Tuelo – Saint Margaret EP
One of our more anticipated releases of 2017 has finally
arrived as New York via South Africa singer Tuelo and her backing band, The
Cousins, have put out their Saint Margaret EP. Following their 2014 debut, the
world’s best singer delivers raw emotion, eager and infectious energy, as well
as monstrous storytelling in their five-song EP. We have been pushing Tuelo
quiet a bit over the years and this EP is a declaration as to why.
FINAL GRADE: A
JAY-Z – 4:44
On his 13th studio album, Jay-Z returns with what
his best work since 2003’s The Black Album as well as his most personal record
to date. What has plagued Jay Z for over a decade, including on Watch the
Throne, is that he has nothing to talk about. He has seen and done it all and
has Beyonce to call his wife to prove it. Yet, on 4:44, he opens up about his
mistakes, setbacks, personal problems, and trying to sustain a legacy outside
of being Queen Bey’s husband. 4:44 is easily one of the year’s best and one of
his best records of his illustrious career. The minimal production from No I.D.
is also a gem because HOVA is forcing the listener to pay attention to what he
has to say and what needs to be said. This isn’t a record to blast in the car
but one to indulge in on a good pair of headphones and shut the world away.
FINAL GRADE: A
Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory
Vince Staples fires back just two years after releasing his
acclaimed and massive debut, Summertime ’06, the L.A. rapper is out to prove he
is not just a flash in the pan. Big Fish Theory is Staples coming to terms with
what he needs to do in order to be one of the biggest and best emcees in
hip-hop. In doing so, he clearly achieves his goal.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Haim – Something to Tell You
The Haim sorority are back and they have something to tell
you – sorry, we couldn’t help it. The sisters return with their sophomore album
and after their fun in the sun 2014 debut, they bring the same style but better
and mature lyrics to life in the spotlight and what they are yearning for in
love, life, and each other.
FINAL GRADE: B+
The Kickback – Weddings & Funerals
One of the more interesting indie bands around, the Chicago
outfit return with their sophomore LP and bring with them a mature style of
both storytelling and production. With many fist in the air-like anthems, this
might be the record that gives them the commercial edge they are craving.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Lady Leshurr – Mode EP
After a series of setbacks, the British rapper comes through
with her latest EP. Using the same cadence and flow that got her recognized on
her Queen Speech EP, Leshurr spits fire on all things going on in society and
is ready for the spotlight to be on her.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Cigarettes After Sex
The debut album from the shoegaze band have arrived and is
the best soundtrack to your life. The record is for coming home after a long
night trying to find love or is the sound of making love. It is the ambient
sound that you hear in your head as you try and recall the scenes of a good
time or a bad one. This is a record for right now, put it on as you read this.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Broken Social Scene – Hug of Thunder
It has been seven years since Broken Social Scene have
released a record and now with Hug of Thunder they strike back with the force
fans have missed. The record is what fans would have hoped it would be and
more. If you are a casual BSS fan or a hardcore supporter, this record will fit
your expectations.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Arcade Fire – Everything Now
Arcade Fire return and use the deep electronic / calypso
sound they mastered on Reflektor and bring it to Everything Now. Everything Now
is a big sounding record and is one that will fill stadiums instead of the
arenas and festival playgrounds the band are used to at this point. While it is
chock full of energy and love, it does lack the depth that previous efforts the
Canadian ensemble have put out. However, what it lacks in story, it makes up
for in joy.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Rise Against – Wolves
The social Chicago punks return with a record that takes aim
at our troubled times and in the era of Mango Mussolini, we needs bands like
this now more than ever.
FINAL GRADE: B
Shabazz Palaces – Quazararz: Born a Gangster Star /
Quazararz vs. The Jealous Machines
One of the oddest, brilliant, and fascinating bands around
released two records focusing on the same story on the same day. Shabazz
Palaces give fans the quest of their fictional character Quazararz and the
journey the personality faces through song. The duo venture through all types
of genres like dub, hip-hip, grime, electro, shoegaze – both records are an
exhausting but interesting journey through music and space.
FINAL GRADES: B
Goldie – The Journey Man
The trip-hop pioneer returns with his latest album, The
Journey Man, and after eight years away from the scene, Goldie comes back in
grand fashion. The Journey Man is not only a return to form, it is a lesson to
new DJs and producers on how it is done. If you want to make music at his level
– this is the blueprint.
FINAL GRADE: B
Manchester Orchestra – A Black Mile to the Surface
Manchester Orchestra return with their fifth record and most
mature to date. While they turned heads on their brilliant first two albums, A
Black Mile to the Surface is the Georgia band finally hitting their stride and
professionalism. It is an epic sounding LP with singer Andy Hull pushing
himself as a songwriter and storyteller.
FINAL GRADE: B
Ani DiFranco – Binary
The influential singer/songwriter returns with more songs
about what is wrong with society, what it means to be a woman in the 21st
century, and how to love the fuck out of yourself.
FINAL GRADE: B-
The Fall – New Facts Emerge
Mark E. Smith returns with his umpteenth album with his
umpteenth album and showcases why he is still a British gem and why we all need
to learn from him in a lesson on how not to give a shit about anything but what
you love.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Lorde – Melodrama
While trying to recreate the massive success of her debut,
Pure Heroine, and trying to also break the mold of what people expect from her,
Lorde goes for the “safe” approach on her sophomore effort. Melodrama is a
completely forgettable record that does not go anywhere controversial in terms
of songwriting, sound, or production, and sticks to the 2017 pop playbook.
Instead of separating herself from the crowd, Lorde unfortunately joins it.
FINAL GRADE: C
Rancid – Trouble Maker
Rancid are still going strong all these years but a new
record from them doesn’t mean as much as it once did. The punk icons stick the
same formula that has worked for nearly three decades and isn’t as memorable as
it once was.
FINAL GRADE: D
