Reviews

Broken Hearts Club

Album | Jak Rāta 100%

Syd. That’s the review.

Nah but if you haven’t had the joy of listening to Syd belt out some tunes, then I don’t really know what to tell you my friends. She basically takes everything you love about R&B and makes it softer with some vocals that just melt straight through your soul into your core. But I’m jumping ahead of myself already and I shouldn’t just throw you into the deep end before explaining why this may be my favourite album of the year (so far).

Syd, aka Syd Tha Kyd, is not new to the scene with tracks blessing our ears since 2018. Without making this a biography, I want you to realise my bias as my love for her runs DEEP. I have my favourite songs and I also have some shit that I don’t really fuck with but having healthy dislikes within your favourite artists is important. What I’m saying is, it’s okay to not like everything that an artist puts out (looking at you Miley and her Dead Petz). But the honest truth is that Lonely Hearts club struggles to have a bad track.

Broken Hearts Club is never one sound. It’s never just the same beat with differing vocals. It’s diverse, with sounds that saunter from light, tenderhearted songs to raw, gritty ballads that centre moments of doubt and mistrust. True to its title, Syd has said the album is about her first real heartbreak, and many songs are tinged with that bittersweet aftershock.

“If I ever make you mine, need to know if you’re the type / do me wrong or do me right,” Syd sings in the opening bars of opening track ‘CYBAH.’ A collaboration with Louisiana singer Lucky Daye, the song captures the anxious, jittery feelings of first being in love and the uneasiness of being vulnerable with another person. But this raises the main point of the album, right? The idea of falling in love and how that’s so anxiety-inducing. But it’s not the typical “woe is me / my life sucks / I want to die” type beat that you’re used to. This juxtaposes sadness in love and upbeat tracks that have you bopping and fucking with the sound.

Versatility and dimension is at the core of the tracklist, from the bright and breezy ‘Right Track’ to the turbulent ‘BMHWDY,’ where Syd croons over the sudden turn in her relationship. This entire album is a testament to heartbreak, with her experiencing her first and seemingly volatile end to a turbulent relationship. You can listen to her story told through interludes and an impressive blend of vocals within the spoken word sections that tug on your heart strings. The hold that Syd is gaining over the R&B folks is disconcerting and I’m certain the general audiences will start to realise her greatness – or some cunt on tiktok will use the sound and blow her up.

Overall, you’re all sleeping on Syd. I’m not here to thrust shit down your throat, but if you’re a pop girlie or if you just fuck with top 40 – it’s time to branch out on your own and find music that you fuck with and makes you feel like shaking your ass or chilling in bed.

Choice Cuts: "CYBAH (feat. Lucky Daye)," "Fast Car," "Control," "Out Loud (feat. Kehlani)," "Heartfelt Freestyle"

The Casual Criminalist

Podcast | Nikita Van Dijk

Like many others, I am a fan of true crime, and like many others, I am always on the lookout for another series to add to the list. Recently I came across the podcast The Casual Criminalist, and I found it to be a refreshing way to learn about true crime.

The Casual Criminalist is hosted by Simon Whistler (yes, the guy from TopTenz on Youtube) and I’ll be honest, I was initially worried. I have seen his other channels and I was worried that his sense of humour would take away from the seriousness of the topic and disrespect the victims and their families. However I was very pleased to find that the humour is balanced. There are just enough jokes - and none about the victims - to allow for small breaks so that those new to true crime can be eased into it, however not enough to disrespect the seriousness of the events. Props to his writers and editors for that!

As Simon reads through (he’s never heard of the cases before), he gives his honest reactions to the events. His true feelings are shown, and it’s refreshing to see cases reacted to with feeling, rather than read out like a robot. The writers are very good with their research, making sure it is detailed and accurate. And there is a combination of well known and lesser known cases spoken about, so there is always a chance to learn.

Overall, I would highly recommend people listen to The Casual Criminalist, and would say that anyone from those who are new to true crime or those who are well versed in it would enjoy this series!

点评 / AROTAKENGA

NEXUS 50%

Coachella

Event | Jak Rāta

This year’s Coachella’s was both algood but also so disappointing? On one hand we had some amazing acts with their first MAJOR appearances (Caroline Polachek, Harry Styles) but for the repeats in the line-up, I’m left less than impressed. Obviously your main stage folks are showing off with big acts joining them for collabs but nothing was as big a spectacle as years past. No Beyonce taking over and kissing everyone. No 2Pac in hologram. And not even coming close to M.I.A just fucking everyone up. Now, this should go without saying, but I’m a Billie Eilish fan. I’m sorry to anyone who doesn’t like her – or do you just think you’re too underground in your music tastes to appreciate mainstream bangers. But honestly? Hayley Williams and Damon Albarn were the standouts in her set.

Someone who almost changed my rating was Miss Ari Lennox. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have an unhealthy obsession with Ari Lennox and that hasn’t changed or swayed since watching her absolutely rip up that California stage. Whipped Cream, Broke, Shea Butter Baby (obviously) and Pressure all in one setlist? You motherfuckers stage front have no idea the greatness that you just endured. Please count your days, because you’ve been called to the gates of heaven by Miss Lennox.Overall I was left wanting more but there’s only so much you can discuss about Coachella before running up the word count.

25%