Francis Starlite might just be becoming one of the most high-profile indie artists in the world. After having a major role on Chance the Rapper's Coloring Book and having praised heaped upon him by not only Chance, but his mentor Kanye West, expectations for this debut studio album were understandably high. Francis and the Lights is … Continue reading Francis & The Lights – Farewell, Starlite!
Month: September 2016
Skylar Grey – Natural Causes
Skylar Grey's sophomore effort comes 3 years after 2013's Don't Look Down, and while it certainly raises the bar in terms of creativity, ultimately suffers from the same issues of inconsistency which persisted on her debut. It is a confounding and eclectic mix of sounds in the same way, and while some of these sounds utilize … Continue reading Skylar Grey – Natural Causes
Usher – Hard II Love
In the wake of the endless delays and ultimate cancellation of would-be album UR, Hard II Love is surprise released without any of the fanfare. It is his first since 2012's Looking 4 Myself and the latest in a career spanning over 20 years. While the last few of Usher's projects have largely abandoned his R&B/Soul beginnings, working … Continue reading Usher – Hard II Love
Mac Miller – The Divine Feminine
Mac Miller takes a complete sonic left turn on this project. He abandons the goofy frat-rap which cluttered many of his past releases for a take on smooth and romantic hip-hop music, taking more of an influence from alternative R&B and jazz. Miller actually showcases his singing voice for the first time on many songs on … Continue reading Mac Miller – The Divine Feminine
M.I.A. – AIM
Singer, rapper and activist M.I.A's fifth studio album is a compilation of good intentions which fail to come together in any discernible way. Most aspects of the album come from an interesting and innovative place, and are clearly trying to create an alternative to the current musical narrative, but an overwhelming lack of effort is put … Continue reading M.I.A. – AIM
Bastille – Wild World
British power-pop hitmakers Bastille return with the official follow-up to 2013's wildly successful Bad Blood in the wake of various collaborative mixtapes and remix compilations. On Wild World, the band finds a way to create a balance between staying true to the pulsating synthpop sound which made the band a household name, and expanding their influences to … Continue reading Bastille – Wild World
Travis Scott – Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight
Travis Scott's third project in three years comes 363 days after the release of his debut studio album Rodeo, and the time taken in between indicates that the vast majority of the tracks included on this album are little more than Rodeo B-Sides -- in fact, "Wonderful", a track released last December and marketed exactly in this … Continue reading Travis Scott – Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight
Isaiah Rashad – The Sun’s Tirade
Isaiah Rashad certainly understands just how anticipated this album was, as he opens his album with a voicemail from labelmate ScHoolboy Q demanding its whereabouts. The final product he delivers is quite different from his debut Cilvia Demo, choosing to focus more on the laid-back delivery he showcased at times on his earlier work and … Continue reading Isaiah Rashad – The Sun’s Tirade
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 