Three and a half years after a viral video of Pharrell reacting to her music made her one of pop’s most promising new figures overnight, Maggie Rogers is back with a new sound, a new haircut and a degree from Harvard. Sharing its name with her thesis in religion and public life, Surrender finds Rogers trying out … Continue reading Maggie Rogers – Surrender
Indie
Vance Joy – In Our Own Sweet Time
Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy is back after four years with his third project, In Our Own Sweet Time, but truthfully, not much has changed – if you’ve heard one of his songs before, you likely know what this album is going to sound like, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Recruiting a list of … Continue reading Vance Joy – In Our Own Sweet Time
Rex Orange County – WHO CARES?
For someone who was once dubbed “The Internet’s new favourite sad boy” after rising to prominence overnight following heavy contributions to Tyler, the Creator’s Flower Boy album, Rex Orange County’s latest project is exceptionally positive and uplifting. While the British indie-pop singer wastes no time diving into some of his usual topics of depression, imposter syndrome and crushing … Continue reading Rex Orange County – WHO CARES?
Julien Baker – Little Oblivions
With 2021’s album drought continuing to allow me to shed some light on some smaller artists that likely wouldn’t be featured on this blog, the most popular album of the past week actually belonged to indie rocker Julien Baker. Gaining more attention after her Boygenius bandmate Phoebe Bridgers’ recent explosion to the tune of five … Continue reading Julien Baker – Little Oblivions
Taylor Swift – evermore
Taylor Swift might be the only person on earth having a truly productive 2020. Deep into re-recording her old songs in the midst of a dramatic custody battle for her masters and only four and a half short months after dropping her masterpiece, folklore, Swift has elected to release another set of tracks in the … Continue reading Taylor Swift – evermore
Taylor Swift – folklore
Who knew that when the music industry’s biggest mastermind at the game of marketing dropped the months-long promotion cycle and released something spontaneous that it would result in her masterpiece? It seems as though the real marketing strategy is great music, as Taylor Swift’s surprise “indie” album folklore is now the 2nd biggest streaming debut … Continue reading Taylor Swift – folklore
Grimes – Miss_Anthrop0cene
I considered letting an AI write this one – it’s what Grimes would want – but here we go: Ms. Elon Musk herself has returned with her first full-length album since 2015, and in true Grimes fashion, it’s certainly a very strange one – although in terms of what the music actually sounds like, it … Continue reading Grimes – Miss_Anthrop0cene
Oh Wonder – No One Else Can Wear Your Crown
UK indie-pop duo Oh Wonder are back with another album of beautifully understated melodies as their worldwide profile continues to grow. While I definitely thought their sophomore effort, 2017’s Ultralife, was mostly played safe and was ultimately uninspired and unmemorable, the duo returns to some interesting high-powered synthpop production quirks here that often provide a … Continue reading Oh Wonder – No One Else Can Wear Your Crown
Halsey – Manic
Alt-pop singer-songwriter Halsey’s third studio album Manic is meant to be a journey into the way her mind works – named after her bipolar disorder, formerly referred to as manic depression. Sonically, it’s certainly a fitting title as the project dips tentatively into quite a few genres, all smoothed over with the glossy psychedelic pop … Continue reading Halsey – Manic
Rapid Fire Reviews (Offset, Lil Pump, Hozier)
Offset - FATHER OF 4 The third and final member of the ultra-popular rap trio Migos to release their own solo project as we wait for Culture III, Offset actually takes the opportunity to do something you don’t often see the group doing: opening up and getting emotional. The album delayed due to relationship drama … Continue reading Rapid Fire Reviews (Offset, Lil Pump, Hozier)
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 