Review of ‘Cool World’ by Chat Pile

The sludge metal band’s second album sees them trading pure horror for pure anger.  

Triple Album Review: ‘Dark Times’ by Vince Staples, ‘King of The Mischievous South vol 2’ by Denzel Curry & ‘I Lay Down My Life For You’ by JPEGMAFIA

I haven’t reviewed many hip hop albums this year. In fact, I haven’t reviewed many albums full-stop. So, here’s a three-album-in-one review to make up for it.

Double Review: 'Brat' by Charli XCX and 'C,XOXO' by Camila Cabello

Brat is the year’s best dance-pop album. And C,XOXO is what you get when order Brat from Temu.

Review of ‘Empathogen’ by Willow

 

Willow branches out further from her pop roots, trading pop punk for prog jazz.

Review of ‘Cowboy Carter’ by Beyonce

Cowboy Carter stretches the definition of ‘country’. Which is no bad thing, as I’m not the biggest country fan.

Review of ‘Half Divorced’ by Pissed Jeans

Pennsylvania punks Pissed Jeans deliver a selection of songs that are as hilariously grim as their band name.

Review of 'Blue Lips' by Schoolboy Q

Despite pushing 40, Q still has incredible energy to give, and arguably the best ear for beats in the game.

Review of 'Tangk' by Idles

Idles swap angry punky protest songs for mellow experimental love songs.

Review of 'Playing Robots Into Heaven' by James Blake

After a decade of ethereal ballads, James Blake returns to his roots and delivers some exciting experimental EDM.

Review of '10,000 Gecs' by 100 Gecs

Goodbye hyperpop. Hello hyperrock.

Review of 'Scaring The Hoes' by JPEGmafia and Danny Brown

Scaring The Hoes sees rappers JPEGmafia and Danny Brown celebrating their mutual weirdness. If you want to get kicked out of a house party for ‘scaring the hoes’, play this album (although I can think of much worse examples if you really want to cause utter chaos. Imagine putting Trout Mask Replica on the aux. Or maybe some Merzbow? That’s how you scare the hoes.)

Double Review: 'Gigi's Recovery' by The Murder Capital and 'Food for Worms' by Shame

British/Irish post-punk continues to thrive in 2023. But it looks like spoken word is out, and singing is back in.

Review of 'Let's Start Here' by Lil Yachty

Lil Yachty has evolved. Enter Mega Yachty.

Double Review: 'Stumpwork' by Dry Cleaning and 'Hellfire' by black midi

You’ve heard of mumble rap. But what about ramble rock? Yes, that’s the term I’m now using to describe these types of bands (it’s better than ‘windmill scene’).

Review of 'Super Champon' by Otoboke Beaver

The new album from Kyoto all-female punk band Otoboke Beaver is utterly berserk. 

Review of 'Famously Alive' by Guerilla Toss

Despite sounding poppier and more positive, the Boston band keep things enjoyably chaotic. 

Review of 'Melt My Eyez See Your Future' by Denzel Curry

Denzel is sounding less aggressive and more introspective here. And he’s jumping on some of the most stylistically diverse beats of his career. It’s an exhilarating album – but is it better than his 2018 masterpiece TA1300?

Review of 'Few Good Things' by Saba

I’ve got quite a few good things to say about Few Good Things.

Review of 'Ants From Up There' by Black Country, New Road

The loony art-rockers are back with their second (and possibly final?) album. The songs are less unhinged this time around, but equally creative.

Review of 'Dawn FM' by The Weeknd

Dawn FM is a gauntlet of synthpop bangers that takes the form of a purgatory-based radio station. It’s The Weeknd’s most energetic and conceptual album to date – and possibly his best.