Frank Ocean – Blond
After all of the waiting, guessing games and curiosity,
Frank Ocean returns. In a surprise move he released the visual album, Endless,
and his proper record, Blond. The album, which gives listeners a further taste
of the singer’s soul is also highly charged with what is going to
African-Americans in this country. Blond is an ambitious album that at some
points leaves you uncomfortable and other times makes you believe you have
known Ocean your whole life. Some things are worth waiting for, a Frank Ocean
record such as this is one of them.
FINAL GRADE: A
Har Mar Superstar – Best Summer Ever
Some records fall through the cracks and it takes a while to
get to them and review, for Har Mar Superstar’s latest, Best Summer Ever, it
was like that for us. It came across our attention months after being released
and all we can say is PLEASE DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS RECORD LIKE WE DID!
FINAL GRADE: A
Blu & Nottz – Titans in the Flesh
The dynamic duo of Blu and Nottz team up for an epic
combination of glory hip-hop. The only issue with the EP is that it is too
short, hopefully this leads to a full album among the two underground giants.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Dinosaur Jr. – Give a Glimpse Of What Yer Not
Like most things in 2016, the best things to come out this
year are from seasoned veterans and icons. Dinosaur Jr. return with what could
be their best record in decades. It is everything we have come to love about
them over the years but better.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Maxwell – blackSUMMERS’night
The smooth R&B crooner and for a while was filling the
Frank Ocean-sized void in the genre. blackSUMMERS’night is sexy, seductive,
mysterious and introspective. It is a record that will make you wanna make love
and a record that will also make you want to find yourself at the same time.
FINAL GRADE: A-
DJ Khaled – Major Key
DJ Khaled is to music what the Kardashians are to TV. They
are all famous for being famous and clearly have some sort of talent, but
nothing the warrants the status they have. On Major Key, Khaled called in every
favor and friend he could in order to make one of the summer’s most slamming
albums. With verses from Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z, J. Cole, Future, Rick Ross,
Nas, among others, the record is a major key in Khaled’s career. Also, give us
that new fucking Nas record album! ;)
FINAL GRADE: B+
Of Montreal – Innocence Reaches
The flamboyant and envelope-pushing Of Montreal return with
a record that adds to their storied career but doesn’t do more than just that.
FINAL GRADE: B
Ingrid Michaelson – It Doesn’t Have to Make Sense
The New York singer returns with personal record that proves
why she is one of the best to ever do it. It Doesn’t Have to Make Sense is
heartbreaking as it is kind. It is personal as it is expressive. Above all, it
is one for anyone going through hard times.
FINAL GRADE: B
De La Soul – And The Anonymous Nobody
After 11 years, the hip-hop icons return with a concept
record about today’s society. While this crowd-funded, sample free album is all
new territory for the pioneers it is not what we would have expected. With
guests like Snoop Dogg, Damon Albarn, Little Dragon and others, this album is
interesting but not one we feel we will be returning to.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Banks & Steelz – Anything But Words
The combination of Interpol’s Paul Banks and Wu-Tang’s RZA
would be odd on paper, but the manage to pull it off. While RZA shows his age
as a rapper, Banks’ voice is the real star of the show. With special guests
like Florence Welch, Ghostface, Kool Keith and others, this debut is
interesting and worth a listen.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Melvins – Basses Loaded
The Melvins return with an ode to the bass, seriously, it is
chock full of bassists and it packs a punch.
FINAL GRADE: B-
The Living End – Shift
The Australian punks return with a record of more rockabilly
thrash and social commentary.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Gone Is Gone
Members of Mastodon, At the Drive-In and Queens of the
Stone Age team up for a pulse pounding debut EP that leaves you guessing what
they will do for a possible full length.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Young the Giant – Home of the Strange
Young the Giant had so much promise as a rising alternative
band but after a strong debut, everything after has been mundane and
disappointing. Home of the Strange just adds to a collection of mediocre songs
and radio-friendly type hooks.
FINAL GRADE: C
Schoolboy Q – Blank Face
After a strong debut 2 years ago, Schoolboy Q returns with a
murky and dramatic sophomore release that takes a few listens to really get
into. While it deals with so many important topics facing America today and
what goes on in the inner cities, it doesn’t pack the punch it ultimately
should.
FINAL GRADE: C
