Reviews by h3lios

Well, it's experimental. It sounds reggae and almost post-rock. This singer should make TikTok brainrot remixes, I think they'd do well. (2.5-3)

Wow, this is so groovy! I love hearing Black pride and joy (and a bit of Persona 5 here too) as it takes us on a sonic journey of different African-/Black-influenced styles. The fact they kept up the vibes for 50+ min is a testament to how talented SAULT is with their songcraft; keeping it vibe-y and politically conscious is a fine line to walk through. My only gripe is the length could be more concise but the transitions between songs make up for it (4.5-5).

I wish Depeche Mode for this album would stick in either direction: more dance vibes or more introspective synth pop. AutoTune would've carried the vocals so hard, they're monotone to me (2.5-3).

One of those acoustic albums that could have been recorded during Frieren's adventures. I can't get behind the voice and there aren't a lot of catchy melodies to stick to here (2.5).

Second Yes album in less than a month? Only one more to go 🫣

It's prog rock. It's meh. Drawn out with no clear emotional peak. Though it's interesting to see them explore electronic sounds in this album.

An orchestral, electronic jungle. Some of the synths remind me of Persona 5 (3.5).

It's raw and barebones. Pixies sure do love their body parts (3.5)

This album reinforced how much Taylor Swift has been inspired by Lana. Those vocal inflections, the runny deliveries, the artsy lyrics. It's a very soothing album, less intense but more cohesive than "NFR!".

*some songs not included on Spotify
(Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdN2o4IVA90)

This is just the Byrds right?

standouts: naked if I want to* (interlude), someday*

Impressions of old-time America. Not really a fan of the production/instrumentation choices here.

Hearing this album on the last day of the weekend gives me the Sunday scaries. The relaxing sound makes me not look forward to the work week 🫣. Like I don't have enough time to fully relax and dive into the vibes here.

This sounds like a combination between rock and roll and country. There's that honky-tonk piano, steel guitar twang, and simple percussion––the cornerstones of the genre. It's a whiplash from the recent EDM music I've been getting into, so that definitely affects my rating. It's also very cohesive and can be one-track in terms of its sound despite going from ballads to energetic ditties. I like my country modern with more strings, rock sounds, and pop verse-chorus structures (2.5).

I don't like it when you start your album with the longest track. With that aside, the ambient Western dance tradition pairs pretty well with South Asian beats. Nice study mix too.

When the church ORGANS get the rock and roll treatment 😩. Other than some standout tracks like "Break On Through...", "Light My Fire", "The End". The organs just make it all sound similar (3.5).

This is like a vaudeville hosted by both Randy Newman and a suburban version of Scott Walker. The end result is period music for antique shops, which is just jarring to me being contrasted with the digicore music I've been listening to. What makes me dislike this album even more is that last song, "Montana Song". It's too grand and baroque for me. If David stuck to more piano and soft-rock tunes I'd appreciate the cinematic vignettes of American life more (2.5).

Bowie did his homework on soul and funk, but it still doesn't hit different. Common gripe I have across all albums is that some songs just go on too long. "Fame" feels the most authentic out of the other tracks.

Youtube link (since it's not available on Spotify): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCHB5LLPQ3s

Not stimulating enough. Try scrolling through TikTok's FYP man... smh

Lol, I got whiplash on the first beat. It's like Trout Mask in its polyrhythms but with much more skilled jazz playing. This is still really goofy though, like imagine playing Guitar Hero to this 🥀. It's good music to work to but when you have too much, my brain becomes this jazzy chaos. Take in moderation basically (2.5-3).

Fitting that my first album by the Smashing Pumpkins is their debut! I was so turned off by Billy's voice when I listened to "Mellon Collie" for the first time (by first time I mean last year). So when I heard "Siamese Dream", it still didn't click for me but the listen was more tolerable with the reverb and instruments soaking Billy's voice in an echo.

That was until Spotify put on "Mayonaise" and I felt chills throughout the song earlier this January. The more times I listened to it, the more Billy's singing felt familiar to me. So it wasn't merely tolerable anymore, the vocals were an important part of the record itself.

I'm so glad this album clicked for me when it did. I didn't know I could enjoy alternative music for someone who was always on pop mode for the longest time. I did grow up listening to Christian rock on our local station so maybe that was just hidden inside waiting to be rediscovered in a different form.

Now when I listen to it (on vinyl!!), the album doesn't feel too long. I love how the Smashing Pumpkins were able to take similar sonic elements and put them together to create new takes on each song. The guitars, reverb, and drums were still there but they were arranged in a way that just felt fresh. It's also kinda poppy in a way where I can hum the melodies to a few of the songs (i.e. Spaceboy, Today, Cherub Rock, etc.).

Since this album really clicked for me this year, I'll give this a 5. I'm glad I listened to it when I had. It makes me realize music can hit in so many different ways, you just have to be open to the experience (and have your playlist on shuffle too).

The intro sounded like a mix between funk-rock and folk's political lyrics. I think it tries too hard to do a lot at once with genres, particularly with that 80s sound. That definitely makes the album an obstacle to get through despite being shorter than the previous one I had. The only song that caught my attention was the last one, which was a simple cover of "Who's Loving You" (2.5).

I could hear this in GTA and I wouldn't bat an eye. The beats are mostly chill but the drums can go pretty hard. The synths add a dirty slow jam vibe to it. Bumping this up to a 4 for its legendary status.

Also what is it with 90s rap albums and the sex scenes? It's so forced (3.5-4).

Talking Heads (more aptly LCD Soundsystem) mixed with 2000s UK vibes. Love the dance-heavy drum patterns. Wished there were more songs with the hook-heavy sections of Take Me Out on here cause it feels scattered in vibes to me (3.5).