year: 2016
tones of: james blake, kanye, anohni
genre samples: electronica, country, folk, pop, jazz
music: experimental, soft, layered, misty, beautiful, multifaceted, wispy, quiet, melodic, robotic, artistic
favs: 22 (over s∞∞n), 8 (circle), 666 ʇ, 33 "god"
notes: yet another album this year that just does so much in only about half an hour. amazing.
score: 8.5/10
year: 2016
tones of: lil wayne (the "lean" version), travis scott, rich homie quan, mystical
genre samples: trap rap, southern rap
music: ecstatic, cool, chill, smoky, bouncy
lyrics: unwieldy, disrespectful, improvised, shocking, unpredictable, cubist, irreverent
vocals: stretched, bruised, scratchy, intense, flexible, floating, uninhibited
favs: pick up the phone, swizz beatz, riri, guwop, harambe, kanye west
notes: don't mind the dress or the mumbling, thugger is the real deal
score: 8/10
year: 2014 (#latebutgreat)
tones of: shlohmoh, four tet, floating points
genre samples: electronica, house, ambient, 80s glam pop, techno
music: detailed, hopeful, intricate, scattered, light, slow, satisfying, airy, elaborate
favs: slam city jam, i met you on bc ferries, if sylvia built a house, telegraph my love
score: 8.5/10
year: 2016
tones of: local natives, iron & wine, modest mouse, the black keys (softer side of), the shins
genre samples: indie folk, country blues, indie rock, california rock
music: crooning, calming, weightless, beautiful, nostalgic, warm, soothing, shimmering
lyrics: longing, lost, confused, cathartic, contemplative, hopeful, reflective, mature
favs: no woman, light upon the lake, golden days, dave's song, red moon
notes: similar to Cardinal from Pinegrove this album only takes 30min to do what is does so well
bonus: lead singer is a former member of unknown mortal orchestra (a 2015 favorite, with a way overdue review)
score: 8/10
year: 2016
tones of: prince, stevie wonder, youth lagoon, the beach boysgenre samples: electronica, r&b, psychedelic rock, world music, indie folkmusic: experimental, sparse, warbled, robotic, stripped, futuristic, trippy, echoing
lyrics: introverted, honest, emotive, earnest, visual, experiential, realistic, authentic
best guest: andre 3k delivers yet again on another frank ocean track [solo (reprise)]
favs: self control, nikes, seigfried (lyrics), nights, futura free, be yourself
bonus: i was asked about it, and yes, i think this is def better than Channel Orange
score: 9/10
year: 2016
tones of: four tet, shlohmo, darkside
genre samples: indie electronic, post-dubstep, electropop, uk grime
music: energetic, uplifting, busy, human, delightful, positive, buoyant, downtempo
lyrics: inspiring, resolved, vulnerable, exposed, raw, determined
favs: copper wire, florida, five four, falling out of phase, no loss, 1804
bonus: all the vocals on this album are from unique posters that the range mined from the vast depths of youtube. and their stories make the album's documentary truly fascinating: Superimpose
score: 8.5/10
year: 2016
tones of: bright eyes, tonic, wilco
genre samples: rock n roll, emo, lo-fi rock, garage rock, college rock, grunge
music: bare, simple, fuzzy, acoustic, detailed, jangly, distorted
lyrics: detached, somber, intellectual, dense, cynical, introspective
vocals: raspy, emotional, straining, punchy, urgent, distressed
favs: old friends, aphasia, size of the moon, cadmium, new friends
nb: this album only clocks in at half an hour, but really maximizes every minute
score: 8/10
year: 2016
tones of: anthony hamilton, cody chestnutt, the roots, bruno mars (on heart don't stand a chance), d'angelo, james brown (come down)
genre samples: r&b, jazz, hip hop, soul, psychedelic rock
music: playful, artistic, rhythmic, bouncy, spacey, atmospheric, live, instrumental
lyrics: straightforward, story-telling, autobiographical, simple, realistic
vocals: smooth, crooning, raspy, emotional, earnest
favs: the season i carry me, the bird, put me through, the waters, heart don't stand a chance, without you, come down, silicon valley, the dreamer
score: 8/10
note: in addition to being a singer and rapper, .Paak is also a talented producer - he actually produced six tracks on dr. dre's latest album.
year: 2016
tones of: old kanye, new kanye, derivative kanyes - you get the point
genre samples: hip hop, gospel, electronica, trap rap
music: industrial, warm, transcendent, jarring, demanding, haunting, comforting, spiritual, cascading
lyrics: honest, vulnerable, egotistical, frank, misogynistic, bombastic, meta, intelligent, hilarious
favs: fml, ultralight beam, real friends, i love kanye (insane brilliance on so many levels), feedback, famous, highlights, 30 hours
guest stars: chance raps out of his mind on "ultralight beam". frank ocean both softens and haunts "wolves". the weeknd is perfectly cast on "fml". ty dolla $ign is weird like always on "real friends". it's almost like kanye made these songs for them.
score: 8.5/10
note: meticulous production per usual. brilliant cubist in song change ups. stellar guest features. multilevel lyricism (back to pre yeezus levels). somewhat scattered but excellent, like a great playlist or shuffle session. kanye has still never made a bad album. impressive.
