original yet executed with class, the double down on Eye For An Eye plays a keen favorite. Between these roars of anger, the soaring clean vocals of Jan Listing continuously ropes one into its lyrics themes through infectious cadence.

Taking on different temperaments and tempos defines each song from one another with true personality. Frequently dabbling in curious arrangements - cinematic synths, Trap adjacent percussion and dystopian electronics - simple song structures find space to experiment, elevating past the main theme. Its kept the listening experience fresh, exciting and on "the edge of your seat" so to speak.

 Without a weak point these thirty eight minutes play fun, animated, energetic. Anthems to fist pump, head bang and sing along too. Its been everything I hoped for. Having been teased by The Way To Hell, I'm happy the whole record reached that level of excellence. To my ears, these guys are among a rare few to get me excited about Metal these days.

Rating: 9/10

Fief "VI" (2024)

 

I've raved about prior installation's of Fief's exquisite Medieval Fantasy compositions. Often a niche relegated to background music in RPG games, this artist elevates the sound of antiquated royalty with class. Armed with Lutes, Harps, Bells, Strings and Woodwind instruments, a whirl of jovial melodies rapture the halls and courtyards of monastic reign. Earlier chapters ventured towards natures charm, with softer tones cultivating meditative atmosphere. Over time, a sovereign personality has emerged.

VI arrives unchanged, locked in by dancing merry melodies and an eloquence befitting these nostalgic times' royal grandeur. Sadly, it leaves me with little more to remark on, a fine set of eight arrangements conjuring a soothing mood of simplistic pleasures, dance, chatter, fruits and wines in the presence of kings. With little new to offer, it swiftly becomes a familiar shade of music operating in the backdrop.

Rating: 5/10

Boston Manor "Sundiver" (2024)

  

Exploring the many charms of 90s Alternative Metal, Boston Manor returned armed with exquisite execution over originality. Sundiver is a captivating record led by front-man Henry Cox who's empowered voice swoons in the emotional current. Pivoting from soft streams of emotive vulnerability to roars of clean confidence, he sings unabashed by the overt stylistic imitations of Chino Moreno. So to do his band mates revel in musical arrangements, groovy riffs and aesthetics pioneered by the Deftones. His other flattery emerges in catchy, tuneful deliveries like Oli Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon would do, these two personalities define much of his vocal presence.

 Its all taken in wondrous stride, every track tightly wound, a perfect fit of elements. Broken up by interludes exploring dreamy acoustics, Ethereal Drum n Bass loops and perusing baselines, its main songs are given space to breath in these intriguing lulls. Venturing into Shoegazing guitar aesthetics and mammoth Nu Metal adjacent grooves, Boston Manor navigate their inspirations with class, birthing fiery songs with inviting passion and emotional resonance to engulf. The whole affair is breezy, warm and uplifting as swells of aggression are vented with positivity. Its definitely a contender for best Metal album of the year! I've struggled to put this one down.

Rating: 8/10