For all the media frenzy surrounding his name as of late, it was still surprising that Machine Gun Kelly’s first full-length foray into pop-punk on Tickets to My Downfall was somewhat competent, transforming the genre’s resurgence into the cultural conversation into a full-on, Travis Barker-backed movement with its chart success. But when you’re doing a … Continue reading Machine Gun Kelly – mainstream sellout
Pop Rock
Avril Lavigne – Love Sux
20 years since dropping her debut single “Complicated” on an unsuspecting public, pop-punk matriarch Avril Lavigne is back to finding success in pivoting from her downtempo, faith-oriented output in 2019 and whatever "Hello Kitty” was supposed to be back to the power chords of her youth. Linking up with Travis Barker on production, who signed … Continue reading Avril Lavigne – Love Sux
Oliver Tree – Cowboy Tears
If you read some interviews featuring the extravagant and eccentric performance artist and living meme that is Oliver Tree, you’ll know that he never intended to pursue music as his main artistic pursuit for long. You’ll also know that it’s impossible to trust nearly anything he says, as it all eventually works its way around … Continue reading Oliver Tree – Cowboy Tears
MØ – Motordrome
When I was able to interview Danish alt-pop singer MØ earlier this month, she told me that the pandemic struck at a strangely opportune time for creating her latest project. Exhausted from seven years of associating with musical megastars and touring all over the world, MØ had planned to take a break, rediscover her passion … Continue reading MØ – Motordrome
iann dior – on to better things
After scoring one of the biggest hits in recent memory with his feature (though arguably carrying the song) on 24kGoldn’s “Mood,” emo-rap star iann dior pushes things even further than before from his hip-hop roots into the pop-punk scene. While this might have been a more exciting move when his more innovative peers were riding … Continue reading iann dior – on to better things
The Lumineers – BRIGHTSIDE
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
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
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
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 