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Following the release of her iconic album Pink Friday, Nicki Minaj just released Pink Friday 2. Since then, a lot of things have happened in rap, and Nicki herself is probably responsible for paving a path for a lot of it. This album has pretty much a similar sonic picture all the way through, but still features enough diversity in production to keep it interesting. We hear a lot of trap drums, 808s, old school vocal and string sampling techniques frequently used in hip hop. Moreover, some tracks are dancehall, some use distorted kick drums and some use low boomy drums ready for a club. All in all if you listen to this as an album from beginning to end, you might get sonically tired because even though we hear a lot of different tempos, instruments and artists, the sound picture is largely the same. Boomy drums, thin samples and upfront vocals. I think the album is meant to have standout bangers, just fitting hand in glove with how music is consumed less and less by the album and more by the single. 

I've never been fond of using the term "New Age" when discussing music. Broadly speaking, "New age" is a term commonly employed to categorize those who colonize or attempt to rationalize areas of knowledge that aren't inherently colonial or scientific. A prominent example  is Yoga.

Given our prior review of Marina Herlop's latest album, I'd like to take this opportunity to delve into Igloohost's newest single, featuring Marina as a collaborator. Igloohost mentions that he and Marina are long-time friends, and they collaborated remotely over the internet to construct these tracks. The sources of inspiration behind the music are intriguing, ranging from germs and microbes to illegal oil computers and mechanical systems.

Following the success of his first hit album, BLK ODYSSY released the project DIAMONDS & FREAKS, which I hope is here to stay for a long time.

Following the success of his 2016 album, “In My Mind,” BJ The Chicago Kid, or Bryan James Sledge, looks to take his sound in a new direction with his latest release, “Gravy.” The album was recorded in the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, previously used by soul legend Al Green. Someone put a lot of thought into the structure of making this listenable as a whole album. The intro track really sounds like a proper introduction, and the outro really sounds like a breaking down of the musical elements to their absolute core, pulling further away from the audience while digging deeper into the influences of BJ the Chicago Kid. He mentions in the final acoustic track that “This song sounds like something my grandma would have liked to sing.” Personally, I love the tracks on the record, but the last song speaks to me in a special way.

Surprisingly, Lana Del Rey is sharing with us a one-off cover of John Denver's classic song "Take Me Home, Country Roads." The track features Lana’s impeccable vocals and a simple, reverberated piano. The song manages to hold momentum on its own despite being so simple, just because the musicians involved are so skilled. The track crescendos in a majestic choir section singing to the chorus. The original track by John Denver is country but still has a dreamy feeling to it. Lana’s cover manages to capture and even enhance that dreamy, longing feeling.

Sophie is an Indie Latin artist from the UK, and she just released a strong new ballad. Now the name might not ring a bell, but I’m hoping it will soon. When I heard this track first, I was a bit taken aback. I am a complete and absolute sucker for slow ballads of a certain type. This song fits that type, with a beautiful nylon string guitar and dreamy, Latin-inspired vocals. If you want another gorgeous nylon string guitar section, try listening to “Really Love” by D’angelo, which features Isaiah Sharkey’s playing. Anyway, I was fearful when I listened to this song for the first time because I liked the mood it set so much. I was waiting for it to drop the drums, be it a drill, trap, or dancehall beat. But that drop never came, and I couldn’t be happier for it. This track is a smacker. While you are in the zone, you can discover other similar tracks such as:

If I can find the words to fully describe Sven Wunder’s latest release, Ultramarine, I will be proud of myself. Even though I think an artist like Sven is happy not to be completely boxed up. Sven has a background in scoring for film, which can be heard. Sven released this song on his label, Piano Piano Records. He is very much part of the current vinyl movement, making most of his tracks into vinyl records. His father was a jazz drummer, and he grew up around that, which can be heard. He also has a deep appreciation for traditional sounds, implementing traditional instruments from all around the world into his music, which can be heard. He has previously released records influenced by different traditions. Eastern Flowers (traditional Turkish) and Wabi Sabi (Japanese jazz) are some of my favorites.

Taylor Swift released the song “You’re Losing Me” for the first time in 2022 as a CD exclusive and only to be purchased in-person at certain venues on her “the Eras Tour.” This sneak release, of course, added to the suspense for her superfans who knew that there was a new song finished just waiting to be heard. Now, the song can be heard on all streaming services as part of her latest string of “From the Vault” releases. The song was co-written and co-produced with her music mogul partner, Jack Antonoff. Along with working on other works by Taylor like “1989,” “Reputation,” and “Lover,” Jack Antonoff has also collaborated with Sia, Pink, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Carly Rae Jepsen, and many more.

A special Bryan Adams box set is set to be released via BMG on Friday, December 8th. This set is put together from three very special nights in 2022 when Bryan Adams played at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. The set will be made available in CD, vinyl, digital, Blu-ray, also containing a photo book with unique images from the shows.