Now down to two members and releasing their fourth studio album ten years after their biggest international hit in “Ho Hey,” it would seem that against all odds, Colorado folk-rock outfit The Lumineers are having a bit of a resurgence in popularity, even racking up some impressive streaming numbers. It just goes to show that … Continue reading The Lumineers – BRIGHTSIDE
Rock Reviews
Snail Mail – Valentine
After breaking through at the age of only 19 to enormous critical acclaim with her debut album Lush in 2018, Lindsey Jordan and her musical project that is indie-rock outfit Snail Mail have returned with an album that responds to the romantic optimism expressed on their debut. Seemingly a prominent theme this year, we now … Continue reading Snail Mail – Valentine
Coldplay – Music of the Spheres
It was the best of Martins; it was the worst of Martins. After reaching new levels of lyrical banality with Everyday Life, their worst-selling album to date that somehow picked up an Album of the Year nomination at the Grammys, UK pop-rock titans Coldplay saw fit to recruit pop’s most successful producer – and a … Continue reading Coldplay – Music of the Spheres
Brandi Carlile – In These Silent Days
Now having firmly established herself as an artist that you have to look out for at the Grammys every time she releases, Brandi Carlile continues to push on as one of the most celebrated working songwriters of the moment. Taking a break after her critically acclaimed last solo album to join the country supergroup The … Continue reading Brandi Carlile – In These Silent Days
Imagine Dragons – Mercury – Act 1
For a while, it seemed like Imagine Dragons was the only truly commercially viable “rock” act left around. As we see a resurgence of guitar-based music in the mainstream, you’d think that a band that has been so misguided for so many album cycles might be feeling a little inspired and make some of their … Continue reading Imagine Dragons – Mercury – Act 1
Halsey – If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
One of the biggest criticisms that has followed alt-pop singer Halsey throughout her career is not having necessarily followed up on her ambitious talk in interviews positioning herself as a ground-breaking, experimental artist. With a new album produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails fame, that criticism can finally be put … Continue reading Halsey – If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
The Killers – Pressure Machine
Conceived in the empty period of time when The Killers were meant to be on the road touring their critically acclaimed 2020 project, Imploding the Mirage, the Las Vegas alt-rock and new wave titans’ seventh studio album Pressure Machine is described by frontman Brandon Flowers as containing “songs that would have otherwise been too quiet and drowned out by … Continue reading The Killers – Pressure Machine
jxdn – Tell Me About Tomorrow
Watching the growing ability for TikTok to catapult songs by essentially unknown artists into global hit singles over the past couple of years has been one of the most captivating musical trends. Now, the creators themselves are getting involved in things. With a track by social media superstar Bella Poarch dominating the charts at the … Continue reading jxdn – Tell Me About Tomorrow
Twenty One Pilots – Scaled And Icy
Experimental pop-rock titans Twenty One Pilots had made a career of blending together just about every sound under the sun in a way that came across as overblown and almost too experimental for its own good until 2018’s incredible Trench album. A cohesive and heavy prog-rock piece that incorporated aspects of bright pop choruses, synth-funk, … Continue reading Twenty One Pilots – Scaled And Icy
St. Vincent – Daddy’s Home
Three and a half years after teaming up with perennial producer of the moment Jack Antonoff for the excellent Masseduction, alt-rock and indie-pop superstar St. Vincent is back with something completely different – business as usual for the multi-instrumental experimentalist. Her sixth album Daddy’s Home is loosely based off of a moment of reckoning with … Continue reading St. Vincent – Daddy’s Home
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 