Music

FEBRUARY MUSIC REVIEWS

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

NAS

Magic

Mass Appeal Records

The legendary Nas is slaying with silky smooth vocals once again on his 15th studio album. The 48-year-old rapper's tenacity and success in the music industry proves his transcending talent. “Speechless” is coated in a hauntingly beautiful mandolin instrumental. His writing is out of this world, with pop culture references littered in “Dedicated.” He gives us the honest hardcore truth in “Meet Joe Black” with “Why would I ever have to cop a chain again/ When the QB chain birthed most the chains in the game?/ No post office we stampin' time/ Took out a slice out of the Big Apple, made apple pies." In “The Truth,” he delivers addictive tongue twisters with “Like food grilled with wood chips/ Woolrich, button-up flannel/ Lookin' wolfish my hair wolfin'/ Central bookings, simple lessons/ One foot on the curb, one foot in the Lexus.” I’ll take a lesson from this rap historian any day. - Marisa Patwa

INNA

Champagne Problems

Global Records

This world-wide superstar is proving her prowess again with her eighth studio album. The Romanian singer delivers the perfect pop collection of electric club dance beats with eight slick tracks. She brings the bubble, the electricity and the sizzle. Standouts include “Fire and Ice,” “Always on My Mind,” and “Baby.” “Lonely” has an addictive, hypnotic hook that will have you gliding over the dance floor in smiles and sweat. “Love Bizarre” is filled with intense passion. I’d save that one for your crush. “Solo” has a gorgeous melody. “Always on My Mind” is lyrically gorgeous with “I swear I've been down this street before/ I recognize all of the red lights (the red lights)/ Why I keep on coming back for more.” Electro dance-pop is not usually what I order but Inna has changed the whole menu. A second batch of songs that stemmed from the Champagne Problems creative sessions will be released later this year. The juices are overflowing with Inna and we’re here to sip up what she’s serving. - Marisa Patwa

THE WEEKND

Dawn FM

XO and Republic Records

The Weeknd's fifth studio album is nothing short of a masterpiece. Comedian Jim Carrey helps narrate throughout, in a signature move I haven’t seen before, but love. Tyler the Creator and Lil Wayne also feature, sprinkled with spoken word from Quincy Jones. The rapper-singer says this album is a representation of purgatory where the listener is making their way to the everlasting light beyond the tunnel. If it is the stage between Heaven and Hell, he sure makes you want to ruminate in limbo. “Take My Breath” became an instant chart-topper, followed by “Sacrifice.” While his lyrics are simple, it’s the way he croons them with sensual ease that makes his songs truly stand out. Lil Wayne gives us some dirty pop-rap in “I Heard You’re Married,” with “You put my love on the line and hang up on you/ That's a long kiss goodbye, I gotta tongue kiss you/ And when doves cry, we ain't got enough tissue.” It’s the perfect accompaniment to The Weeknd’s sultry, sweet vocals. While the gloomy “Gasoline” will give you chills and thrills. - Marisa Patwa

MASTODON

Hushed and Grim

BMG/Trampled Under Hoof Music

After the album Emperor of Sand won the Grammy for best rock album of 2017, Atlanta quartet Mastodon had to up their game. That album raised the bar, brought them critical acclaim, and marked a departure from their earlier sound. Their response? 2021’s Hushed and Grim, a double album, and at 90 minutes and 15 tracks, their longest to date. The album is a “sludge and trudge” replete with thundering drop-D chuggers and haunting melodies. However, I found it refreshing how they worked in more subdued moments of melancholy and light with several mid-tempo numbers. Hushed and Grim is a musical journey that immediately found heavy rotation on my playlist. With song titles like “Savage Lands,” “Teardrinker” (the surprisingly pop-sounding single), and “Gobbler of Dregs,” longtime fans won’t be disappointed with the album. Standouts are “The Crux,” “Sickle and Peace,” “Pushing the Tides” and “The Beast,” but there isn’t a bad song on this one! - Matt Alschbach

AK-747S

I Love What You’ve Done with the Place

Self-released

Here it is - punk rock at its absolute best. Vancouver punks ak-747s self-release their fifth album, a sludgy garage-punk blast that is viciously political and absolutely gnarly. If the numbers on Spotify are accurate, ak-747s garner fewer than 50 monthly listeners - a crying shame if you ask me! I Love What You’ve Done With the Place is the best underground punk rock I’ve heard in a long time. Fusing doomed Black Sabbath-style guitar with the chaos and anger of 80s hardcore punk, ak-747s couldn’t sound cooler. If you like the nasty, raw punk of Pissed Jeans and Cheater Slicks or the political lyricism of MDC and Dead Kennedys, then ak-747s are the band for you. - Russ Finn

BAILEY ALLEN BAKER

Palish Landscape

Mishap Records

Inspired by Marty Robbins and the Flying Burrito Brothers, Idahoan singer-songwriter Bailey Allen Baker releases his debut EP Palish Landscape on the new Boise-based label Mishap Records. Baker’s style of country sounds equal parts old school and modern, borrowing from country music’s legends, while adding a haunting spin that makes the songs sound fresh. The resulting five songs softly creep along like a cowboy drifting through a ghost town. Baker’s sad western ballads have a slow trot to them, while his voice croons alongside lap steel guitars, harmonicas, and the slow steady strumming of his acoustic guitar. The EP is a mere 18 minutes, and my only criticism is that I want more! This is a great debut and I’ll be eagerly awaiting what comes next. - Russ Finn

TAXIWAY

Absence

Self-released

Nashville indie rockers Taxiway release their debut LP Absence - a collection of nine ethereal rock songs filled with rich lyricism and wonderful storytelling. There are hints of 90s and 2000s dream pop throughout the album, with sonic nods to Mazzy Star, Slowdive, and The XX, but Taxiway deviates from the dream pop path with reverb-heavy heartland rock songs. The combination of frontman Mike Aurand’s emotive and descriptive lyrics mixed with the soft, beautiful sounds of his band reminds me a lot of the work of acclaimed singer/ songwriter Julien Baker or local Evansville heroes Thunder/Dreamer. Though Absence is great throughout its 40 minute runtime, I would highly recommend checking out the standout songs “Prime Meridian,” “House Upon the Sand,” and “Ten Miles High.” - Russ Finn

CAMPBELL, MALLINDER, BENGE

Clinker

Crépuscule

With the unexpected loss of UK post-punk pioneer Richard Kirk - the heart and soul, and only remaining member, of Sheffield's groundbreaking Cabaret Voltaire - in 2021, there's been more attention placed on CV's former frontman, the alwayscharismatic Stephen Mallinder. His place in music history secured, "Mal" has continued to explore new synthetic pathways, most notably with Wrangler - a heavily analog trio rounded out by electronics wizard Benge and Phil Winter. For his latest project, Mallinder reconnects with Benge while also welcoming Julie Campbell (aka LoneLady) into the mix to produce the Clinker mini LP, a six-song deconstruction of beats and synth patterns held together by Campbell's layered, experimental guitar work. She even contributes a surprisingly melodic, Janet Jackson-esque vocal turn on closing track "Dereliction Magical" which works a charm, perfectly playing off Mal's typically menacing approach on standouts "Camouflage" and "Condition Collapsing." Kirk would be proud. -

Johnny Fletcher

BLUES WITH BRAGIN

POLLY O’KEARY & THE RHYTHM METHOD

50

Self-Released

An award-winning trio from the Pacific Northwest, Polly O'Keary & The Rhythm Method return with 50, a sharp collection of blues-rock that showcases a dazzling array of influences, including Zydeco, country, funk, jazz, rockabilly, surf and rock & roll. “Brand New Day” kicks things off with O’Keary’s funky bass matching the upbeat lyrics about someone looking on the bright side of life as things fall into place. David Miller’s guitar solo seems reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix. “Too Much Like I Care” features a bit of a 1950s feel and will get your toes tapping. Tommy Cook’s drumming matches the heavy tone on “Can’t Catch Me.” Miller begins with a searing guitar on “Smiling” that deceptively boasts a somber melody as O’Keary sings about keeping a positive attitude during difficult times. “People On The Corner” discusses the masses that society seems to forget.

The Latin-inspired groove on “Strange Way of Showing Love” deals with a man who exercises too much control over his woman. All of the musicians show off their talent in the song’s middle section. “ABCs” showcases bluesy but mature lyrics to help children learn the first three letters of the alphabet. The trio starts off with a jam vibe on “I’m Not Guilty” before O’Keary starts singing in a tone similar to Janis Joplin about her innocence in the face of accusations against her reputation. The album closes with “American Highways,” a hard rock-tinted tune about hitting the road at the end of a long work week.- Paul Bragin