While pop-punk’s Gen Z-fuelled resurgence has certainly heralded a lot of misfires, the most exciting part of it has undeniably been being able to see new kinds of voices join the fray, twisting the form in their own ways while being inspired by the legendary bands that they grew up on. Now blowing up on … Continue reading Meet Me @ The Altar – Past // Present // Future
Rock
Paramore – This Is Why
As someone who was essentially ushered into the rituals of hyperactive music fandom at age 11 when I heard 2007’s Riot!, it’s mindboggling to think about how Paramore is now 18 years removed from their debut project. With a couple solo albums from frontwoman Hayley Williams in the interim, This Is Why comes a full … Continue reading Paramore – This Is Why
Måneskin – RUSH!
Despite the global popularity of the Eurovision Song Contest, its victors don’t often go on to achieve global success. That is, until a group of leather-clad Italian rockers who were barely out of their teenage years at the time scored a handful of viral hits in 2021. Setting them on a collision course with some of … Continue reading Måneskin – RUSH!
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
Jack White – Fear of the Dawn
Four years after his polarizing and wildly creative project Boarding House Reach, garage rock trailblazer Jack White has returned with yet another helping of his eccentric and invigorating twists and turns on the genre that he mastered long ago through his various bands. The first of two albums that he plans to release this year, … Continue reading Jack White – Fear of the Dawn
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
The Killers – Pressure Machine
Conceived in the empty period of time when The Killers were meant to be on the road touring their critically acclaimed 2020 project, Imploding the Mirage, the Las Vegas alt-rock and new wave titans’ seventh studio album Pressure Machine is described by frontman Brandon Flowers as containing “songs that would have otherwise been too quiet and drowned out by … Continue reading The Killers – Pressure Machine
jxdn – Tell Me About Tomorrow
Watching the growing ability for TikTok to catapult songs by essentially unknown artists into global hit singles over the past couple of years has been one of the most captivating musical trends. Now, the creators themselves are getting involved in things. With a track by social media superstar Bella Poarch dominating the charts at the … Continue reading jxdn – Tell Me About Tomorrow
Weezer – Van Weezer
After dropping one of the most surprisingly excellent projects of the year just under four months ago with the emotional and orchestral ode to pandemic life that was OK Human, this reviewer absolutely had to check out what veteran nerd-rock band Weezer was up to with their long-delayed Van Weezer. Hilariously, almost a complete opposite … Continue reading Weezer – Van Weezer
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 