Now on his sixth studio album as the sounds of his continent continue to proliferate across the globe, Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy returns for the first time since breaking through to the mainstream in a big way with the Diddy-produced and Grammy-winning project that was 2020’s Twice as Tall. Spanning 19 tracks and bringing a … Continue reading Burna Boy – Love, Damini
Khalid
Khalid – Scenic Drive
Not long ago the most streamed artist in the world, it seems that Khalid’s fall from pop dominance has been incredibly sudden. Criticisms of his work being too stagnant and derivative had followed him for his whole career, but a couple tracks on his last project Free Spirit seemed to finally start breaking out of … Continue reading Khalid – Scenic Drive
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 (Anderson .Paak, Sara Bareilles, Khalid)
Anderson .Paak - Ventura Only 5 months after his rap-heavy third studio album Oxnard, which kept a high level of quality but ultimately disappointed some fans searching for the feel-good charisma that coloured his breakout project Malibu, Anderson .Paak returns with the soul-based companion piece. Thank goodness he did. The singer, rapper and BEST teeth … Continue reading Rapid Fire Reviews (Anderson .Paak, Sara Bareilles, Khalid)
6lack – East Atlanta Love Letter
Lowkey alt-R&B crooner 6lack (yes, pronounced “black”) unleashes his sophomore project East Atlanta Love Letter after the success of his Grammy-nominated debut Free 6lack. Not changing up the formula that worked out for him in the past, 6lack still represents yet another of the scores of alt-R&B artists that rose to popularity in the wake … Continue reading 6lack – East Atlanta Love Letter
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)
Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1
Versatile DJ and frequent hitmaker Calvin Harris’ 5th studio album is a reinvention of sorts. While he has frequently incorporated some aspects of funk and hip-hop into his music in the past, he has never attempted to make this much of a fully-focused and cohesive project. Harris abandons the formulaic dance drops here, instead turning … Continue reading Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1
Logic – Everybody
Hey guys, did you know that Logic is biracial?! Maryland rapper Logic's third studio album, Everybody, is yet another dense and sprawling concept album from the technical wizard. While there are still some great moments where we get to see just how impressive Logic is as a pure rapper, everything I have criticized about his music … Continue reading Logic – Everybody
Khalid – American Teen
19 year old R&B singer Khalid, whose debut single "Location" is currently flying up the charts due to the assistance of one Ms. Kylie Jenner, drops an accompanying album that shows off his unique voice despite its lack of originality. Like the genre's fellow upstart Texan Leon Bridges, Khalid's vocals are deep, soulful and layered … Continue reading Khalid – American Teen
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 