Category: Album Reviews

While We Wait by Kehlani

Artist: Kehlani

Album: While We Wait

Genre: R&B, hip-hop

Record Label(s): Atlantic and Tsunami Mob

Recommended Tracks: Track 3- Nunya and Track 7- RPG

Kehlani is a female R&B artist that prides herself on being from the Bay Area, and more specifically Oakland as well as her strong ties to the LGBTQA+ community. She began singing and dancing both at very young ages but focused on singing after hurting her leg in middle school. In 2009 she became the lead singer of a group called Poplyfe and the group auditioned for America’s Got Talent in 2011 and finished in fourth place. Here she gained recognition in the media and was told she didn’t need a group to back up her vocals. In 2013 Nick Cannon took her under his wing after seeing her potential on the show and moved her to LA where she released her first single “ANTISUMMERLUV”. In 2014 Kehlani released her first mixtape “Cloud 9”, followed by a second mixtape called “You should be here” in 2015. Her first studio album “SweetSexySavage” was released on January 27, 2017 and remains the only album she has released to date. Her newest music release is a mixtape called “While We Wait” that came out on February 22nd featuring 9 new tracks, and 4 of those tracks having big named features. Although I may be biased for being a huge Kehlani fan I would definitely rate this mixtape a 5 because of how in her feeling and emotional she gets and how relatable and catchy other tracks are..

Nunya was the third single released on February 19th prior to the mixtape drop and features rapper Dom Kennedy. The song is about Kehlani’s jealous significant other, and her saying that what she is doing at every waking moment is anyone else’s business but her own. Nunya has catchy beats and makes you want to get up and dance. It’s a relatable R&B song about not caring about what your ex thinks they’re entitled to. She talks about people in her life who are stuck in the past and expect to stay in her life when she has clearly moved on. This song is basically telling anyone who’s no longer in her life that she has moved on and doesn’t have time for these people to be trying too come back into her life. She’s saying you would know if she wanted you back around and she isn’t making those efforts because she has moved on.

RPG featuring 6lack is a much slower song than Nunya and starts out with a soothing jazzy hip-hop sounding beat. She is singing about her insecurities and how her significant other is only doing the things they think she wants to be done. It’s about this act being put on to attempt to make a relationship healthy. The reality is that things are messed up in this relationship and she wants the person to be honest with her. The rhythm of the song is slow and fits the message of the song well using primarily drums and piano. The song is very real and I think a lot of people can relate to this feeling.

Kehlani is no stranger to releasing mixtapes, but it has been a while since a full length album. Since the release of SweetSexySavage the only releases have been singles, and fans have long awaited new music, but knew that may be on hold until she has her baby, but this album was released while she was 8 months pregnant. If you enjoy this mixtape then I’d recommend looking into the featured artists as well as people like SZA, Jhene Aiko, Jorja Smith, or Kali Uchis.

OK, I’M SICK by Badflower

Artist: Badflower

Album: OK, I’M SICK

Record Label: Big Machine Records

Recommended Tracks: Track 2 – “The Jester”, Track 8 – “Heroin”

Four piece band Badflower released their debut album OK, I’M SICK on February 22, 2019. The L.A. based alternative rock band mixes Emo influences from the early 2000’s into these thirteen songs. They’re drenched with angst and darker undertones as they comment on subjects like mental health, politics, and abuse. They’re a band that has a lot to say and they’re using their music to shed light upon topics that many artists stray from. Each song has intense lyrical themes, entertaining instrumentation, and rich vocal delivery. Singer Josh Katz’s performance is so emotionally-driven that every lyric that he sings elicits impassioned urgency. Collectively, the album earns a 4/5 rating for its honest artistic approach and the impressive musical momentum.

Even though Badflower is clearly influenced by other artists in the industry, as they share similar qualities with bands like My Chemical Romance, they still manage to stand out. This is because of their their undeniable talent and the fact that they don’t hold anything back on this album. Track two, “The Jester,” is a high-energy song with lyrics that paint an image of nobles in a medieval ballroom being entertained by a jester. Katz sings about feeling like an outsider among “kings” at “the dinner table.” He sings with a tone of desperation while questioning, “Is anybody out there looking out for me?” His voice gradually builds as the song progresses and the narrative is revealed. The last minute of the song is where Katz’s vocals soar to a hard-hitting crescendo, creating a moody atmosphere with the support of textured drums and strings. This track is well-made and you can really feel the frustration behind Katz’s voice, making it a visceral listening experience.

Track eight, titled “Heroin,” is brutally honest as the lyrics compare a love interest to having a similar effect as a heroin addiction. The song is a metaphor that points to an unhealthy relationship that one has a hard time moving on from. He acknowledges the negative feelings that they end up creating as he sings, “she’s in my veins again…my bones are caving in.” This song highlights Katz’s ability to shift from soft and vulnerable melodies to gut-wrenching screaming within the same song. The guitars stand out on this track, adding a distorted element that juxtaposes the clean vocals. The distorted guitars emphasize the idea of one’s life being clouded by a toxic person or substance.

Badflower’s debut album OK, I’M SICK is a body of work that carries you through various emotions and themes that are well-integrated throughout. Even if their style isn’t your usual musical preference, it’s worth checking out because this fairly new band has a lot of potentials.

Drip or Drown 2 by Gunna

Album: Drip or Drown 2

Artist: Gunna

Record Label: Young Stoner Life Records

Recommended Tracks: 4- “Cash War”, 13- “On a Mountain”

Sergio Giavanni Kitchens, better known as Gunna, an American rapper, singer and songwriter recently released in newest album “Drip or Drown 2”, on February 22, 2019 with featured artists such as Lil Baby, Young Thug, and Playboi Carti. As he has a unique voice style, it is notable that he is trying to replicate the sound of one of his mentors, Young Thug. This is because as Young Thug was one of the first artists to have established his own particular sound, next to Lil Wayne. They all try to imitate a particular style and sound of rap. In this album, it will be interesting how he adds his own flavor to his new album.

In track 4, “Cash War”, this song is basically about how Gunna flaunts all of his money which allows him to buy expensive cars and designer clothing. In the song he mentions, “Red- and- Black Bentley like a Raider, bring it to your front door like a cater”, which can interpret to how he has so much money that he is comparing buying very expensive cars to food catering which is not as nearly expensive as a Bentley. This also means that since he comparing the two, he means that buying high priced cars is as easily accessible to him as buying a food caterer.

In track 13, “On a Mountain”, he also talks about money in this song and mentions a lot of designer products but since the title is “On a Mountain”, I interpreted this as a meaning of being superior to all others. Since mountains are tall and above most objects, and since he flaunts the large amount of money he makes and spends, he is saying he is on a mountain because he has the opportunity to be above most with the product of money he is privileged to. In the song he says, “Been countin’ racks, seems like I need an accountant, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, man, I don’t need the vouchers”, which backs up the meaning of how he interprets himself as a superior being compared to others. When he says he does not need vouchers because of all of the designer products he has, it proves again that he is saying he is not a person that has trouble with making money and buying products.

Overall I would rate this album a 4 out of 5 because Gunna did a good job with interpreting the songs in this album into what his audience would want to hear. If you are a fan of Hip- Hop/Rap, I would recommend you listen to this album when hanging out with friends or if you are at a party because the lyrics and betas are very catchy.

Father of 4 by Offset

Album: Father of 4

Artist: Offset

Record Labels: Motown and Quality Control Music

Recommended Tracks: Track 9: “Don’t Lose Me”, ” Track 15- “Red Room”

Rating: ⅘

After much anticipation and delay due to supposed technical difficulties, Offset released his new album Father of 4 nearly three months after its original release date. This album is Offset’s uncensored story as he opens up about his life on the streets and apologizes to his four children and his wife Cardi B for his downfalls. Offset, member of the well-known trio Migos, has not been shy of the spotlight, although it has not always been for good reasons. Offset’s turbulent 2018 is center of this album as he begins to right wrongs and acknowledge his past. This album is strong, real catharsis that should be recognized.

Track 9, “Don’t Lose Me,” discusses Offset’s mistakes with his wife Cardi B and their complex relationship. The song begins with a spoken, deep hearted apology to Cardi B for his mistakes stating, “And I apologize, you know what I’m sayin’? Breaking your heart, breaking our promise, breaking God’s promise, and being a selfish and messed up husband.” Kind of sweet, maybe, if you ignore all the other stuff. Offset’s typical sound begins after his statement as the beat drops into his auto-tuned voice and flows through a series of clever cricket chirps- that’s a metaphor. This song, like the entire album, is raw and uncensored as he acknowledges his mistakes and his past.

The most recognizable and generally popular song of the album is track 15, “Red Room.” This song prefaced the album as the debut single and served as the glimpse to the intense introspection. This song has more of a Migos-esque sound but instead of random lyrics, this song is weirdly eerie as he describes his near death car accident. He continues to discuss his mother and his upbringing throughout the track. It describes his newfound gratitude for life, and how he recognizes the need for change. Despite the complexity, Offset’s rap flows across the beats seamlessly. This song is four minutes of necessary deep self-analysis.

Offset’s ability to debut his own single album is impressive in itself, but the impressive content within the sixteen tracks proves his talent as an artist. My only criticisms of the album would be that the beats are simple at times and his lyrics are repetitive but these are common qualities of modern rap, which is why I rated Father of 4 with a four out of five. This album is a personal reveal of Offsets past and a testament to his future. Y’all like some uncensored male introspection? This is it.

Helium by Homeshake

Album: Helium

Artist: Homeshake

Record Label: Sinderlyn

Recommended Tracks: 7- “Just Like My” Track 8- “Nothing Could Do Better”

Rating: 3/5

Solo singer and song write, Peter Sagar released his fourth full length album, Helium. Sagar insisted he record this album within his own house rather than in a studio like most albums. That stipulation paired with the removal of guitar and R&B from this album makes this album feel as an assertion of identity. There are 13 tracks on this album, four of them are instrumental, and one is just a series of eerie voices.

“Just Like My” is the perfect pairing between lightweight lofi beats and symphonic brass. This song knows how to capitalize off of lofi beats paired with some romantic lyrics, and does it very well. The lyrics are simple, “Guess it’s been a few days now/ Since I left the house/ Should be out about/ Quiet as a mouse”. This song is about solitude, the struggle between leaving the house or staying in- and to an extent feels like a look inside Sagar’s brain.

Track 8, “Nothing Could Be Better” begins with a slow beat series and then continues with lightweight vocals. This song is not complex, which is a double edged sword. The songs drum machine beats are repetitive and lack density, but when paired with the simple, lightweight vocals make the song cohesive. The lyrics follow suit with the simplicity and solitude of the album, “Mentioned that she’s headed out/ To meet people that we know/ Maybe I should come along/ Maybe I should stay”. This song is the perfect song to do nothing to, it is simple but vibe-y.

If there was one criticism of this album it would be the lack of density. The album is a series of lightweight beats and softened coo’s seeming as though the artist could only commit to one sound; however this simplicity seems intentional. The whole album feels as though you’re in a dream or other dimension, as the beats are experimental and lightweight. I give this album a rank of ⅗, it is a decent album but the simplicity disallows it to pique my interest. If you’re looking for a soundtrack for you midnight contemplation hour, this is it.

Berkley’s On Fire by Swmrs

Artist: Swmrs

Album: Berkley’s On Fire

Genre: Punk Rock/Pop Punk

Record label(s):

Recommended Tracks: Track 5- April in Houston and Track 10- Steve Got Robbed

In true Bay Area fashion, the band Swmrs has released a brand new punk rock album called fittingly titles “Berkley’s On Fire”. The Oakland based band may not be one of the biggest names out there, but you definitely know one of the dad’s of the drummer from a little band called Green Day. Billie Joe Armstrong’s son is one of the original band members of Swmrs, so clearly punk rock runs in his blood. Berkley’s on fire is the band’s fourth full length album following their most recent album Driving North from 2016. The album features 10 songs and runs at around 33 minutes long. The album is a distinct style that I happen to like a lot so I would rate it a 4 out of 5, but will warn people it isn’t everyone’s style.

April in Houston is a fan favorite off the album. The song is references a real experience of the band. The song starts with the line “My train just caught on fire and I’m stuck here at the station” referring to a show of theirs in Houston when they saw smoke in the distance and felt the explosion from a distance away while prepping for the show. The song starts with a guitar solo and other instruments come in as the song progresses. The song is about distractions and getting caught up with life suddenly realizing how fast time is flying. They use the fire as a metaphor throughout the song saying things like “your brain just caught on fire”. The song is basically talking about their fear of growing up and how quickly time flies. The chorus talks about how people will always be there when you’re at your high, but where does everyone go when you need them most.

Steve Got Robbed is definitely one of the most punk rock sounding songs on the album.  The song is about “Steve” who gets robbed twice in one night. They explain how we’ve all been robbed of something but how Steve has truly had it the worst. The song goes in detail of how and where Steve was robbed. The chorus goes “Steve got robbed, it was a San Fran shit-show. Steve got robbed walking home from West Oakland Bart station with a pistol” using their signature bay area references. The song is upbeat and an overall fun ending to the pop punk album.

SWMRS are growing constantly in their genre, but still aren’t widely known. Similar artists worth checking out if you enjoy them would be bands like Remo Drive, The Regrettes, or The Frights. Punk rock still has its following despite not being everyone’s go to anymore and I would definitely recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of pop punk, punk rock, or early 2000s alternative rock. This album may not be for everyone but it is well made with a fun sound that takes me back to early 2000s pop punk.

From Michigan With Love by Quinn XCII

Artist: Quinn XCII

Album: From Michigan With Love

Genre: Hip-hop, reggae, EDM

Record Label(s): Columbia Records

Recommended Tracks: Track 3- Life Must Go On and Track 6- Tough (feat. Noah Kahn)

Quinn XCII, born Mikael Temrowski, is a 25 year old singer from Detroit. He is known for his distinct style mixing reggae, hip-hop, pop, and even EDM. Temrowski got his start in college under the name Mike T where he primarily just rapped without the flare of his new alter ego style. Quinn XCII came to life in 2014 when he started taking this career seriously and dropping mixtapes and EPs produced by his childhood best friend. Quinn XCII has released four EPs since 2012 and just released his second studio album, From Michigan With Love, on February 15th of this year. This album has such a unique style and is both consistent making it a solid 4 out of 5 in my eyes. The album is well produced and flows well making clean transitions between tracks.

Life Must Go On was the first single released from this album and came out on the first of February, two weeks before the release of the album. The song features Jon Bellion who has a very similar sound and style to Quinn XCII. The song is extremely catchy with an ear catching beat from start to finish and a chorus that’ll be stuck in your head for days. The song has a pop sound but captures the style that the two artists share perfectly making it have a different sound than your average pop song. The song is about their shared experiences with anxiety and how through the bads times they remember that “life must go on” giving an uplifting message of not giving up even when things seem like they can’t get worse. The song is a perfect first single off the album because it definitely sets a tone in the best way possible for the rest of the album.

Track 6, Tough featuring Noah Kahn is one of the slower more calm songs off this album. The guitar based song is about someone who puts on act of being tough and is seen as a bully. She is described as the classic millennial popular girl acting tough when in public, but how vulnerable she actually is when she is alone. The chorus says “You’re not so tough. Yeah, you watch Eat Pray Love on repeat and I’m sure you’d win in an altercation, but you’re still insecure to me” explaining how insecure these people who seem to have everything together really are but just hide that side of themselves from the rest of the world. I think really emphasizes that we all have our insecurities and how some people show off being so confident, but we all have flaws,

This album is such a feel good album that makes you just want to get up and dance around in your room. It features some cool artists of different genres, all of which mesh well with Quinn XCII all over the place genre bending. Quinn XCII may not be an artist you already know, but he is worth a listen if you like genre mixing and especially if you like Jon Bellion because of their similar sounds. The album has a fresh sound and I’d definitely recommend it!

Head Above Water by Avril Lavigne

Artist: Avril Lavigne

Album: Head Above Water

Record Label: BMG

Recommended Tracks: Track 1 “Head Above Water”, Track 8, “Crush”

After a six year album-releasing drought, Avril Lavigne dropped her newest album, Head Above Water on February 15, 2019. Unfortunately, at some points she seems to miss the target. Avril has built a massive fan base since her debut album in 2002 where she established her pop-punk sound that made her popular. Of course everyone loves or is at least familiar with her catchy songs “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi,” all which instantly transport you back to your childhood. With Head Above Water, it seems as though she is trying to channel that same energy that brought her success earlier in her career, but with a soft rock flair. This album shows that her music has evolved with more mature lyrics and is inspired by different life experiences from her adulthood. However, it appears that she’s struggling to find her niche at this point in her career. Nevertheless, there are some notable aspects in her comeback album that remind why so many people were anticipating this album.

Sonically, the 12 tracks on this record make for a moody rollercoaster ride with unexpected twists and turns. The most shocking twist would be the unexpected collab with Nicki Minaj on the song “Dumb Blonde,” which sits completely out of place among the rest of the songs. It has a cringey sound and is overly produced, making it feel dizzying to the point where you’re trying to figure out what is going on. It falls flat in all areas of production and is the most skippable track on the album.

The first recommended song, “Head Above Water” sets the tone for an album that shifts dramatically as you get to the last song. It creates high expectations for the rest of the songs because it’s so well-crafted production wise. Vocally, instrumentally, and lyrically the song is intriguing and drenched with emotion. It’s more of a ballad with its heavy keys and passionate vocals. This track highlights her personal struggles of being diagnosed with Lyme disease and feeling like she is drowning with her declining health. Avril begs for a moment of relief while expressing her desperation to stay afloat. The chorus builds with her vocals gaining strength in each note, even in a song where she’s very vulnerable.  From beginning to end, her voice is powerful while the piano and strings support her sincere vulnerability with their softer tones. Overall, the payoff is satisfying and this song will make you root for Avril.

The eighth track on this album titled “Crush,” is Avril finding herself loving again after being in a toxic relationship. The lyrics point to her having her guard up in fear of being hurt again, and hoping that this new person in her life won’t break her heart. It has a sweet sounding melody and smooth rhythm. The violin strings in the beginning add a nice touch to the song and the upbeat drums support her lighter toned vocals. The title and lyrics of the song are clever as they reference having a crush, as well as the idea of feeling “crushed” in pain or heartache.Avril Lavigne’s Head Above Water has its triumphs and falls short in some areas, but thematically, it’s an empowering release for the artist herself. The album’s narrative begins with her barely hanging onto life and ends with her really living, rather than just merely surviving. There are definitely some gems on this album but it’s shaky at times, earning it a ⅗ rating.

Betty by Betty Who

Album: Betty

Artist: Betty Who

Record Label: RCA Records, Kobalt Music Group

Recommended Tracks: 1 – “Old Me”, 13 – “Stop Thinking About You”

Australian singer Betty Who released her thirteen-track third studio album, Betty, on Feb. 15, 2019. Since the title of the album is the artists’ own name, I believe that the songs are going to be about her. Throughout the album, there are elements of upbeat pop songs, but ultimately, every song reflects on each individual story she has to share. As a whole, I would rate Betty a three out of five. While pop music is not my cup of tea, I still enjoyed listening to this album.

The first track, “Old Me,” is a story depicting a past relationship. Who says in this song: “I went to bed last night with a broken heart, now something’s different. I’m feeling like the old me. No, you cannot control me” which may mean that, although she might be feeling heartbroken, maybe it was for the best; she is no longer being controlled and feels a sense of freedom. When Who sings, “I’m feeling like the old me,” she means that she is feeling how she felt before she was in a relationship with this previous significant other, which shows growth and the lessons of strength that she has learned along the way.

Track 13, “Stop Thinking About You,” is also about a past relationship. Who sings, “What do I do? I’m still waiting for you to come crawling to bed like you used to. That’s when I’ll stop thinking about you.” She means that she cannot stop thinking about this person and will not stop until the moment they are physically together again. Who also sings, “You’re everywhere. You’re in my blood, in every stranger, every song I love. You’re in my dreams. You’re all I see,” which can mean that, in whatever she does, she sees a piece of her partner.Overall, Betty was quite enjoyable. To hear someone else’s perspective through their own story is intriguing, which is the best aspect of this album. I would recommend Betty to anyone that just wants to jam out with their friends, as this album gives you positive vibes.

The Love Train by Meghan Trainor

Artist: Meghan Trainor

Album: The Love Train

Record Label: Epic

Genre: Pop

Recommended Tracks: Track 1- “All The Ways” and Track 6 – “Good Mornin’” (feat Gary Trainor)

Meghan Trainor is an American pop singer/songwriter from Massachusetts. Trainor is 25 years old and has two full-length albums out. The singer, most known for her breakout hit “All About That Bass” from 2014, just released a new love-themed EP called The Love Train on Feb. 8, just in time for Valentines Day. The EP includes six songs, most likely about her life as newlywed, having just gotten married to Daryl Sabara who is best known for being the little brother in Spy Kids. These six tracks are a perfect depiction of love at its best, showing romantic gestures and how we all envision an idealized love story. This EP can be rated a 4 on a 5 point scale purely because two of the songs sound very similar and sort of generic; nonetheless the songs are still catchy and fun, making all listeners want to feel this love being described in all six songs.  

“All The Ways” is the first track of the short EP. The song is a response to her significant other telling her all the ways he loves her. The upbeat pop song has the potential to be a big hit on the radio, if she ends up releasing it as a single. The song starts off with a slower guitar sound, but builds as it progresses to the chorus. This is one of the most upbeat songs on the EP and is the song she used to announce her upcoming third album which was originally intended to be released in August 2018 but has since been postponed to later this year.

“Good Mornin’” is a fun song from the EP that has a very doo-wop sound. The song is about waking up next to her husband, and realizing how much she loves him. The song is listed to be featuring her father Gary Trainor. He plays both the piano and the organ for the song because when Trainor tried playing it, her nails made too much noise, but she still envisioned it being done on the piano. This reminiscent sound is unique to the EP, but still feels very on-brand for Trainor’s sound from prior albums. The Love Train sets the perfect mood for the ideal Valentines Day. It is romantic and happy from start to finish. This EP sounds like the ideal score for a fun romantic comedy. The album features ballads and upbeat songs, and she does play the majority of the instruments heard throughout. If you like pop music and are looking for a fun quick listen than this may be the EP for you.