Prolific experimental hip-hop collective BROCKHAMPTON are back after their longest break yet – just over a year and a half. With a membership of thirteen, including vocalists, producers, designers and art directors, there’s always bound to be tragedy striking a couple of them, and ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE is certainly no exception. Of course, … Continue reading BROCKHAMPTON – ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE
Experimental Hip Hop
Playboi Carti – Whole Lotta Red
I thought I was done with 2020 album releases, but one of the most highly anticipated albums in years dropped on Christmas Day, so here we are. Wildly experimental and highly polarizing hip-hop upstart Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red has been teased for over two years now, leaving fans in a frenzy after his past … Continue reading Playboi Carti – Whole Lotta Red
Lil Uzi Vert – Eternal Atake
Leave it to someone like Lil Uzi Vert to simultaneously release their album 2 years late and 1 week early. Release date shenanigans aside, the long-anticipated Eternal Atake has finally arrived along with the promise of a project that’s a bit more conceptual from a rapper who has been rather one-note in the past, coasting … Continue reading Lil Uzi Vert – Eternal Atake
Brockhampton – iridescence
Hip-hop/R&B supergroup (or “boyband”, according to leader Kevin Abstract) Brockhampton, fresh off the success of their Saturation Trilogy last year, have had one of the most meteoric rises in popularity in recent memory. Formed through interactions on a Kanye West fan forum, the group certainly emulates his flair for the experimental, blending together abrasive, complex … Continue reading Brockhampton – iridescence
Joey Purp – QUARTERTHING
Chance the Rapper affiliate and SAVEMONEY Crew member Joey Purp finally delivers his debut studio album, 3 years after exploding onto the scene with his 2015 mixtape iiiDrops. The Chicago rap scene has been thriving in recent years, and Purp maintains his standing as one of the most creative artists from the city with this … Continue reading Joey Purp – QUARTERTHING
Ariana Grande – Sweetener
Virtuosic R&B-pop princess Ariana Grande’s 4th studio album, Sweetener, might not be her best work yet - but it’s certainly her riskiest and most groundbreaking. With production shared between the omnipresent Pharrell Williams and old friends Max Martin and Tommy Brown, who we haven’t seen since her soulful debut, it’s the work of the former … Continue reading Ariana Grande – Sweetener
Denzel Curry – TA13OO
I’m not sure anyone was quite ready for Denzel Curry’s TA13OO. The dark and aggressive hardcore rap artist’s third studio album takes a deep dive into the most tortured levels of his subconscious, dividing the project into three shorter acts – Light, Grey and Dark, which signify the degree to which he gives into and … Continue reading Denzel Curry – TA13OO
Kids See Ghosts – Kids See Ghosts
Now that I've finally caught back up to the present with these reviews, I'll be returning to the original, longer format and hopefully returning to a consistent release schedule starting next week. Jorja Smith review coming shortly, then back to Tuesday/Thursday or something similar. I'm also going to be back on Instagram, follow me at bensbeatmusic! Here are … Continue reading Kids See Ghosts – Kids See Ghosts
Rapid Fire Reviews (Shawn Mendes, Father John Misty, Kanye West)
Shawn Mendes - Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes releases his third self-titled studio album at the age of only 19, expanding his musical influences to explore genres past his trends of safe, acoustic pop balladry. Working with a high-profile set of collaborators, Mendes delivers a solid set of pop tracks that splits about half and half with … Continue reading Rapid Fire Reviews (Shawn Mendes, Father John Misty, Kanye West)
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)
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 