#cd additions

[queuer-cd2]

I'm quite late on a lot of CD pickups (my last post was more than a month ago lol) so here are 5 that I've gotten.

The Roots, Illadelph Halflife: An extremely solid record from one of the greatest groups in hip-hop history. Every song is well-produced featuring the amazing percussion of Questlove, and the rapping is intelligent, poignant, and packed with catchy rhyme schemes. My only critique is that the tracklist of 20 songs makes the record feel bloated and some songs... shine less than others, we'll say. Favorite tracks: "Respond / React", "Section", "What They Do". 8.5/10.

King Geedorah (MF DOOM), Take Me To Your Leader: This would be a career highlight for nearly anyone aside from DOOM. As always, he has a witty concept and character and fills this record with fun more than anything else. Everything---the production, bars, features, etc.---are all of the familiar DOOM quality. However, among his other projects, it doesn't stand out as much as complete masterpieces like Madvillainy or Vaudeville Villain. Favorite tracks: "Fazers", "Fast Lane", "Anti-Matter". 9/10.

Vienna Vienna, Entertain Me: I'll be real and just say that this isn't the style of music I'm used to or typically enjoy. I wasn't particularly fond of their other project Wonderland. But this impressed me more. It's catchy, energetic, and has some really good moments. I don't have much more to say about it. Favorite tracks: "Idle Hands", "Molly", "Company Hunting". 7.5/10.

Amy Winehouse, Frank: Amy's first full album. This was a showcase of her incredibly high ceiling---three years before the undeniable masterpiece which was Back to Black, it was already clear that her potential had no bounds. This project showed her ability to blend hip-hop and classic styles with her incredibly smooth and addicting vocals. It feels like a prelude to her magnum opus, but still holds water as an amazing project. It's hard to pick favorites from this, but favorite tracks: "In My Bed", "Mr Magic (Through the Smoke)", "Stronger Than Me". 9/10.

Vince Staples, Cry Baby: I already wrote a review of this project when it first came out. It hasn't exactly grown on me, but I still find it to be very enjoyable and extremely poignant. 8.5/10.

[queuer-cd2]

Got 3 CDs today!

IGOR by Tyler, The Creator: A quintessential neo-soul album that helped to redefine the genre and adapt it to contemporary tastes. One of the greatest records of all time from one of the greatest artists of this generation. Everything, from the intelligent musicality to the heart-wrenching story to the hard-hitting lyrics is near-perfect. This is a project that will continue to be significant and relevant for many years to come. 10/10.

Transformer by Lou Reed: Reed's second solo project containing some of his best work. One of the greatest glam rock records of all time, produced during the movement's peak. It's Lou Reed at his most playful---this album has its emotional moments, but for the most part is fun and highly enjoyable. On top of this, it's one of the most progressive projects from its era relating to gender, sexuality, and queerness. 9/10.

Love Deluxe by Sade: I'll be honest, I've never really listened to Sade that much. I picked this up based purely off of word of mouth. From my first listen, she's one of the most beautiful, ethereal, enchanting vocalists I've ever heard. I think I'll need a few more listens to fully appreciate it.

[queuer-cd2]

Got a new CD today!

Beloved! Paradise! Jazz?! by McKinley Dixon: This is an incredibly impressive record from a hugely promising talent in underground hip-hop right now. Everything, from the instrumentals to the rapping to the poignant lyrics and story, feels refreshing, clean, and polished. Dixon features quite a few people who are underground and don't have a large following but are nonetheless highly talented. Overall, this is a great experience with both enjoyable singles and emotional deep-cuts that come together into a project which stands out in quality despite being only 10 songs. 9/10.

[queuer-cd2]

Got a new CD today!

Alfredo II by Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist: An extremely solid and coherent album from one of the best emcee/producer combos of recent years. This is among the best hip-hop albums from last year. Uncle Al's smooth, jazzy, drumless production is extremely refreshing and is undoubtedly this album's best quality. Gibbs overlays this with the consistent, intelligent flows that he's known for. The album clearly values quality over quantity in regards to features: "Ensalada" featuring Anderson .Paak is in contention for best hip-hop track of 2025, and "Gold Feet" featuring JID is a masterclass in charisma and flow from two of the smoothest rappers active right now. Overall, this record is tons of fun and will be remembered as a standout project from two legendary figures in hip-hop. 8.5/10.