JPEGMAFIA / Danny Brown - Scaring the Hoes

Release Date:  March 24th, 2023

party's over grandpa

Review:  so i listen to danny brown earlier, but jpeg is new to me. sometimes he sounds like childish gambino, which surprised me. I would describe the music to be more erratic, like the wrestling samples and the electronic noises. Since the songs are short, i don't get bored. And thankfully the two MCs here are hype to keep my attention.

Summary: My opinion on danny brown are still the same, but this album got me interested in Mr JPEG.

Favorite Songs:  Steppa Pig, Burfict, Shut Yo Bitch Ass Up / Muddy Waters
Rating: 7/10

Danny Brown - Atrocity Exhibition

Release Date: September 30th, 2016

listening to my 3rd danny brown album in 3 days

Review: I felt this had more ups and downs moments, but i really didn like "white lines" and "pneumonia."

Summary: since i'm used to him now, i can tolerate his voice, but the album didn't impress me the way "Old" did.

Favorite Songs: Rolling Stone, Ain't it Funny, Dance in the Water
Rating: 7/10

Danny Brown - Old

Release Date: October 8th, 2013

his 3rd album. Not gonna lie, I didn't get much from XXX, but he said in a interview that if XXX was his OK Computer, Old would be his Kid A, and that got me intrigued

Review: and it started off normal, then "25 bucks" was really cool, but "wonderbread" was silly. Thankfully the 3-song run of "Torture," "Lonely" and "Clean Up" were good. I would say all of Side A was a enjoyable listen. Side B started with Dope Song and it put me off, and Dubstep didn't help. I thought i would like "Dip" since I was a fan of that kanye/jayz song, but i thought it sounded bad. the album won me back with "Smokin & Drinkin" and "handstand." I love Charli XCX, but the last song didn't do much for me, granted, this was 2013 so she wasn't the pop megastar she is now.

Summary: When he says that this is his Kid A, i can understand it. I thought XXX was just another rap album that had its moments. Some songs here, danny uses his annoying voice, but the production just sounds different here. It doesn't sound like Kid A, but i understand the leap he made, and i really liked this.

Favorite Songs: 25 Bucks, Lonely, Clean Up, Smokin & Drinkin
Rating: 8/10

Danny Brown - XXX

Release Date: August 15th, 2011

Danny Brown's name got toss around a lot during the past decade, especially if you look at the year end's list for 2011, 2013, 2016, and during the end of the decade list.

Review: I'm sure I gave him a listen before, but I was really put off by how he sounds. But after getting past track 1, I think I was feeling it, but after I got past "Lie4," I felt like I had enough. The album isn't that long, but it felt that way. Maybe this is for his later albums, but I was expecting this album to be "wild" or "crazy" like on the level of death grips. I guess insulting Sarah Palin has to count for something. Songs like "party all the time" and "ewnesw" are more of my style.

Summary: I think I understand it, but not enough to understand why it's album of the decade worthy. unless people are basing it solely on "radio song" because that song is great.

Favorite Songs: Radio Song, Party All the Time, 30
Rating: 6/10

Dreamcatcher - Apocalypse: Follow Us

Release Date: October 11th, 2022

Their second comeback of the year

Review:  it's fine, it's listenable. i didn't like the title track too much, "Fairytale" is better, the other two are soft.

Summary:  It's fine.

Favorite Song: Fairytale
Rating: 7/10

Dreamcatcher - Apocalypse: Save Us

Release Date:  April 12th, 2022

When this album came out, i did not care at all.

Review: But now that their 2nd comeback of the year has come, it was time. Firstly, this album is half Dreamcatcher, half solo songs by each member. So the Dreamcatcher part, it's very good. "Maison" is a good title track, but I sorta like "Locked inside a Door" and "Starlight" more. THey have some good ballads with the later songs.

As for the solo songs, I think if i was an InSomnia, i probably would eat all of this up. They all sound fine, but a little on the pretty, sweet side rather than the harder, scary, rock side. "Cherry" is very good, but the early 00s pop punk "Beauty Full" makes me smile so hard. I'm glad I don't understand the words.

Summary: Good Dreamcatcher stuff, the solo stuff would make an InSomnia proud.

Favorite Songs: Starlight, Beauty Full
Rating: 8/10

Destroyer - Labyrinthitis

Release Date:  March 25th, 2022

I haven't listened to this band since Kaputt.

Review:  and after the first song, I was thinking that this album couldn't be better than Kaputt. But "Suffer" sounded really good, and "June" sounded really good. I really liked "Labyrinthitis" and wish it had words. "Eat the Wine, Drink the Bread" is probably my favorite stand alone song. I like the weird "ripping" sound on "It Takes a Thief." And "Last Song" is a good folky song.

Summary:  I didn't want to like this because I know I've moved away from indie rock, but it's a really enjoyable album. It just sounded good.  They probably could trim out the long outros in some of their songs.

Favorite Songs: All My Pretty Dresses, Eat the Wine, Drink the Bread, It Takes a Thief
Rating: 8/10

Danger Mouse and Black Thought - Cheat Code

Release Date:  August 12, 2022

Of course I know he's from The Roots. Of course I know he's the other half of Gnarls Barkley. Together, I did not expect anything other than okay.

Review: but this is good. Just don't ask me what it is about. I like conscious rap, but a lot of the time (at least to me), the beats are so dry. This however, only 12 songs, but I thought the beats were really enjoyable and Black Thought had really good flow and all of the feature guest sounded good too.

Summary: at 38 minutes, this album flew by with ease. good beats and good flow.

Favorite Songs: The Darkest Part, Aquamarine, Strangers
Rating: 9/10

Doja Cat - Planet Her

Release Date: June 25, 2021
Genre: Pop, Hip Hop, R&B

of course, "Say So" was a monster hit, but I actual discovered her because of her song, "Juicy," which led me to her Moo song, and then Nardwuar got to interview her. I didn't bother to listen to "Hot Pink," but over time, I would hear a new Doja Cat song on the radio, and they were good.

Review: n/a

Tracklist/Scorecard:
1. Woman 8/10
2. Naked 9/10
3. Payday 10/10
4. Get Into It (Yuh) 8/10
5. Need to Know 8/10
6. I Don't Do Drugs 10/10
7. Love to Dream 8/10
8. You Right 8/10
9. Been Like This 7/10
10. Options 7/10
11. Ain't Shit 7/10
12. Imagine 7/10
13. Alone 8/10
14. Kiss Me More 10/10

Summary: "Kiss Me More" sounded the most like a "Say So" type of song, meant for radio listeners, but I also feel it sounds out of place on this entire album. It's tricky, sometimes I think when Doja uses her lolita voice to sing, it sounds good, but sometimes it sounds like shit. I guess it depends on the music. As for her rapping, it's fun when she goes hard, but sometimes she sounds like a generic female rapper. The 2nd half of the album is more chill, and I kinda like the slower r&b feel.

Key Tracks: Payday, I Don't Do Drugs, Kiss Me More
Rating: 8/10

Dreamcatcher - Dystopia: Road to Utopia

Release Date: January 26, 2021
Genre: kpop, rock

I had their Tree of Language album on my year's end list, but whenever I tried listening to their older stuff, or tried listening to their newer stuff, I felt a bit underwhelmed. And so, I've kind of just accepted that the Tree of Language was them capturing lighting in a bottle. Every song within the intro and outro felt really tight. I'm not an insomnia so I can't tell you who sings what, but I should probably mention that one of their members returned here so I guess that's important.

Review: After the intro, I felt the title track, "Odd Eye" was better than Boca, but part of me felt like it sounded what a title track should be for this group. I'm not sure, like you can totally predict where the build up is coming to climax, but that crunch is still fun to anticipate. Next up, "Wind Blows" gave me those anime vibes and I love that feeling that they are rushing towards some battle. "Poison Love" is so sexy. It really stood out for me at the beginning, but I think the whole "why do you..." part kind of soured on me.

I think my favorite song is "4 Memory" and I feel so radio friendly, but I can't help its EDM power over me. The fact that it has this weird robotic voice during the chorus makes me wonder if this is a Porter Robinson type of song, but I can't hate it because the melody is so pretty.  Plus, the ending, one of the girl hits those high notes and it just sounds like its worth your time. Finally with "New days," man, I thought this was a song taking out of Your Name. Despite there only being 5 songs here, I liked how this song feels like the ending of a movie. Also, the rapper of the 2nd verse, I loved her flow there.

Tracklist/Scorecard:
1. Intro
2. Odd Eye 9/10
3. Wind Blows 9/10
4. Poison Love 8/10
5. 4 Memory 9/10
6. New days 9/10
7. Odd Eye (instrumental)

Summary: I loved the Tree of Language album, but I wasn't sure if they could ever compete with it, but on this ep, which is technically part 3 of the Dystopia series, I thought they made 5 great songs here that are all worth checking out.

Key Tracks: Odd Eye, Wind Blows, 4 Memory
Rating: 9/10

David Guetta - Turn Me On (ft. Nicki Minaj )

From Album: Nothing but the Beat

heard this on the radio, felt like a big "generic" rihanna ripoff, but when i found out it was david guetta and nicki minaj, what the fuck? so disappointed. this is not the nicki minaj people love. let her loose.

Rating: 2/10

Demi Lovato - Skyscraper

the way her voice is strained is fascinating.

Rating: 7/10

Dirty Beaches - Badlands

Release Date: 3/28/11
Genre: lo-fi

Review: Artsy yes, enjoyable no.  It's tough because I think i know what his goals are as an artist, but as a recording artist, it's not really good music.  Imagine being in the 1950s and listening to what your brother is listening to in his room by pressing your ear on the walls.  It's weird like that.  Very fuzzy Elvis type of music, but without a define statement.

Favorite Songs: Sweet 17, True Blue
Rating: 5.5/10

Diddy-Dirty Money - Coming Home ft. Skylar Grey

From Album: Last Train To Paris

Don't you hate it when a song starts really good and then some dude starts to rap?

Rating: 8/10

Destroyer - Kaputt

Release Date: 01/25/11
Genre: Indie Rock

*saxophone solo*

This is interesting.  I tried listening to Destroyer's Rubies a few years back, wasn't what i was into at the time, but when i got into The New Pornographer, it were Dan Bejar's tracks that stood out. I was expecting this album to be filled with that Canadian rock sound, but Kaputt was more in the same style of the Bay of Pigs EP.  As a whole, it works very well.  The sound is mellow 80s, slow disco with some ambient elements.  But it's still engaging during the parts where he sings the melodies.  They just sink into me.  I also love the female vocals that never takes over, but sort of softens Bejar's distinct voice. 

Favorite Songs: Chinatown, Suicide Demo For Kara Walker, Kaputt
Rating: 8.7/10

The Decemberists - The King Is Dead

Release Date: 01/18/11
Genre: Folk Rock

Maybe I should just “let it be”

Alright, let's see.  The Decemberists are one of my favorite bands that it's hard to be objective.  Their music and lyrics just makes me feel smart and it's great escapism.  I know lots of people didn't enjoy Hazards of Love, I liked it just fine, but it was easily my least favorite release from The Decemberists.  On the new album, the overall tone feels simpler, less ambitious, more country.  I can't say it's more personal, but it feels effortless. And it also takes less effort to dive into.

Favorite Songs: Calamity Song, Rox In The Box, January Hymn
Rating: 7.6/10

Dan Deacon - Bromst

Release Date: 03/24/09
Genre: Electronic

How many times has a song made you go, "Holy fuck!" because this album is ridiculous filled with them. Okay, maybe not Holy Fuck worthy, but they came close 50% of the time.

Review: I'm pretty sure I've seen his name floating around, but I don't think I've listened to him.  2 years ago, electronic music was something I felt was mostly high pitched computer bleeps.  Look how far I've come.  It's just another type of sound.  Now I'm still new to the genre, but why was Bromst such a great experience?  The first 4 tracks alone are pretty much unbreakable.  It's extreme jump roping.  The opening track slowly turned on until it reached max volume.  I like how there's a clear sound of real instruments.  Like drums.  The sax just makes it over the top.  "Red F" was the first sign of static noises mixed in vocals.  It's dizzy.

The vocals on "Padding Ghost" are probably my favorite.  I love the urgency of it, plus there's a mix of super high pitch to a moderately deep.  "Snookered" will end up on my end of the year list.  It's like the first 3 were just a warm up, but track 4, awesome repeating verses that build up.  You can hear the sounds charging up.  There's a section near the 5 minute mark that drops it all it so it's just "oh oh oh oh oh"with the beats.  It's so addictive.

By now, I'm fully committed to the album.  "Of the Mountains" has a tribal feel to it.  I love the melody.  You'll know what I'm referring to.  "Surprise Stefani" doesn't have lyrics, but it contains 'ooo" and I get the sense that this is mellower just because it doesn't attack your ears.  It's almost like a song for childhood.  With the bells and stuff, it reminds me of my youth.  Or just something innocent.

"Wet Wings" sounds very poorly recorded, like a bootleg tape recording, but it's only 3 minutes and I enjoy echos.  "Woof Woof" is more of those cat-like vocals and what sounds like reverse words.  It sounds silly, but damn it makes me cheer.

Number 9 is different because it has high levels of piano.  The second half of "Baltihorse" is delicate and sweetman.

Each song stands on its own.  Any can be used as instrumental music, but the stuff he adds make them grand.  As a whole, it's remains very cohesive.  They pull together a darker tone, maybe some madness.

Summary: When I come across weird music, I don't get turned away, I just laugh about it. What could possibly be going inside this man's mind to have a strong sense of musical awareness not found in ...well, most music. My laughter is for the happiness I have knowing there are people today still pushing the envelopes of music. I've been a music fan for what, 3 years now (lol, i know that's not much), and it's a great feeling to discover music that still blows my mind.

Key Tracks: Build Voice, Snookered, Woof Woof
Rating: 9/10

Dakota Suite - The End of Trying

Release Date: 01/20/09
Genre: Minimalistic Ambient

I wanted to get a jump start at 2009 and I think someone missed labeled this as indie rock. O well, total mind numbing album.

Review: The fun part of instrumental albums are I can just la la my way through it. I consider Hammock to be my standard in the calm chillout ambient style of music. The first two songs were really nice, kinda like backdropping music a la Max Richter, but track 3, "Hands Swollen With Grace" just hit me so hard with that cello and the piano just gliding it's way in me. Fuck man, why is this so nerve wrecking. I'm not trying to sell this album. I honestly almost teared up. So damn direct.

At this point, I trusted him. I stopped listening to the album and just did my own thing, but I kept it playing through my headphones. and if an album can do that to me, where I can just zone out without noticing it. I consider it to be good. In other words, I never got bored of the album. for the person obsessed with being depressed, this album hits all those spots. There might not be those stand alone tracks that raises or crescendo, but the echos and empty spaces hollow at me.

Summary: This album hits all those spots to make you feel incredibly sad.

Key Tracks: Hands Swollen With Grace, The End Of Trying Part III
Rating: 8/10

Deerhunter - Microcastle

Release Date: 10/28/08
Genre: Ambient Punk

I remember trying their album last year and I couldn't get it.

Review: But the first half of this album is nearly perfect. "Comfort me, Come for me, you cover me." lyrics might be wrong, but whatever, it's that soft gentle rhythm that got me into the album. The next few songs follow the same suit and I'm sort of reminded of shoegaze bands as there's a cozy noise just surrounding my ears, but never attacking. The sound just floats and the vocals pushes the noise around in my head.

Track 6-7 are both quiet pieces with 8, "Activa" going a bit folksy. "Saved by Old Times" has clear guitars, but the vocals are the same. It's different, but fits with the album. I'm a little tired around the last 3 tracks, but the album closer "Nothing Ever Happened" is a sick track. The drums at the start remind me of "Pretty Women" and yeah, it's probaly the strongest song on the album.

Summary: Good start, but it faded towards the end for me.

Key Tracks: Agoraphobia, Little Kids, Nothing Ever Happened
Rating: 7/10

Denison Witmer - Carry The Weight

Release Date: 11/11/08
Genre: Singer-Songwriters

Wow, this dude isn't new at all. But he's new to me.

Review: I'm sure you can find a well written review elsewhere, but here are my thoughts. When I think of the words "Singer-Songwriter," there's one person that I always measure it to. Cat Stevens. Yep, or 70s Jackson Browne. Slow at parts, but enjoyable if you take the time, except he sounds like he has less to say. And the biggest annoyance since starting this blog was always finding albums to be better once you start to write something. So what are his weak points? I don't really know. It's too mellow. He sounds good yeah, but it's kind of like someone just smoothed out all the good and bad and every song came out even in the middle of the music spectrum.

Summary: Mellow music.

Key Tracks: Life Before Aesthetics, If You Are The Writer
Rating: 5/10