The path to R&B artist Brent Faiyaz being able to score a six-figure first week debut while still being an independent artist is rather impressive – taking his time between studio albums after dropping his debut back in 2017, Faiyaz has been steadily building a dedicated fanbase through a series of EPs and featuring alongside … Continue reading Brent Faiyaz – WASTELAND
Alicia Keys
Fivio Foreign – B.I.B.L.E.
As more and more big-name artists search out verses from people like Fivio Foreign to add a touch of the ascendant New York drill sound to their own projects, the genre’s new de facto leader in the wake of the tragic death of Pop Smoke sees fit to drop his debut studio album. After catapulting … Continue reading Fivio Foreign – B.I.B.L.E.
Alicia Keys – ALICIA
Legendary vocalist Alicia Keys’ seventh self-titled studio album has essentially been seeing COVID-related delays all year long, but it has finally arrived. Four years after her incredibly solid Here, which saw her using her powerhouse vocals over some more adventurous R&B-leaning instrumentals from her husband Swizz Beats, ALICIA finds her mostly looking outside of the … Continue reading Alicia Keys – ALICIA
Rapid Fire Reviews (Justin Timberlake, Black Panther, Rich Brian)
I've been pretty busy lately with midterms and the Olympics but a couple of these rapid fire posts should get things back on track! Justin Timberlake - Man of the Woods Timberlake’s fifth studio album and his first in five years follows one of the best pop albums of the decade with a confusing amalgamation … Continue reading Rapid Fire Reviews (Justin Timberlake, Black Panther, Rich Brian)
Alicia Keys – Here
Veteran R&B/Soul singer and fully established musical force Alicia Keys returns with her sixth studio album and first since 2012's pop-oriented Girl On Fire. Keys has dubbed this album the best music she's ever made, and the quality here makes it hard to dispute that comment. Aside from Keys herself, production is handled mainly by husband … Continue reading Alicia Keys – Here
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 