Reviews by j-bizzle

There's lots to like in this. There's plenty of funky energy and smooth rhymes. The production is really good. Favourite track: Move

3.5 rounded up.

This is a real nice, mellow album. There's a simplicity to it, but it's gently effective. I really like his singing on this one. There's some soul and experience there, and it combines nicely with the music to give a depth of feeling. Once again, I appreciate the breadth of instrumentation across the tracks.

3.5 rounded up.

You know, if anything, I think this could have been honkier AND tonkier. I was generally pretty up on the upbeat songs with prominent gee-tar. Other parts are proper country, but it's decent enough. I like his singing voice. I was maybe less enthused as it went on, but overall I was pretty happy with this!

This was a thoroughly chilled and, yes, smooooth record which sadly diminished somewhat over time. Individually all the tracks are super nice and easy-listening, but it's all very similar over a long run-time, and ultimately it's a little bit much in one sitting so it loses some points.

3.5 rounded down.

I'm surprised Madonna put out an album that leant so much into the electronic genre, with down-tempo and trip-hop elements. I guess that speaks to her ability to stay relevant and appeal to audiences across multiple decades, and that should be applauded.

I did enjoy this, but I can't say I was really massively taken with it. I like the songs in general, appreciate the production and approach, and had a perfectly nice time listening to it overall. It didn't really achieve much more than that for me though.

A solid 3/5.

This is definitely on the more accessible side of jazz. It's just super easy-going, with real nice grooves, nice trumpet and nice overall playing. Some tracks are suuuuper smooth.

I definitely found it fading into the background a bit, just due to the nature of it, but I still really enjoyed it for what it was. It's really nice to work to.

3.5 rounded up.

It's always nice when you discover a band's discography beyond their biggest hit (in this case 'Wake Up Boo') and you realise that they have a broader style, and are much more sonically diverse.

This was more noisy, rough and shoegazey than I was expecting, but it does work overall. I'm kind of impressed at the experimentation on show, and the variety of different instruments and approaches. I particularly like the moments of impactful brass, but there's much on offer.

Still, despite this, it feels like it's somehow lacking overall, or there's just one missing element that could take it to the next level. It might be the vocal delivery holding it back, which is just a bit soft and floaty and meandering for my liking. I'm sure it's a taste thing, but I feel like something a bit punchier would work so much better.

3.5 rounded down.

This album is nothing less than nice, but it's massively held up by several brilliant songs in Imagine and Jealous Guy. While the rest are pretty decent, they're not really the kind of thing I'll come back to or spend any time thinking about.

Imagine is obviously a classic and kind of timeless. Jealous Guy is such a beautiful song. There's lovely production there, with the piano and strings, and even the whistling really bringing something different to it. Both songs are quite direct and open in their messaging, but it's so effective.

3.5 rounded down.

I don't think you can really go wrong with an album like this when it's done well. It's not going to lodge in the memory, and individual tracks probably won't jump out at you; but it's just a really nicely chilled, relaxing vibe. There's lots of elements all coming together, with different layers adding depth. It makes for an incredibly easy listen with minimal commitment.

I'd only come across him before in a night club at uni. I was recently big into the film Platoon, and his version of Adagio for Strings came on. I specifically remember being affronted that he could disrespect the memory of Sergeant Grodin Elias like that, walking around the dancefloor in disgust and disbelief. Of course, that's quite the tune now I realise.

He died only recently at time of writing, so RIP sir. I'll be saving this one and adding it to my 'chill' roster.

Another reminder that Kanye really had it. This isn't my scene in general, but there's some excellent tracks on here (I particularly liked the double-header of Runaway and Hell of a Life). The production is top notch, and there's tons of variation in the delivery across the whole album. It's really propulsive, with tons of interesting flourishes throughout.

It's a perfectly nice album. I'm mostly impressed with his guitar sound and the overall mood and atmosphere on the album. The sound is very rich, with lots of deep layers of sound, nice minor keys and so on.

He has a nice voice of course, but it is a bit over-dramatic. I know that's what everyone loves about him, but I find it a bit much, and even a bit annoying at times.

It's hard to be too enthusiastic about this as it's so formless and drawn-out. You're not exactly listening to 3 minute, well-crafted pop songs; it's nearly 20 minutes of experimental, proggy, jazz-fusion noodling for every track.

It's weird and a lot of it IS bollocks - but it's not unpleasant, and I may even stretch to 'fairly nice' at times. His voice is kind of hilariously weird, but as with his solo albums I kind of dig it.

2.5 rounded up.

It's kind of goofy, which I don't really mind... but the lyrics and general content are just really bad, and it sounds so dated. Outside of some funky flourishes, the beats and rhymes are incredibly basic, and the talking sections and skits aren't funny. There is absolutely no need for it to be this long.

I think my biggest surprise with this was realising it’s a modern album, given that the cover looks like it’s firmly rooted in the 80’s; but that style of whispering, minimalist pop production feels very modern. That said, where some albums in this style can grate for me, this one was pretty fun. I liked the use of synths, and there were some actual grooves to latch onto.

I’d say it’s slightly unremarkable in general, in that there’s nothing that’s really grabbing or exciting me within it, but it IS still solid pretty much all the way through for what it is.

Despite some flashes of quality, I can’t help but feel really disappointed by this.

I’ve enjoyed a number of their singles over the years, including tracks on here, but the vast majority of this album is just so wafty and weak. I hadn’t realised just how part of the baggy scene they were, as well as the dance scene. Those tracks at least have a bit of energy to them, but the back-half of the album especially is SO repetitive and meandering. I’m sure this would be greatly improved by dropping some acid or something, but I’m not on acid, and this is a let down.

2.5 rounded down.

I mostly hate post-punk, but there's something about this that has taken my curiosity this morning.

We have to address the fact that his vocals are genuinely awful; deliberately droney and awkward and weird - but it somehow doesn't grate too much for me. Somehow it kind of works for the overall vibe.

The music and bass and grooves I'm genuinely into. There's something of the Velvet Underground about them - that kind of murky, subdued, drowned-out, background jamming kind of vibe. It creates a genuine atmosphere. Special shout-out to the bass which is great throughout.

Weirdly, I'm going 3/5!

Lots to like in this one. It's a real fusion of different styles, but overall delivering plenty of energy and upbeat good vibes.

You know you're in for a pretty good time right off the bat when it kicks in with that funky as shit bass. I also really appreciate the big orchestral sweeps on display, and particularly that PHAT trombone.

It's a happy time, and it's musically excellent, but isn't 100% my thing and gets a little bit much after a while.

3.5 rounded down.

I broadly enjoyed this one. I've had quite a lot of Neil Young now, but I've come to appreciate him as an artist. I like how bold and dramatic this album is at times with the added orchestral elements. Overall it's very good musically.

I still wouldn't say I'm loving it, but I'm liking and appreciating it.

This is actually a real nice time. I much prefer this kind of chill jazz, where you can just gently appreciate it. My Miles Davis rankings have been all over the place, so I was glad this was one of the better ones.

3.5 rounded down.

This is a real nice time. Really mellow and easy-listening, but musically accomplished as well. It's slightly melancholic, with some nice minor keys.

There's shades of Sheryl Crow here. I really like her voice, she sings well and it's authentic. I have no idea what the criticisms are there. If she were laying down power vocals on top of this, or even softly sweet country vocals it'd be awful.

3.5 rounded down.