Welcome back to the Album Review. I hope everyone had a good spring break and week back at school. I know that I found myself slightly bored at times, so I’d like to share with you some more of the interesting album finds to which you all wanted me to listen:
Starting this issue, we have The Madness of Many by Animals as Leaders. I will say that a lot of what I heard on this album was unexpected, venturing into a genre of low-pitched guitar and complex instrumental rhythms. This album definitely differed from most other music to which I tend to listen. Each track showcases technical prowess and blends influences from different styles, evident in “Arithmophobia,” which kind of sounds like I’m pulling off a heist in a movie. Overall, the album’s quality was elevated by its crisp production and emotive storytelling, interestingly, through instrumental rock music.
When initially consulting the internet about World on Fire by Stick Figure, I learned that I’d be getting into a band that mixes elements of hip-hop with elements of reggae. While I liked the album overall for its unique fusion of genres (especially in the title track, “Shine”, and “Summertime”), I felt like it fell short due to its lengthy, repetitive tracks. However, I will say that the vibes were great—super relaxing and good to play on a relaxing, carefree day.
“Weird Al” Yankovic’s album Mandatory Fun immediately breaks the fourth wall and lightheartedly pokes fun at pop music in standout tracks such as “NOW That’s What I Call Polka!” and “Word Crimes,” which was my personal favorite. “Word Crimes” samples “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke (which a California Federal Appeals court determined actually samples “Got To Give It Up” by Marvin Gaye) to offer listeners a quick and funny lesson in English grammar. Overall, the album maintains its consistency in high quality and is even a little bittersweet as it is said to be Yancovic’s final full-length release.
Like her debut Ctrl, SZA’s sophomore album SOS showcases her versatility as an R&B artist as well as someone who can meld that with hip-hop and rock. While SZA has an instantly-recognizable voice and style, some songs feel very similar to those released by contemporaries Summer Walker and Tinashe. Although SOS is heavy in “filler” tracks, “Gone Girl” and “Ghost In The Machine” are the two most substantial in musicality and lyricism. Of course, “Kill Bill” remains extremely popular due to its heavy radio promotion in 2023. I’d have to say that I prefer Ctrl over SOS as an all-encompassing project, however, SOS is a testament to SZA’s talent, authenticity, and continued success.
To me, Saba’s album Care for Me serves as both a plea and a source of upliftment, navigating themes of grief and hope with clarity and vibrancy. It was very similar to other emotionally fearless works like Frank Ocean’s Blond. Through his verse, Saba expresses his sincerity and vulnerability which especially resonate in the title track. Despite his understated approach, Care for Me speaks directly to listeners who seek solace and understanding.
I’m not too familiar with The Lumineers’ work aside from their songs “Ophelia” and “Ho Hey,” the latter happens to be on their 2012 self-titled album. While this song propelled the band to mainstream success, I have mixed feelings about the rest of the album “Flowers in Your Hair” and “Classy Girls” are good, but could have been developed more. Frontman Wesley Schultz’s vocals are engaging, but quickly become repetitive and grating throughout the LP. Although the Lumineers are incredibly popular and have influenced many contemporary artists, in the end, I felt it was hipster music trying to be more hipster than it actually was.
Besides the occasional song by Blackpink or BTS, I don’t listen to K-pop all too often. When it was suggested that I listen to The Name Chapter: FREEFALL by TOMORROW X TOGETHER, I was hesitant at first, but quickly realized that it’s always good to explore new music. I enjoyed the band’s attempt to incorporate elements of rock and synthpop into tracks like “Skipping Stones” and “Blue Spring.” However, certain tracks such as “Deep Down” and “Happily Ever After” lack substance and feel like a background, surface listen. Fans on the internet implore TXT (as they are called for short) to venture into solo careers and hopefully find more thoughtful material to record outside of the band.
Paranoid is the second album by the iconic heavy metal band Black Sabbath. When it was released in 1970, it absolutely solidified the band’s legendary status in rock history. Paranoid is renowned for its dark, heavy sound and impactful lyrics. With its blistering guitar riffs and thunderous basslines, tracks like “War Pigs” and “Electric Funeral” showcase the band’s raw emotion and political consciousness. Ozzy Osbourne’s distinctive vocals, with the backing of his band, have undeniably helped to shape the heavy metal genre and inspire generations of musicians. Despite its foreboding tone, Paranoid remains an essential listen and timeless masterpiece for rock and metal enthusiasts.
Lastly, we have an album requested by Zuriel Nyamutsaka (10): Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy by A$AP Mob. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into upon listening, but I liked the casual and raw sound that came from the group’s second album. Too Cozy played out more like a mixtape across its seventeen tracks, yet its cohesive vibe and passion made it an enjoyable listen. Many tracks featured guest hip-hop artists from outside the A$AP Mob collective, but even so, the album feels cramped and hinders each member’s personal shining moment. The album overall was carefree and laid-back, yet lacked standout songs like “Yamborghini High” or “Telephone Calls” like its predecessor.
As a side note, Zuriel shared with me that he created a tier list of all his favorite albums. Spanning genres from rock to rap and featuring artists anywhere from Aretha Franklin to Adele, I’d say that it’s complete and quite comprehensive. Take a look below and let Zuriel know if you agree or disagree with anything.
Thank you again for coming back to this issue of the Album Review. Stay tuned for my next (and final) part of the series.
