Category: Album Reviews

Over It by Summer Walker

Artist: Summer Walker

Album: Over It

Genre: R&B

Record Label: LVRN Records

Recommended Tracks: Fun Girl, Girls Need Love (feat. Drake)

Summer Walker is an up and coming singer-songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. Her music style is best described within R&B and Soul, and Walker says she takes inspiration from Amy Whinehouse, Jimi Hendrix, and Erykah Badu. Her first commercial mixtape, Last Day of Summer, released on October 19, 2018, and her debut studio album, Over It, premiered on October 4, 2019. The album showcased Summer Walker’s voice, beat, and style, serving as her introduction as an artist. Summer Walker is a truly talented artist that has a unique style which is sure to translate into future success in music. On a rating scale, I would give her album Over It, an impressive 8.5 out of 10. This generous rating is a result of the album being a bop-filled, diverse, and overall groovy. The album is a diverse template with catchy tracks and emotional narratives, and truly has something for every kind of listener.

The seventh track on the album, Fun Girl, is one of the more emotionally deep and illuminating tracks on the album. The song is about a relationship of Summer Walker’s, and the double standard that exists between men and women. The slow, melodic track explores a relationship in which Summer loves her partner for being who he truly is, but he does not love the honest version of her. Summer Walker is forced into the position of always being the “Fun Girl” because she is not considered the traditional “wife material”. To others, Summer cannot be a serious option because she is as active and open in her sexuality as men are, including the partner she is with. But even though her partner is sexual with other women, he does not face any of the same social repercussions as Summer does. The song conveys Summer’s hurt, heartbreak, and turmoil. Fun Girl is a beautiful and honest track.

The last track on the album, Girls Need Love, is my favorite for the entire album. It, like Fun Girl, explores the sexual double standard between men and women but draws attention to the fact that women need comfort and love in the exact same ways that men do. While men in the traditional gender role can assert their sexuality and their needs openly and without fear, Women enjoy none of these same privileges and many times do not feel comfortable to even admit they have these needs. The song is light and flowing, showcasing Summer Walker’s beautiful voice by accompanying it with a rich bassline. The song also features Drake, who has a fantastic set of verses that pairs with the song perfectly. Drake also acts as a male ally who provides his experience and point of view. This song is perfect for someone trying to get into their feels or just trying to unwind with a catchy melodic song.

Over It is a fantastic album with a wide array of songs that range from catchy bops to emotional centerpieces. No matter what kind of music you typically listen to or what kind of mood you are in, there is something everyone can enjoy and relate to in Summer Walker’s Over It. If you enjoy Ella Mai, 6LACK, or Stefan James, I would highly recommend Summer Walker, and specifically Over It, to you.

Blood Harmony by Finneas

Artist: FINNEAS

Album: Blood Harmony

Record Label: OYOY

Recommended Tracks: Track 4 “I Don’t Miss You At All” , Track 5 “Partners in Crime”

Finneas O’Connell, known by his moniker FINNEAS, released a brand new EP on October 4, 2019. His sound as a solo-artist establishes his own unique and contrasting style that separates him from his collaborations. The EP is titled, Blood Harmony, and it has seven tracks resulting in a total listening experience of twenty-three minutes. When listening and soaking in the lyrics, you get a sense of how personal and thoughtful FINNEAS approaches these songs. Each track tells a story that stand alone among each other, but they have common themes of loss, love, and growing up. Sonically, the production of the EP is very impressive. FINNEAS turns to using low, rich-beats that create an atmospheric sound at the core of this EP. They compliment his vocal range and layer nicely underneath the softer tones of his voice. Overall, the EP has a satisfying variety as it opens with an emotional and personal track and then transitions back and forth from fast-paced songs to slow-burning melodies. As a whole, I rate the EP a solid 3.5 out of 5.

The fourth song, “I Don’t Miss You at All” deserves praise for its instrumentation and production. He approaches the context in an interesting way when you consider how in the beginning, the lyrics juxtapose the tone of the electronic beats that create a feeling of tension. Lyrically, he sings about no longer missing someone that he was once close to. A shift occurs when he realizes that he actually thinks about this person a lot but he knows that it would be a disaster if they were close again, resulting in him pretending that he doesn’t think about them anymore. The electronic beats are the most captivating part of this song and it showcases FINNEAS’ talented producing skills.

The fifth song, “Partners in Crime,” is also a song that I recommend people check out. It’s a smooth song throughout as it opens with acoustic guitar and hushed singing. When you reach the 30-second mark, the full production comes together as drum beats are layered underneath, adding a sense of depth and warmth. Lyrically, FINNEAS seems to be reminiscing about the memories that he shared with a significant other before losing contact with them.

Blood Harmony is a strong EP release and it gives a taste of FINNEAS’ defining sound as a solo artist hints at what to expect on an upcoming album. He has a unique sound and when you listen to the EP, you get the idea that he really pays a lot of attention to detail in his sound to make each track stand out from each other while still sounding cohesive. If you are not yet familiar with FINNEAS, I suggest that you give his music a chance.

Sucker Punch by Sigrid

Artist: Sigrid

Album: Sucker Punch

Record Label: Universal Music

Recommended Tracks: Track 5 – “Don’t Feel Like Crying”, Track 7 – “Sight of You”

On March 8, 2019 up-and-coming pop artist Sigrid released her twelve track debut album Sucker Punch. Similar to the title of the album, the Norwegian singer’s album is like a burst of unexpected energy with its upbeat melodies and feel-good rhythms. The majority of the songs feel like they belong on a summer Spotify playlist because they sound playful and stray from cynical tones. Rating the album as an entire body of work, I would rate it a 3.5 out of 5. At its core, it’s an exciting collection of songs for the most part, but it does lack a bit of variety in sound. A few of the songs sound similar to each other and appear to stick to the pop-genre-formula, making it seem as though Sigrid is playing it safe rather than taking risks on this album. However, Sigrid is a talented new artist and there are definitely moments in Sucker Punch that deserve praise and recognition.

Track 5, “Don’t Feel Like Crying” immediately pulls you in with exciting synth and Sigrid’s confident vocals. As you listen to the lyrics, it feels like you are inside her mind as she reasons with herself on the subject of heartbreak. She points out that she can deal with it two ways; wallowing in self-pity, or “at least [for] tonight,” refusing to cry. She goes through a list of expected reactions and coping mechanisms to her own post-breakup experience, but admits, “wallowing in it would be such a waste, that isn’t gonna fix it anyway.” The instruments make the song sound light-hearted and fun with Sigrid’s vocals matching their tone. The synthesized piano beats stay consistent throughout and creates an uplifting base for her voice to soar over. It’s a song that will have listeners eager to sing along and dance to at her concerts.

“Sight of You,” the seventh track on Sucker Punch is another catchy synth-pop tune that comments on Sigrid’s moments of feeling low. In these moments, she reflects on the positive aspects of her life such as being able to perform on stage for her growing fanbase that she clearly appreciates. It’s like a love-letter to her fans as she expresses her gratitude toward them for bringing her a sense of comfort with their support, which she finds especially helpful when she’s having a bad day. The song has a sweet message and confronts downcast feelings with a twist by remembering the more positive aspects of your life. Similar to the fifth track, the synthesized pianos sound bright with every note. Rather than making a song with solely a sulky undertone, Sigrid manages to create a song that blends the highs and lows of life, perfectly mirroring her personal lyrics to upbeat rhythms and cheerful vocals.

Sigrid’s an artist that I think will definitely continue to grow in popularity. Sucker Punch gives a taste of what she can bring to the pop music genre, and leaves me hoping that the music she releases in the future will be a bit more colorful with sonic variety. Her simplistic lyrics and catchy beats are entertaining to listen to, nonetheless.

Girl by Maren Morris

Artist: Maren Morris

Album: Girl

Genre: Country Pop

Record Label(s): Columbia Nashville

Recommended Tracks: Track 4- A Song For Everything and Track 8- Gold Love

Maren Morris is a 28 year old Nashville born country singer songwriter. Morris is the winner of multiple country awards including a grammy for best solo performance and a Country Music Award for Best New Artist. Morris released her first album “Hero” in 2016 and just this year released her second full length album “GIRL” on March 8th, but her first fully produced work was her EP released in 2015. Morris is most known for her top-40 radio hit “The Middle” which was remixed by Zedd, but fans know her for her more songs for her country hits “My Church” and “80s Mercedes”. As a fan of country music and Morris specifically I would rate this album a 3 because I enjoy this style but a lot of it sounds the same, and I wouldn’t recommend it if you aren’t a country pop fan.

“A Song For Everything” is a song about how for every emotion you could be feeling there is a song out there about it. Songs have so much meaning and Moris is talking about how no matter what you’re going through there’s definitely something written about exactly what you’re going through. We all have songs that hold a special place in our hearts or one’s that we can’t listen to for whatever reason, but music is so important and help get through anything. This song primarily is just vocals and acoustic guitar with a drum beat and some keyboard during the chorus. I think this song is meant to make you feel like you’re never really alone and there’s always someone who has felt this was and written a song about it.

If you are looking for a romantic song about the person who can get you through all the worst times the “Gold Love” is for you. She talks about feeling an instant connection with someone and how she immediately could tell they were different. This person looked past all of her sadness and insecurities and fell for the real her and she always knew he was different. This song has a more pop sound than most others on this album but still hold true to her country roots. The chorus includes rhythmic clapping and heavy use of drums.

Looking for a feel good country album “GIRL” may be worth checking out. Most of the songs are uplifting and likely to put you in a good mood. I’d say this is album is probably best for a road trip. If you are a fan of this style of pop country then you’d also probably enjoy Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, or Little Big Town.

2009 by Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y

Album: 2009

Artist: Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y

Record Label: Atlantic Records

Standout Tracks: Track4: “The Life”, Track 9: “Getting Loose”

In 2009, Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y were some of the industries top rappers, and now in 2019 they release an album that displays their still the same people with the same sound, same drugs and just a bit more fame and fortune. The duo returns with a new album over a decade later

of “How Fly,” a 15 track mixtape that catered to the potheads of the world.

The Life is easily one of the best tracks on the album. Has some gorgeous keys and great lyrics. Their chorus is catchy going, “This is the life, b**ches and Nikes/ Planes and Chucks, bottles and luxury.” The ability of this song to incorporate some cool instrumentals allow the song to distinguish itself from the others, but still fit the cohesive, upbeat vibe of the album.

Getting Loose is not the greatest rap song of all time, but it definitely has some good energy. Curren$y definitely could have thought a little harder as a lyricist “I’m getting loose, lil’ b**ch, getting loose/ I don’t wanna know the truth, got stars in my roof, yeah”- lets just be thankful we have Wiz in this song. The beats are there and bouncy, and despite the lyrics it is a good song. With all due respect to Wiz, Blueface would absolutely love this song.

Curren$y and Wiz are just two lovable stoners. Their new releases might have the same 2009 sound, but it is good. It is a throwback album, but manages to sound completely fresh, the raps are clean, bouncy, and fun.The lyrics are not complex, but they are easy to listen to and have some good beats. The album is short, which isn’t a bad thing it just means that its concise. This album simply confirms the relevance and power of these artist has not changed and that they still got it.

When I Get Home by Solange

Album: When I Get Home

Artist: Solange

Record Label: Saint Records

Recommended Tracks: Track 9: “Almeda” Track 14: :Binz”

Rating: 4/5

Artist and singer, Solange released her fourth studio album, When I Get Home March 1st, 2019 not too long after her international tour. This album consists of 19 tracks, including 5 interludes and an intermission. The album is easy and smooth, with jazz roots but it is also hip-hop and experimental incorporating Gucci Mane- what an assortment! Different from other albums, the tracks have no template, each song is unique from the last allowing the listener to be able to listen to the entire album easily.

Track 9 “Almada” displays Solange’s appreciation for black culture, a culture that belongs to her. The artist draws seems to draw inspiration from southern black roots, especially her influence from her hometown of Houston. Solange along side Carti B states, “Black skin, black braids/ Black waves, black days/ Black baes, black days/ These are black-owned things”. This song is cultural appreciation and black empowerment at its core, not only through lyrics but from the well known artists who were featured.

“Binz” is where Solange goes in with showing of her insane vocals with the first majority of the song being a series of “oohs” and “ahhs” that can’t not give you chills. The song is just one minute and 51 seconds, but continues to be a standout of the album. From the first 5 seconds, the hi-hat comes in with a consistent beat throughout the whole song, and then Solange comes in with an melodic chorus. Binz is a sing along song, one that is easy and fun, with some pretty insane vocals.

Despite fourteen of the nineteen tracks being under three minutes, Solange creates a leisure experience. The album is not simple or brisk, she manifests an event which is a catharsis for internal thought. The only criticism would be the repetitiveness, many songs repeat themselves (alot), but it is obviously an intentional repetition making it her sound. When I Get Home is an album one listens to start to finish, it sounds better together. If you’re looking for some amazing vocals to instill some introspection- this is it.

Don’t Tell Me It Can’t Be Done by Dizzy Wright

Album: Don’t Tell Me It Can’t Be Done

Artist: Dizzy Wright

Record Label: Funk Volume

Recommended Tracks: 5- “Dope Talent (feat. Logic), 6- “Me and Mine”

La’Reonte Wright, better known by his stage name Dizzy wright is an American rapper from Flint, Michigan. His album “Don’t Tell Me It Cant Be Done” was released on June 1, 2018 with a total of seven tracks with the featured artists Kid Ink, Logic, and Don Rich. Although it is not a lengthy album with it only being a total of 25 minutes long, the album has a spunk to it that will be worth listening to.

In the fifth track, Dope Talent (feat. Logic), the song starts off with a dope beat that catches your attention. Since Logic is featured in this song, it sounds like a beat that would be in one of Logic’s albums. This song is basically about how Dizzy Wright is blessed with all of the talent he has and in the song he mentions, “I used to think I didn’t have it, but I never give up on the challenge, you can say I can’t do it, I go out and do it”. This basically interprets to how people have put him down in the past and have told him that he is not capable of pursuing his dreams, but he proved them wrong by doing the things they said he would never be able to do.

In the sixth track, Me and Mine, it also starts off with a catchy beat along with a strong message. This song basically talks about how wright needs to take care of himself and his family, hence the title Me and Mine. He says how he has to “keep this money flowing” in order to provide. Wright mentions in this song, “what you livin’ for? I go to war for me and mine” which implies that he is willing to do anything and everything just to take care of not only himself but his loved ones which says a lot because not only is he following his passion of music, he is chasing money as a support system all together.

All in all, I really enjoyed listening to this album because it did not turn out to be how I expected it to be. Dizzy Wright’s songs in this album really caught my attention with his unique beats and his resemblance to other artists I am in favor of. If you and your friends are just hanging out together, you should pop on this album and enjoy it together like I did because I would rate this album a 4 out of 5.

Weezer (Black Album) by Weezer

Album: Weezer (Black Album)

Artist: Weezer

Record Labels: Crush Music and Atlantic Records

Notable Tracks: ” Track 1- “Can’t Knock The Hustle”, ”Track 6: “I’m Just Being Honest”

Rating: ⅗

At one point in time Weezer was at the top, releasing new and unique music, but that was 25 years ago when they released their first (and best) self titled album. Now Weezer is predominately used for memes and comedic entertainment, despite this o.g. Fans (including myself) were still hoping, maybe this could be the comeback. Sadly, this was not Weezer’s comeback, not even close. The album consists of some good songs, but the majority of the album is cringeworthy and repetitive lyrics and synthesized instrumentals.

The first track, “Can’t Stop The Hustle” (no not the Jay-Z song), kicks off the album with a new sound. The track is very experimental and different than its counterparts, but somehow still has the original Weezer feel. The lyrics are simple and slightly repetitive, stating “Can’t knock the hustle /Leave a five star review and I’ll leave you one, too /Can’t knock the hustle/ Hasta luego, hasta luego”. Cuomo lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter seems to be writing about his craft and a reflection on his evolution as an artist.

One of the most notable tracks, and most listened to is Track 6, “I’m Just Being Honest”. This song displays the the new ‘radio culture’ sound that older bands are all adapting to. This song is fun, upbeat and really catchy. The chorus states, “So, here we go/ Don’t get mad at me, I’m just being honest/ I should have lied”. This song is probably one of my favorites of the album, not because of cool transitions or deep meaningful lyrics, but because of its simplicity. This song is easy to listen to and could find its way into a beach roadtrip playlist.

Weezer followed suit with their other self released albums, using 10 songs- but I almost feel as though that is too many. There feels as though some songs are used as fillers because while there are good songs like the ones I discussed, there are also some pretty bad ones. It is not that it is horrible, I just expect more from Weezer. I am not saying that Weezer needs to go back to their roots, they have already done that (really well) I was just expecting more than synthesized instrumentals and repetitive lyrics. Regardless, this album is a steady ⅗, not amazing but definitely not going to be a big part of the Weezer’s discography.

Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier

Artist: Hozier

Album: Wasteland, Baby!

Genre: Indie Rock, Soul

Record Label(s): Rubyworks, Island

Recommended Tracks: Track 6- To Noise Making (Sing) and Track 14- Wasteland Baby!

Hozier, or Andrew Hozier-Byrne, is a 29 year old singer songwriter from Ireland who is best known for the success of his first album “Hozier” featuring the hit song “Take me to Church” from 2014. Following the success of this album fans long awaited new music, but Hozier went MIA for four years staying almost completely out of the spotlight leaving everyone confused and desperately wanting more. In late 2018 Hozier broke his four year silence releasing a four song EP “Nina Cried Power” and fans lost their minds hoping for an album in the near future. On March 1st of this year Hozier released the full album “Wasteland, baby!” after teasing his followers on social media for the month prior. This album is is comprised on 14 songs in its original form and 16 songs on the deluxe version. Overall I think this album is well executed and due its long awaited release it definitely lives up to the last album and therefore I would rate this album a 5 out 5.

The song “To Noise Making (Sing)” is one of the most upbeat songs on the able since his style is typically slow and folky. The song is motivational and spreads good vibes. The message behind it is how therapeutic singing can be and it doesn’t matter if you’re good or bad, but that it is a release. The song is very soulful with tambourines, drums, guitar and piano and a choir singing and clapping the chorus with him. The song is an instant mood changer that can put anyone in a good mood reminding us that there is good in the world and singing out can help bring you joy.

Wasteland, Baby! Is the last track on the non deluxe version of the album and earned its place as the title of the album. The song is a ballad about being in love and the up and down feelings that go along with that. Hozier uses lyrics that compare love to natural disasters or end of the world events, but in regards to how strong love can be. The song is almost entirely acoustic guitar based and is filled with raw emotions. He goes on to say that all good things end, but this isn’t necessarily an end but maybe a new beginning.

Wasteland, Baby! Is everything a Hozier fan would expect and hope for from a follow up album to his self titled 2014 success. People have been looking forward to this album for years now and I think it is safe to say that it does not disappoint. The album is powerful and emotional and most songs will put you in your feelings so be prepared for an emotional but wonderful experience. If you were a fan of Hozier’s first album you should give this one a listen as well as listen to artists such as Vance Joy, James Bay, The Lumineers and James Ezra.

Bird On The Wing by Shy Girls

Artist: Shy Girls

Album: Bird On The Wing

Record Label: RCA Records

Recommended Tracks: Track 2 – “Hallelujah”, Track 10 – “What Do You Do When You’ve Found Love?”

Dan Vidmar, also known by his stage name of Shy Girls, released his new album on March 1, 2019. Shy Girls is known for his alternative R&B music that blended with lo-fi beats. This 11-track album is crafted with smooth rhythms and warm tones both vocally and instrumentally. Shy Girls put this album together with full creative control, as he recorded and mixed the music himself. This unique facet of Shy Girls gives their sound a more personal feel because it captures the full artistic vision of his craft. The album’s mood is very relaxed and it’s pleasant to listen to, especially when you’re in the mood for some easy-going music. The overall production of the album is solid, earning it a four-out-of-five rating.

At the forefront of Bird On The Wing is Shy Girl’s soft vocals that float above the deeper lo-fi beats. The execution of the beats are well-balanced and don’t come off overbearing Shy Girl’s voice. The first recommended song, “Hallelujah,” opens with soft keys that match the higher tone of the vocals before added lo-fi beats contrast, adding a layer of richness and depth. The tempo is slow throughout the entire song, reestablishing the laid back tone of the album as a whole.

Track-10 on the album, “What Do You Do When You’ve Found Love?” and is one of the most enjoyable songs on the album. From a creative standpoint, everything about it flows cohesively. Lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally, it shows the capabilities of Shy Girls’ musical talent. The song is placed toward the end of the album’s tracklist, and, by this point, Bird On The Wing simmers down to the perfect pace. If you were to listen to one song off of this record, I would suggest this one. It opens with drum machine beats and a subtle bassline in the background. The orchestration creates an atmospheric quality that the other tracks on the album sometimes achieve, but this one lands perfectly. One highlight is during the last 54 seconds of the song, when there’s a brief pause making it seem like the song is over, but then the lo-fi beats fade back in for the remainder of the song, providing the perfect payoff.

Shy Girls delivers a well-made sophomore album Bird On The Wing, experimenting with different styles of sound. If you find yourself gravitating toward lo-fi or soft R&B, give this album a chance.