better late than never!! this has been a hectic month, well i guess months now that we're into october, but i made it! hurricanes be damned, i'm getting this month in review post out!!! anyway, here is a compilation of all the reviews i've written this month - this time presented in chronological order of when i wrote them rather than ranked from best to worst. i also decided to remove the scores from these as i want people to focus more on my words than a silly number :3
to check out my thoughts on some of the songs that dropped this month click here!!!
also feel free to follow me on rate your music and twitter <3
The Dare's debut is a well-produced, yet gimmicky dive into debauchery made by someone who would rather be at home listening to The Smiths on vinyl and reading some highly acclaimed postmodern literature.
my review of What's Wrong With New York?
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Manning Fireworks - MJ Lenderman
🥇 BEST ALBUM OF THE MONTH
◇ released: Sept. 6, 2024
◇ genres: alt-country, slacker rock
MJ Lenderman's songwriting is drenched in personality and, above all else, very effective. he can make u laugh one moment and then deliver a line that hits u like a truck the next. his new record is fantastic.
my review of Manning Fireworks
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Endlessness - Nala Sinephro
◇ released: Sept. 6, 2024
◇ genres: jazz fusion, space ambient, progressive electronic
with her brilliant sophomore album, Nala Sinephro has made a strong case for being perhaps the most exciting composer in both jazz and electronic music in the current decade.
a few years after his magnificent collaboration with the late Pharoah Sanders, the new album from Floating Points is a retreat into the world of house music that has him further refining his skills.
my review of Cascade
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My Method Actor - Nilüfer Yanya
◇ released: Sept. 13, 2024
◇ genres: indie rock, indietronica, bedroom pop
Nilüfer Yanya's amazing new record is defined by a bustling intimacy and warm, minimalist instrumentation that make these songs feel visceral in unconventional, but incredibly satisfying ways.
Katy Perry hoped everyone would fall for this self-serving and desperate attempt at a comeback record so she wouldn’t be relegated to obscurity and the occasional greatest hits tour for the rest of her career.
Jamie xx has returned with an album full of life-affirming house bangers that can inspire optimism even in those who are poisoned by cynicism.
my review of In Waves
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The Thief Next to Jesus - Ka
◇ released: Sept. 19, 2024
◇ genres: drumless, east coast hip hop, abstract hip hop
this new record from Brooklyn rapper Ka is one of the most thoughtful and powerful rap releases of the year. everything from the lyrics, to the themes, to the storied production leaves a profound effect on u.
the polarizing posthumous self-titled record from the late great SOPHIE is unfortunately a mixed bag. it's packed with ambitious ideas that unfortunately don't stick the landing.
my review of SOPHIE
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13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto With Bison Horn Grips - Xiu Xiu
Xiu Xiu's fourteenth album ranks among their best. it's concise, brilliant, and insane containing some of the strongest material of their storied and ambitious catalog.
my review of 13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto With Bison Horn Grips
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this section will be used to briefly discuss projects i didn't write full reviews for, but i still want to shed some light on. beginning with ...
RAVEPOP - r u s s e l b u c k
If you're in the mood for some playful, eccentric furry dance music look no further than RAVEPOP. There are some heaters on this thing. Namely the bouncy party-brained "TOO MANY PEOPLE" and the in-your-face stylings of "EVIL MUSIC for BAD DOGS." There's a lot to enjoy on this relatively short record. Not every song hit for me, but I think it's worth checking out!
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Russell Boring - JOBA
I was really looking forward to this record from BROCKHAMPTOM alum JOBA. The singles he released leading up to it were some of the strongest post-BH material from any of the former members. Unfortunately, those songs ended up being the clear highlights on the record. While not a bad record by any means, there's just so much potential left on the table. The focus on intimate ballads with a 70s-tinge wasn't the way to go, in my opinion. These songs pale in comparison to the bombastic, glamor of songs like "American Fever" and "People Need People." The latter being the best mixture of both the sweet and the glamorous. Overall, Russel Boring was a little underwhelming, but perhaps I set my expectations too high.
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Like All Before You - The Voidz
This record baffled me. This new record from The Voidz is a mess. Julian Casablancas and crew sound asleep at the wheel with these lazy, formless songs that just drone on and on and on. Hardly any song left any kind of lasting impression. It was just a painful listen, each cool moment is undercut by a litany of absolutely sleep-inducing ones. Like the A.I. album cover, Like All Before You feels lifeless and unimaginative.
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log off and go outside!! - NOISE ARTIFACT
This new EP from NOISE ARTIFACT is pretty awesome. A short collection of vulnerable electronica cuts that are full of surprises. These songs balance soul-bearing vulnerability with deeply enjoyable pop songwriting very well. A one-two punch of big feelings and catchy tunes. Definitely give this one a shot!
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Quiet Warp Xpress - RiTchie & FearDorian
A few months removed from RiTchie's debut solo record, which I thought was great, he teams up with 17-year old producer FearDorian for this EP. Quiet Warp Xpress features really cool production and beats, many of them feel pretty ahead of the curve, but what drags this EP down is RiTchie's performances. He doesn't give these beats the energy they deserve. They need a less lethargic presence to breathe more life into them. I love RiTchie's rapping, but this EP feels a bit like a clash of styles.
