Category: Album Reviews

SweetSexySavage by Kehlani

Artist: Kehlani

Album: SweetSexySavage

Record Label: Atlantic

Recommended Tracks: Intro- Track 1 and Gangsta- Track 19

Kehlani is a female R&B artist that prides herself on being from the Bay Area, and more specifically Oakland. 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 is where 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.

The first track on the album fittingly called “Intro” and in fact doesn’t even feature the voice of Kehlani at all. It starts off with a spoken word poem written and recited by a then 22 year old local LA poetry writer named Reyna Biddy. The one minute poem talks about darkness and light life and the ups and downs. The poem opens with “My condolences to anyone who has ever lost me. And, to anyone who got lost in me” which speaks powerful words of the raw emotions poured into this album and it doesn’t stop there. She talks about her different personas and the labels she is given as a woman saying things like Superwoman, angry woman or crazy woman to describe how she can be at different times, but that they aren’t negative things. The point of the poem is to shine light on women for being themselves and not letting others put them down for doing so which fits well with the strong and powerful feminist feeling Kehlani emulates in SweetSexySavage which is why it is a perfect way to start off the album.

“Gangsta” is the last track on the album and quite possibly the most known due to it being featured in the blockbuster film Suicide Squad. The slow R&B sound on this song is very unique which adds to why it was such a standout off the album. The song was originally featured on the movie’s soundtrack which was released in the late summer of 2016, but she then went to put it on the album as well. The song has a mellow but seductive sound and is used for portraying the relationship of Harley Quinn and the Joker in the story line. The chorus of the song insinuates that to her gangsta means loyalty and trust which is what she is singing about in this song.  

Kehlani has released many singles like “Honey” one of her most popular to date and has been featured on many other artist’s songs, but has yet to put out a following full length album, although she says it is in the works. Currently Kehlani is 8 months pregnant, but that didn’t stop her from releasing a single and music video less than a month ago. Kehlani definitely has some incredible vocal abilities and people are beginning to recognize her name especially after touring with big pop stars like Demi Lovato and Halsey or just being affiliated with G-Eazy who is also from the Bay Area. Similar artists to Kehlani currently include people like H.E.R., Tinashe, Jhene Aiko, or Ella Mai if you enjoy Kehlani they are worth giving a listen to.

By The Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Album: By The Way

Record Label: Warner Brothers Records

Suggested Tracks: Track 4- Dosed Track 13- On Mercury

The original Red Hot Chili Peppers group formed at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California. Lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis linked up with bassist Michael Balzary (later known as Flea), guitarist Hillel Slovak, and drummer Jack Irons, creating what would be known as The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are best known for their alt-rock style of music. They infuse psychedelic vibes with heavy rock undertones, lead by Kiedis’ unique style of vocals. After a tumultuous start, the band released its first successful album in 1987 titled “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan.”  The band suffered from the tragic death of guitarist Slovak, leading Irons to leave the band. They were replaced by a mix of stars over the next decade. Despite the changing dynamic and personnel, the Red Hot Chili Peppers remained successful, always lead by Kiedis and Flea. The Peppers were best known for their electrifying live performances, as Kiedis is considered one of the best performers of all time. The group released By The Way in 2002. Having already established a respectable reputation in the alt-rock world, By The Way did not disappoint the high expectations the world had for the Chili Peppers.

By The Way was less heavy-rock than the previous albums done by the Chili Peppers. The album features more pop, reggae, and psychedelic tones while still staying true to the Peppers rock roots with strong bass and drum solos. Track 4- Dosed, begins with a calming array of simple electric guitar and bass before bringing in strong percussion beats, and soft vocals from Kiedis. The track has a very chill vibe to it, as Kiedis leads the way, showcasing his whole vocal range. He slips soothingly in and out of seamless falsettos as the steady drums and guitar accompany him. The whole track is tied together by Flea’s layered use of bass notes. The simplistic use of electric guitar, paired with Kiedis’ vocals and Flea’s bass really make the listener feel as though they’ve been dosed by the Chili Peppers, as one could slip into the serene perfection that this song creates. Towards the end, the instrumental shifts to a more intense tone, and Kiedis pours his soul into the final chorus. The song ends in the same way it starts, by highlighting beautiful melodies from the electric guitar.

Track 13- On Mercury has a classic Red Hot Chili Peppers feeling to it. The listener is instantly launched into the Peppers electrifying use of drums and guitar before Kiedis even begins singing. The fast tempo of the guitar and drums carries Kiedis’ cross between singing and rock rap to the next level. Kiedis is considered one of the most unique vocalists of all time, and this song really demonstrates how he gained such a reputation. Kiedis doesn’t miss a single beat, this time letting the instrumentals lead the song. On Mercury infuses class rock and pop in a unique way that only the Chili Peppers have mastered. The psychedelic lyrical style from Kiedis adds an entirely different layer of uniqueness that comes together in this Chili Peppers style jam session of a song.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been nominated for 12 Grammys over the years, taking home 3 wins for Best Rock Album, Best Rock Performance by a group in 2006, and Best Hard Rock Performance in 1992. By The Way is a great album that exemplifies why the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the greatest modern rock bands.

On February 15th from 7 pm to 9 pm, KPOET will be having their first Open Mic Night of the New Year. If you would like to perform, a sign up sheet is available outside the KPOET station door.

All Inclusive Romantic Getaway by Spendtime Palace

Artist: Spendtime Palace

Album: All Inclusive Romantic Getaway

Record Label: Spendtime Records

Recommended Tracks: Track 1, “Romantic Getaway”, Track 2, “Blackout Control”

The indie-rock band Spendtime Palace from Costa Mesa, California released their second album on January 25, 2019. They’re known for their relaxed sound that’s reminiscent of California surf rock with their gritty guitars and smooth vocals. All Inclusive Romantic Getaway strikes a chord with 70’s inspired rock all while making it sound their own. The album has its strongest moments early on in the eleven track collection of songs with “Romantic Getaway” and “Blackout Control.” There’s a nostalgic flavor that’s intertwined in these songs with hints of heartbreak and bittersweet moments.

The album opens with a four minute song, “Romantic Getaway.” They quickly impress with their warm and welcoming sound that sets the tone for the theme of the album. The dreamy guitars give the illusion of being on a real getaway. The smoothness of the instruments and vocals are easy to listen to and drive the idea of a serene experience. They experimented with the song by placing a twenty two second introduction of only the voice of a flight attendant speaking in the distance, reminding passengers to secure their seatbelts. This is a clever way of starting the album, especially considering the name of the song and the fact that listening to the entirety of the album is like a journey in itself.  The instrumentation fades in which is the most captivating part of the song. Although the chords are repetitive, the guitars sound melodious and dreamlike, perfectly capturing the concept of someone traveling on an airplane and admiring the view from a window seat.

However, Spendtime Palace quickly shifts in tone with the second song “Blackout Control.” The song tackles the struggle of a long-distance relationship due to two people prioritizing different things in their lives. This track is fast-paced and the lead vocals show how versatile lead singer Dan Fowlie’s voice is. During the chorus, you can hear the bittersweet sentiments in his voice as he tells the story from a real life experience. The bass guitar underneath his voice and lead strings should also be recognized for its low basslines that balance the upbeat tones the sound evokes in spite of the lyrics.

All Inclusive Romantic Getaway is a solid sophomore album for Spendtime Palace. They prove that their sound is becoming more polished and they have a long road of success in their future.

Wannabewithu by Cuco

Album: wannabewithu

Artist: Cuco

Record Label: Cuco

Recommended Tracks: 1- “Lover Is A Day” 3- “Amor De Siempre”

Wannabewithu is an album released on July 18, 2016 by Mexican-American singer and songwriter Omar Banos, a.k.a. Cuco. Twenty year old southern california native, has already made a name for himself within the music industry. Despite the album being released almost 3 years ago, it has just began to receive mainstream attention, being featured on a popular Spotify premium playlist: Pollen. The album has a genre-agnostic ambience to it, with underlying hip-hop and R&B textures sprinkled throughout.

“Lover Is A Day”, the first song on Wannabewithu is one of Cuco’s most notable songs on his entire discography. Being streamed upwards of twenty-eight million, the melodramatic; yet upbeat, is a song that can easily be listened to for hours at a time. But as catchy as the tone is, it isn’t hard to find out within a few moments of listening that it’s just another sadboi hours song that is filled with dreary metaphors that have the same everlasting theme … “I miss you. And I love you still.” There will be no need to worry of finding a song to put on que either, as the track has a runtime of seven minutes, thirty six seconds. One of the highlights of the song, is the glorious trumpet solo at six minutes, twenty-five seconds, that is honestly very emotional and can accurately depict the vibe of the song.

The albums standout song is track 3, “Amor De Siempre.” This song is written entirely in spanish as he smoothly states “Cuando veo esos ojos, ahí es donde quiero vivir” translating to, “When I see your eyes, that’s where I want to live.” The lyrics in the song are soulful and beautiful as he sings in spanish, displaying his spanish roots as a mexican- American artist.  Despite the last minute of the song being a really bad brass section,

While still respecting the music he creates, this album lacks a sense of creativity, unlike some of his other albums and singles, it feels like watered down sad, bedroom pop. Some of the songs are mediocre at best, but I do not think display Cuco’s full potential. This album is stale in terms of beats and instrumentals, and Cuco’s vocals do not show versatility or depth. This album is perfect for somebody who needs a gateway into sad boy music, or for females who want to seem deeper than they really are.

Songs of Her’s by Her’s

Artist: Her’s

Album: Songs of Her’s

Record Label: Heist or Hit

Recommended Tracks: Track 3 – “Marcel”, Track 7 – “What Once Was”

Songs of Her’s by the Liverpool band Her’s was released on May 12, 2017. The duo consists of Stephen Fitzpatrick on vocals/guitar and Audun Laading on bass/backing vocals. Her’s considers this to be more of a collection of songs rather than a calculated and cohesive debut album. Nevertheless, it’s packed with catchy beats and rhythms that are the perfect soundtrack for a relaxed summer’s day. The jangle-pop songs are injected with warm tones coming from Stephen’s low pitched and emotion drenched vocals. His voice is paired perfectly with Audun’s rich basslines, and it’s impressive how well they compliment each other. One unique aspect about the band is the fact that they use a drum machine rather than a live drummer.

Song’s of Her’s has a total of nine songs that are fused with darker overtones, making them sound simultaneously dreamy and somber. All of the songs have an infectious energy that comes from both members of the band who have evident chemistry when it comes to writing and performing their music. Their sound strikes a satisfying balance between fuzzy strings and clean vocals. Two songs that stand out are track three, “Marcel,” and track seven, “What Once Was.”

“Marcel” has a bit of a melancholy feel to it when listening to the lyrics, but they are juxtaposed with upbeat instrumentation. The song starts off with lighthearted waves of electronic beats that sound reminiscent of a sunny day at the beach. Stephen’s voice is at its best on this track with each note rising and falling in pitch, reflecting the theme of the song. He sings about the highs and lows of a relationship.

“What Once Was” is an addicting track that will have listeners in awe. It punches with the theme of nostalgia as Stephen yearns for an idealized past. The song opens with strings that immediately spark intrigue from the first few notes coming from Audun’s bass and Stephen’s guitar. Overall, it’s definitely a song that will have new listeners eager to add this to their playlists.      Her’s has deservedly earned a solid fan base in the U.K. and they are quickly growing in the states. Song’s of Her’s captures the essence of a band who will surely continue to impress with their talent and unique sound.

Joanne (Deluxe) by Lady Gaga

Album: Joanne (Deluxe)

Artist: Lady Gaga

Record Labels: Cherrytree/ Interscope Records, Universal Music Group, Def Jam Recordings,
 Kon Live, The Island of Def Jam Music Group, Streamline, and Geffen Records.

Recommended Tracks: 6- “Perfect Illusion”,  7- “Million Reasons”

Joanne (Deluxe) is an album done by Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga’s real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. She has six Grammy Awards and has been nominated for twenty-four awards in total. Although Joanne is also one of Gaga’s middle names, when Gaga announced the album, she explained that it was named after Joanne Germanotta, her late aunt. Gaga had never met her aunt. Her aunt died with lupus, tweleve years before Gaga was born. Joanne has been Gaga’s solo record in three years. Joanne shows Gaga to have swerve from high-octane pop synths to Americana-style blues and rock, to critical praise.

Perfect Illusion, which is quite obvious, is a song about love. But, it isn’t about a happy love story, it’s about an illusion that seemed like love. This song helps to refer to social media. Many people fall in love over social media, however, it is not real love: it’s an illusion. Even though this song isn’t about actual love, the meaning behind it is different. Gaga wants her fans to take the idea that “it’s okay to have contact with people whom you don’t have a true love exchange with”. Even though this song might have a sort of saddening message, it is very upbeat. It is a perfect song to dance and sing along to at parties or just in your room. If you like pop and Lady Gaga, this is the song for you.

Million Reasons is one of Lady Gaga’s sadder songs on her album. It is about a relationship that someone shouldn’t be in, but cannot let go. This song is a country song filled with funk and rock ‘n’ roll. Whenever Gaga performs this song on stage, she always sits out with her guitar and sings. The guitar is the main feature in the song. This song is not at all a party song. It would completely kill the party, because of the meaning behind the lyrics. It wouldn’t even work as a slow dance song at a party. However, if you need some encouragement to help you get through something, this may be the perfect song for you.

A lot of songs in Joanne (Deluxe) are about moving forward, no matter how hard and painful it is. It is also about believing in yourself because only you can make things happen and change for you to be better. This album is definitely for someone who likes different types of genres because Gaga includes different types of beats in each song. It is also for someone who likes the new Lady Gaga. Gaga’s voice and presence have changed a lot over the past five years. She a different type of person. Maybe her new music might intrigue you.

Grow by Bedroom

Album: Grow

Artist: Bedroom

Record Label: Furious Hooves

Recommended Tracks: 3- “Nothing Lasts”, 7- “Drift Away”

Grow, is an album by an Alternative group that refers to themselves as Bedroom who released this album in 2014. This album consists of 9 tracks total, which is not very long but it is definitely worth listening to. With it being within the Alternative genre, this album and group specifically have very relaxing and mellow beats. A lot of string instruments are incorporated in the songs, especially in the beginning. With this album being heavily focused on the melodies, it allows you to dissect this music from a different perspective. Instead of mainly focusing on the lyrics, you get to focus on the different rhythms and sounds within the Bedrooms music and really look at it through a different light.

In the third track “Nothing Lasts”, this is one of the few songs in this album that actually does have quite a few lyrics. As you can tell from the title “Nothing Lasts”, this song is about a breakup and how it was for the best because being together, it allowed them to evolve as individuals together. This was for the best because in the song it mentions “for now i’m happy, for you have saved me”, and this means that ultimately since “Nothing Lasts” he was able to learn from the experience he was able to share with his partner in his previous relationship.

In track seven, “Drift Away”, this is one of the songs that start off with a string instrument such as the guitar and also incorporates other instruments including the drums. This song also has more lyrics than some of the other songs but is still heavily focused on the instrumentals. It is as if the way they are singing, they are trying to make it sound more apart of the instruments rather than having lyrics. This is also an interpretation because it is kind of hard to understand what the lyrics are actually saying. This may also be where the title takes action. Maybe, “Drift Away” wants you to be in touch with the lyrics and “Drift Away” with the song. 

Since this album all together is very mellow and relaxing, it allows you to interpret it as you may with it being heavily influenced by instrumentals. Also, with this group being Alternative, it sends different vibes to each and every listener which may specifically be enjoyed most in a coffee shop as it has a retro and hipster stereotypical feel.

Die Lit by Playboi Carti

Record Label: Interscope Records

Recommended Tracks: 8- “Poke It Out” (feat. Nicki Minaj), 10- “Fell in Luv (feat. Bryson Tiller)

Jordan Terrell Carter who is better known as Playboi Carti, an American rapper, record producer, songwriter, and model released his debut album “Die Lit” on May 11, 2018. It includes a total of 19 songs with featured artists such as Skepta, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, Pi’erre Bourne, Nicki Minaj, Bryson Tiller, Cheif Keef, Gunna, Red Coldhearted, and Young Nudy. This album is categorized under Hip-Hop/Rap, so within this album you will experience different elements of Hip Hop/Rap with Playboi Carti’s own interpretation of what he feels falls under that genre.

Track 8, “Poke It Out”, along with the rest of the songs in this album are heavily focused on the beat with Playboi Carti’s shortcomings as a lyricist. Specifically this song is a favorite because how song initially starts out. All of the beats the Playboi uses have a high spirit which gets your blood pumping. In addition, with having a featured artist such as Nicki Minaj is a huge plus, because if a well known Rapper such as herself is willing to collaborate with with Playboi, she must see potential in him as an artist.

In track 10, “Fell in Luv (feat. Bryson Tiller)”, by far has the best beat in this whole album altogether. Along with Nicki Minaj being a featured artist in this album, so is Bryson Tiller who is also well known in his genre of music. With having Bryson Tiller as a featured artist, it adds more depth into what the song is trying to say and how Playboi is trying to get his message across. With this song being so upbeat from beginning to end, it feels rewarding to listen to.

Playboi Carti altogether may not be the best with lyrics, but he finds a way to reel you in and genuinely enjoy his music. This album “Die Lit” is so rewarding to listen to because it just makes you want to dance or be physically active in some way. So if you are a fan of Hip Hop/Rap music and are looking for an album to get your blood pumping as you work out, this is the album for you.  

BALLADS 1 by Joji

Album: BALLADS 1

Artist: Joji

Record Label: 88rising

Recommended Tracks: 2: “Slow Dancing In The Dark” 5- “Can’t Get Over You”

I think for this album it is important to first talk about the artist. Joji, also known as George Miller is an entertainer. Beginning his career as a Filthy Frank on youtube, he left an impression on the video sharing website by releasing content under different aliases and characters. His videos were usually raps depicting some pretty vulgar humour. Nonetheless, this controversial videos garnered him attention, ascending him into fame. Enough of the backstory, onto the album. BALLADS 1 is one of Joji’s first albums as he adapted into his new style, it is a collection that displays his range as an artist.

The recognizably most popular song of the album is track 2, “Slow Dancing In The Dark.” The lo-fi beats paired with lyrics about love and loss allow for this track to easily be a banger. The instruments are gentle as Joji’s voice is introduced, the first lyric being “I don’t want a friend / I want my life in two / Just one more night / Waiting to get there/ Waiting for you”. Describing how he struggles with love throughout the song, the song puts you directly into the feels. This song encapsulates Joji as an artist; vocals, beats, bass line and instrumentals perfectly combined. (Oh, and please check out the masterpiece that is this music video.)

Track 5, “I Can’t Get Over You” is the shortest song of the album, just under 2 minutes. Despite being so short the use of guitar and beats make it all too catchy. This song is different than its counterparts- to an extent. The flow is upbeat and seemingly happy, until you look at the lyrics. The song outlines the effect of love and relationships, some pretty important themes that allow for the song to be more than just surface. While this song could be considered repetitive or too short, the chorus makes the song one of those that will be stuck in your head throughout the day.

Cover to cover this album flows really well. The instrumentals allow for a Joji’s rumination to be understood. The only fault I could find in BALLADS 1 is that all songs are so similar, arguably though not too similar. The albums conformity allows for the lo-fi beats to seamlessly tailor the album into a flowing, cathartic collection. Despite being similar in sound Joji does a great job at still outlining some pretty important themes from mortality to regret, hard to believe this is the same guy who began the trend of the Harlem Shake and terrified us in that pink morphsuit. Despite Joji’s questionable past, this album was made to be added to your favorite sad boy, rainy day playlist. Spending the gloomy day inside? This album is for you.

Longwave by Bonny Doon

Artist: Bonny Doon

Album: Longwave

Record Label: Woodsist

Recommended Tracks:  Track 3 “I Am Here (I Am Alive)”, Track 5 “Where Do You Go?”

The four member band Bonny Doon released their album Longwave on March 23, 2018. It’s a relaxing collection of songs that fit nicely under the folk rock genre. In total, the album has ten songs, each exuding a dreamy warmth that feels inviting.  There’s a sweet simplicity to each track that makes them blend cohesively as a whole. Bonny Doon made the instrumentation of strings and drums the forefront of their sound with the vocals complimenting the laid back tones. Longwave creates a relaxing atmosphere that makes it easy to imagine listening to this album while going on a scenic road trip or playing in the background while doing homework. Lead singers and guitarists Bill Lennox and Bobby Colombo showcase their ability to sound effortless when they sing, adding to the already serene mood that the instruments establish. Joshua Brooks (bass guitar) and Jake Kmiecik (drums) help set a solid foundation for each track with melodic drum beats and low bass tones.

There are many notable highlights from Longwave since it is such a well orchestrated album instrumentally and lyrically.  Despite their laidback sound, Bonny Doon does not come across as lazy or underwhelming.  Rather than incorporating the use of autotune and overly produced engineering, the band tends to lean toward a more stripped down approach when making their music. Two songs that stand out on this record are track three “I Am Here (I Am Alive)” and track five “Where Do You Go?”

Track three starts off with a smooth introduction coming from soft guitar strumming before being met by vocals from Lennox. Lyrically, the song is full of nature imagery as well as acknowledgment of one’s existence. It establishes the themes of introspection and wanting to find one’s place in the world. The song is almost five and half minutes long and listening to it feels like a journey in itself as you begin to visualize the imagery that Lennox sings about.  This creates a parallel to the internal journey of someone trying to find their way.

Track five fades in with mellow guitars and a slow and repetitive drum beat.  It’s the shortest song on the album as it is only two minutes long, but even within that short amount of time, Bonny Doon manages to demonstrate their talent. It should be noted that this song is essentially the same two lines repeated with breaks in between allowing the guitar to shine.  “Where Do You Go?” gives off a melancholy yet calming mood that leaves you wanting more because it’s so dreamy, and the overall simplicity of the song is soothing.

Longwave by Bonny Doon demonstrates the idea that ornamentation isn’t necessary when it comes to creating art. Their authentic approach and overall skills as musicians carry enough weight to make their music really nice to listen to.  Anyone who is interested in a change of pace in the music they gravitate toward will enjoy this album.