Carly Rae Jepsen - The Loveliest Time

Release Date:  July 28, 2023

I wish her music was more radio ready because on first listen, it felt very okay. 

Review:  Even after pitchfork gave "Psychedelic Switch" best new track, I was kinda confused because it sounded like a recycled Daft Punk song. But its grown on me. I still think the opening track has a bad chorus. The next trio of songs were okay. I think Shy Boy has something working, but not quite a banger. "Shadow" felt like nothing, but over time, the chorus felt like tiptoeing my brain and i found it to be so soothing. I also really like "So Right." It's not in your face, but the melody for the pre-chrous "but you know the deal..." sounds so good. I think once those songs won me over, the rest feel into place. The album ends with "Stadium Love" and it gives me "when i needed you" vibes in how she sorta chants or yells.

Summary:  Its not fair to want her to make Emotion side C, but for what it is, this album has some of her best song.

Favorite Songs: Shadow, So Right, Stadium Love
Rating: 8/10

Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want To Turn Into You

Release Date:  February 14, 2023

Review:  The first four tracks, the album was headed towards all-time great territory, but it dips because of track 5, goes back up for track 8, and the album kind of stays in this 90s/00s trip-hop era, which I always found it tough to get into. It's interesting that she got Dido to guest on "Fly to You" because I get a lot of "Life For Rent" vibes from this album. 

Summary:  The songs are good, but it doesn't feel like a genre defining record like some people are rating it.

Favorite Songs:  Pretty in Possible, Blood and Butter
Rating: 7/10

Carly Rae Jepsen - The Loneliest Time

Release Date:  October 21st, 2022

I'm comin' back for you baby.

Review: This album is good and I hope I'm not course correcting because pitchfork gave it a low 6.5. The first half of this album is super strong. "Surrender My Heart" and "Talking to Yourself" is up there with her best sugary pop hits. Sandwiched between those two songs at track 2 is "Joshua Tree" which thankfully does not sound like U2. It's a toe tapper, and the "da, da-da-da-da-da" is addicting. "Far Away" sort of reminds me of a disney soundtrack song, it disguise itself as a ballad, but it's not slow, and I like the way the melody carries. The next song, "Sideways" is similar with it's sway rhythmic and it also has a different da-da-da-da.

I liked "Beach House" as a single, but it doesn't fit on this album. It's very catchy when Carly is the one singing, but in the later half where the fuck boys start taking turns singing, the song turns into shit. and the line about "harvest your organs" is suppose to be funny in a creepy way or something, idfk. But i thought it was cringe.

The other single was "Western Wind" and I needed time to get used to it, it's nice and breezy, but originally, I thought it was boring. If this was an indicated for what the album would sound like, cool, but it's not.  The other other single was the title track, "The Loneliest Time" with Rufus Wainwright, and I thought this song was brilliant. It ends the album on the standard edition. It sounds like a 70s disco song, but not syrupy like her 80s inspired pop music. I just thought the song was really romantic and they sounded good together.

 "Bends" is soft. I guess it depends on my mood, but i didn't feel it. "So Nice" is lowkey catchy. it has "la la la la la" so i guess that's why i like the chorus. "Bad Thing Twice" is on par with the songs on the first half of the album. "Shooting Star" make me feel fatigue, I'm sure it'll sound alright if it comes on, but i don't like it as much as the others. And finally "Go Find Yourself or Whatever" is more in line of the singer-songwriter vibe. It's suppose to be slow, it's suppose to sound heartfelt. But i just couldn't care.

Summary: Don't compared this to Emotion. I really liked the first half, and wish it was full of bops. There are some questionable choices for singles which deters the enjoyment of this album. But seriously, that 4-song run at the top is amazing.

Favorite Songs: Surrender My Heart, Talking to Yourself, The Loneliest Time
Rating: 8/10

Lee Chae Yeon - Hush Rush

Release Date:  October 12th, 2022

incoming

Review:  The feather finally gets to debut. Who the heck is Danny? "Aquamarine" reminds me of that   Janelle Monáe song. only 4 songs here and I can't complain too much because at least she got to debut as a soloist. But yeah, I always forget how soft her vocals are because from the small snippet she gets to do with iz*one, her lines make an impact. Here, the instrumentals are fine, the melodies are fine, but i felt like her voice is lacking a lot of power or strength. I'm not asking her to be mariah, but it sounded plain on here.

Summary:  Great to see her debut, but her voice is very soft. If I didn't know who she was already, i don't think I would have cared.

Favorite Song: Aquamarine
Rating: 6/10

Charli XCX - Crash

Release Date:  March 18th, 2022

In the lead up to this, I didn't bother to listen to any of the singles. I was a big fan of how i'm feeling now and i didn't need more of that. to be honest, i thought these were going to be leftovers, but reading the background info in wikipedia, apparently these songs were suppose to be the follow up to Charli.

Review: anyways, months later, i gave this album a listen and i was really caught off guard with how catchy the first half was. "New Shapes" is so good. then "Good Ones" really bites back. I really like the subtle nature of the song "Constant Repeat." it doesn't feel in your face like the ones with music videos, but the "you could have had a bad girl by your side" is really addicting. "Beg for you" is a banger! I can't believe this samples a song from the mid 00s, but it works because I never heard the original.

I like how slow motion "Move Me" can feel right before it hits that chorus. then "Baby" is really hot. "Lighting" is fine, but probably the weakest as a stand alone song. I originally liked "Every Rule" because it sounded like a beautiful ballad, but it kind of wore itself down on me. "Yuck" gives me fame-era lady gaga vibes because it sounds pleasing, but not stand alone song good. "Used To Know Me" sounds a bit outdated, but at this point, its fun. Finally, "Twice" is a song. not sure when it was written, but it feels like it could belong on the how im feeling now album because her voice gets repeated a lot.

Summary:  This album sounds perfect. Like, it's so catchy, it's so easy to follow. I can understand people who say this is not risky, but I like that it's 12 straight songs of crunchy pop perfection. The notes just hits right.

Favorite Songs: New Shapes, Constant Repeat, Beg for You, Move Me
Rating: 9/10

Chvrches - Screen Violence

Release Date: August 27th, 2021
Genre: synth pop

Review: n/a

Tracklist/Scorecard:
1. Asking for a Friend 8/10
2. He Said She Said 7/10
3. California 8/10
4. Violent Delights 6/10
5. How Not To Drown 7/10
6. Final Girl 8/10
7. Good Girls 8/10
8. Lullabies 6/10
9. Nightmares 7/10
10. Better If You Don't 7/10

Summary: it's like comfort food because I can tolerate this entire album, but as a huge fan of their first two albums, this album felt sluggish.

Key Tracks: California, Final Girl
Rating: 6/10

Cassandra Jenkins - An Overview on Phenomenal Nature

Release Date: February 19th, 2021
Genre: Alternative Folk

Review: n/a

Summary: There's only 7 songs here, the last one is purely instrumental, felt like a waste of time. But the 3rd track, "Hard Drive" blew me away. It's spoken word and I love how it drew me in despite me not understanding what the song meant. Everything else on this album felt like a generic coffee-shop song. Sure, the vibe is nature-ly, and there are wind instruments, but it was also so slow and sluggish. I also wasn't a fan of her singing voice, but hearing her on "Hailey" made me think she could be a star if her music was more conventional.

Key Tracks: Hard Drive, Ambiguous Norway, Hailey
Rating: 5/10

Cherry Bullet - Cherry Rush

Release Date: January 20, 2021
Genre: kpop

I watched produce 48 mostly to learned about all the members of Iz*One, but the one non-member that stood out was Haeyoon, when her group sang that BoA song, her vocals, I was like, holy shit! But the songs I tried listening to from Cherry Bullet have been sorta awful. "Hands up" is hilariously bad, that Beethoven sample is so weird. And "Aloha Oe" is cute, but only during that samples.

Review: So my first impressions of the title track, "Love So Sweet," was that, it's another kpop song that relies on saying the name of the song, hopefully in a memorable way, but it's very hit or miss with me. Sometimes I feel like I get it, and then at times, it just feels lacking a bigger crunch. Then with "Follow Me," those initial sounds could have made me swing either way, but it was quirky and the build up to the chorus is so cute. It's infectious. Probably my favorite song on this album. "Keep Your Head up" is fast pace and "pom nage" is a word I'll probably remember til the end of the year. "Whatever" is a bit groovier and I like the crunch in the chorus. It sounds familiar, but it's more of my style so I like it because it keeps the flow of the EP going. Finally the last song "Ting-a-ring-a-ring" slows things down. I want to say it's your standard kpop ballad, but the song is sweet and the melody is pretty.

Tracklist/Scorecard:
1. Love So Sweet 5/10
2. Follow Me 9/10
3. Keep Your Head Up 8/10
4. Whatever 8/10
5. Ting-a-ring-a-ring 7/10

Summary: Title track is passable, but to my surprise, I loved the other 4 songs on this ep.  Hope they continue to make catchy songs without relying on a famous sample.

Key Tracks: Follow Me, Whatever
Rating: 8/10

CARM - CARM

Release Date: January 22, 2021
Genre: alternative/instrumental/trumpet

I gave this a listen because Sufjan Stevens was on here and based on the album cover, I just assumed that this was your typical singer/songwriter folksy album, but it's not quite. CJ Camerieri, aka CRAM, is a trumpet, french horn, and other instrumental player. It's interesting because this guy has been around and I've heard him play on some of my favorite albums (boxer, bon iver), but I never heard of him.

Review: So the opening track is great, it's a very Sufjan sounding song that can co-exist on a Sufjan album. The next two tracks caught me by surprise because I was expecting vocals, but the horns took its place. I really liked "Soft Night" because it's so light, fluffy. Then "Nowhere" has this 70s action vibe to it. A lot of empty space in the song, but it feels good when the melody kicks in. I felt the transition to "Already Gone" was good, but the vocals are whatever.

Since I do like playing video games while listening to music, "After Hours" felt like good menu music, or something in the background while you clear out enemies. "Invisible Walls" had that too where it sounds cool as background noise, but not so much as active listening. I felt "Slantwise" was more engaging, but followed the same vibe from the previous songs. No disrespect to the lady who sings on "Tapp" but I felt like it was a generic type of that song, you know?

I honestly don't know how I feel about "Scarcely Out" because it sounds like Jazz and I know it takes skill to do what they are doing, but I think it's too much, sorry. Lastly, Justin Vernon is featured on "Land" and you can hear the melody from the opening track come back here. Is it good? not really, but I thought it tied the album together, so that's cool.

Tracklist/Scorecard:
1. Song of Trouble 9/10
2. Soft Night 8/10
3. Nowhere 8/10
4. Already Gone 7/10
5. After Hours 8/10
6. Invisible Walls 6/10
7. Tapp 5/10
8. Slantwise 6/10
9. Scarcely Out 5/10
10. Land 8/10

Summary: Alright, I know I'm bias when anyone is loosely connected to The National. in articles I read, I thought it was interesting that he wanted to use the trumpet in roles that are usually for the drums. So I felt like i enjoyed the more vocal less tracks more. Still, not really my thing, but that Sufjan track might stay with me till the end of the year.

Key Tracks: Song of Trouble, Nowhere, Land
Rating: 7/10

Cults - Cults

Release Date: 06/07/11
Genre: lo-fi indie pop, noise

My Thoughts: I really enjoy this album, but it does feel very "flavor of the month" ish.  I didn't get into the Best Coast craze last year, but that's who this band reminds me of.  I also feel a bit of Beach House, but vocals are as strong.  Before i even saw a picture of the lead singer, i just imagine that she was this shy tiny girl and the part that captures me is how she projects herself out there.  But how long will this last me?  not sure.  That's why i feel its very Flavor of the month.  A person can only be cute for so long.  It's retro.  It's fuzzy

Favorite Songs: Go Outside, You Know What I Mean, Oh My God 
Rating: 7.8/10

Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall

From Album: Upcoming Fifth Album

Well the ending is pretty boring and i don't mind the fact that they sampled some obscured song i never heard of it. The song does have this energy and flow from the music, but vocals don't carry it far for me so aside from that occasional guitar riff, there's no rewards.

Rating: 4/10

Chris Brown - F.A.M.E.

Release Date: 3/22/11
Genre: R&B


Review: All the pretty young things at the party. Let me see your hands up. And if they mad and they don't wanna party. Tell them shut the fuck up.

If he wasn't such a great dancer, I would not have cared. His radio singles are really good car driving songs and i understand the entire album can't be adrenaline pumping, but when he tries to show depth, the autotune gets in the way. I know i'm not his target audience, but i was really rooting for him to impressed me. Go Bieber!

Favorites Songs: Deuces, Yeah 3x, Next 2 You
Rating: 4.0/10

Cut Copy - Zonoscope

Release Date: 2/7/11
Genre: Electropop

Review: At first, i didn't think much of this album because it didn't have those instant catchy songs and i felt it was too 80's for my taste, but i learned to accept it for what it is. 

Favorite Songs: Need You Now, Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution, Alisa
Rating: 7.9/10

Carissa's Wierd — They'll Only Miss You When You Leave: Songs 1996-2003

Release Date: 07/13/10
Genre: Sadcore

i want to die, die

I listen to the hell out of this album last year.  Sad music can tiptoe on the sad fence, but what I find fascinating with this band is how their instrumentation sounds so fully developed.  I was mostly familiar with their Songs About Leaving album, but the songs that were new to me fit very well.  I can't get into any of their new musical projects, but together, they seem so perfect.

Favorite Songs: Die, Drunk with the Only Saints I Know, So You Wanna Be A Superhero
Rating: 9.0/10

Cake - Showroom of Compassion

Release Date: 01/11/11
Genre:  Rock

*trumpet*

Never been a Cake fan and this album hasn't changed my mind, but it sure does sound like Cake. In the end, will I ever return to this album?

Favorite Songs: Got To Move, The Winter, Italian Guy 
Rating: 6.5/10

Copeland - You Are My Sunshine

Release Date: 10/14/08
Genre: Calm Rock

Sometimes you'll hear great things about a band, but never felt the need to download them as their myspace songs weren't impressive.

Review: And gosh, more good things about this album, but at the end of it, all I was left wondering was, "zzzz?" Yeah, so am I suppose to be feeling some deep spiritual movement? The vocals are airy soft and the only times I felt involve was when a female would enter. Which was rare. The music itself is pretty boring. It's like the cleanest album you could possibly make. But is it a bad thing? I don't know. As much as I would like to, I can't even pick a side. It's like the entire album failed to make a mark. Even when they do pick up the pace like on "The Grey Man" and "To Be Happy Now," it's not that strong of a song. While the rest relies on his soft voice, it just sound a bit basic. Add it together, it's false beauty underneath that blanket of feathery breath.

Summary: No reaction

Key Tracks: Good Morning Fire Eater, On The Safest Ledge
Rating: 4/10

Common Market - Tobacco Road

Release Date: 09/09/08
Genre: Alternative Hip-Hop

hey he's white.

Review: So this is hip-hop. I liked Atmosphere's and Wale's mixtape, but those are surface hip-hop. Common Market sounds very underground and it's a good sound. But the beat kinda glues too close together and I get bored quickly. He has a good voice.

Summary: I can't explain it, it's just good.

Key Tracks: Gol'Dust, Slow Cure, Winter Takes All
Rating: 7/10

Children 18:3 - Children 18:3

Release Date: 02/26/08
Genre: Punk Rock

I don't know why I check Jesus Freak Hideout, but if somebody gave an album a perfect score, it has to mean something. To quote them, "the best surprise you've gotten in years."

Review: LOL@writer's block.

Summary: And they are right. Nonstop energy. Catchy levels. The hooks are just killer. Mostly male vocals, but there's a girl too who's really unlady like. But it's cool.

Key Tracks: All My Balloons, Even Sleeping, Homade Valentine
Rating: 7/10

The Cure - 4:13 Dream

Release Date: 10/28/08
Genre: Alternative rock

I didn't become hardcore about music-listening til 2006. Their last album was in 2004. So excuse me for never listening to this band. I mean, I did hear their cover of "Love Song."

Review: That was a joke. So The Cure. I sat through the entire thing and I never got tempted to switch nor did I felt like this was a top album. The album starts with a few jarring guitar chords. Nice and loud. Nice and easy. It's building to something I think. Then very spooky vocals. I like their use of the winds chime (I think). It makes it sound all glittery. Not an outstanding song, but it's the opener.

"Only One" is a more friendly. Vocals are kinda weird. Sometimes he sounds like he's losing air, sometimes he's being Freddie, sometimes he cries. Listening to "Freakshow," I can really hear a lot of new bands that sound like him. Maybe like The Killers, Jukebox the Ghost, Modest Mouse. Maybe Muse. I bet those are unfair comparison, but those vocalist sound like him. Or maybe it's cause he's british. hmm.

"Hungry Ghost" is cool. It might be a strong song in the universe of this 4:13 dream, but still weak in the real world. "Perfect Boy" starts simple. Then it comes together. I'm not sure, sounds like a safely net incase radio hates them so this one felt good, but a little standard.

"This. Here and Now. With You" is cool because he raises his voice at the right time. Catchy too. "Scream" felt like he was trying so hard to rock out. The last song "It's Over" does it better. Nice fast tounge.

Summary: Am I too young for them or is this band too old? I just didn't connect. It's like they play music and I'm listening. And the more I listen, the more I get it. And in the end, means nothing to me.

Key Tracks: Real Snow White, This. Here and Now. With You
Rating: 4/10

Calexico - Carried to Dust

Release Date: 09/09/08
Genre: Alt-Country

Good year for alt-country. Actually this album is overrated.

Review: Like, seriously overrated. The music is too dry and feels like a desert. Just an average album for me.

"Victor Jara's Hands" is pretty sick.

Summary: Humid and slow.

Key Track: Victor Jara's Hands, House of Valparaiso
Rating: 6/10