NEWS4U JULY 2022 | MUSIC REVIEWS
CHECK OUT
CHECK THESE OUT HONEST THESE HONEST REVIEWS OF SOME REVIEWS OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST OF THE HOTTEST NEW ALBUMS IN NEW ALBUMS IN MUSIC MUSIC!
JULY MUSIC REVIEWS POST MALONE Twelve Carrot Toothache Mercury Records/Republic Records
KENDRICK LAMAR Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers Top Dawg Entertainment Kendrick Lamar may be humble but he's still
Post Malone delivers his bougie, moody
the king of rap with this fifth studio album. It's
vocals yet again on his fourth studio album.
littered with incredible guest performances,
His performances on SNL debuting two of his singles were so simple and beautiful; I had both songs on repeat for days. “Cooped Up” with Roddy Rich is a fun song with sick beats and although it's infused with Auto-Tune - which Post Malone doesn’t need - it still slaps. “Love/Hate Letter to Alcohol'' is a blistering honest look at the pitfalls of alcoholism. He sings with such authenticity, you can’t help but feel as vulnerable with honest lyrics like, “You're the reason why I got my ass kicked/ But you're the only way to drown my sadness.” But it's also funny and self-deprecating: “Looking in the mirror something's wrong/ Let me get my dentist on the phone.” Further proving he's got a great sense of humor, Post Malone promoted the album by doing a “Day Drinking with Seth Meyers” segment which was hilarious. He's so incredibly, unapologetically himself (even if he did get his stage name from a rap generator) that his musicality shines through just as much as his humor and grace. Doja Cat, The Weeknd, Gunna, Kid Laroi and Fleet Foxes all add spice with appearances. - Marisa Patwa
including features by Taylour Paige, Ghostface Killah, Summer Walker, Kodak Black, Beth Gibbons of Portishead, Sampha, Amanda Reifer, Sam Dew, Tann Leone, Blxst and Baby Keem. He's giving these lesser known - yet very talented - artists the chance to shine on a big name album, proving he's a generous musician. A smart move, it seems, because the album debuted at number one. Lamar dabbles in all genres from west coast hip-hop to psychedelic jazz, blues and trap, touching on themes like religion, cancel culture and gender identity. In “Auntie Diaries” he recounts a story from his youth with his transgender uncle and cousin. It’s empowering for the LBGTQ+ community to have this kind of representation, especially on the heels of Pride Month. “N95” and “Silent Hill” are two standouts. My favorite is “Rich Spirit,” which takes you to church on the beach with a dawn-filled baptism: “Paintin' pictures, put me in the Louvre, that's a definite/ Universal shift, I'm in a groove/ And celebrity does not mean integrity, you fool/ I'm a good man, shakin' hand, firm grip rule.” Lamar's truly the professor of rap and I’ll take the full course load - Marisa Patwa
EMELI SANDÉ Let’s Say for Instance Chrysalis Records
GHOST Impera Loma Vista Recordings
The Scottish singer is serving up high-
The first time you see the band Ghost in
powered vocals on her fourth studio
full costumes and make-up you might
album. Sandé has nothing left to prove, but
think you’re about to witness a Satanic
her range continues to shine and inspire.
mass or blood ritual. Lead vocalist “Papa
Moving from R&B to classical, she's uplifting and free throughout 16
Emeritus” (aka Tobias Forge) plays a sinister pope-like figure in full
amazing tracks. Sandé teams up with Adele for the first song, “Family,”
regalia and death mask, flanked by “Nameless Ghouls” (a clever way
a true tear-jerker with lyrics that highlight the themes of rebirth and
of identifying the multiple masked musicians in Ghost). However,
resilience: “I've got a need for speed and a head for dreams/ But I had to
when you hear Ghost, you might be shocked to discover that they
slow down, see the wood for the trees, breathe easy, yeah/ But now my
are a pop metal band that doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
energy's on one hundred ten/ And I'm never gonna let them bring me
Their songs are heavy, yet full of lighter moments, sardonic humor,
down again, believe me.” “Ready to Love” is for all of those heartbroken
scary imagery and pop sensibilities. Their fifth studio album Impera
souls out there who are ready to heal and find the love they deserve
continues that tradition with songs like “Bite of Passage,” as well as
again. To drive the message home, Sandé dropped an emotional music
more ominous tracks like “Dominion,” “Imperium” and “Darkness at
video, singing her heart out in her dark pink and royal blue velvet power
the Heart of My Love.” The single “Call Me Little Sunshine” strikes
suits, cutting a striking image as she transitions from painful lyrics to
the perfect dichotomy between the macabre and mainstream pop
cheerful, triumphant words that truly move the soul. It's a rollercoaster
with a doomy riff and a contagious chant for a chorus. They make
ride that you never want to get off. - Marisa Patwa
54 | JULY 2022
• www.evansvillemediagroup.com
metal fun! - Matt Alschbach
