After quite a few drama-filled years where it looked like the end was coming soon, it finally looks like alternative rap collective BROCKHAMPTON is done for good this time. Announcing a final album at what was dubbed their last show at Coachella 2022, something a little bit different happened – proving once again that you … Continue reading BROCKHAMPTON – The Family / TM
Roddy Ricch – Feed Tha Streets III
You have to hand it to Roddy Ricch – 11 months after the release of LIVE LIFE FAST, a truly disappointing project that had the online chatter turn against him and dub him a one-album wonder, he returned with a couple singles that quickly shifted things back in the other direction. That in turn allowed … Continue reading Roddy Ricch – Feed Tha Streets III
Nas – King’s Disease III
The partnership between legendary rapper Nas and producer Hit-Boy just keeps on giving. Now with their fourth collaborative project since dropping the original, Grammy-winning instalment of King’s Disease back in August 2020, Nas’ career resurgence has been astonishing to behold as he firmly cements his legacy as one of the all-time greats. Still, after King’s … Continue reading Nas – King’s Disease III
Louis Tomlinson – Faith In The Future
While one of his former bandmates becomes one of the world’s biggest artists, another gears up to drop his third album after some consistently moderate success and two more dramatically nosedive after scoring top 10 hits, the most unique post-OneDirection career trajectory yet has been Louis Tomlinson’s, who started out slow and has been steadily … Continue reading Louis Tomlinson – Faith In The Future
Joji – SMITHEREENS
Now on his third album since reinventing himself with a new persona, the king of lo-fi balladry has returned with his briefest project yet. The follow-up to 2020’s solid Nectar, which saw Joji fleshing out his sparse sounds and astute songwriting instincts with production that was slightly more involved and less disjointed, things have swung … Continue reading Joji – SMITHEREENS
Drake & 21 Savage – Her Loss
After a lukewarm reception to the dance-oriented Honestly, Nevermind – save for the 21 Savage-featuring closing track, of course – Canada’s biggest hip-hop star decided to double down and release a full collaboration project with the Atlanta trap titan. Make no mistake though, this feels like a Drake album, and it’s his best one since … Continue reading Drake & 21 Savage – Her Loss
Yung Gravy – Marvelous
Just like his brother in memes bbno$ before him, Minnesota rapper Yung Gravy has managed to translate his outlandish public persona and steady stream of trendy and tongue-in-cheek lyrical moments into genuine chart success. Capitalizing off of – what else – a sample flip of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” and a public … Continue reading Yung Gravy – Marvelous
Smino – Luv 4 Rent
A longtime associate of quite a few beloved indie rappers like JID, Saba and Noname, St. Louis artist Smino’s steady critical acclaim has been building him a wider audience as time goes on. Now on his third studio album, Luv 4 Rent has elevated his streaming numbers to a new level as he continues to … Continue reading Smino – Luv 4 Rent
Carly Rae Jepsen – The Loneliest Time
Six albums in and almost exactly 10 years since the release of her commercial breakout with Kiss, Carly Rae Jepsen’s status as a pop music cult figure of sorts is still going strong. But when you have albums like 2015’s E•MO•TION, which appeared on countless year-end lists and arguably played a big part in today’s … Continue reading Carly Rae Jepsen – The Loneliest Time
Taylor Swift – Midnights
16 years after the arrival of her debut and returning with her fifth major release in just over two years, it’s truly impressive that Taylor Swift is still shattering records. It seemed like it was out of reach that any album would ever sell over a million in its first week ever again, but this … Continue reading Taylor Swift – Midnights
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 