Music

JUNE MUSIC REVIEWS

CHECK OUT CHECK OUT THESE HONEST THESE HONEST REVIEWS OF SOME REVIEWS OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST OF THE HOTTEST NEW ALBUMS INNEW ALBUMS IN MUSIC!MUSIC

JACK HARLOW

Come Home the Kids Miss You

Generation Now/Atlantic Records

Louisville homegrown rapper Jack Harlow is dabbling swagger throughout his second studio album. "First Class" samples Fergie’s classic hit “Glamorous” (ft. Ludacris) and it oozes with the same bougie flare, yet is still infused with fresh flavor the way he smoothly snaps sound bites in between her famous lyrics. From the looped piano in "Talk of the Town" and electro “Movie Star” (ft. Pharrell Williams) to the flute-filled "Churchill Downs" with Drake and chill vibes of "Poison" with Lil Wayne, it's one banger after the next. Harlow's rap lyrics are next level, always pushing the tongue-twisting and play on words limits. One of my favorite verses from "Movie Star" is, “Your girl's a fan of me, in fact, I'm what her fantasy is/ Duckin' out the party, we can't let the cameras see us/ I'm with a movie star, ooh, young Cameron Diaz.” You tell ‘em. - Marisa Patwa

FUTURE

I Never Liked You

Freebanz/Epic Records

Rapper Future is still staying and slaying in the game with his ninth studio album. All 16 songs quickly reached the Billboard Hot 100. He also has a bevy of knock out features from Kanye West, Gunna, Tems, Kodak Black, Young Thug, EST Gee and Drake - busy man. Lead single “Worst Day” is legendary, some of his best work with lyrics, “Valentine's day, the worst day, got too many to please/ I popped a half a pink pill, and put my mind at ease/ I bought you all these gifts, chain your heart all in pieces/ Try to pass out new whips, yeah, but all you want is me/ Got a glock under her pillow, she blowin' for my gang/ Not tryna lie to you, I don't wanna explain/ Took off on a store run and jumped on a plane/ Every single birthday, another private location.” And the track's accompanied by a red rose-filled music video to boot. Elsewhere, he and Kanye snap off with “Keep it Burnin'" proving that with Future, the fire will never die down.

- Marisa Patwa

KEHLANI

Blue Water Road

TSNMI/Atlantic Records

Khelani delivers a kaleidoscope of emotions on her third studio album, exploring the messiness of breakups to the heartbreak of cheating. Her voice is as smooth as champagne on a Sunday. Through the despair, she melts us with romantic love. She seduces us then spits us back out, leaving us craving more. “Up At Night” (ft. Justin Bieber) is an angelic vibe. Combined, their honey-butter vocals make you shiver with ecstasy and excitement. The big standout though is her collaboration with Jessie Reyes on “More Than I Should.” They are the dream duo, complementing each other with ease while still letting the other shine, especially with powerful lyrics like, “Wasted time and money/ Tryin' to treat you like a queen/ I might as well have just thrown matches at a tank of gasoline/ Well it all went up in a ball of flames/ Girl you torched me good/ Yeah, I got burned and learned that I loved you more than I should.” Burn it all down, ladies. - Marisa Patwa

DREAM WIDOW (FOO FIGHTERS)

Dream Widow

Roswell/RCA Records

Dream Widow is both an album title and the name of a fictional metal band created by Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters. I appreciate FF trying something new. I also recognize that this album may be the last to feature the late Taylor Hawkins, RIP. Further, I’ll acknowledge that when Grohl (one of the biggest names in rock) makes a metal album, it creates visibility for the genre. So why then does this record fall flat in my view? There are some heavy riffs and moments of speed and thrash, but this sounds exactly like what you’d expect from FF doing a metal album. There is nothing revolutionary here, particularly when the offerings within the genre are vast these days. The songs on Dream Widow are often repetitive, and Grohl’s unmistakable shriek makes it clear that you’re listening to FF as they temporarily meander into the metal world. - Matt Alschbach

ARCADE FIRE

WE

Columbia Records

While WE isn’t necessarily a bad album, the sixth studio effort by now-legendary indie rockers Arcade Fire is certainly underwhelming, and possibly their worst yet. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good moments on the record - “End of The Empire I-III” is a pretty good song, but it’s mostly good because it sounds like a Beatles song and not like an Arcade Fire song. Here are the problems with WE: the production is too clean and lush, the lyrics are uninspired (and sometimes downright bad), and the album is boring overall. Arcade Fire no longer sound like themselves but like a band trying to sound like Arcade Fire. Just a reflection of a reflection, or something like that. - Russ Finn

SHARON VAN ETTEN

We’ve Been Going About this All Wrong

Jagjaguwar

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten is back with yet another great addition to her catalogue. The Los Angeles-based artist, who recorded We’ve Been Going About this All Wrong in her home studio, finds herself doubling down and experimenting more with the synth-pop sound she introduced on 2019's Remind Me Tomorrow. The resulting album is not Van Etten’s best work, but stands out as the being the most different from her other releases. Overall, this is a nice pop record that's equal parts uplifting and moody. Enticed? Check out standout tracks “Home to Me” or “Mistakes.” - Russ Finn

FEEBLE LITTLE HORSE

Hayday

Julia's War Recordings

Hayday, the second EP by DIY Pittsburgh band Feeble Little Horse, was released in October of last year. Through some algorithmic magic, it was shoved into my ears for the first time just a few weeks ago. Now I can’t get enough of it. Hayday is a really fun, lo-fi noise-pop EP full of youthful energy and imagination. Feeble Little Horse showcase a ton of ambition, while also not taking themselves seriously in the best way possible. Most of the lyrics aren’t deep, but they're all certainly cool and fun (check out EP standout “Chores” and you’ll know what I mean). Throughout Hayday, the band channels a hyperactive blend of Sonic Youth and Alex G. - covering so much ground in so little time, it begs for repeat listens. - Russ Finn

WOLFGANG FLÜR

Magazine 1

Cherry Red Records

Renowned as a pivotal member of German synthesizer legends Kraftwerk during the band's most influential period, circa 1975-83, Wolfgang Flür has stayed active, periodically releasing pleasant material with echoes of his former musical life. But with the help of some very talented friends - including Midge Ure, Peter Hook, Claudia Brücken and techno duo U96 - the innovative percussionist has put it all together on Magazine 1, creating an electronic masterpiece that proves he's so much more than the man with the beats. In fact, he's taken the Kraftwerk blueprint and expanded upon it on über-catchy tracks like "Birmingham" and the wickedly danceable "Zunkunftsmusik." Elsewhere, "Das Beat" gives a playful nod to the Beach Boys, "Electric Sheep" channels sci-fi author Philip K. Dick and elegant closer "Say No!" implores us all to strive for peace in this mad world. Brilliant across the board. - Johnny Fletcher

BLUES WITH BRAGIN

EMMA WILSON

Wish Her Well

EW Music

Hailing from Teesside in the North of England, Emma Wilson kicks off Wish Her Well with the enticing title track featuring Adam Chetwood on guitar as the lauded blues vocalist sings about not harboring ill will towards her former lover’s new flame. Mark Neary’s bass at the end of the song is haunting. “Mary Lou” has a California feel, perfect for a lazy summer day. The heavy guitar on “Little Love Bite” matches the lyrics about a woman who found someone she wants to be with all the time. “Rack ‘Em Up” features a funky bass line from Neary and stellar guitar from Chetwood as Wilson sings about knocking back a few drinks.

“Blossom Like Snow” offers steady drumming from Mat Hector. Neary’s terrific bass playing takes center stage on “She Isn’t You.” Chetwood’s psychedelic guitar solo takes the song to another level. “Not Paying” features a guest appearance from Alessandro Brunetta on harmonica. Wilson sings about doing anything to be with someone on “Nuthin I Won’t Do” as Hector drums up a great percussion section. “Back on the Road” boasts a jazzy feel with Wilson singing about the life of a traveling musician as the whole band soars. The melancholy feel of “Then I’m Gone” fits well with the lyrics about leaving after a tryst. - Paul Bragin