After a gap a single day shy of exactly six years away from the spotlight, the reigning queen of album sales has finally returned to reclaim her throne. There’s truly no other artist that casts a net of appeal as wide as Adele does – her soaring pop-soul ballads are capable of getting just about … Continue reading Adele – 30
Retro Pop
Dominic Fike – What Could Possibly Go Wrong
After sparking a huge amount of buzz with his 2018 EP, Don’t Forget About Me Demos, genre-hopping upstart Dominic Fike has finally released his debut album, continuing to blend the worlds of rock, pop and hip-hop on a project that … essentially still sounds like demos. Fike’s frenetic sound is certainly something admirable in theory, … Continue reading Dominic Fike – What Could Possibly Go Wrong
Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
Who could have seen this one coming? Tropes of 80s synthpop and disco-influenced sounds have been working their way back into the playbooks of the most forward-thinking pop stars in the industry for a while now, but nobody has truly modernized them in a way that’s so undeniably fun and futuristic like UK sensation Dua … Continue reading Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
Troye Sivan – Bloom
Former YouTube sensation and retro-pop rising star Troye Sivan evades the sophomore curse with his second studio album Bloom, a celebratory and confessional look at Sivan’s powerful self-expression as he details his approaches to relationships as a gay man set to the kind of pop music that inspired him growing up. Working with some of … Continue reading Troye Sivan – Bloom
Rapid Fire Reviews (James Bay, BTS, Pusha T)
James Bay - Electric Light James Bay completely revamps his image on sophomore album Electric Light, linking up with Adele producer Paul Epworth to take his music in a much poppier direction, while still maintaining the soulful, almost gospel-influenced delivery that lent itself well to his stirring rock ballads. The transition isn’t always seamless, the album … Continue reading Rapid Fire Reviews (James Bay, BTS, Pusha T)
Rapid Fire Reviews (Rae Sremmurd, Charlie Puth, Playboi Carti)
Rae Sremmurd - SR3MM/Swaecation/Jxmtro Brotherly hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd embrace their inner OutKast on the third in their Sremmlife album series, branching out and turning into a sprawling triple disc edition that allows a full album for each member to shine individually. Rae Sremmurd’s youthful, jubilant cloud-rap sound is often a joy to listen to, … Continue reading Rapid Fire Reviews (Rae Sremmurd, Charlie Puth, Playboi Carti)
BØRNS – Blue Madonna
Retro-pop singer-songwriter Børns’ sophomore project continues to display his old-soul mentality, reviving the classic pop sounds of groups like the Beach Boys while infusing the style with more modern synth-based production and moody lyrical musings that attracted a prominent collaborator in Lana Del Rey to the project. Made with only a single producer in Tommy … Continue reading BØRNS – Blue Madonna
Lana Del Rey – Lust For Life
Pop enigma Lana Del Rey's fourth studio album Lust For Life is her most consistent and focused project to date. Allowing some of the hip-hop influences that peppered debut album Born To Die back into the mix, but maintaining the defining aspects of her old soul personality and unique musical niche, she is finally able to keep me engaged … Continue reading Lana Del Rey – Lust For Life
Tennis – Yours Conditionally
Husband and wife duo Tennis release their fourth studio album, continuing their streak of consistently delivering catchy retro-pop sounds. I was introduced to this lesser-known band as the opening act for pop-rock sister trio HAIM at an event which perfectly captures their essence - an outdoor summer concert. Both acts were clearly inspired by early … Continue reading Tennis – Yours Conditionally
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 