Music

DECEMBER MUSIC REVIEWS

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THESE HONEST REVIEWS OF SOME REVIEWS OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST OF THE HOTTEST NEW ALBUMS INNEW ALBUMS IN

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TAYLOR SWIFT

Midnights

Republic Records

Midnights is not a collection of songs you fall asleep to; it's one you dream about. Taylor Swift’s 10th studio album is full of hazy, beautiful tones that nourish the hungriest of Swifty souls. On the heels of her 2020 albums Folklore and Evermore, Swift continues to prove she is in it for the long haul. “Bejeweled” is truly magical with a fantastical music video to boot. Laura Dern makes a splash as the wicked stepmother while HAIM plays the wicked stepsisters to Swift’s Cinderella. “Best believe I’m still bejeweled/ When I walk in the room I can still make the whole place shimmer.” You tell them, your highness. “Lavender Haze” is sexy, cool and sweet. The Mad Men-inspired song pulsates with the electricity of falling for someone to the backbone of a techno beat - it's irresistible. “Snow on the Beach” with Lana Del Ray is transportive, ethereal and otherworldly. Their angelic voices blend so beautifully with such raw emotion. But with every rose, there is a thorn. Like many artists this year, Swift has had to alter her music after releasing it. In this case, she removed the word “FAT” on the scale in her “Anti-Hero" music video after fans voiced concerns over use of the term. Regardless, her music remains incredibly touching and relatable.- Marisa Patwa

CHARLIE PUTH

Charlie

Atlantic Records

This third studio album is the most personal to date for silky crooner Charlie Puth. The popular singer took a backseat during the pandemic to incubate his perfect collection of songs. The gestation was well worth the wait - these tracks are superbly crafted with artistry and true reflection. Puth is maturing and we stan growth. “Light Switch” became a viral sensation of its own thanks to countless TikTok videos. Although this 80s, high-energy pop beat doesn't make me jive on the disco floor, it's definitely a catchy and cute way to get the ear giggles. Elsewhere, Puth hits the high notes in “Tears on my Piano” and “Left and Right” is a radio hit, featuring BTS’s Jung Hook. It’s sugary sweet and their voices blend like candy - totally addictive. “That’s Hilarious” is the true standout, though. Through the undercurrents of autotune, we can hear the true passion in, and gorgeous tone of, Puth's voice. He sings with gut-wrenching raw emotion - you can almost feel the daggers he’s trying to remove from her heart after a bad break up. Charlie, your fans have tissues for your tears and support for your career. - Marisa Patwa

MEGHAN TRAINOR

Takin’ It Back

Epic Records

The pop star's fifth studio album is bursting with love. “Made You Look” dives back into her “All About that Bass” and “Dear Future Husband” 1950s pop with a modern twist vibe. It’s filled with cheerful, peppy beats and Trainor’s signature lyrical sass: “I could have my Gucci on/ I could wear my Louis Vuitton/ But even with nothin' on/ Bet I made you look (I made you look)." Yes, honey. These retro vibes are giving. She is so upbeat, but she can dive deep into the pain of life, too. “Bad for Me (feat. Teddy Swims)" is a soulful song about the heartache of breaking up with your family. Trainor takes us to church, the snaps making you want to groove and pray at the same time: “Please don't make promises that you can't keep/ Your best intentions end up hurting me/ No matter what, I'll love you endlessly/ I know we're blood, but this love is bad for me.” Praise be. “Drama Queen” is simple yet fun, centered around being queen bee and spoiled with “Your Lips are Moving” vibes. “Superwoman” is one of her first takes singing about motherhood. It’s incredibly inspiring and normalizes us having flaws even as we try to be our best. This album is Meghan at her best. - Marisa Patwa

CHEZ KANE

Powerzone

Frontiers Music SRL

British vocalist Chez Kane’s sophomore effort Powerzone is equal parts 80s-era glitz and glam, excess and bombast - topped off with a voice that rivals Heart's Ann Wilson

back in her heyday. But what is so enjoyable and refreshing about this record is that Kane has embraced the camp and over-the-top antics that dominated MTV in the late-80s with bands like Warrant and Poison. Just

check out her video for “Love Gone Wild” and you’ll be transported back to the glory days of MTV. The album features titles like “(The Things we do) When We’re Young in Love,” “I Just Want You” and “Rock you Up.” Admittedly, we’re not listening to the artistry of Dylan or the prose of Neil Peart. Having said that, the songs on Powerzone are catchy, with some nice hooks and sing-along choruses. Kane may have been born in the wrong decade, but she’s a delightful throwback to an era when performing was as much about talent as it was attitude, swagger and unapologetic fun. - Matt Alschbach

THE UECKERS

Rocket to Wrigley/Two Balls No Strikes

Semi-Pro Records

Chicago punks The Ueckers have reissued their two albums Rocket to Wrigley and Two Balls No Strikes on Semi-Pro Records as one 36-song double album. The compilation collects the two baseball-themed concept albums onto one giant cassette of ramshackle, DIY punk songs made by brothers J. Uecker and B. Uecker. The Ueckers have a fast and carefree style that recalls the typical Ramones-esque punk formula, but the nonstop baseball subject matter mixed with the lo-fi, free-spirited nature of these songs make this collection a lot of fun. If you’re a fan of baseball and punk rock, this incredibly specific niche album is the perfect fit for you. For everyone else, The Ueckers' baseball punk might just be fun novelty, but their passion for two of America’s greatest pastimes is indisputable.- Russ Finn

CLEMENTINE WAS RIGHT

Can't Get Right With the Darkness

The Blue Turn

If Arcade Fire played country music (and were far less pretentious) they might sound something like Clementine Was Right. The Denver-based country rock band, led by poet and songwriter Mike Young, released their wonderful debut album Lightning & Regret in January 2020 - right before the collective darkness the world experienced in 2020. This year, Clementine Was Right bring us their sophomore effort, an album that confronts pessimism and inspires hope. The songs found on Can’t Get Right are cozy and comforting - warm like a blanket and a bonfire. Young’s lyrics tell beautiful stories of drifters and lovers and people drifting in and out of love, all backed by the twangy sounds and joyous singalongs of his bandmates. This excellent follow-up is a welcome addition to CWR’s catalogue and has me eager for a third LP.- Russ Finn

JOJI

Smithereens

88rising/Warner Records

Smithereens is the shortest installment in Joji's projects since 2017's In Tongues, yet it's not short of acclaim in the slightest. Nine tracks, divided into two parts, make up this album. The lyrical content of Smithereens reads as a universally melancholic and nostalgic break-up album. With songs like "Glimpse of Us" and "Die for You" it's easy to see the emotional growth in Joji's songwriting, as well as the continued excellence in his production. My main qualms with this release is that the bulk of it is overshadowed by the singles and the second part of this album doesn't carry the same delivery and care for production as the first part. For those who missed the bedroom style beats of his earlier works, you'll be happy to hear the tracks from the latter half of Smithereens. - Hamilton Golike

ARCTIC MONKEYS

The Car

Domino Recording Company

The seventh entry into the discography of Sheffield natives Arctic Monkeys symbolizes the death of their once lively rock outfit of former years. Following the divisive nature of Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino, vocalist Alex Turner goes full lounge bar act, mining a range of 70's-themed inspirations. Songs such as "There'd Better Be A Mirrorball" and the title track feel as if they've been lifted from a spaghetti western Bond film directed by Jean-Luc Godard, mostly due to the inclusion of orchestral strings and big band elements. While the album's not entirely bad - on tracks like "Body Paint" and "Big Ideas" we hear a symbiotic coalescence of these themes - it feels as though these facets only act as a bandage for the lackluster melodies and lazy vocals from Turner (though there are many high notes sprinkled throughout, almost none of them are sung by Turner himself). The phonetic surrealistic lyricism of Turner's turns up to ten over the slow tempo instrumentation of the band, while his vocal delivery tends to simmer mildly, at best, for the rest of The Car. Ultimately, I feel underwhelmed and let down by what could have been the perfect departure into a new era of Arctic Monkeys.- Hamilton Golike

BLUES WITH BRAGIN

BILLY TRUITT

Abstract Truth

JT Dream Wave Music

Southern Idaho native Billy Truitt surrounds himself with a seasoned group of skilled musicians on Abstract Truth. The album opens with "Who’s Been Trying," a song that seems tailor-made for dancing down the street in New Orleans. Jimmy Carpenter's saxophone in the middle of the song is top notch. "No Light Blues" offers stellar drumming from Justin Truitt and funky bass from Mike Seifrit. Al Ek’s guitar playing on "Truth Come Home" sounds eerily reminiscent of Carlos Santana. "Waymore Blues," a cover of a Waylon Jennings song, is a bluesy toe-tapper with a guest appearance from Rob Edwards on bass and great piano from Billy Truitt. He sings with passion about his unrequited love in "True."

"Salvation or Hell and Famous Potatoes" features Ek performing harmonica with amazing skill to complement Billy Truitt’s keyboard prowess at the end of the song. A Latin beat permeates "Life Like Art" and will cause your whole body to dance as Justin Truitt offers a steady drum beat and Steve Eaton stops by for a guest appearance on vocals. Ek gives the listener more phenomenal harmonica to accompany his turn at vocals on "Hobo Flatts." "Preacher Stole My Angel" features a train beat as Billy Truitt sings about losing his woman. The album closes with "Ragtime Eastern Cowboy "22"," a jazzy instrumental number perfect for sipping your favorite beverage. - Paul Bragin