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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Oct 14, 2022 22:31:56 GMT 1
THE LINDA LINDA'S - Growing Up
Release Date: April 8, 2022The Linda Lindas are an all girl rock band from Los Angeles comprising of Mila de la Garza 12, Lucia de la Garza 15, Eloise Wong 13 and Bela Salazar who is an old woman at 18. Two sisters, a cousin, and their close friend. They channel the spirit of original punk, power pop, and new wave, they got some attention when then 10 year old Mila de la Garza who is Chinese wrote " Racist, Sexist Boy" about a negative experience with a boy at School during the Covid pandemic and the likes of Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello Tweeted about them playing the song in the library 1. Oh! 9 2. Growing Up 9.5 3. Talking To Myself 8.5 4. Fine 7 5. Nino 7.5 6. Why 8 7. Cuántas Veces 7 8. Remember 8 9. Magic 7.5 10. Racist, Sexist Boy 7.5SummaryUnpopular opinion maybe but these guys should've blown up like Wet Leg did, they are unique, quirky, young, talented and made some brilliant punk-infused power pop on their debut album. I came across them July 2021 when they released the catchy and quirky pop punk infused "Oh!", the album starts off with a bang with 3 cracking songs, if you like bouncy punky power pop tunes then check these guys out, especially " Gowing Up", " Oh!" and " Talking To Myself" 7.95/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Oct 23, 2022 19:14:54 GMT 1
WET LEG - Wet Leg
Release Date: April 8, 2022Wet Leg is the eponymous debut studio album by British rock band Wet Leg. It was promoted by the viral hit "Chaise Longue", followed by the singles "Wet Dream", "Too Late Now", "Oh No", "Angelica", and "Ur Mum". The album received acclaim from music critics, topped the charts in the United Kingdom and was shortlisted for the 2022 Mercury Prize. Most definitely one I've been meaning to get round to, the singles for me were hit and miss so let's see how the album fares 1. Being in Love 7.52. Chaise Longue 93. Angelica 7.54. I Don't Wanna Go Out 7.55. Wet Dream 106. Convincing 87. Loving You 78. Ur Mum 7.59. Oh No 6.510. Piece of sh*t 711. Supermarket 712. Too Late Now 8SummaryWell firstly Wet Leg are the first band from the Isle of Wight to achieve a UK number 1 album so well done for that, I'm not sure what I was expecting here, something quirky, off kilter, ridiculous, a bit weird maybe? What we have is more like the singles bulked up with a pretty large number of songs about how rubbish exes are, which is ok, if not a bit mundane given the creativity they burst on the scene with, this certainly wasn't what i was expecting. Think I was expecting them channelling their quirky sense of humour a but more, I did enjoy their Pavement-style guitar style throughout the album. Overall I like their debut album but it does stray a bit too far into slacker minimalism at times, still a solid debut album though 7.70/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Nov 15, 2022 13:13:29 GMT 1
DOROTHY - Gifts From The Holy Ghost
Release Date: April 22, 2022Gifts from the Holy Ghost, the third studio album from blues-rock band Dorothy, showcases frontwoman Dorothy Martin’s soulful, soaring, rock vocals, alongside the band’s foot-stomping, hard rock, bluesy sound, & highlights the singer’s song-writing evolution through lyrics derived from emotional introspection & spiritual revelation. Before its release Dorothy said "I think this album is going to speak to a lot of people, it’s meant to be healing, unifying, eye-opening, ear-opening, heart-opening, and celebratory. I wanted to make the realest album I could make, and I went in with the question, ‘Does this make me feel alive? Does it make me feel free?’ If a song didn’t give me chills or make my heart soar, then it didn’t make the cut.” Via LoudWire. 1. A Beautiful Life 10 2. Big Guns 7.5 3. Rest in Peace 9 4. Top of the World 8 5. Hurricane 7 6. Close to Me Always 6.5 7. Black Sheep 9 8. Touched by Fire 7.5 9. Made to Die 7.5 10. Gifts From the Holy Ghost 8
SummaryOpening tack "A Beautiful Life " is one of my favourite songs of the year, loud, powerful and poignant, the perfect opening track for an album about unshackling of chains, the slaying of demons and overcoming adversity. The album as a whole is good but it's the songs "A Beautiful Life", "Rest in Peace", "Black Sheep" that really stand out here. The bluesy riff on "Top of the World" is pretty great too, it's just good victorious rock and roll. 8.0/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Nov 15, 2022 13:40:34 GMT 1
BLOSSOMS - Ribbon Around The Bomb
Release Date: April 29, 2022Blossoms release their brand-new, fourth studio album Ribbon Around The Bomb. The band’s new album is produced by their consistent and renowned collaborators James Skelly (The Coral) and Rich Turvey and revolves around a central character ‘The Writer’. Standout tracks on the record include Ode To NYC, described by Tom as ‘a love letter to my favourite city, as well as my wife’, The Writer which deals with the fear of and frustration associated with writers block. NME rated the album 4/5, saying "it's a coming-of-age moment for the band, and there's no question Blossoms have levelled up with this release, sealing their status as giants of the game with more earnest and open song writing and giving the album 8/10, Rolling Stone UK said: "The group have delivered arguably their most introspective effort yet. It dials down on the synths that featured so abundantly before and instead offers a sound that wears a love of classic songwriters proudly on its sleeve. 1. The Writer’s Theme N/A 2. Ode To NYC 8.5 3. Ribbon Around The Bomb 9.5 4. The Sulking Poet 8.5 5. Born Wild 7.5 6. The Writer 6.5 7. Everything About You 8 8. Care For 10 9. Cinerama Holy Days 8.5 10. Edith Machinist 7.5 11. Visions 7.5 12. The Last Chapter N/ASummaryBlossoms are a band I find it hard not to love, I have liked pretty much they have ever released, and this is no exception, with each album, the Stockport quintet improve, honing their craft. "Ribbon Around The Bomb" does sound more grown up, it still has that nostalgic feel but there is more focus on melodies. Not really a bad track on here, only one track I wasn't keen on which was "The Writer", an acoustic piece that feels like it was placed there more to tell a story. This is already their third #1 album! and very well deserved, probably their most consistent album yet 8.20/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Nov 18, 2022 23:31:54 GMT 1
ARCADE FIRE - WE
Release Date: May 6, 2022We is the sixth studio album by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire, the album takes its name from the Russian dystopian novel We by Yevgeny Zamyatin. It is the final album to feature multi-instrumentalist Will Butler, who departed the band in 2021 shortly after its completion. We was preceded by two singles: "The Lightning I, II" and "Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics and received moderate commercial success, in its first week it went to number one in the United Kingdom and was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. 1. Age of Anxiety I 8 2. Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole) 7 3. Prelude N/A 4. End of the Empire I-III 7.5 5. End of the Empire IV (Sagittarius A*) 7 6. The Lightning I 8 7. The Lightning II 8.5 8. Unconditional I (Lookout Kid) 8.5 9. Unconditional II (Race and Religion) 8 10. WE 7.5 SummaryWhere do I start, with a 40-minute running time this one is nice and short, more melodic than their other recent albums. I still like their first three albums better, but that's just because Arcade Fire has such a high standard, but it is very good compared to Everything Now and the patchy Reflektor. A lot of the songs start slow but build into a crescendo of noise, really hard to fault the album other than there is nothing here I love with 8.5 being my highest rating for "The Lightning II" and "Unconditional I". The opening track is gorgeous but loses half a point for the weird stomps & breaths, oh Arcade Fire why do you do this to me, sometimes I think they love to self-sabotage just to make things interesting, despite a few flaws this is a good album 7.77/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Nov 25, 2022 20:12:31 GMT 1
CLASSLESS ACT - Welcome To The Show
Release Day: June 24, 2022Rising rock band Classless Act released their debut album earlier this year called "Welcome to the Show". The group has just embarked on a stadium tour serving as opener for a load of legendary rock acts featuring Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett. Motley Crue singer Vince Neil makes a guest appearance on "Welcome to the Show", lending vocals to the opening song “Classless Act.” That tune was one of three singles along with “Time to Bleed” and “This Is for You” that were released before the album’s arrival. The latter track features Justin Hawkins, frontman of the Darkness, I loved all the singles so been looking forward to this one, it is just classic rock cranked up to 11 1. Classless Act (feat. Vince Neil) 8.5 2. This Is for You (feat. Justin Hawkins) 8 3. Time to Bleed 8 4. On My Phone 7.5 5. All That We Are 9 6. Made in Hell 8 7. Storm Before the Calm 9 8. Haunting Love 7.5 9. Walking Contradiction 8 10. Give It to Me 8 11. Circles 7.5 12. Thoughts From a Dying Man 7.5
SummaryClassless Act are a rock band with a classic rock sound, they have been dropping singles throughout 2022, a hugely talented new band whose members come from all over the globe – Poland, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Argentina, Dallas. “Give It To Me” perfectly represents the group’s deft ability to take a vintage tone and inject it with new, modern energy, bringing life back to a time-honored rock n roll sound. And live in concert, as one reviewer put it, “Classless Act hit the stage at 100 miles per hour, and they never slowed down during their set.” What stands out about Classless Act is their cohesiveness as a group, despite each member having roots in vastly different walks of life, both culturally and physically. That singular vision, embedded with a diverse sense of self, is evident on their debut album. 8.04/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Dec 9, 2022 18:34:51 GMT 1
ELIZA & THE DELUSIONALS - Now and Then
Release Date: May 20, 2022Eliza & The Delusionals have arrived at their most significant career point to date: their debut album, Now And Then. The 12-track collection is Eliza & The Delusionals in their purest form. An album that reflects on youth and the formative years that have influenced the mid-20 somethings they are today. Guitars and rhythms that feel fresh and contemporary while casting a nostalgic look back at the artists who brought similar ideas to prominence in the ‘90s and early ‘00s. Now And Then is also an album of resilience. Eliza & The Delusionals, like so many artists, faced huge losses throughout 2020; however for the Australian group, their axis was upended at a crucial time in their career. About to relocate to the United States to embark on a huge amount of touring and ultimately, putting roots down for themselves, the band instead found themselves in the studio, turning their emotions, thoughts and mental processes into creativity. 1. Give You Everything 8.5 2. Save Me 8.5 3. YOU 8 4. Nothing Yet 9 5. Lonely 7.5 6. Halloween 8 7. Bed Song 8 8. Bed Now (Interlude) N/A 9. Get A Hold Of You 7.5 10. Circles 7 11. All The Time 8 12. Now And Then 7Summary"Now and Then" is a solid late 90s/early 2000s inspired indie rock album that's full of nostalgic indie pop songs, there is some nice synthpop on here too. For those who follow Halloween Vision, TheThorne entered Eliza & The Delusionals in that contest and they won with "Halloween" so if you liked that one definitely check this album out because there are plenty of similar catchy songs with great hooks on here. 7.91/10
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Post by greendemon on Dec 9, 2022 18:47:01 GMT 1
Love this album, they were considered for my advent calendar so may make an appearance at some point...
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Dec 9, 2022 23:24:22 GMT 1
DUNE RATS - Real Rare Whale
Release Date: July 29, 2022Real Rare Whale is the fourth studio album by Australian rock band Dune Rats. It was released on 29 July 2022 and peaked at number 6 on the ARIA Charts. The band said, "Real Rare Whale is hands down the fastest, funnest and most insane album we've ever recorded. It's an album that expresses the love of music and writing songs. Songs that will be epic to play live to thousands of sweaty bodies having a great time. At the 2022 ARIA Music Awards, the album was nominated for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album. 1. LTD 8 2. Dumb TV 8 3. Up 9.5 4. Pamela Aniston 7.5 5. What A Memorable Night 9.5 6. Skate Or Don't 7.5 7. Space Cadet 7.5 8. Melted Into Two 9.5 9. Drink All Day 7.5 10. If This Is The End 8
SummaryAffectionally known as the Dunies, this trio of Aussie surf rock punks are back with what has to be their punkiest, punniest and most fun album yet. The record is pretty light-hearted with songs about drink, drugs, memory loss from a heavy night out, not wanting to get out of bed, watching trash tv, skating and hanging out with your buds. "Real Rare Whale" is full of fun party rock anthems with "Up", "What A Memorable Night" and "Melted Into Two" being my favourites, only 10 tracks clocking in at just over 28 minutes so absolutely no filler 8.25/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 5, 2023 17:11:21 GMT 1
RAMMSTEIN - Zeit
Release Date: April 29, 2022Zeit (English: Time) is the eighth studio album by Germa band Rammstein that peaked at #3 in the UK album chart, the album was unplanned and recorded as a result of the band's tour being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the band, the enforced lockdowns due to the pandemic spurred the band's creativity, resulting in spontaneous writing and recording sessions. Rammstein recorded the album in late 2020 and early 2021 at La Fabrique Studios in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, where they recorded their previous album. 1. Armee der Tristen 8.5 2. Zeit 9.5 3. Schwarz 8 4. Giftig 7.5 5. Zick Zack 8.5 6. OK 8.5 7. Meine Tränen 8.5 8. Angst 7.5 9. Dicke Titten 7.5 10. Lügen 7 11. Adieu 9
SummaryJust like high quality wine, Rammstein keeps getting better and better as time passes by, Zeit covers a mix of serious themes such as the inevitability of time and the pain that inevitably comes along with that to songs about plastic surgery and boobs. Unusual for Rammstein we do have some delicate ballads but plenty of familiar chunky riffs too especially in Zik Zack and OK. This album is a pleasant surprise because they were thinking about calling it a day after their 2019 untitled album but I can't imagine a world without Rammstein and their wonderful chaotic madness 8.18/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 6, 2023 12:55:44 GMT 1
ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER - Endless RoomsRelease Date: May 6, 2022While initial ideas for Endless Rooms were traded online during long spells spent separated by Australia’s strict lockdowns, the album was truly born during small windows of freedom in which the band would decamp to a mud-brick house in the bush around two hours north of Melbourne built by the extended Russo family in the 1970s. There, its 12 tracks took shape, informed to such an extent by the acoustics and ambience of the rambling lakeside house that they decided to record the album there (and put the house on the album cover). For the first time, the band self-produced the record (alongside engineer, collaborator and old friend, Matt Duffy). The result is a collection of songs permeated by the spirit of the place; punctuated by field recordings of rain, fire, birds, and wind. "It's almost an anti-concept album," says the band. "The Endless Rooms of the title reflects our love of creating worlds in our songs. We treat each of them as a bare room to be built up with infinite possibilities." Endless Rooms was met with widespread acclaim from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average, Endless Rooms has a rating of 82 out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, based on eight critic reviews 1. Pearl Like You N/A 2. Tidal River 8 3. The Way It Shatters 8.5 4. Caught Low 7 5. My Echo 9.5 6. Dive Deep 8.5 7. Open Up Your Window 7 8. Blue Eye Lake 7.5 9. Saw You At The Eastern Beach 8 10. Vanishing Dots 7 11. Endless Rooms 6.5 12. Bounce Off The Bottom 7.5SummaryDrawing from the canon of jangly, guitar-centric 1980s college rock I can't help but compare this one to early REM, maybe a little bit Talking Heads, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have always been guitar heavy with their three-guitarists, Joe Russo, Joe White and Fran Keaney and the delayed guitars and distorted vocals really stand out on "Endless Rooms". Lyrically the album can at times come across a little vague but that might be more the distorted vocals but still a solid effort with singles "Echo", "The Way It Shatters" and "Dive Deep" being my highlights 7.72/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 10, 2023 19:13:27 GMT 1
STATE CHAMPS - Kings Of The New Age
Release Date: May 13th, 2022State Champs is an American pop punk band from Albany, New York, formed in 2010, they have released three EPs and four full-length albums with the latest album "Kings Of The New Age" dropping earlier this year. State Champs have won an audience for their songs that balance joy and angst with strong vocal harmonies and interwoven guitar work. Their music is full of energy and melodic hooks, delivered with taut, precise instrumental work and passionate vocals from lead singer Derek Discanio with influences that range from Blink-182, Sum 41, Fall Out Boy, New Found Glory to Green Day. 1. Here To Stay 8.5 2. Eventually 9 3. Everybody But You 9.5 4. Outta My Head 8 5. Fake It 7.5 6. Half Empty 7.5 7. Just Sound 8 8. Act Like That 8 9. Where Were You 8 10. Sundress 8 11. Some Minds Don’t Change 8.5SummaryThe thing that stands out on "Kings Of The New Age" is the summery energy these guys bring to the table, we have banger after banger of pop punk, I know a few people were waiting for me to get to this one and I eventually got round to it. Well there's not a bad song on the album but the highlights for me were "Everybody But You", "Eventually" and album opener "Here To Stay". The album is crafted in a typical pop-punk fashion with fast catchy hooks with crunching riffs and harmonic chorus so if that's your kind of thing you will love "Kings Of The New Age" 8.22/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 19, 2023 20:05:36 GMT 1
MUNA - MunaRelease Date: June 24, 2022 Muna is the third studio album by American indie pop band Muna, released on June 24, 2022. It is their first album as an independent artist, after they signed with Phoebe Bridgers' Saddest Factory Records imprint in 2021. It was promoted by the singles "Silk Chiffon", "Anything but Me", "Kind of Girl", and "Home by Now". The album was met with critical acclaim upon release, At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album holds an average score of 82 based on thirteen reviews 1. Silk Chiffon 8 2. What I Want 9 3. Runner's High 7 4. Home By Now 8.5 5. Kind Of Girl 7.5 6. Handle Me 7 7. No Idea 6.5 8. Solid 8 9. Anything But Me 9 10. Loose Garment 7.5 11. Shooting Star 8
SummaryI like disco Muna better than shoegaze Muna so "What I Want" was a pleasant surprise, the more 80's sounding the better. I guess the album can be described as part Haim, part shoegaze and part 80s and you would have pretty much the full picture. "Home By Now" and "Anything But Me" were very good singles that peaked at #4 and #5 for me. My criticism is the same as usual with albums like this, the singles were brilliant, and the upbeat 80s sounding tracks like "What I Want" and "Solid" I loved but it gets a bit too one paced in the middle 7.81/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 20, 2023 18:24:17 GMT 1
THE INTERRUPTERS - In The Wild
Release Date: August 5, 2022The Interrupters are an American ska punk band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2011. The band comprises lead vocalist Aimee Interrupter, drummer Jesse Bivona, bassist Justin Bivona, and guitarist Kevin Bivona. They have released four studio albums. The latest, In the Wild, which was released in 2022. 1. Anything Was Better 8.5 2. As We Live ft Rhoda Dakar, Tim Armstrong 8 3. Raised By Wolves 8 4. In The Mirror 9.5 5. Kiss The Ground 7.5 6. Jailbird 8 7. The Hard Way 7.5 8. My Heart 9 9. Let 'Em Go 7.5 10. Worst For Me 6.5 11. Burdens Ft Alex Désert, Greg Lee 7 12. Love Never Dies ft The Skints 7 13. Afterthought 8 14. Alien 8
SummaryAimee Allen's star-studded vocals are the star here, whilst their music isn't anything new, there aren't many 2 tone/ ska bands around these days, certainly not a new wave of them anyway. There are deep meaning to their songs too which might get lost amongst their bouncy sound. Opener "Anything was Better" references her troubled time in foster care. "Jailbird" echoes her feelings on her mental health issues and closing track "Alien" is one for the outsiders in society. There are a few interesting features here too including ska-related artists like The Skints and Rancid/The Transplants Tim Armstrong, overall a fun album with some great songs 7.85/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 25, 2023 15:56:14 GMT 1
PALE WAVES – Unwanted
Release Date: August 12, 2022Unwanted is the third studio album by English rock band Pale Waves. Indebted to the pop-punk genre, Unwanted was intended to be heavier and more aggressive than the band's previous work. Heather Baron-Gracie (the band's lead singer and guitarist) co-wrote all of the album's songs with a close group of musical collaborators, including Ciara Doran, Kelsi Luck, Cervini, Sam de Jong, Whakaio Taahi, Andrew Goldstein, and Drew Fulk. Many of the lyrics on Unwanted discuss darker topics, including anger, jealousy, substance use, depression, and suicide. Musically, the record was inspired by a variety of bands, including Paramore, My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Liz Phair, and Courtney Love; many critics have also compared the album to the work of Avril Lavigne. Unwanted received mostly positive reviews from critics, with many applauding the band's continuing evolution, the record's heavier sound, and the albums pop-punk production. Unwanted debuted at number four on the UK Albums Chart. 1. Lies 9 2. Unwanted 8.5 3. The Hard Way 7.5 4. Jealousy 10 5. Alone 7.5 6. Clean 8.5 7. Without You 7.5 8. Only Problem 8 9. You’re So Vain 7 10. Reasons To Live 9.5 11. Numb 6.5 12. Act My Age 7 13. So Sick (Of Missing You) 7.5SummarySome might say "Unwanted" is derivative of early 2000s pop/rock as if that is a bad thing but I love the nostalgia trip, I totally get the Avril Lavigne comparison too, "You’re So Vain" for example is very Avril and they now have 5 songs with the same name as Avril songs ha. There are some good album tracks here but the highlights are the singles "Lies", "Jealousy" and "Reasons To Live". My only criticism is whilst the music is good and I enjoy the vocals, aesthetics and live they are very talented, lyrical content wise this is again 13 songs about breaking up and I would hat to throw these guys onto the dull breakup band scrap heap if album 4 is more of the same. 8.0/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 25, 2023 16:52:44 GMT 1
YUNGBLUD - Yungblud
Release Date: September 2, 202225 year old English singer Yungblud (Dominic Harrison) has now released three studio albums, his second studio album, "Weird, and his self-titled third album have both reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. A Doncaster boy whose music speaks to the disenfranchised and those on the fringes of society, his lyrics often deeper and darker than most pop songs. Harrison cites rock, pop and hip hop artists such as Arctic Monkeys, The Beatles, The Cure, Nirvana, Avril Lavigne, the Clash, Soundgarden, My Chemical Romance, Marilyn Manson, Lady Gaga, Lorde, Post Malone, Kanye West, Eminem, and Katy Perry as influences and if you listen to his three albums you can hear all of these in his music 1. The Funeral 10 2. Tissues 8.5 3. Memories feat. WILLOW 7.5 4. Cruel Kids 7 5. Mad 7.5 6. I Cry 2 6 7. Sweet Heroine 6.5 8. Sex Not Violence 7 9. Don't Go 8 10. Don't Feel Like Feeling Sad Today 9 11. Die for a Night 6.5 12. The Boy in the Black Dress 8 13. The Emperor 9
SummaryI've always had a soft spot for Yungbluds music, his blend of pop-punk, hip-hop and rock has always hit all the right spots for me. Dominic has stated in many interviews that after two albums that were more of a social commentary this is the album he had to make at this point in his career with this one being his most personal work to date. "This album is my story. This is who I am. All my albums have been about society and other people. This album’s about me." The album is mostly catchy pop rock that flies on the coattails of mid-2000s emo/gothy trends so another nostalgia trip, the middle of the album takes a dive in quality and starts to feel like The 1975's more weird moments and I'm not sure why single "Fleabag" didn't make it on the album, both of them things will drag the rating down here 7.76/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 27, 2023 14:07:55 GMT 1
MUSE - Will Of The PeopleRelease Date: August 26th, 2022The goal of the album, ever since ideas for it arose in late 2019, was that it would explore current events in the world. Since a lot has happened during these years, it, thematically, explores everything from Black Lives Matter protests, to the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns, to the 2021 Capitol riots, and much more. According to Muse, "Will of the People was created in Los Angeles and London and is influenced by increasing uncertainty and instability in the world. A pandemic, new wars in Europe, massive protests & riots, an attempted insurrection, Western democracy wavering, rising authoritarianism, wildfires and natural disasters and the destabilisation of the global order all informed Will of the People. It has been a worrying and scary time for all of us as the Western empire and the natural world, which we have cradled us for so long are genuinely threatened. This album is a personal navigation through those fears and preparation for what comes next." 1. Will of the People 8 2. Compliance 8 3. Liberation 8 4. Won’t Stand Down 10 5. Ghosts (How Can I Move On) 9 6. You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween 10 7. Kill or Be Killed 9 8. Verona 7.5 9. Euphoria 8.5 10. We Are f***ing f***ed 7.5
SummaryNice easy one today, I knew 6 of the 10 songs already because they were all singles. With the release of Origin of Muse and Origin of Symmetry's 20th Anniversary Remix the band listened to a lot of their old music during the writing and recording process and were thinking about certain things and ideas that they tried to do in the past, but they didn't work out. As an example, Matt Bellamy mentioned Kill or Be Killed, saying that "2 to 3 times in our career, we've tried to create something that kind of...resembled metal or something, but we couldn't quite go there". As such, as mentioned by Bellamy on the Zane Lowe interview, the album goes "all the way, from metal, to pop, to my first version of an Adele piano-like song, to electronica", featuring songs like Kill or Be Killed, which is "the best prog metal song they've ever done that could've been on Drones", becoming a fan-favourite after just a few live performances, and We Are f***ing f***ed, which he sees as "the weirdest, darkest lost B-side of Muse's life", while also including songs like Liberation, which is, according to NME, a Queen-like ballad song and Verona, bringing "purity to the nostalgic electronic textures", as described by Warner themselves. It is essentially a best of Muse but with new songs and i like that, there's not a bad song on the album 8.55/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 27, 2023 15:12:07 GMT 1
THE MIDNIGHT - Heroes
Release Date: September 9, 2022“The last 2 years have been so hard for so many people. ‘Heartbeat’ is a reminder that love and empathy is not a finite resource. There is love enough.” – The Midnight. There is a Japanese term: Mono no aware. It means basically, the sad beauty of seeing time pass - the aching awareness of impermanence. These are the days that we will return to one day in the future only in memories. The Midnight consists of Tyler Lyle (a songwriter from the Deep South) and Tim McEwan (a producer from Denmark) and together they make shimmering, nostalgic synth pop similar to a more 80s inspired Work Drugs mixed with a bit of Ryan Adams lyrically and vocally 1. Golden Gate 7.5 2. Brooklyn. Friday. Love. 8.5 3. Heartbeat 9 4. A Place of Her Own 7.5 5. Heroes 8.5 6. Heart Worth Breaking 8.5 7. Loved by You 7 8. Aerostar 7.5 9. Change Your Heart or Die 9.5 10. Avalanche 8.5 11. Souvenir 7.5 12. Photograph 7 13. Energy Never Dies, It Just Transforms N/A SummaryA band I discovered through greendemon and I'm glad I did, I love their 80s inspired dreamy synthpop, they have the odd AOR inspired moments too like on "Change Your Heart or Die" which sounds like a song from a 80's sci fi movie. The Midnight are no longer just a two piece, they now have three new live musicians, two of whom contributed to the Heroes writing process. The full band does wonders for The Midnight, who have certainly become larger and more unique on this excellent record, from what I have heard of their other albums this one can best be described as The Midnight but in HD 8.04/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Feb 7, 2023 14:23:26 GMT 1
THE AMAZONS - How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me?
Release Date: September 9, 2022How Will I Know if Heaven Will Find Me? is the third studio album by British alternative rock band the Amazons and peaked at #3 in the uk album chart. frontman Matt Thomson exclusively telling Rolling Stone UK how he envisaged the record to be an antidote to dark times. Since forming back in 2014, the four piece have always managed to craft anthemic rock, their first two albums were excellent and me and Hupin saw them live last summer and both agreed they were brilliant live too. 1. How Will I Know? 9 2. Bloodrush 10 3. Say It Again 8.5 4. There's a Light 9.5 5. Northern Star 7.5 6. Wait for Me 8 7. One by One 7.5 8. Ready for Something 9.5 9. For the Night 7 10. In the Morning 7.5 11. I'm Not Ready 7.5Summary "How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me?" was produced by Jim Abbiss (Bombay Bicycle Club, Arctic Monkeys) and features co-writing collaborations from the likes of Maggie Rogers and Jamie Hartman. The four singles are the perfect example of the Reading band’s talent, "How Will I Know?" is the perfect introduction to the album with its uplifting chorus, "Bloodrush" is a brooding, stomper and for me is the crown jewel of the album, "There's a Light" is a slow builder but builds to something special and "Ready for Something" chugs along with a riff Daft Punk would be proud of before breaking into a guitar driven jam. Highlight of the album tracks was "Say It Again", another brilliant album by The Amazons 8.31/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Feb 7, 2023 14:47:57 GMT 1
ELECTRIC CALLBOY - Tekkno
Release Date: September 16, 2022Tekkno is the sixth studio album by German metalcore band Electric Callboy. It is the band's first album to feature Nico Sallach as the band's clean vocalist and their first since they changed their name from Eskimo Callboy to Electric Callboy. The band submitted "Pump It" into the German national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, but ultimately were not included in the final list of participants. Tekkno entered the German albums chart at No. 1 in the week after release, the highest ranking any record of Electric Callboy achieved. 1. Pump It 10 2. We Got the Moves 10 3. Fuckboi (featuring Conquer Divide) 9 4. Spaceman (featuring Finch) 8.5 5. Mindreader 8 6. Arrow of Love 9.5 7. Parasite 7.5 8. Tekkno Train 8 9. Hurrikan 7.5 10. Neon 9SummaryTekkno is predominantly a mash-up between Eurodance-inspired tunes and brutal metal core riffs. But a few songs like "Fckboi" leans more into a pop punk sound and "Mindreader" and "Parasite" mix the band's metalcore and rave sound. One thing is for sure "Tekkno" is one wild ride from start to finish, every 30 seconds the album flips to a whole new genre! and I love it, they make the best music videos too, "We Got the Moves" is just hilarious, the whole album is both danceable but undeniably heavy. Well worth checking out if you like metal and euro pop 8.70/10
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