Tag Archives: album review

’Childish Gambino – 3005’

’Childish Gambino – Earth: The Oldest Computer (The Last Night) (feat. Azealia Banks)’

The actor-turned-rapper route is not unfamiliar territory for rising star Donald Glover. The stand-up comedian dropped an introduction to the inner workings of his creative mind and skills on the mic with the moderately successful Camp in 2011. Mixing together sounds of dubstep, dance, electronica, and pop, fans witnessed another side of the rising star under his alias of Childish Gambino. Although not album of the year material, the first effort from Gambino was filled with plenty of innovative sounds and autobiographical tracks that painted an extensive narrative of what makes Glover the artist he is. With his sophomore release Because the internet, Gambino continues his introspective saga and delves deeper into his fears of loneliness over colorful production with comedic delivery.

After the lackluster reception of his ROYALTY tape last year, Gambino parted ways from the hit NBC show Community to focus on his sophomore release. The unveiling of his short film, Clapping for the Wrong Reasons, and an accompanying screenplay only further provided fans with insight into the developing theme of the project, while steadily building anticipation as well. The end result became a conjunct LP separated into five distinct musical suites (recognized by the different roman numerals between the interludes) that reflect the multiple moods and, ironically, the multiple career paths of the artist.

[Album Review] Drake – Nothing Was the Same

Posted by tylercole - September 27, 2013

’Drake – From Time (Feat. Jhené Aiko)’

’Drake – Furthest Thing’

’Drake – Tuscan Leather’

’Drake – Worst Behavior’

Read the rest of the review and stream more from the album after the jump

More than just the Adele of the rap game, Drake‘s ability to convey both sensitive and egotism with an ear for solid bars with catchy hooks have made him one of the highest selling artists in the industry. In just 4 years, the actor turned unlikely rapper/singer has achieved more with just 3 albums than most artists accomplish in a lifetime in the industry: sold out shows, millions of records, Grammy’s, and chart-topping singles. Now that Kanye West has chosen to explore more of an indie sound with his latest release Yeezus, Drake has arguably become the game’s new unchallenged crossover star. With his latest release Nothing Was the Same, he returns to the style of spitting about former relationships and braggadocious rhymes, but a little less formulaic than before.

Minus the obvious hits, “Started From the Bottom,” “All Me,” and “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” Nothing Was the Same features a more in-depth look into Drake’s life that further explores the upsides and downsides of fame on his personal relationships. On the opening “Tuscan Leather,” Aubrey takes a minute from crooning over hooks and choruses to deliver a straight rap that includes boasting and a mention of his short-lived fallout with fellow labelmate Nicki Minaj. “Too Much” featuring Sampha (of SBTRKT fame) delves into more personal and somber themes, as Drake spits about how the growth of his fame affects family ties.

Hip/Hop

[Album Review] Janelle Monáe – The Electric Lady

Posted by tylercole - September 11, 2013

’Janelle Monáe – PrimeTime ft. Miguel’

’Janelle Monáe – Givin Em What They Love ft. Prince’

’Janelle Monáe – Electric Lady ft. Solange’

’Janelle Monáe – Dorothy Dandridge Eyes ft. Esperanza Spalding’

As a child of a drug-addicted father with a Kansas City upbringing, and after early days spent in New York City, Philadelphia, and eventually Atlanta trying to make it into the music, it was apparent that Janelle Monáe’s past was more elaborate and obscured than most artists in the industry. Instead of dwelling on the struggle or waiting for a hero to come rescue her, Monáe became her own super-hero in the form of a George Clinton and David Bowie inspired android named Cindi Mayweather. Armed with a classically trained voice, black and white suit, and a creativity that has not been seen since the 80’s, Monáe’s alter-ego became more than just a form of escapism, but a savior from the ever-growing monotony of today’s R&B genre.

With her major label sophomore release The Electric Lady, Monáe continues to take listeners on a grand journey through the inner workings of her mental space. Similar to her 2010 ArchAndroid release, the android tale continues but with a far more personal take along a course through R&B, funk, rock, jazz, and rap. Bringing in a wide array of guests and familiar artists, Monáe conveys a fictional landscape that is both a nostalgic venture into the great sounds of R&B’s past and a pop-oriented, radio romp of songs about love and heartbreak.

Hip/Hop
Soul

[Album Review] The Weeknd – Kiss Land

Posted by tylercole - September 10, 2013

’The Weeknd – Professional’

’The Weeknd – Wanderlust’

’The Weeknd – Adaptation’

A modern day Michael Jackson may have been reincarnated into The Weeknd. Ok, maybe not as legendary but the artist, also known as Abel Tesfaye, embodies a darker, troubled, and more realistic version of the R&B singer for this generation. After dropping the 3-part mixtape series House of Balloons/Thursday/Echoes of Silence and building up a well-deserved following, the Toronto artist trades in sexual overtones for a more polished sound on his XO and Universal Republic Records debut, Kiss Land.

With minimal press and promotion, other than the slight drama with fellow Toronto labelmate Drake, The Weeknd lets his music speak for itself on Kiss Land. Considering that this is technically his 4th full length album, the 23 year-old singer has developed a signature sound of falsetto vocals, atmospheric synths, and innovative textures revolving around relationships, sex, addiction, intimacy, and drug-induced trysts with groupies or strippers just looking for a night with stardom. There is an undeniable sadness in his tones and lyrics that only a lack of love and true intimacy can evoke with a studio perfected sound that Universal Records brings.

[Album Review] Big Sean – Hall of Fame

Posted by tylercole - September 3, 2013

An artist’s sophomore album is usually defined as their career making one and with Big Sean’s Hall of Fame, he proves that he is not just a commercial rapper, but an improved lyricist who is still learning to master his craft. There is no denying that during the year following his debut release of Finally Famous, Sean has accrued quite a list of accomplishments. From launching his clothing line Aura Gold, holding his own with plenty of charismatic verses on Cruel Summer, dropping a critically acclaimed Detroit mixtape, to dating the beautiful Naya Rivera, the 25 year old rapper is in nothing but a celebratory mood, yet still remains humble.

…What you know about feeling something you can’t even touch

Opening with a set of violins and rowdy applause, the intro “Nothing is Stopping You” is as equally attention grabbing as it is motivational. Carrying the theme that hard work and dedication will reward you with the things you desire, Sean’s flow definitely reflects the self-satisfaction that fame has brought him. A theme and sound that smoothly transitions into the Key Wayne produced keys of the soulful lead single “Fire” and the Young Jeezy and Payroll assisted “It’s Time.” The track “10 2 10” takes the listener on a walk down Sean’s memory lane and serves as the album’s autobiographical piece as he spits about life growing up in the city of Detroit.

Hip/Hop
Soul

[Album Review] Justin Timberlake – 20/20 Experience

Posted by tylercole - March 21, 2013

They say that with age comes experience and with Justin Timberlake‘s new album 20/20 Experience, he shows that he is wise beyond his years. After over a six-year hiatus, the 32-year-old singer flexes his 20+ years in the music industry over a wide array of genre-hopping, mature tunes. Allowing some time to pass, Timberlake teams up with hit-maker producer/writer Timbaland and Harmon to recapture the same magic that made his previous two multi-platinum efforts so successful.

After falsely announcing that Timberlake was not going to return to the music industry and focus on his booming acting career, he surprised fans by dropping the infectious “Suit & Tie”. The lead single is a progressive, yet retro track that mixes genres and eras. Opening with a chopped-and-screwed vibe, Timberlake quickly switches to a Marvin Gaye-esque falsetto as he smoothly croons over a mix of percussion and studio synths. With the addition of a sophisticated, grown and sex hip-hop verse from Jay-Z, this tune set up the tone for the majority of the album and the new sound of the “Future sex/Love Songs” singer.

’Justin Timberlake – Pusher Love Girl’

Stream Only

’Justin Timberlake – Tunnel Vision’

Stream Only

[Hip-Hop] Slaughterhouse – Welcome to Our House (Album Review)

Posted by tylercole - September 5, 2012

In 2008, four well known and talented emcees banded together and decided to deliver some dope music that the rap game has been missing since the days of The Black Sheep or Leaders of the New School. Members Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Crooked I, and Royce da 5’9″ formed the group Slaughterhouse and recently have been dropping a mixture of singles and mixtapes that have kept their buzz heavy in the industry. With their newly-inked Shady/Interscope record’s deal, the rap supergroup step out into mainstream success on their debut album Welcome to: OUR HOUSE.

From the beginning, the album starts on that dark, crazy tone that is signature of Royce da 5’9″ and Em’s recent style with added hooks from the macabre Skylar Grey and the high-energy Busta Rhymes featured track “Coffin”. Quickly shifting from chainsaw and horror-movie themed tracks to the stripper-party inspired single “Throw That” ft. Eminem, OUR HOUSE fluctuates from raw underground vibe, real rap, and some commercial tracks but still manages to give each member their shine. While delivering well timed puns, in-verse rhymes, and metaphors, the lyrical content throughout the OUR HOUSE is top-notch.

Coupling dope lyrics with A-list production, it is clear that Slaughter House wanted to do the fans justice but rise away from just underground success. With a darker, drum heavy AraabMuzik produced beat on the street single “Hammerdance,” snare drum rhythms on the No I.D. “Get Up,” radio friendly Street Runner single “My Life” ft Cee-Lo, to the intimate Boi-1da produced single “Goodbye,” OUR HOUSE has a variety of content that doesn’t sacrifice the group’s personal style of delivering real rap without sacrificing lyrical prowess for a more pop-frienfly sound. Although collectively this album isn’t the rap game’s “savior” LP, it is a strong return to the days of focusing on clever lyrics-regardless of content-with top production for an ever growing stagnant music industry.

’Slaughterhouse ft. Busta Rhymes – Coffin’

’Slaughterhouse – Hammer Dance’

’Slaughterhouse – My Life (ft. Cee
Lo Green)’