For all of the members of the tight-knit modern-day mainstream pop-punk crowd, YUNGBLUD presents an interesting phenomenon – he’s the one who seems like he belongs the least, trying too hard to be wild and crazy in order to align with the tired “welcome to the freakshow” narratives, but listening to his music consistently gives … Continue reading YUNGBLUD – YUNGBLUD
Punk
Demi Lovato – HOLY FVCK
Through all of her trials and tribulations, it seems unbelievable that Demi Lovato has been a cultural force long enough that she’s now releasing her eighth studio album. Last year’s Dancing With The Devil saw her return after a four-year hiatus rife with tragedy, continuing to showcase some of the best vocals in the game … Continue reading Demi Lovato – HOLY FVCK
Machine Gun Kelly – mainstream sellout
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
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
Young Thug – Punk
While his influence on the rap game cannot be understated, Young Thug can be so eccentric and off-the-wall with his ideas and vocal inflections at times that he lapses into inconsistency. As he releases his second project of the year, it seems that he saved all of his best ideas for the hard-hitting and undeniably … Continue reading Young Thug – Punk
Fall Out Boy – M A N I A
Veteran rock band Fall Out Boy’s seventh studio album, delayed for four months after their bassist Pete Wentz explicitly admitted the songs weren’t good enough in an interview, is certainly a lot more impressive than I’m sure most people expected. However, as evidenced by opening EDM misfire “Young & Menace” remaining on the project, M … Continue reading Fall Out Boy – M A N I A
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 