Album Review: INVSN ‘The Beautiful Stories’
“INVSN may not make the music that flawed people deserve, but it’s definitely the music that we all need right now.”
Album Review: Animal Youth ‘Animal’
“There are few things more frustrating to a music critic than wanting desperately to love an album but never quite getting there.”
EP Review: Ultrviolence ‘Forty Knives’
“Throughout ‘Forty Knives,’ Jespersen’s voice betrays his emotions and listening to him sing often feels like sneaking peeks at his diary.”
Album Review: Jen Gloeckner ‘VINE’
“Even though Gloeckner recorded ‘VINE’ in her Dubuque, Iowa bedroom, there is nothing bare bones or lo-fi about it; her passion for her art is obvious and impressive.”
Album Review: CFM ‘Dichotomy Desaturated’
“Based on the music from ‘Dichotomy Desaturated,’ I’d say he’s destined for greatness.”
Album Review: Blood and Glass ‘Punk Shadows’
“While ‘Punk Shadows’ may not evoke the well-worn clichés of mohawks and safety pins, it does offer listeners a bracing dose of originality in the form of nine wildly eclectic tunes.”
Playlist Review: Drake ‘More Life’
“By taking the pressure off himself, Drake has freed himself up to produce his most spry, self-assured work yet.”
Album Review: The Shins ‘Heartworms’
“Even if Mercer never ends up creating his ‘Pet Sounds,’ he seems to be settling nicely into his ‘Sunflower’ years.”
Album Review: Sleaford Mods ‘English Tapas’
“They are the band Britain needs at this moment in time.”
Album Review: Temples ‘Volcano’
“‘Volcano’ is overflowing with lyrics that are evocative and often alluringly nonsensical.”
Album Review: Ryan Adams ‘Prisoner’
“The songs on ‘Prisoner’ seem shackled to the chains of (unrequited) love.”
‘Common as Light and Love Are Red Valleys of Blood’: Some Thoughts from a Mark Kozelek Fan
“Kozelek is present, combative and always original. He forces you to listen to his music on its own terms.”
Album Review: The Raveonettes ‘2016 Atomized’
“‘2016 Atomized’ is an apt title for an album full of songs that are obsessed with nuclear and romantic annihilation, each track a finely distilled blast of musical essence from The Raveonettes’ particularly heady bouquet.”
Album Review: Migos ‘Culture’
“‘Culture’ could already be described as a career-defining work, except Migos’ career is still being defined.”
Album Review: Ty Segall ‘Ty Segall’
“A greatest hits package featuring brand new material. Sell that, Time Life!”
Album Review: The Flaming Lips ‘Oczy Mlody’
“Ultimately, ‘Oczy Mlody’ is a hangover from one too many Cyrus-thrown bashes.”
EP Review: Of Montreal ‘Rune Husk’
“This is the closest anyone has come to the Head-era Monkees.”
Album Review: Jay Som ‘Turn Into’
“‘Turn Into’ is a throwback to the “guitar record”; this is a hook-driven, lushly layered experience; guitar tone as mood enhancer.”
Album Review: Neil Young ‘Peace Trail’
“He’s still planting seeds and still stoking fires.”
Album Review: Childish Gambino ‘Awaken, My Love!’
“AML is giant leap forward, as the juvenile raps/punchlines of previous records are replaced with deep-felt yearning.”