Music

JULY MUSIC REVIEWS

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THESE HONEST REVIEWS OF SOME REVIEWS OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST OF THE HOTTEST

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POST MALONE

Twelve Carrot Toothache

Mercury Records/Republic Records

Post Malone delivers his bougie, moody vocals yet again on his fourth studio album. 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

EMELI SANDÉ

Let’s Say for Instance

Chrysalis Records

The Scottish singer is serving up highpowered vocals on her fourth studio album. Sandé has nothing left to prove, but her range continues to shine and inspire. Moving from R&B to classical, she's uplifting and free throughout 16 amazing tracks. Sandé teams up with Adele for the first song, “Family,” a true tear-jerker with lyrics that highlight the themes of rebirth and resilience: “I've got a need for speed and a head for dreams/ But I had to slow down, see the wood for the trees, breathe easy, yeah/ But now my energy's on one hundred ten/ And I'm never gonna let them bring me down again, believe me.” “Ready to Love” is for all of those heartbroken souls out there who are ready to heal and find the love they deserve again. To drive the message home, Sandé dropped an emotional music video, singing her heart out in her dark pink and royal blue velvet power suits, cutting a striking image as she transitions from painful lyrics to cheerful, triumphant words that truly move the soul. It's a rollercoaster ride that you never want to get off. - Marisa Patwa

KENDRICK LAMAR

Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers

Top Dawg Entertainment

Kendrick Lamar may be humble but he's still the king of rap with this fifth studio album. It's littered with incredible guest performances, 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

GHOST

Impera

Loma Vista Recordings

The first time you see the band Ghost in full costumes and make-up you might think you’re about to witness a Satanic mass or blood ritual. Lead vocalist “Papa Emeritus” (aka Tobias Forge) plays a sinister pope-like figure in full regalia and death mask, flanked by “Nameless Ghouls” (a clever way of identifying the multiple masked musicians in Ghost). However, when you hear Ghost, you might be shocked to discover that they are a pop metal band that doesn’t take themselves too seriously. Their songs are heavy, yet full of lighter moments, sardonic humor, scary imagery and pop sensibilities. Their fifth studio album Impera continues that tradition with songs like “Bite of Passage,” as well as more ominous tracks like “Dominion,” “Imperium” and “Darkness at the Heart of My Love.” The single “Call Me Little Sunshine” strikes the perfect dichotomy between the macabre and mainstream pop with a doomy riff and a contagious chant for a chorus. They make metal fun! - Matt Alschbach

ANGEL OLSEN

Big Time

Jagjaguwar

Asheville-based singer/songwriter Angel Olsen embraces her country roots on her sixth studio album. Throughout her career, Olsen has continually delivered powerful and emotive indie rock and pop records. But if you strip her songs to their core elements, it's clear country music has always been an influence as evidenced by her nasally Emmylou Harris voice and simple acoustic chord progressions. On Big Time, Olsen gives us her first proper country album full of breezy, lackadaisical love songs. While not quite reaching the heights of her opuses My Woman or All Mirrors, Big Time is still an incredibly beautiful collection of songs that certainly recalls the best work of Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris, or Dolly Parton. - Russ Finn

MJ LENDERMAN

Boat Songs

Dear Life Records

The Asheville country scene must be having a moment right now. In addition to Angel Olsen’s excellent Big Time record, Asheville singer/songwriter MJ Lenderman releases his anticipated debut. On Boat Songs, Lenderman delivers 10 slice-of-life songs about boats, basketball, Disney World, and cussing out neighbors “throwin’ sh*t in the yard.” Opening track “Hangover Game” is a ripping country-rock song about Michael Jordan’s infamous “flu game." Not only is it a great opener and an album highlight, it perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the album, ensuring you’ll enjoy all of Boat Songs if you like “Hangover Game.” If you’re a fan of Drive-By Truckers or Sparklehorse, MJ Lenderman’s debut will surely be one of your favorite albums of 2022. - Russ Finn

WILCO

Cruel Country

dBpm Records

Wilco rose from the ashes of alt-country originators Uncle Tupelo in the early 90s and kicked off their career with the country-rock A.M. in 1995. In the 27 years since, Wilco have done everything they can to expand their sound into more experimental territory, leaving country music behind. However, when the band got together to create their 12th studio effort, they reportedly ditched all of the art-pop songs in progress and instead recorded Cruel Country - a massive 21-song country concept album about the state of our nation. Wilco have always been somewhat political, but never as biting as they are here with lines like, “There is no middle when the other side would rather kill than compromise.” This return to form is not only welcomed, the resulting album is one of their strongest ever. - Russ Finn

RAMMSTEIN

Zeit

Universal Music

Hard to believe it's been 25 years since this German metal outfit garnered a bit of attention in the U.S. with "Du Hast," a truly unique track off their sophomore effort Sehnsucht that simultaneously seemed to parody and pay homage to heavy music. Vocalist Till Lindeman's deep-throated vocals - sung almost exclusively in his native tongue - backed by the band's mix of simple yet effective guitar riffs and synth adornments either created fans for life or turned listeners off; there was little middle ground. None of the band's subsequent albums have changed that dynamic - indeed, Rammstein rarely deviate from their tried and true musical formula which consists of a forceful intro followed by near-spoken word verses leading up to an anthemic, almost operatic chorus. But honestly, no one does it better - a hyperbolic statement that's hard to argue with after listening to Zeit, one of the group's most varied albums, ebbing and flowing from the emotional title track to the stomping "Zick Zack" and beyond. It may not attract new devotees but Rammstein won't lose a single loyalist, either. - Johnny Fletcher

BLUES WITH BRAGIN

THE GROOVE KREWE FEAT. NICK DANIELS III

Run to Daylight

Sound Business Services

In addition to playing with the popular New Orleans group Dumpstaphunk, legendary bassist Nick Daniels has performed with such big names as Allen Toussaint and Etta James. Now he's joined forces with the Groove Krewe on Run to Daylight. The opening title track features drumming from Eddie Bayers at the song’s outset that sets the tone very well. The guitar from Jonathon “Boogie” Long adds a nice touch. “That’s New Orleans” discusses the great things about living in the Big Easy. Funky guitar from Rex Pearce will start your body moving. The beat on “Have A Party” sounds reminiscent of the Daft Punk hit “Get Lucky” or the Chic hit “Good Times.” The bass line from Daniels will get your toes tapping.

More funky bass playing from Daniels highlights the great R&B sound on “In the Groove Zone.” The superb horn section from Jason Parfait and Ian Smith on “Reach Out” matches the lyrics about opening your heart and showing kindness to others. The slightly psychedelic feel on “I’m Gonna Prove My Love” offers a nice contrast to lyrics about showing a woman you care. “Where Love Lies” offers great keyboard playing from Nelson Blanchard to complement the horns from Lacy Blackledge and Pete Verbois. Parfait returns with top-notch saxophone playing on “Sweet Situation.” “Where Ya at in Life” boasts an island feel that seems perfect for sipping a drink from a coconut.

- Paul Bragin