Mexican Institute of Sound and Meridian Brothers – “Cumbia fantasia”This is like an electronic version of the second wave ska band The Selecter. It has a definite ska rhythm, but is more angular, bridging the last 45 years wonderfully.Listen: Yes Effie – “Red Horse”I really struggled to get anything out of pullup to busan 4 morE hypEr summEr …, but… Read more »
U2 – Days of Ash EPIt is never good sign when an artist of any kind does something similar to a past success and it falls short. “American Obituary” wants to be to Renee Good what “Pride” was to MLK. But it just isn’t the same. This isn’t a reflection on Good versus MLK, but of Bono no longer trusting… Read more »
Claire Rosinkranz – My Lover“City” starts off like a run-of-the-mill piano-based pop song. Then about 30 seconds in, the song just fills out over a bouncy bass line and from there the song is just a really fun ride. The album continues to surprise in this way and it changes its energy more by moving between subdued and bright, smooth… Read more »
A$AP Rocky – Don’t Be DumbRight off the bat, the songs seem mediocre, but the production and arrangements seem fantastic. The lyrics to “PLAYA” aren’t stupid, but they are weak from a rhyme perspective. Over the course of the album, I waffle on the lyrics, find the music to be mundane, and the production very good.Listen: Maybe just a few… Read more »