SINGLES…
Good
🏆LISA, Doja Cat, RAYE – “Born Again” is a classic pop banger that beautifully incorporates a grittier-voiced brief feature from Doja Cat. Although somewhat repetitive, the tune is catchy and easy to follow.
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra” follows suit with her last single “Disease.” With house-style production reminiscent of old Gaga — an unexpected return — the song is fresh and memorable. This bodes well for the upcoming album as a cohesive unit, rather than a series of disparate singles.
Doechii – “Nosebleeds” is a victory lap for the newly Grammy-award-winning rising star. With braggadocious lyrics backed by a haunting beat, this new heat is also complimented by her iconic breathing “exercise” from her previous hits.
IDK, Denzel Curry – “S.U” masterfully balances the two artists’ unique skill sets. Their verses blend perfectly alongside a beat with a futurist yet nostalgic feel.
Mid
d4vd – “One More Dance” is another dance installment in d4vd’s pink period we’ve seen him venture into with his most recent work. And while I’m glad he’s glad, the song itself is rather bland.
GIVEON – “TWENTIES” is a woe that encapsulates wasted years and previous love. Aside from Giveon’s melodious & melancholic voice, is an ever-escalating instrumental that gives the song direction and a sense of novelty.
Key Glock – “3AM in ToKEYo” lulls listeners into a false sense of security with a joyful intro before quickly transitioning into Glock’s typical horror-themed beat. This interplay makes for an interesting structure, though not necessarily a successful piece of entertainment.
The Black Keys – “The Night Before” is a hearty song filled with guitar riffs. However, it gives the listener an overarching sensation of listening to a 2010s kids comedy movie score.
Bad
Rema – “Baby (Is it a Crime)” isn’t sonically a crime, but its lyrics are — they’re painfully repetitive and generic. Though the background music features an interesting use of a catchy sample, the overall product remains boring.
Tommy Richman – “ACTIN UP,” ironically, is not acting up at all. It follows the same template as the rest of Richman’s work. Between the heavy bass and clumsy attempt at multiple melodies, the song is broadly unpolished and confused.
Coi Leray – “Keep It” in the vault, Leray. This feels more like an interlude rather than a complete track, given its conversational feel. It’s an odd series of mismatches — soft piano clashes with more abrasive lyricism.
🚮GELO, Lil Wayne – “Tweaker – Remix” is an incredibly unnecessary remixed meme song. All that’s new here is a verse from Wayne, and it’s tangibly a throwaway from another project, barely locking into the rhythm of the beat.
ALBUMS…
Good
🏆 Chase Shakur – WONDERLOVE drifts effortlessly between nostalgia and innovation, blending silky R&B vocals with a hypnotic production that’s both intimate and cinematic. It’s an ambitious, yet simple love letter to vulnerability, drenched in warm melodies and raw storytelling. This album is truly a defining addition to Shakur’s discography. – E. Cruz
Nardo Wick – Hold Off strikes an excellent balance between grand, powerful beats and Wick’s understated delivery. This sense of give-and-take is especially present in “I Wonder.” Aggressive and even chaotic beats and synths strikingly juxtapose the lyrics, on love and affection, delivered in Wick’s signature hushed rasp. – R. Ho
JPEGMAFIA – (DELUXE) I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU is a masterpiece example of the beauty of extended editions. The added instrumentals and demos provide a beautiful window into the production process and creation story of this album. The electric guitar riffs and bass lines on many of these new songs set the album apart in JPEG’s discography while also supplying a rhythmic, dancey motivation. The complexity of the drum lines and beats are appealing and fun. This director’s cut is lyrically complex and politically relevant with interesting and nuanced themes that supplement already fantastic music. JPEGMAFIA is a brilliant, compelling storyteller. – T. Millenson-Willens
Mid
Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist – Life Is Beautiful, as is the album’s production, but not the lyricism. The Alchemist does a great job with the beats for this record, but the weak lyrical delivery from both Larry June and 2 Chainz is its biggest downfall. – C. Nnadozie
keshi – (Deluxe) Requiem adds three bonus songs that successfully match the theme of Requiem. However, they fail to contribute to the album’s previous sense of continuity and completeness. While the songs are sonically pleasing, they do fall short of expectations, especially in terms of lacking novelty. – A. Batchu
Bad
🚮Tyga – NSFW isn’t safe for… much of anywhere. The record is a rerun of Tyga’s same old strip club anthems. While impressive features may have sought to save this album — too little too late. – A. Batchu
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