Review of 'Music' by Playboi Carti

 

Carti has released Music. Is it worth the 5 year wait?

Review of 'GNX' by Kendrick Lamar

We’ve had our beef. Now Kendrick’s serving up dessert.

Review of ‘Chromakopia’ by Tyler, the Creator

Tyler, the Creator wrestles with the idea of becoming Tyler, the Procreator.

Triple Album Review: ‘Dark Times’ by Vince Staples, ‘King of The Mischievous South vol 2’ by Denzel Curry & ‘I Lay Down My Life For You’ by JPEGMAFIA

I haven’t reviewed many hip hop albums this year. In fact, I haven’t reviewed many albums full-stop. So, here’s a three-album-in-one review to make up for it.

Review of 'Might Delete Later' by J Cole

Cole's pen remains sharp, but the songs don't cut it.

Review of 'Blue Lips' by Schoolboy Q

Despite pushing 40, Q still has incredible energy to give, and arguably the best ear for beats in the game.

Review of 'Vultures 1' by ¥$ (Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign)

Ye’s shaky singing and trashy bars make this a rough listen.

Review of 'Scarlet' by Doja Cat

Doja’s claws are out. Gone are the horny alien pop bops. She’s now making angry demonic rap. And it’s both fun and frustrating to listen to.

Review of 'UTOPIA' by Travis Scott

The guestlist is impressive and the production is fun, but it’s still not enough to conceal the fact that Travis Scott is an utterly unexciting rapper.

Review of 'Scaring The Hoes' by JPEGmafia and Danny Brown

Scaring The Hoes sees rappers JPEGmafia and Danny Brown celebrating their mutual weirdness. If you want to get kicked out of a house party for ‘scaring the hoes’, play this album (although I can think of much worse examples if you really want to cause utter chaos. Imagine putting Trout Mask Replica on the aux. Or maybe some Merzbow? That’s how you scare the hoes.)

Review of 'Like..?' by Ice Spice

Ice Spice? Is she, like, the secret sixth member of The Spice Girls? I decided to check out.

Review of 'Let's Start Here' by Lil Yachty

Lil Yachty has evolved. Enter Mega Yachty.

Review of 'Honestly, Nevermind' by Drake

Drake’s new surprise dance album is his dreariest yet.

Review of ‘Mr Morale & The Big Steppers’ by Kendrick Lamar

Mr Morale & The Big Steppers is a masterpiece – and quite possibly my favourite Kendrick album to date.

Review of 'Melt My Eyez See Your Future' by Denzel Curry

Denzel is sounding less aggressive and more introspective here. And he’s jumping on some of the most stylistically diverse beats of his career. It’s an exhilarating album – but is it better than his 2018 masterpiece TA1300?

Review of 'Few Good Things' by Saba

I’ve got quite a few good things to say about Few Good Things.

Review of 'SICK!' by Earl Sweatshirt

Earl is rapping on actual beats this time. But despite being more accessible, SICK! isn’t as ‘infectious’ as I’d hoped.

Review of 'Montero' by Lil Nas X

Despite the uninspired name (he blatantly took it from a rapper name generator), Lil Nas X has fast become one of the most exciting and unique artists in modern mainstream hip hop. But is it all just gimmicks?

Review of 'Certified Lover Boy' by Drake

Certified Lover Boy features some of the Canadian singer-rapper’s best songs to date – but also some of his worst.

Review of 'Donda' by Kanye West

Despite the messy roll-out, the bloated tracklist (27 tracks???) and the non-existent album art, Donda is not the slapdash slog I expected it to be. In fact, there are some solid and spectacular songs here.