Willow "Lately I Feel Everything" (2021)

 

Arriving at Willow's third record, endearing blemishes of youthful nativity emerge. Heart-brake pains and relationship woes dominate its theme. Musically, a similar line is tread. Both sway between raw adolescent reactivity and insightful, matured expressions. On its latter half, collaborations with Travis Barker boldly mimic teenage Pop Punk tracks of the early 00s, devoid of originality yet persuasive with repetitions.

The middle of the record is where the bulk of its magic lays. Instrumentals deviate from the opening simplistic pop appeal. Swells of grungy guitar distortions, dreamy acoustic reverberations and creative drum machine arrangements pull these songs to the edges of Shoegaze, Indie Rock and Emo, blurring lines along the way.

Typically, Willow sings from the soul, drifting around the texture of these tracks like a free spirit, often with power over softness, she occasionally roars into life with soft screams. On the softer side, soaring cadences amplify her thoughtful, introspective words. It turns the topicality of once immature anthems into reflective journeys. Its a curiosity to me how a tracks tone shapes ones experience, two contrasting sides of essentially the same expressive coin.

Lately I Feel Everything is mostly an exploration of an alternative umbrella of distortion guitar adjacent music. Willow crashes the party, muddying up ideas with an aesthetic rawness and endearing amateurish aesthetic. A perfect fit for the genre. Not quite as persuasive as whats to follow but also tainted by these interruptions of type-cast teeny bop music I despised in my youth. Naive and XTRA where the highlights for me.

Rating: 6/10

Rina Sawayama "Rina" (2017)

 

 It turns out Sawayama was not Rina's debut. This one flew under my radar, a twenty four minute EP released a few years prior. Self funded and independently released only piles on the praise for what initially felt like a tacky take on 00s Pop. Getting past a couple of mediocre tracks, familiarity revealed the subtle powers of brief tuneful melodies and glossy aesthetics centered around her persuading voice.

Early themes paint a sense of glitz and glam, ambitions of a rising star. Cheery, upbeat production with punchy drums drawing on touches of 80s Synthpop and soft Alt Rock guitars opens the record. These nostalgic reaches into the past reoccur through classy production. It flows through a variety of song ideas, none feel original, yet an intriguing assembly of ideas pulling from the past thirty years of Pop music.

 Tunnel Vision drifts into a dreamy avenue, shifting to introspective thoughts. Deploying vulnerable expressions makes for awkward lyrics hinting at smartphone addiction among relationship woes. Its a muddled message. Much of the record has this ambiguous feeling as to which way her words lean. Presenting a bold face with a hint of distress. This lyrical fuzziness is more likely to be at fault with me.

Overall, I'm impressed. This Rina EP strikes me as a leap of faith, a talent unleashed raw and keen, simply getting started and turning up trumps. It doesn't coalescing around a specific vision yet its best songs achieves their own merits. Its been a joyful dive into ideas reminiscent of great songs without being specific.

Rating: 6/10

Sabrina Carpenter "Short N' Sweet" (2024)

 

Currently topping the streaming charts, this former Disney star charms with her strong soft voice dynamic. Backed by a seasoned production team, who have handled many big names, the instrumentals of Short N' Sweet croon. Pulling from Country, Soul and Rock, one half of its runtime paints a earnest singer on stage, armed with acoustic guitar and small town Americana charm. The other half gracefully pivots from emotive expressions with energetic bursts of Dance, Disco and Synthpop, armed with sharp wit and knack for hooks. Its fondly reminiscent of Jessie Ware's nostalgic revival.

Sabrina has a wonderful voice, easily slipping between temperaments seamlessly, she colors many a song with subtle shifts that elevate the chemistry. For me, its her sweet falsetto's that perk my ears. The lyrics however, mostly play a hormonal mess of youthful love and relations channeled into cute, quirky expressions, often juxtaposing the warm delivery tone against lyrical content. Its charm is flirtatious, playful, teenage. Fun, mostly harmless but nothing much to latch onto for this listener.

The record is solid from front to back, a breezy, warm, uplifting thirty six minutes that finds a fantastic stride with Bad Chem, Espresso and Dumb & Poetic. The vocal hook on Bad Chem, descending in a dance from breathy high notes is an utter joy. The closer Don't Smile might be joining this list too, another highlight on a solid record that indicates Pop Music is in much better shape than the boy/girl band tripe of my youth.

Rating: 7/10

Rina Sawayama "Hold The Girl" (2022)

 

Following up on a smashing debut, Hold The Girl's antidote lays in repetition as first impressions come stiffly poisoned by uncanny familiarity. This is Pop music after all, its broad appeal conjures the best radio has to offer. Admittedly, it took time to flourish into the ear worm monster it has become. Trading in the eclectic ensemble of debut Sawayama, Rina commits to an intoxicated romp of glossy bangers pulling from across the spectrum of popular music's finer offerings. Showing her hand, an obviously play is made for high octane Dance-Pop that also ushers in mild echo's of 80s Synthpop and driving percussive energy of the 90s UK Electronic scene. Along the way were treated to crooning ballads, a touch of Country Pop, R&B and Soft Rock.

Uncanny in nature, lacking originality, yet sparkling with a touch of magic, its Rina who makes the record whole. Track after track delivers stunning performances, soaring vocals, emotions flowing in infectious cadences. An emotional weight grips her lyrics of struggle and expression, entangle in the moment. Your Age hits hard, an anthemic reflection on predatory abuse. A dark undercurrent manifests into a shudder of glitched vocals. It plays beautifully against ascending cries on the tracks chorus hook.

She is simply on fire, as are the instrumentals. Most songs play fleshed out with charisma and craft, leaning hard into the concept at hand. Occasionally flaring up with a Glam Rock guitar solo. Dense and powerful, subtly is not the intended direction. These tunes know themselves well. Some tracks however boarder "plagiarism". Americana inspired Send My Love To John feels all too familiar. Perhaps a victim of is stripped down acoustic simplicity, if I had a broader recall, I feel as if I'd put my finger on it. Quite a few songs do this, however Catch Me In The Air's guitars are blatantly derivative of The Smashing Pumpkins' 1979. Holy is another ghost of the 90s Electronic scene. That Ethereal piano melody over the thumping bass is uncanny.

Despite all this, the record is utterly brilliant. More the half the songs hit like classics and the trailing tracks ain't far behind. Hold The Girl plays with fire. Does it get burnt? Yes but I couldn't care. Perhaps had they been a little less overt with influences, such thoughts could have been avoided. Lastly, I'd like to end on the album's closer, To Be Alive. Such beautiful lyrics, blossoming out of the darkness of youth, warmth emanating from within, a platonic love song of life. Its emotional build, shoegazing blurs, dance pianos along with the lofty choral voices is simply blissful.

Rating: 9/10

Rina Sawayama "Sawayama" (2020)

 Arriving at the cutting edge of contemporary Pop music, singer-songwriter Rina casts an excitable web of diverse musical influences. With dexterity fondly reminiscent of Queen, her execution plays effortless, a graceful genre gallop between Pop Rock, Disco, J-Pop, R&B, Synthpop and even Nu Metal? An obvious favorite of mine, the latter broods its menace on STFU! Unleashing the era's groove through a mammoth, lunging riff, the growling guitars get across their point without need for excessive distortion. Creepy Korn alike melodies linger in the backdrop as the song sways between this aggressive energy and a twinkling dazzle of glossy melodic relief.

Its a keen example as to how Rina hones in on the essence of appeal, each song could merit such discussion as particular eras and genre distinctions meld into an engrossing listen. Other highlights include Comme Des Garvons, a stylish strut of attitude and glamor. Love Me 4 Me revels in the cheese of 80s attempts at bold punchy instrumentation, steering its bright melodies and chirpy nature to an endearing infectiousness. The "fake live" fanfare of Who's Gonna Save U Now? plays a genius touch, elevating this Arena Rock anthem as Rina sails her voice to new heights.

Tokyo Love Hotel woos with soft touches of Synthwave and Vapourwave. A breezy cruiser fit for the cities night lights. I could continue with my praises. Only mid track Bad Friend landed sour. Its spacey, Ethereal Electropop aesthetics feel lost on its own topicality, a "woe is me" self pity anthem. Conjuring the hurt of relationship wounds, its confessions of wrong doing seem a strange fit for its mood. An odd one but aptly fitting of the overall theme, a self oriented set of expressions felt direct with plain, connecting language that rarely feels deeper than its straight forward nature.

A stunning debut, Sawayama plays front to back like a seasoned musician reveling in creative strides. The music is effortless, exploring all curiosities seamlessly, avoiding an "eclectic" label despite clearly fitting that frame. All ideas explored simply click into place. Many of these ideas hail back to the early 00s, the years of my youth. Frank references to MSN messenger amused me greatly, I remember those Windows XP days with distain but the music has always been a consistent source of meaning. Its no surprise this record resonated with me. I haven't put it down for months!

Rating: 9/10

Bring Me The Horizon "Post Human: Nex Gen" (2024)

 

Five years on from the opinion dividing Amo, a diverse yet trendy leaning record, Bring Me The Horizon return again to the cutting edge of catchy, tuneful Metal. We got a whiff of this feisty spirit on preceding EP Survival Horror. The Post Human series continues in aggressive glory as the group nail down a solid set of songs, remaining intense and lively while skirting edges with Pop Rock melodies and Post-Hardcore creativity. Weighty sonic riffs and the mania of glitchy frenzied synths in its extremes, yet gracefully swaying into the arms of Pop sensibilities through Ollie's knack for catchy, ear worm choruses that hook into the vulnerability of your personal emotions.

Lyrically, the theme continuously hinges on negative internal dialogs, spinning the words of self doubt and inner turmoil into anthemic sing-alongs. These songs pair their tuneful inflections with words for strongly palatable emotions we have all experienced. Its cathartic, yet hollow. A spin machine twisting hurtful self talk into spirited release yet little of matured substance lies below the surface of these catchy cadences.

Originality is always a curiosity with Bring Me The Horizon, a line can always be traced elsewhere, some echos, obvious or vague, to other bands and genres. Although a favorite song of mine, Limousine blushes in its naked Diamond Eyes era Deftones demeanor. Even Ollie sings to Chino's tune as the low-end guitars crunch and peruses with the lunging gravitas of Steven Carpenter's definitive style.

Many other influences make themselves known too but ultimately this record boils down to song writing, which they have lock and key. As always, these musicians know how to forge musical ideas into apt structures that revel in their merits. Each song feels fully realized as riffs, melodies and hooks land without fail. Their unconventional side shines bright too, the OST interludes breaking the flow for spicy deviations.

Aesthetically, density is a delight. A tight production bordering on wall of sound, as guitars often get lost in the weave of electronic noises. Glitchy bursts of color and vibrant synths intermingle, deepening the experience as its pivots and transitions invite a flavorful diversity steadily becoming more frequent in modern Metal. For me, this is an unsurprising assemble of many proven ideas wielded to their Pop Metal writing. Its nothing they haven't done before, the true test will be how long these songs will stick around for. I have a feeling this ones got a handful to go the distance.

Rating: 7/10

Enter Shikari "A Kiss For The Whole World" (2023)

 

Two decades have passed since Enter Shikari made waves playing in our local music scene. With an unwavering resilience, they retain a relevancy that took me by surprise, having grown comfortable in the silent interval between records. Re-arranging their youthful character once again, Shikari still have the bite to hook, line and sink one into their party-like carnival Rock-Electronic realm again. With fond familiarity and spicy seasoning, A Kiss For The Whole World blazes by this listener in a whirl of engrossing charisma. Topically flourishing, their restless offerings come woven with compassion and hope, matured out of once angered social political lyrics.

This positivity emanates instrumentally, made starkly apparent by Rou Reynolds' passionate pleas, warm wisdoms and mellow metaphors. Practically every song has an infectious hook, his catchy wordings deliver hope and uplift, arriving on a flush of creativity. Its fun, engaging, refreshing and keeps once locked in with its nimble stride as these apt thirty three minutes sprint by with every moment revealing its purpose.

Their pop sensibilities have matured to a level of class, leveraging the appeal of popular musics most gratifying structures against the rampant creativity of their eclectic musical pallet. Echo's from the web of early 90s electronica still loom boldly, most keenly The Prodigy. Some moments just cant escape their legacy. Shikari are further forging their signature sound, yet not exactly advancing on new territory.

This record signifies a peak in the assembly of Metal tinged Rock, echoing Hardcore. Club music, Drum & Bass weave their aesthetics and components dynamically. Splashes of classic instrumens align with a keen cheek and cheer. Playing a role for narrative and direction to blossom. In short, everything they have done before, successfully re-emerging on a creative high for fans new and old to be taken away by. With each of my many spins I wonder if the cracks will appear. Despite having favorites among the crowd, it plays wonderfully as a complete experience.

Rating: 8/10

Type O Negative "Dead Again" (2007)

 

 I'm under the impression that front man Steele was responsible for much of Type O Negative's musical writing. It blossoms again in refined directions on this final record. His passing a few years later sealing the groups fate, them choosing not to continue on without him. From the offset, Dead Again bestows a different intensity. Distanced somewhat from the Gothic tonal cheese, always orchestrated with emotional connection, Steele leans into certain inspirations present since their inception.

Kicking off with dense guitars lunging into burly Doom Metal groans, followed by a sudden energetic drive of hurried Hardcore aggression, the metallic, mainly Black Sabbath inspired focus makes itself known. Equally split with The Beatles influences and Pop Rock ideals from decades back, many songs beautifully journey through lengthy non-linear song structures. It gives the record a perpetual sense of excitement, as more gratifying compositions seem to lurk around every corner.

Now entirely stripped of prior flirtations with crass humor and noisy aesthetic interludes, their collective eclecticism flows focused and gratifying. Barely a wasted second goes by, Steele leans into his vision and delivers a plethora of intriguing arrangements. Personally its clearly cathartic, channeling catchy lyrics over grabbing melodies, they frequently skirt easy conventions, offering truly distinct music.

Some songs stick to one of its three main styles, others easily chop through wildly different intensities as Doom Metal, Hardcore and Pop Rock get a fascinating salute from these brooding Gothic oddballs. Its seems with age came maturity and the hunger of expression never faded. Dead Again has a notable shift yet with it an awe and fascination as to how the odd mix of chemistries could emerge again as exciting as ever! Despite the remarkable impression October Rust left on me, I get a sense this could be my favorite given more time to sink in.

Rating: 9/10

Ghost "Impera" (2022)

 

 

Ghost's evolution through the shades of nostalgic Metal has been remarkable to say the least. With humble beginnings emerging from the lurching fog of old-school Doom Metal, the band have navigated a musical history pinching inspirations from Heavy Metal, Scandinavian Pop and Psychedelic Rock. Led by the outfits brainchild Tobias Forge, this fifth full length Impera strides forth boldly off the back of Prequelle's Arena Rock encroachment. Fully embracing American Rock vibes of the 70s, they dazzle once again with a little touch of Glam Rock echoing in the passing winds.

On the first few spins it all felt so obvious. Kaisarion's intro baked by sun soaked guitar leads, an ascending falsetto yell and the epic build to crunching Hard Rock riffs felt like a page out of someone else's book. But who? Spillways's piercing piano chops and Tobias's vocal line again echo's some creative genius of the past. It goes on throughout the album. Queen, Led Zeppelin, Boston, Dio? These songs continuously evoke the emotive rumble of classic Rock anthems. Yet not once do Ghost plagiarize.

As more repetitions sunk in, I couldn't deny how fantastically written these songs are. Even the initially disappointing Hunter's Moon finds its place in the track listing. The album swoons through one vibe another another. Tobias's impeccable singing, both in pitch and persuasion is accompanied by a fine and expansive instruments. These arrangements have their key distinctions glistening in the forefront with a lush backdrop of soft synths, organs and glittering acoustic guitars. The whole affair is a slick and dynamic groove, adapting to a songs purpose. Instruments drop in and out to perfectly compliment one another when it is apt to do so.

The variety is stunning. Most song pivot of the Arena Rock vibe with detours into Power Ballads and the like. The one true Metal song that hails back to Opus Eponymous, Twenties, suffers its own stiffness. Led in by a dramatic break in tone, Dominion's grueling trumpet orchestration bluntly pivots out of the utterly anthemic Watcher In The Sky. The metallic lurching riff and ghoulish key tones set a stage for Tobais's creepy groans but the chorus is woeful and garish. All to kitsch for my taste.

Other than that blemish Impera is a mostly flawless embark further into the depths of musical history. Knowing this is their angle made me initially skeptical but pure class of songwriting is undeniable. Every song is flush with sing along hooks, stunning melodies and memorable lead guitars lines. Its got me excited for where they might venture next but as for now its another quality collection of song to enjoy for the coming months and years. Ghost have more than proven themselves as legends!

Rating: 8/10

Ghost "Call Me Little Sunshine" (2022)

As one of my most cherished band of recent years, even a two track single garners my attention! After all, Ghost did release a duo of non-album gems with Seven Inches Of Satanic Panic. Sadly, this pair do not live up to the hype and also feature on the upcoming Impera full length. My initial, unchanged, reaction to the title track was a soft disappointment. With Meloria and Prequelle the band took significant strides of excitement as their sound matured. This song feels like it didn't make the cut on the last outing. Reciting the same 80s inspired vibes, its easy tempo and molded melodic temperament delivers its average chorus and verse on stride to a guitar solo, a lull and then return. For them, its an all to common structure lacking a spark.

The following Hunter's Moon feels a more lively in comparison with instrumental shake ups unleashing broody guitar grooves and twisted church chorals. Its still the same overall structure but the chorus hook arrives more vibrant as the lead guitar rolls out a grabbing lick. Don't get me wrong, I adore this band and the niche they occupy but this sounds like a group on autopilot, simplifying their sound into very digestible music that lacks the flash and surprise that has made them unmissable over the last ten years. Its not got my hopes up for Impera. I am hoping these are the weaker cuts.

Rating: 2/10

Can't Swim "Change Of Plans" (2021)

 

Don't be fooled, the oddly Gothic, Danzig alike album cover doesn't accurately reflect the emotive suburban vibes this group emanate. Can't Swim are my personal antidote to the Emo / Screamo scenes I turned a nose up at in my youth. These millennial musicians revive the glory of their past years, bringing musical maturity to their first world, woe ridden lyrics. With poppy song structures, catchy hooks and a melodic tint to garnish, Change Of Plans is the bands third but sadly the least impressive, possibly a case of familiarity as the band stick firmly to what works with a little twist of anger.

With Pop-Punk themes of adversity lacking troubles. Social squabbles, relationship woes and self doubts, the lyrics play from a light hearted teenage place with just a sprinkle of maturity. These are adult problems expressed with the lens of youthful angsty ideas that sway it far enough from perils. Its left in a precarious place where you can leave or take it. Personally Its not a bother but bar one or two lines I didn't find much to connect with, however the delivery and honesty in LoPorto's vocals is charming. The vulnerability and self coddling style is endearing, often manifesting into a hook with a knack to make his words catchy and flow with the groove.

The music is carved up into the typical inflections, lots of moody melodic plucked acoustic chords that bleed into vibrant distortion tones with all degrees wedged in between. Most these songs have a layer of aggression that sways back and forth from its guitars. Its not to adventurous, sticking to typical song structures and compositions with plenty of bright, harmonious singing. The point would be that they do this so well.

Where things detour is with a stronger sense of Hardcore and breakdown energy which the genre is adjacent too. On three or four tracks they step into this space boldly, not something I remember from their previous records. Better Luck Next Time and its jaunting breakdown goes full in on the aggression with palm mute chugs and tropes from the more metallic end of the spectrum. Sense Of Humor and its "Look who's laughing now" lyric slaps another breakdown in a track It doesn't feel fit for.

Whats interesting is how well executed these ideas are, the problem is they don't fit the overall mood which tends to be more introspective and mall shop sorrows than anger fueled resolution. A couple other songs have a breakdown stitched on the end and whenever it comes around, it feels like a sudden shift. Despite this jarring union of ideas, Change Of Plans is solid with plenty of catchy tunes. Its one to throw into the shuffle playlist and see what sticks with time.

Rating: 7/10

Spellling "The Turning Wheel" (2021)

 

In search of new sounds and experiences, I've found a record strung out with familiarity yet blindingly powerful in its execution of inspiration. It works for me, something I could swiftly get into and mull over these last few weeks. Chrystia Cabral, the brains behind the Spellling name, lends her immaculate voice to a timely orchestration of genre influences adjacent to the world of popular music. She is a powerhouse of breathy expression, rooted in classic soulful stylings. Her range is wide, diving with a masculine low on Magic Act and sailing to a childish, playful resonance on Little Deer. With each of these arrangements offering up a different temperament, she is the beacon that shines and guides us through these twelve offerings as they grow increasingly atmospheric, occasionally peering into a brittle darkness.

I could easily rattle off lists at this point. With a backbone of warm baselines, Organs, Pianos, String, Horns and strong vocal harmonization parade upfront in a variety of compositions that usher in many vibes. Pop music of the 60s, Soul, R&B, a little Jazz, Chamber Pop and Lounge too. There are subtle electronic influences worming there way in too. Always sounds more like an 80s Synth-pop ballad and after the slow brewing Awaken, aligned strongly with Classical ideas, the album starts to open up. Emperor With An Egg accrues various waveform instruments alongside its Classical instrumentation and the following Boys At School at school hints at Synthwave vibes which blossoms on Queen Of Wands, a track akin to Chelsea Wolfe's Pain Is Beauty. Its use of wobbly, eerie, spooky Horror synths a sensibility here that resurfaces, seemingly at odds with the mood of Sweet Talk. Little moments like this are littered throughout, sounds that seem out of context but work wonderfully.

I could go on but essentially we have bright and clear instrumentation arranged wonderfully with beautiful aesthetics and expressive instrumentation that despite showing its influences, feels entirely distinct as the web of influences weave together. The record sets out feeling more Soul and Baroque pop oriented but swells of instrumentation gives it a Progressive edge that blossoms as the songs continuously explore, bringing in more instruments, sounds and aesthetics as it goes on. Its melodies too often feel interchanged between these style, ushering in just the strangest sense of ideas in action. One can almost see the blueprint yet its outcome feels completely inspired and magical, without any design.

Rating: 8/10

Queen "A Kind Of Magic" (1986)

Kicking off with two utterly phenomenal tracks, Queen's twelfth outing proceeds to play like a series of bad choices where the groups eclecticism and willingness to follow the sounds of the time leads them astray. Its actually Freddie himself who gets the better of me, a rarity for his glorious voice. The played out slow ballad sound of One Year Of Love and the utterly cheesy Pain Is So Close To Pleasure have him steering his voice into a high pitch ranges that I just found discomforting. A couple of proceeding tracks play up an expectant Queen approach to songwriting before the album switches its last three songs into a soundtrack for the movie Highlander.

Gimme The Prize amps up the Arena Rock vibes with some Heavy Metal guitar leanings. Its big Industrial thumping drums bring things together. A little cliche but it has an attitude. Samples from the movie tend to break up the flow and cause fillers that sound trashy as evil laughs, explosions and sword slashing sounds do little for the music. Continuing on themes from the movie, Don't Loose Your Head has an typically 80s synth tone but the lyrics and sample inclusion makes it feel forced. With Princes Of The Universe they pull together many classic characteristics but to no avail.

Its opening two songs are all too well known due to use in pop culture, however giving them some up close attention I appreciated them a lot more. One Vision's use of synth and electronic manipulation in its opening sets the stage and gives a brilliant tone for Heavy Metal funk to jive in a futuristic feeling. The aesthetics are brilliantly constructed and the following Its A Kind Of Magic reinvents another Queen formula with those pumping baselines, rigid drums and atmospheric synths. This albums problem is that of many Queen records for some time now, the eclecticism that once made a brilliant album experience now seems rather tacky and without substance. They still make fantastic music but as the track record proves it comes in spurts that make for a good song or two each album. With some particular lows, its peaks can't save this from being their worst output to date.

Favorite Tracks: One Vision, Gimme The Prize

Rating: 4/10

Queen "The Works" (1984)

Far from the glory of their enigmatic origins, Queen keep stylistically challenging themselves with each project. Despite being on a dip in form, these records still throw up a classic song or two. I never thought I'd be radiating in the tone of Radio Ga Ga again. It's a childhood song now heard through adult ears with a birthed appreciation for its spacey keys, subtly Industrial drum beat and robotic baselines. The coldness between its gently simmering synths and Freddie's stunning voice when they drop out hits the reset button on its atmosphere perfectly each time, such a unique song.

It sets a mechanical undertone for whats to come in a small dose. Tear It Up retains the bold crashing drums of Arena Rock yet executed with a Industrial rigidity that will reoccur however its a moment where Brian May's roaring electric guitar riffs find unison with this mechanized experimental theme the band seem to be leaning into. Once again however, its only fully realized on Machines, a track with gittery synths and digital electronic tones in the vein of a Kraftwork b-side. The reset of the record tends to fall into the typical established styles that Queen like to dabble with.

Man On The Prowl simply sounds like a glossy piano led version of Rockabily track Crazy Little Thing Called Love. To be fair though these other songs bring the energy, Hammer To Fall resurrects the classic Queen sound with a touch of class as once again Brian May's electricity just lands well with his band mates, unlike on Hot Space. It seems that something was brewing among the drumming and robotic use of electronics on this album but it falls into the eclecticism of styles the band hinge on, leaving it short of something defining. It feels routine, despite being really enjoyable.

Favorite Tracks: Radio Ga Ga, Tear It Up, Keep Passing The Open Window, Hammer To Fall

Rating: 6/10

Ghost "Seven Inches Of Satanic Panic" (2019)

My ignorance in the absence of information has birthed an amazement of these seven minutes. Ghost are one of my favorite bands and between records they tend to divvy out EPs with cover tracks that give quite the insight into their influences. The title is either a topically suggestive or a co-incidental pun on the format or length. This stemmed from my astonishment of the lyrical crudeness on Kiss The Go-Goat. That song and Mary On A Cross both sounded like the blueprint to this bands sound. You see I had purchased the record in a surge of excitement. Its only now that Ive dug deeper in preparation for this post that I learn these are originals! What a derp, what an assumption, here I was thinking I was about to discover some hidden gems from the 60s singing what would of been utter filth for the time.

The two tracks sound even better now. Ghost have mastered the principles of Rock and Pop music from years gone by, reviving them in service of their playful satanic exterior. The result is a luscious and gorgeous wash of harmony and color that's deeply infectious and swooning. Melody is ripe and Tobias Forge relishes in the moment his hired guns have crafted so stunningly. Its so Ghost and still everything I want to hear. The thing is, if these are B-Sides, what on earth do they have in store for us next? These might be two of the best from their catalog to date! Maybe I am still a little dazzled from the excitement of new songs to internalize. Absolutely fantastic none the less, a stellar seven minutes you can spin over and over.

Rating: 4/10

Queen "The Game" (1980)

Arriving at the midway point of Queen's discography, the group step into the new decade with a cohesive shift in tone that reflects the passing times. Although still experimenting vocally and with special effects, the Progressive band we once knew is in embers as the Arena Rock tone strips these songs back to simple structures, tightly packed riffs and grooves of which a little Funk and Disco creeps into the rhythm section on Dragon Attack and Another One Bites The Dust. Its still a typically diverse record as Ive come to expect. Although the distortion guitars are absent on many a song, they have classic Queen rumbustious eruptions of oozing lead guitar on the tracks with lean Rock guitars tho. Crazy Little Thing Called Love switches up the tone for a warm and charming Rockabily number, still sounds fantastic all these years later.

A stinker turns up in Don't Try Suicide. Its a flaky tune attempting to address a serious topic with an utterly shallow and thoughtless tone. It sounds like a song coerced by some government prevention organization, with rules and regulation on what can be said. I'm sure there intentions were good but its an awful track. The album closes with a beautiful song, Save Me, that is one of their best Ive never heard before this voyage. Freddie's singing is sublime, the harmonies are gorgeous and typically enigmatic guitar leads from Brian May make it an overlooked Queen gem for my ears. All in all The Game is the latest offering of a band experimenting with many sounds, for some reason it all fits together better than previous attempts. And whats up with the album cover? Seems like not a lot of effort was put into its presentation.

Favorite Tracks: Play The Game, Another One Bites The Dust, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Save Me

Rating: 6/10

Queen "Jazz" (1978)

Now embarking on their seventh full length, the eclectic music of Queen is starting to to sound more compartmentalized. No longer an organic tapestry that ebbs and flows from theatrical pantomime to hard guitar grooves and all in between, the group have split their styles and experiments into distinct songs that had me feeling like I had a bias to the ones I knew. The reality is Jazz has a mix of stinkers and classics among its thirteen tracks. Where time has dwindled out the mediocre, the classics have lived on which leads me to believe its no bias but an album of mixed fruits, some of which are rotten and many listens couldn't sweeten the taste for me.

The album kicks off with the stale and jarring Mustapha. It conjures Arabic dialect to foster a middle eastern atmosphere. Then its dense and swaying rock guitars rub up against the stark tone with contrasting vibes. Its production is drab in halves and the song rather dull. Bicycle Race and Fat Bottomed Girls are classics that need no introduction, the latter revives the arena rock anthem ideals of News Of The World's opening songs. If You Can't Beat Them seems contrived to reach the same anthemic chorus ideals but its execution is so underwhelming, it doesn't have any juice or pizzazz. Don't Stop Me Now is a beautiful eruption of piano led music, trusted forth by Freddie's unforgettable expressions. Similar ideas can be heard on the ballad Jealousy and In Only Seven Days but again, its a template now and they don't deliver.

Many Queen tropes are being recycled, even guitar tones too. Its a creatively stagnant point but their collective genius lands on occasions. Jazz does end on a creative high with More Of That Jazz, deploying slick metallic guitar licks that gel into atmospheric vocal layering. Its a delight, played on a loop with snippets of songs from earlier in the record, a cool way to bow the album out. If Ive sounded critical it may be that opening song setting the wrong tone for the following music. At this point I just think the band have bared their fruits and its obvious what they are attempting, so when it doesn't hit the mark it falls flat in comparison to the high standard they have created for themselves.

Favorite Tracks: Fat Bottomed Girls, Bicycle Race, Dead On Time, Don't Stop Me Now, More Of That Jazz

Rating: 6/10

Bring Me The Horizon "Amo" (2019)

Ive been highly anticipating Bring Me The Horizon's return since their monumental That's The Spirit, a modern day Hybrid Theory. Its unsurprising to hear the band further move into the Pop realm, the continual direction shift is fruitful and exciting. Inviting larger synth elements of EDM and Electropop in to subtly tune out their distortion guitars in places, they manage to retain an intensity and heaviness associated with the band. Its the songwriting that triumphs once again as infectious catchy hooks take hold center stage in much of the music. Oli is a huge component to its achievement, taking his voice to many harmonious places with many infectious lyrics. Amo is a logical move forward but perhaps not quite at the same grade.

BMTH certainly have a finger on the pulse of current music and an uncanny ability to evolve their sound and infuse these fresh Electronic and Pop ideas. The transition is utterly seamless and its broadened pallet of sounds gives a depth to the experience as key songs stick out with a defining character. Title track Amo and Mother Tounge pulls in 90s Dance pianos and punchy strings for a Pop epics that spans the decades. Mantra, Wonderful Life and Sugar Honey Ice & Tea, bring in sonic seven string guitar groves in the choruses offset by lighter overdrives between. Interlude pieces Fresh Bruises and Ouch dive into some flavored Glitch Hop passageways and only Nihilist Blues sounds behind the curb with a synth sound reminiscent of 009 Sound System.

Its mostly dense and detailed music, cramming many instruments and complimenting electronic tones into the available space, scaling its richness with the ebb and flow of the music which graces between its fluffy, light pop and crunching grooves, both between songs and within them too. Its A dynamic record with a depth of variety and detail for the ears but with many listens the edge is taken off its less focused and atmospheric leaning compositions that slow the stream. Amo is ultimately a great transition for the group, a strong strive forward but moving from one peak to another they loose a little in the quantity of killer tunes. That's The Spirit was a riot from start to end and Amo drifts of on differen't avenues, intensities and styles that breaks up its magic for periods. The variety is great but not each approach is triumphed.

Favorite Tracks: Mantra, Sugar Honey Ice & Tea

Rating: 6/10

Can't Swim "This Too Won't Pass" (2018)

Last years Fail You Again was a peach! Now Can't Swim are swiftly back at it for round two with their sophomore record. They hit the ground running and kept going. Now there is a real contest between the two records because once again we have another solid set of songs you'll struggle to figure out your favorites from. This Too Won't Pass clearly steps in a brighter, pop direction with more tuneful singing and a generally lighter tone that can be heard in frequent acoustic guitar breaks and Emo, Pop Punk and Indie Rock strains in their sounds. It doesn't derive far from the blueprint at all and once again they challenge my conceptions of Genre's I'm less comfortable with as they pull off musical tropes with a touch of genuine class.

The record is wholly defined by its lyrical themes of breakups, heartaches and relationships. Chris LoPorto has a fantastic ability to channel his stories and musings into a catchy hook that resonates with the core of the song. It can be poetic, intelligent and blunt but more often a mix of all three. There is a fantastic chemistry at work, his words flow through the musical changes in temperament, always inline with the instrumental energy. Tracks like Amnesia 666 executes this with a stunning symmetry. Much like the instrumentals he exhausts a wonderful range of intensities with clean to screams consistently molding a unique persona for each track. The backup shouts and throaty yells of his band mates are not quite on his level. Bordering cringy at times but just about finding themselves on the right side of the line.

Much like their front man, his fellow musicians bring about a fantastic variety of intensity, color and charisma to flourish these themes into vivid visions with a ranged approach from the distortion guitars. They flex a whole range of chords, picking and strumming styles with varying degrees of overdrive that set distinct moods and compliment his words. The songs may have repetitive, simpler structures in places but the chemistry is so strong that each return of a riff or section feels as fresh as the play through before. The drummer also plays a key roll in fusing this all together with lively animated playing of grooves that flesh into the tom drums and livens up many of the chunky bass guitar grooves heard deeper in the mix.

For a record outside my comfort zone its quality really speaks volumes that the music transcends styles and themes I don't particularly vibe with. There are many objective moments where I heard something I wouldn't normally dig but these guys pull it off with true artistic intent and emotional meaning. Perhaps its just the open mind fighting old preconceptions. Either way I think it might be worth investigating more bands in this realm because if there are others as good as these guys I'm sold!

Favorite Tracks: My Queen, Hell In A Handbasket, Malicious 444, Amnesia 666, Winter Of Cicada

Rating: 8/10

Bullet For My Valentine "Gravity" (2018)

They were once a young and promising act but these days Bullet For My Valentine are drifting towards obscurity. They have never interested me that much, last time I checked them out was a decade ago with Scream Aim Fire which I remember being at least half decent. These days I am far more open to Pop Metal and these lush, clean sounds. Gravity is on one hand is an easily enjoyable record, bright, pristine aesthetics, easily digestible with warm, harmonious singing and a sprinkle of bombastic riffs between its fluffy lighter appeal.


On the other hand its lyrically atrocious, full of angsty lyrics trying to tie heightened emotional words of pain and struggle to rather hollow and shallow themes of social relationships expressed through plain and simple language. It conveys little complexity or depth and reminds me of the lyrics my teenage self would of latched onto. Packaged into simple song structures it feels all to formulaic. After a play through it dawned on me that the whole project is very much treading in the shadows of Thats The Spirit, a record that reinvigorated much of the Hybrid Theory formula, in a really positive way. Bullet deploy all the tropes Bring Me The Horizon's recent sound. The song Under Again sounds like a pure unflattering imitation.

The synth tones, gang shouts have little original going for them and once it had crossed my mind I couldn't get away from how much the vocals emulate Chester Bennington. The delivery, the notes, the inflections, Ive heard it all before.  This record sounds like its doing very little to stand on its own. Trend following and niceness daunt its ability to create any original moments. In all fairness is pretty easily enjoyed if you tune out the lyrics. Its well produced and well written Pop music but its facade is thin and a lack of authenticity will have you scrutinizing on closer inspection.

Rating: 3/10