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ARTISTS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2021

1. Natalie Lauren

2. Tobe Nwigwe

3. Brendon Seney

4. Montell Fish

5. Renzo

6. Orion Sun

7. Brevin Kim

8. Maverick City Music

9. Nilüfer Yanya

10. Arlo Parks

11. Curtis Williams

12. GIVĒON

13. Dckwrth

14. Latanya Alberto

15. Nayana Iz

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MURIELLE: CANCER MOON CHILD MIXTAPE REVIEW

Rating: 7/10

Murielle’s Cancer Moon Child is the layered, nuanced debut mixtape from Murielle. The singer, across the tape’s five tracks explains the complexities of love- especially the deepest feelings that come along the journey. It’s an exploration into when one loves more than the other person. But even in the hurt, there’s growth as one begins to learn more about themselves. This can be heard in the record’s choral arrangements, especially ‘SO MUCH!’ and ‘Ain’t No Love Lost’- Murielle plays with her vocals to use different voices that are all hers in their unique tones. “So baby when I get over ya/Oh when I get over ya/I’ll be able to breathe/Able to see/There ain’t no love lost then,” she sings. There’s a sureness in her lyrics that knowing despite the pain, she will grow and continue to flourish. Cancer Moon Childalso serves as a testament of her growth as a musician. All of it was self-produced and written by Murielle. In closing, it’s a soulful mixtape that only has us all awaiting more.

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TOP SONGS OF 2020

SZA “Hit Different” (ft. Ty Dolla Sign)

Brendon Seney, “Let Go”

Princess Nokia, “I Like Him”

Amine, “Pressure in my Palms” (feat. Slowthai & Vince Staples)

JPEGMAFIA, “ROUGH 7” (Feat. Tommy Genesis)

Rico Nasty, “OHFR?”

Elevation Worship, “RATTLE!”

Rina Sawayama, “Comme Des Garçons (Like the Boys)”

Yves Tumor, “Kerosene!”

Slowthai & Kenny Beats, “MAGIC!”

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TOP ALBUMS & EPs OF 2019

1. James Blake, Assume Form

James Blake’s new album sounds like being in love. And to further that point, it sounds like being in love, savoring it, and being aware of how far one has come in loving themselves. Each song is tender, intricate, and sonically complex.

2. Injury Reserve, Injury Reserve

Injury Reserve’s project is severely underrated. It has such a depth of pent-up energy mixed with reflection. It’s wonderfully produced, with some great features that add to its great lyricism and beats.

3. Slowthai, Nothing Great About Britain

Slowthai’s album was one that displayed his love for his city of Northampton, while also displaying his versatility as a rapper and showman. From fun track like ‘Inglorious,’ to ‘Gorgeous,’ and ‘Northampton’s Child,’ he’s shown that he’s here to stay.

4. Brockhampton, GINGER

The fact that Brockhampton has released another album not even a full year after “iridescence” is stunning. There were some repeated sonic themes that did get a little tiring through my first listen, but some tracks definitely grew on me, like ‘ST.PERCY.’ This album sound great live, and Brockhampton has done it again.

5. Solange, When I Get Home

This album is a piece of modern art. Though its lyrics can sometimes be abstract, Solange paired the record with a film that is visually stunning as it is layered with symobolism and metaphor. Her voice drifts from songbird to warrior, and storyteller as well.

6. Rico Nasty & Kenny Beats, Anger Management

The raw energy of this EP is what put it on the list. Rico and Kenny are the perfect artist and producer match. Honestly, the features weren’t needed in my opinion because Rico is a heavy-hitting rapper on her own already.

7. Bethel Music, Victory

This album is a powerful one, and is also brilliant live. (I had the chance to see Bethel on their Victory Tour with Phil Wickham in New York- a sold out show, at that.) It’s a blend of tried-and-true Bethel moments musically, while also existing as a perfect example of where contemporary worship music is today.

8. Deb Never, House on Wheels

My only remark is that I wish this record was longer. Deb Never is truly set to blow up soon, because she truly is a great lyricist and instrumentalist. Every solo and lyric was executed precisely, while still not losing that homey, fun, rock vibe.

9.  JPEGMAFIA, All My Heroes are Cornballs

JPEGMAFIA is unmatched in his ability to make songs that make one do a double take. “Grimy Waifu” and “Kenan and Kel” were standout favorites. I still prefer Veteran over this record but liked it nonetheless.

10. Stormzy, Heavy is the Head

This is a record that has depth and new details with each listen. Stormzy is energetic, fun, and reflective on this record. If anyone is looking to get into grime, at least from this past year or so, this record is a great starting point.

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TOP ALBUMS OF 2018

1. Brockhampton, iridescence

2. The 1975, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships

3. Kendrick Lamar, Black Panther: The Album

4. Steffany Gretzinger, Blackout

5. YUNGBLUD, 21st Century Liability

6. Lauren Daigle, Look Up Child

7. Aminè, ONEPOINTFIVE

8. Ludwig Göransson, Black Panther (Original Score)

9. grandson, a modern day tragedy vol. 1

10. Arctic Monkeys, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

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BREAKOUT ARTISTS OF 2017

1. SZA

2. BTS

3. Billie Eilish

4. Daniel Caesar

5. BROCKHAMPTON

6. Aminè

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DECLAN MCKENNA- WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE CAR ALBUM REVIEW

Rating: 7/10

              Declan McKenna’s debut album, What Do You Think About the Car, is a polite and thoughtful introduction to the young artist’s style and message. McKenna, who hails from Hertfordshire, England, is only 18 years old, but has made a name for himself in the indie-alternative rock world with songs like ‘Brazil’, ‘Isombard’, and ‘Humongous’. ‘Humongous’ opens the album, with an audio clip of a younger Declan being asked the album’s title, ‘What Do You Think About the Car’. ‘Humongous’ is rather simple track, with acoustic styling and Declan nonchalantly singing ‘I swear you spend too much time on your phone and on your phone/Do you care?’. ‘Humongous’ is simple at first, but progresses into a much livelier sound as the acoustic guitar, bass, and drum instrumentation shift to a quicker, more electric melody that melt in synthesized sound. ‘Brazil,’ which is most likely one of McKenna’s best-known songs so far, is McKenna’s thoughtful commentary on the poverty in Brazil preceding the country’s preparation for the 2016 Olympics. It features almost falsetto-like vocals from McKenna, whose voice is joined by surf-rock like guitar instrumentation. ‘The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home’ is McKenna’s honest youthful perspective portrayed in song. The song, though optimistic, discusses the exclusion of youth being able to voice their opinions on politics and current events. McKenna sings for them, using thoughtful lyrics and intentional songwriting to get this message across. ‘Mind’ is a Mac DeMarco-esque track, with McKenna singing a story of adolescence and life over solid guitar instrumentation. Perhaps the most memorable song on the album is ‘Isombard’, McKenna’s call to society to change, which was inspired by a Martin Luther King quote, an EE Cummings poem, and what McKenna was witnessing in the media. ‘If you can’t walk then run,’ McKenna sings, imploring society to move forward. ‘I Am Everyone Else’ is an everyman anthem, ‘Bethlehem’ tackles religion, tradition, and individuality, as McKenna sings in the chorus, ‘I can do as I want and you don't have the right to choose’. ‘Paracetamol’ is an appeal for better representation of trans teens in the media and suicide amongst LGBT+ youth. The album closes with ‘Listen To Your Friends’, is a soft yet rather upbeat but pointed song about the political climate in Britain and the effects of various laws and policies have on Britons. Declan McKenna’s debut LP is an intentional sampling of his music and it also shows that McKenna isn’t afraid to use his music to speak on the world around him and what he thinks should change.

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GRANDSON: WAR TRACK REVIEW

Rating: 8/10

When Grandson’s newest song, War, begins, it literally moves you. The Toronto native blends grunge and rock with trap and a myriad of other sounds to make music that speaks long after the song ends. ‘War’ opens with heavy electric guitar and drums, and then Grandson begins to sing. Before the lyrics even begin, the instrumentation itself is a call to action- which is quite timely, considering the political climate. Grandson is no stranger to addressing real topics in his music- singing about racism within the first lines of the song. The chorus itself is relevant to the United States and North Korea’s relationship and nuclear weapons, and could possibly be a reference to the events in Charlottesville. “And its war in the east/War in the west/war up north, war down south… everywhere is war,” Grandson sings. The song then launches into a blisteringly-good instrumental break filed with trap drums, guitar riffs, and vocal sampling so jam-packed it’s almost like musical fireworks.  Grandson, like many new artist like Lil Peep, are blending rock and rap, but Grandson has a different approach, using a more cohesive blend of heavy power chords and riffs blended with more subtle traces of trap rather than the mix being overt. In addition, his lyrics are more socially conscious and more passionate. ‘War’ is in-your-face rock ‘n’ roll that is pretty reminiscent of the unabashed attitudes of punk, and it is needed in this time- not just sonically but culturally as well.