Kacey Musgraves: Golden Hour. Review Sketch

year: 2018 

tones of: dolly parton (voice), goo goo dolls, the shins, christina aguilera (voice), aerosmith (on lonely weekend)

genre samples: dream pop, contemporary country,  pop/rock, girl pop (late 90s), folk pop, disco

music: simple, positive, beautiful, slow, summer, open, honest, pure, mature, heart filled, sunny, surreal, dreamy, gorgeous, optimistic, sweet, peaceful, warm, soothing, earnest, nostalgic, bright, aching, healing, sonic

favs: slow burn, lonely weekend, love is a wild thing, space cowboy, high horse, happy & sad

notes: i am quite routinely sleeping on this "countray music thang" but i'm here now. the production on this record is otherworldly and kacey's voice is like an angel whispering sweet melodies. this is brilliant.

score: 8.5/10

Rhye: Blood. Review Sketch

year: 2018 

tones of: sade, wet, sinead o'connor

genre samples: alternative r&b, new age, soft pop

music: soothing, relaxing, smooth, chill, lovesick, clean, soft, delicate, romantic, melancholy, safe, silky, graceful, lush

favs: count to five, taste, waste, softly

note: if you listen to this album you might think rhye "sounds like a woman" but nope, he's a cisgender male. rhye is the artistic vehicle of one, michael milosh.

score: 7/10

Youth Lagoon: Wondrous Bughouse. Review Sketch

year: 2013

tones of: the flaming lips, the beatles (sgt. pepper style)

genre samples: indie-rock, psych pop

music: expansive, personal, intimate, radiant, enveloping, vibrating, sonic, slow, prodding, sonorous, hazy, mystical, sparkling

lyrics: paranoia, mortality, loneliness, trust, abandonment, darkness, illness, instability

favs: through mind and back, mute, pelican man (beauifully bleak lyrics), raspberry cane

note: not many specific songs stand out here, but the ambiance they all produce is this album's greatness.

score: 8/10

Youth Lagoon: The Year of Hibernation. Album Sketch

year: 2011

tones of: flaming lips, the xx, bright eyes

genre samples:  dream pop, ambient techno, emo, downtempo

music: atmospheric, blissful, isolated, comforting, encircling, minimalist, plush

lyrics: painful, young, idealist, fragile, cynical, dark, angst ridden, metaphorical

favs: posters, cannon, 17, daydream, montana, the hunt

score: 8.5/10