Jay Electronica: A Written Testimony (2020) (Hip-hop)

Rarely as epic or profound as it may believe to be. Production is largely unrefined but occasionally decent with interesting choices that touch on industrial. Much of the album is full of vignettes of religious allusions with little worth than to show that they read some parts of the Quran and the Bible and are truly woke such as the likes of Louis Farrakhan, however never nearly as outrageous or offensive as him. By they I mean Jay#1 and Jay#2 (Jay Electronica and Jay-Z) as they are both equally featured on the album leading to free but almost indistinct mixtape like feel. It quickly becomes apparent which Jay is the more compelling one... A few decent production choices and compelling verses and highlights include The Blinding and Universal Soldier. 





Conscious Hip-hop/Islamic Hip-hop

Kyuss: Welcome to Sky Valley (1994) (Metal,Rock)

The high-intensity hellish energy of their previous albums becomes much more condensed. Though not as experimental as Blues For The Red Sun, Welcome to Sky Valley refines the stoner metal genre through more intricate and filling, lengthy compositions. The guitars and drums remain monstrous crushing and intense, but this time there is a bit more composure, they sound sharper, but at the same time the production feels open like you are listening to a band play in the stary nights of California. A real gem in the genre and should be listened to even if you are not a fan of the genre.







Heavy Psych/Stoner Metal/Stoner Rock

Kyuss: Blues For The Red Sun (1992) (Metal,Rock)

Some songs sound like fiery mosh pits (Green Machine, Writhe), others like psychedelic trips that slowly warp into nightmares (50 Millions Year Trip, Apothecaries' Weight), some more serious and foreboding, others more comedic and rebellious punk. Kyuss's energy is destructive, occasionally spacey, and often unbridled, with a versatile sound but raw sound, managing to craft one of the most influential albums in the stoner rock/metal catalogue. 




Heavy Psych, Stoner Rock, Stoner Metal

Freddie Gibbs, The Alchemist: Alfredo (2020) (Hip-hop)

Drugs, crime, God and the Streetz are lyrically found throughout Alfredo wrapped with The Alchemist's jazzy beats making an enjoyable but not particularly novel album. Though lyrically dark for the most part the album is breezy and easy going with the occasional upbeat, high tempo song (Frank Lucas, Baby $hit, All Glass),  Freddie manages to employ compelling flows and lyricism cementing himself even more in the gangsta rap cadre. Highlights include God is Perfect, Frank Lucas, Something to Rap About, Baby $hit.

Jazz Rap/Gangsta Rap

Kate Bush: Hounds of Love (1985) (Pop)

Lovey-dovey art-pop, with lavish violins, pianos, bells and all things baroque complemented by fruitful recording techniques, bordering on glitch and new wave (Waking The Witch, Watching You Without Me), Hounds of Love has the wide range of performances expected from art-pop acts while still feeling incredibly cohesive, intimate and sensual. With her dreamy but powerful performances, Hounds of Love is a masterpiece and easily one of the apexes in the 80s art-pop scene. 


Art-pop/Baroque Pop/Progressive Pop

Esbjörn Svensson Trio: From Gagarin's Point of View (1999) (Jazz)

Sleepy, peppy, dreamy, bright and occasionally dark. This album is an all-round, tight experience littered with different instrumental performances from each of its members. The pianos are sharp well-tailored to each song with subtly minimalist instrumentation.  





Jazz

Ween: The Mollusk (1997) (Rock)

At times very ridiculous, and occasionally serious. The Mollusk is an ironic collection of songs loosely tied by elements of sea and sailors that often border on insanity.  The shanties (Blarney Stone, She Wanted to Leave) are a lot of fun and the psychedelic tinges feel like a dreamy ocean. 

Art Rock/Psychedelic Rock/Sea Shanties

Paul Simon: Graceland (1986) (Pop,Rock)

Some trendies will be writhing in contempt as the white saviour comes to appropriate many ethnic styles, most of the South African origin. But, Paul is respected enough as a musician and for the most part genuine enough in his adoption of these styles that much of this criticism becomes baseless and ideological. The songs are translated into poppier, more refined songs for a western audience with bright showy instrumentation that is well-produced and will make listeners believe themselves to be fans of "world" music.

Best Tracks: The Boy in the Bubble, Graceland, Gumboots, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, You Can Call Me Al*, Under African Skies*, Crazy Love, Vol. II, All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints*






Pop Rock/ Zulu Music

Nicolas Jaar: Space Is Only Noise (2011) (Electronic)

Space is only noise, but is noise only space? I would say yes, at least in this album. Through the manipulation of textures and soundscapes, Nicolas manages to play with this notion, conjuring vibrational, mysterious ambient and electronic passages, occasionally adding samples or his own voice to establish a firmer base while still remaining shrouded and distant. 


Best Tracks: Colomb, Sunflower, Too Many Kids Finding Rain In the Dust, Keep Me There*, Space Is Only Noise If You Can See*, Almost Fell, Balance Her In Between Your Eyes, Specters of the Future, Variations






Ambient Pop/ Downtempo/ Electronic

billy woods, Kenny Segal: Hiding Places (2019) (Hip-hop)

Grimy vagabond rhymes with his usual cryptic lyrics and quotable punchlines. Beats are disorienting dark canvases for his esoteric ramblings which often start subtly only to add instrumental complexity. Woods is a captivating rapper even if his bars may need more attention than warranted, his flows are captivating and versatile, the nihilism and despondency of his bars reaks of booze. 

Best Tracks: Spongebob*, Steak Knives, Checkpoints, Spider Hole*, A Day in a Week in a Year, Crawlspace*

Abstract Hip-hop

Clams Casino: Instrumentals (2011) (Electronic,Hip-hop,Instrumental)

Icy beats, that helped solidify cloud rap as a genre. Surreal warped vocals and spacy samples allow for not only a fruitful, ethereal background listen but a cerebral sound that grows on listeners. It is repetitive enough that the loops get stuck in your head but intricate enough to be worthwhile. A benchmark in the genre.

Best Tracks: Motivation, Real Shit, Realist Alive*, Numb, What You Doin', The World Needs Change, Illest Alive




Cloud Rap/Electronic/ Instrumental Hip-hop/ Witch-house